Pre-Game Thread: at UCF (12/28/22)

[Atxshoxfan]

I remember when Hank Iba was coaching at OSU. There was no shot clock. He played stall ball. He played keep away ball. Scores were something like 52-45 and the games were BORING! Now we have a shot clock and scores are still 52-45. The games aren't as boring as back in the old days. Boring has been replaced by UGLY!

I've seen CKA go absolutely nuts when the Shox scored 100. I've never seen the same when they held an opponent under 50.

Lots of free burgers back when AC, cliff, Aubry and x man were around. Don't think we had a shot clock then either, did we? I'd like to see a 35-40 second shot clock, to keep the stall game out of the game, yet give ample time to work for good shots. I think scoring would increase immediately across the NCAA.

[Woodrow]

Eye test is easily persuaded by your own (very valid) bias of how poorly this year has gone.

The defense yesterday wasn't the problem ... it hasn't been the problem this year. UCF was definitely uncomfortable. We definitely pressured them. You are correct we don't get steals .. we aren't jumping passing lanes. That's not the only way to play defense. We were good to great on defense .. .every verifiable stat confirms that. (Your personal eye test is not a verifiable stat). We have been good to great on defense all year. We are the 36th ranked defense. 13 opponents this year and we have held teams to 27.5% from 3 (17th best in the country) and 42% from 2 (8th best in the country) for an eFG% of 41.7 (6th best). We are top 50 in Defensive possession length (i.e we make teams take a very long time to get a shot) So you can say we got 13 straight lucky games where the opponent shot poorly or you can focus on the real problem with the team ....We are just abysmal on offense.

Also I don't equate rebounding to defense ... we suck at rebounding .. that's a different topic .. not our defense. The fact that we give up so many rebounds and STILL hold our opponents to a really low scoring output actually says our defense is better.

We may have a top 40 defense but we haven't played top offenses. How do you think our defense would look against Gonzaga, KU, Arkansas, Houston, or Memphis? I guess we'll get a chance to see when we play Memphis on January 19th. Missouri is the best kenpom offense we've played and we gave up 88 points. Our offense is bad and our defense is ok in my opinion.

[Stickboy46]

We may have a top 40 defense but we haven't played top offenses. How do you think our defense would look against Gonzaga, KU, Arkansas, Houston, or Memphis? I guess we'll get a chance to see when we play Memphis on January 19th. Missouri is the best kenpom offense we've played and we gave up 88 points. Our offense is bad and our defense is ok in my opinion.

The Top 40 is adjusted for level of competition. If it wasn't the defense would be ranked even higher. The 88 was also an OT score .. 75 in regulation .. which yes is still high but not as bad as giving up 88.

[BostonWu]

Our deliberate slow pace masks certain issues or at the very least presents a mirage. There are some things stats can't adequately measure.

[shocker43]

Our defense is good enough that we'll be competitive in most games. Our offense is bad enough that we'll never win those games.

[Stickboy46]

Our deliberate slow pace masks certain issues or at the very least presents a mirage. There are some things stats can't adequately measure.

Ah yes... Better to use the ole Eye test.... A shocker favorite from the 2010s ...

[ShockerFever]

Ah yes... Better to use the ole Eye test.... A shocker favorite from the 2010s ...

Eyes don’t lie.

[BostonWu]

Ah yes... Better to use the ole Eye test.... A shocker favorite from the 2010s ...

My eyes bleed every game

[Stickboy46]

My eyes bleed every game

Our offense will do that to you lol