This team just isn't built to stop anyone, the pieces are not here. It is what it is, it's just not built that way.
Are you kidding? They have a shot blocker in McKay, they have an athletic freak in Hogue, they have a couple of big body guys in Niang and Nader, they have a PG in Morris that can defend one on one, they have size to defend smaller guards in BDJ (crazy wingspan) and Long, they have a bulldozer in Edozie if needed to get in there and spill some blood in the paint, etc... What they lack in size they make up for in athleticism and what they lack in on-ball defending they make up for with a shot blocking presence.
The problem isn't their ability to defend... the problem is their lack of desire to defend. Playing defense isn't fun, it isn't sexy, and quite frankly it requires the guys to expend a lot of energy that may go unnoticed. Anybody remember that play last night when Hogue chased Buddy all over the floor for about 20 seconds and got a hand in his face and he missed a 3 pointer? I didn't think so. Anybody remember all of those 3's that Hogue was draining in the 1st half? Yeah... I do too.
This is the one issue I have with Hoiball in general terms. The Mayor's system is fast paced, it's high flying, it's exciting, it's high scoring, but the one thing it's not is defensive minded. This idea that they can play passive defense and just outscore everyone simply won't work. Iowa State played one of their best offensive half's this season last night dropping 46 on OU's defense which is ranked 8th in the country in defensive efficiency. Now that's impressive... but they also gave up 46 points on the defensive end. Anybody notice the difference between OU's defense in the 2nd half compared to the 1st half? OU cranked up the pressure, they pushed the guards out on the perimeter, they tightened things up in the paint, they got back in transition, and ISU was taken completely out of their game. The team with the better defense won, the team with desire to play defense won, the team with the "We're going to shut you down" attitude won that game.
A great offense can give you a chance to win games. A great defense will win you games. There is a big difference.
Look at college hoops over the last 10 to 15 years.... look at the teams that consistently make deep runs in March... Wisconsin - not so good offensively but great defensively
Michigan State - not so good offensively but great defensively
Ohio State - not so good offensively but great defensively
Kansas - not always good offensively but great defensively
Syracuse - not so good offensively but great defensively
Look at the defensive efficiency rankings this year...
1. Kentucky... what is their AP ranking? 23-0 ranked #1
2. Virginia... what is their AP ranking? 21-1 ranked #2
4. Louisville... what is their AP ranking? 19-4 ranked #9
6. Utah... what is their AP ranking? 18-4 ranked #11
7. Arizona... what is their AP ranking? 20-3 ranked #7
10. Villanova... what is their AP ranking? 21-2 ranked #6
Indiana is one of the highest scoring teams in the country but they are 17-7 because they are ranked 275th in defensive efficiency.
Oregon is one of the highest scoring teams in the country but they are 17-7 because they are ranked 184th in defensive efficiency.
BYU is one of the highest scoring teams in the country but they are 18-8 because they are ranked 190th in defensive efficiency.
ISU is one of the highest scoring teams in the country but they are 17-6 because they are ranked 103rd in defensive efficiency.
Defense wins games... and it is simply a question of do these guys want to work hard on the defensive end or not? Right now the answer is no.