DEFENSE

[Why the Deac Not]

Even with the NCSU & Pitt games included, we gave up an AVG of 83.6 PPG over our final 10 games.

Twas quite remarkable we managed to go 5-5 with a 4 game win streak squeezed in there. Yes, pace was a factor -- we avgd 85.6 PPG, but that's not much margin of error in trying to outscore opponents. Think we finally had some basketball "luck" go our way vs Pitt and VT, and it may have made it seem we were playing better defensively. HARDLY.

In the 10 games before that, we look much better at 79.3 PPG, but the record was still only 5-5. Of course it included games against Clemson, BC twice, GT, and slow-paced UVA. Gonna have hard time beating good opponents giving up 79 a game let alone 90.

 

[macktheknife]

UNC is 129th in scoring defense. Duke 112.

 

[bmoneydeac]

25th and 39th in defensive efficiency tho.

 

[mebanedeac]

DM said he wanted his teams to be known for defense: we are!

 

[Complacent Deac]

I'll make the prediction that counting on a freshman wing to transform the defense is foolish.

This is correct.

 

[DCDeac]

The first time we went zone on them Collins moved too high in the paint and gave up a dunk. In our two tournament exits Collins primary defenders scored 54 points and shot 70%. Sure, he put up 41 points, but Wake was simply not going to win many games losing the Collins matchup this year. Especially not with Keyshawn playing hurt.

Moore not developing into a viable rim protector this year really hurt this team. Instead we had to use Dinos at the 5 or play SJM before he was ready. It's one thing to have to use McClinton and trade offense for defense on the wing. But at the 5 we simply had no capable defensive option. Chaundee should fix the wing defense issue next year, but we're still going to give up 80+ per game if one of our big men doesn't take a huge leap in the offseason.