This Season - A Tale of Shooting (or Lack Thereof)

[DC69Wildcat]

The comment he made about "the best defense we have had in 20 years", was interesting. I would like to know if this statement was based on more than one metric. If it was based solely on points per game allowed, I would challenge it since pace of play has slowed for the Cats. It will, as always, be fun to see how the players have developed since last season. Go Cats!

Sander and MPG were 2 of the best defenders we have ever had, and Curry, Lovedale, and Richards were excellent complementary pieces of the 2007-2008 defense. Our defense during the second half against Gonzaga and Georgetown, and the entire game against Wisconsin and Kansas, was the best I have seen.

[BDL]

They probably got the defensive comment from KenPom. According to KenPom last year's defense (86th in the nation) was the highest ranked defense we've had since the 2008/09 team (which was 26th in the nation).

For those interested, according to KenPom our defense was ranked 66th, 27th, and 26th over Steph's 3 seasons (in order).

[Dr. Bliss]

I guess Matt's comment falls into the realm of either wishful thinking or outright exaggeration. I don't think it rises to the level of Honor Code violation.

[stevelee]

I especially enjoyed hearing the comments about Reed Bailey.

It was interesting to hear, though not surprising, that Connor had planned all along to be here for three years. From our brief conversations he seems to me to be the happiest person to be at Davidson that I know (not counting perhaps a few retired guys who chose to live here in town).

[stevelee]

I guess Matt's comment falls into the realm of either wishful thinking or outright exaggeration. I don't think it rises to the level of Honor Code violation.

I found his comments plausible, certainly reinforced by what I saw this summer. At worst I’d say they were aspirational.

They wouldn’t even seem that far off if you watched just the first 35 minutes of our games last season.

[DC69Wildcat]

...he seems to me to be the happiest person to be at Davidson that I know (not counting perhaps a few retired guys who chose to live here in town).

I need to introduce you to Professor Benbow.

[MrMac]

Glad to hear the WilcatPolitik is enjoying the experience.

[stevelee]

...he seems to me to be the happiest person to be at Davidson that I know (not counting perhaps a few retired guys who chose to live here in town).

I need to introduce you to Professor Benbow.

Glad Pete is in the running for this apparently broad honor.

I once disagreed with Jack Gibbs over whether he or we were the happiest for him to come back here.

Twenty years ago when I built a house in Davidson, I thought I’d enjoy spending my final years living in Davidson. I was wrong. I had vastly underestimated the experience.

Still, I think Connor has one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen, when the topic comes up.

[GoCats]

The comment he made about "the best defense we have had in 20 years", was interesting. I would like to know if this statement was based on more than one metric. If it was based solely on points per game allowed, I would challenge it since pace of play has slowed for the Cats. It will, as always, be fun to see how the players have developed since last season. Go Cats!

I thought last year's team was the best defensive team we had since 2008. Our guard play was very athletic and played with strength. Unfortunately, our offense was not great and our shooting even worse. When Skogman when out, the offense was much weaker. It did give others needed experience. I never thought the sky was falling last year, we were in almost every game and lost more close games than any Davidson team I can remember. Real gut check. I think the players handled it better than the fans.

[stevelee]

+1

[wildforthecats]

The comment he made about "the best defense we have had in 20 years", was interesting. I would like to know if this statement was based on more than one metric. If it was based solely on points per game allowed, I would challenge it since pace of play has slowed for the Cats. It will, as always, be fun to see how the players have developed since last season. Go Cats!

I thought last year's team was the best defensive team we had since 2008. Our guard play was very athletic and played with strength. Unfortunately, our offense was not great and our shooting even worse. When Skogman when out, the offense was much weaker. It did give others needed experience. I never thought the sky was falling last year, we were in almost every game and lost more close games than any Davidson team I can remember. Real gut check. I think the players handled it better than the fans.

“ I think the players handled it better than the fans.”

+100

[MrMac]

Grant's graduation is a great loss for our defense. He had the skills and the attitude of a ++defender. Hopefully, Hunter and others will take up his role on this year's team.

[i77cat]

Our coaches had the team prepared almost every game. Players came out and played great defense for almost the entire game. Too often, we didn't get the big stops late. When we did, we couldn't score. I don't think preparation, desire, or intensity were lacking. I expect the same to be true this year. If we can shoot just a bit better, we'll win a few more games.

[stevelee]

Our coaches had the team prepared almost every game. Players came out and played great defense for almost the entire game. Too often, we didn't get the big stops late. When we did, we couldn't score. I don't think preparation, desire, or intensity were lacking. I expect the same to be true this year. If we can shoot just a bit better, we'll win a few more games.

We lost ten games by five points or less. If we make two more shots, we could win at least half of those.

[wildforthecats]

Our coaches had the team prepared almost every game. Players came out and played great defense for almost the entire game. Too often, we didn't get the big stops late. When we did, we couldn't score. I don't think preparation, desire, or intensity were lacking. I expect the same to be true this year. If we can shoot just a bit better, we'll win a few more games.

We lost ten games by five points or less. If we make two more shots, we could win at least half of those.

Hopefully, it will be like 85-86 after 84-85.