Who would have thought that we be talking about UT’s “Defense” as a major reason why the Rockets have started the season 7-2. While I understand the competition hasn’t been great so far, just looking at the following statistics tell you that they are buying into defending, even when their offense is struggling like during the first half of yesterday’s game against Marshall:

●Scoring Defense - 64.2 points per game (Rockets have +18.4 scoring margin)
● Field Goal Pct Defense - .375 (Rockets shooting .463)
● 3 point FG Pct. Defense - .298 (Rockets shooting .387)
● 3 Point FGs Made per Game Opponents 7.1 (Rockets 10.1 per game)
● Free Throws Attempted Per Game Opponents 13.5 (Rockets (23.3 per game)
● Free Throws Made per Game – Opponents 8.7 (Rockets 17.2 per game)

The statistics show that Toledo is defending the three point line extremely well outscoring their opponents by 9 points per game. They are also outscoring opponents by over 9 points per game from the free throw line which is an indication that they are are being aggressive on the offense end and not fouling on the defense end. In addition, Toledo is forcing 15.1 turnovers per game which is more than they've generated in several seasons. Add in Toledo’s +5.2 rebounding margin per game, which eliminate second change shots, and you see that this added emphasis on defense is paying off big time. Hopefully this trend will continue into the MAC season and beyond!

(12-09-2019 02:33 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  Who would have thought that we be talking about UT’s “Defense” as a major reason why the Rockets have started the season 7-2. While I understand the competition hasn’t been great so far, just looking at the following statistics tell you that they are buying into defending, even when their offense is struggling like during the first half of yesterday’s game against Marshall:

●Scoring Defense - 64.2 points per game (Rockets have +18.4 scoring margin)
● Field Goal Pct Defense - .375 (Rockets shooting .463)
● 3 point FG Pct. Defense - .298 (Rockets shooting .387)
● 3 Point FGs Made per Game Opponents 7.1 (Rockets 10.1 per game)
● Free Throws Attempted Per Game Opponents 13.5 (Rockets (23.3 per game)
● Free Throws Made per Game – Opponents 8.7 (Rockets 17.2 per game)

The statistics show that Toledo is defending the three point line extremely well outscoring their opponents by 9 points per game. They are also outscoring opponents by over 9 points per game from the free throw line which is an indication that they are are being aggressive on the offense end and not fouling on the defense end. In addition, Toledo is forcing 15.1 turnovers per game which is more than they've generated in several seasons. Add in Toledo’s +5.2 rebounding margin per game, which eliminate second change shots, and you see that this added emphasis on defense is paying off big time. Hopefully this trend will continue into the MAC season and beyond!

I think we are starting to see the impact of Ingram and Lauf getting more comfortable as coaches and putting defense as a priority.

Don't take any credit away from Jeff Massey either. Luke Knapke has credited his work with him for his improvement this year.

Until we play a good team I'll wait, ND was sleep walking and tried to let us win and we couldnt... ND is average i think.. this schedule is a laffer... The coach schedules lite for some reason.

(12-13-2019 09:19 AM)rocketpaul Wrote:  Don't take any credit away from Jeff Massey either. Luke Knapke has credited his work with him for his improvement this year.

Knapke and Willie Jackson have owned the defensive boards this year and scrappy play by the Rocket guards has contributed to holding opponents to one shot.

We are a good shooting team.
We defend the three well.
We play pretty good on ball defense.
We play hard.
We make free throws.

We turn it over unforced too often.
We aren't great inside, but haven't played many teams with a true center 6'10 or 250lb yet.
I don't think we can survive nights when we don't shoot 32% from three with our lack of strong inside game. Luke still gets it ripped a lot in the key. He makes up for it with his inside out game.

I've been critical of UT BB ever since I left a game at Oakland just after halftime when they went from a 2 point lead to down 19 in about 8 minutes of play. They played a horrible brand of basketball and were uninspired. I saw the Notre Dame game on TV and liked what I saw. Didn't end well - and that show signs of past teams, but overall - they played as a team. Went to my first game at Savage in probably 10 years to see the win against Marshall. Still liking what I am seeing - and we have players that are athletic enough to play against anyone - at least in the MAC. Knapke still looks weak holding onto the ball - but he makes up for that weakness by rebounding well and hits the outside shot (career game for him with 33).

I don't know how this ends this season, but at least they are putting a complete team out on the floor and they are competing hard. Have a solid bench as well. The MAC tourney is difficult to win - so they will need to grab a top 2 seed. Taking the sting off the football season...

I was hoping this year's MBB Team will take the sting out of the football season too. We need to put that stinker in the rear view mirror. Hopefully we keep up the good work, win the MAC and FINALLY make it to The Dance.