Defensive Turnaround

[throwback]

I have to say this team's defensive turnaround may very well be the most amazing in-season turnaround in a particular aspect of the team I've ever witnessed in NU hoops.

 

Their understanding of defensive rotations, on-ball defense, and help defense now versus what was happening during the non-con and early portion of the conference season is simply unbelievable, not to mention the improvement in effort and GATA on that end of the floor.

 

After watching what was going on early in the season, I would have never guessed this team could play this type of defense this season, and I'm convinced this defensive success is the reason NU is on this win streak.

 

I've been trying to come up with some similar area of improvement that occurred within a past season, but I've been unsuccessful. Any comparative turnarounds anyone else can think of?

[nuled2dance]

I agree it just felt earlier we could not buy a stop to save our life. Very impressive and I hope to see it continue down the finish!

[uneblinstu]

Rebounding is part of that defensive improvement, but to be the best defensive rebounding team since big ten play started is something else, too. It's a mentality change.

[AuroranHusker]

There is no doubt that the defense is the primary reason for Nebrasketball's dramatic change in fortune. The emergence of David Rivers & Benny Parker in the rotation is a big factor in the defense's successful transformation to go w/ Shields, Petteway & Pitch (and Gallegos & Webster to a certain extent).  It seems to be due to the Huskers' intensity and understanding of roles. And, it's just been fun to watch Benny Parker D up players night-in & night-out.

[royalfan]

I have to say this team's defensive turnaround may very well be the most amazing in-season turnaround in a particular aspect of the team I've ever witnessed in NU hoops.

 

Their understanding of defensive rotations, on-ball defense, and help defense now versus what was happening during the non-con and early portion of the conference season is simply unbelievable, not to mention the improvement in effort and GATA on that end of the floor.

 

After watching what was going on early in the season, I would have never guessed this team could play this type of defense this season, and I'm convinced this defensive success is the reason NU is on this win streak.

 

I've been trying to come up with some similar area of improvement that occurred within a past season, but I've been unsuccessful. Any comparative turnarounds anyone else can think of?

Agree one million percent.  If only we had been able to get it figured out slightly earlier.  We played well on offense against Michigan.  Just needed one more stop.  It is an amazing turnaround at that end.  And Miles has them playing a style that is enjoyable to play.  It is not simply a pack it in type thing.  It is frustrating to play against. 

[Huskerpapa]

If you watch the post-game press conference with Terran and Coach Miles, it is kind of easy to see why this team turned itself around.  There are a lot of reasons why we should cheer our team on, but the change of attitude (team culture) is a major reason.  It appears to me that everyone on the team has chosen to "get on the energy bus" that is being driven by Coach Miles.

[hhcmatt]

The team is now 12-2 in games where David Rivers plays over 12 minutes and 8-0 in games where he records a block.

[colhusker]

The team is now 12-2 in games where David Rivers plays over 12 minutes and 8-0 in games where he records a block.

Rivers reminds me a lot of Ubel.  Not the most gifted player on the team but just keeps getting better and better.

[TheKamdyMan]

The team is now 12-2 in games where David Rivers plays over 12 minutes and 8-0 in games where he records a block.

And when they play on the second Thursday in the month of February when a player with size 15 shoes records an assist they are.....

Just sounded fun ;-)

[throwback]

And Miles has them playing a style that is enjoyable to play.  It is not simply a pack it in type thing.  It is frustrating to play against. 

 

This is a really good point - it's not just a defensive style designed to try to force the other team to take tough shots. It's a style that does that, but if you take the ball in the lane, it's also designed to try to force turnovers and transition baskets going the other way. It's been a long time since we've had a team that scores as much in transition as this one is doing during this stretch, and that defensive style is responsible.

[Norm Peterson]

The team is now 12-2 in games where David Rivers plays over 12 minutes and 8-0 in games where he records a block.

Yeah, don't underestimate David Rivers.  He might be better than a lot of people give (gave) him credit for. 

[bkamler]

Last fall at a Lincoln Independent Business Association meeting where Miles was the featured speaker, I asked him if we would incorporate any full court presses. With a smile on his face, he said that was the stupidest question he's ever been asked! Miles said these guys can't even the area one foot from the basket much less the entire court! What an amazing transition since then

[Rome4Lyfe]

IMO, I think if I were to choose the team MVP up to this point in the season, It would be Benny!!  Petteway and Shields have been great don't get me wrong, but this team changed its fortunes when Benny "The 5 foot something Bulldog" Parker changed his mindset and became the defensive assasin that he has been for the last 8 or 9 games.  The energy that he has enduced to the defensive side of the ball has translated over to his teammates and created easy offensive possessions for them!  Plus not to mention the HAVOC he has created on the opposing players confidence levels!  I swear, he destroyed any confidence that Purdue's point guard Ronnie Johnson had coming into the game and turned him into a basketcase by the end of the game!! 

[Cookie Belcher]

I don't want to post anything that would be viewed as negative towards Benny because he has been a great contributor and a valued part of this team, but that post is ridiculous. He isn't even close to the team MVP.

[colhusker]

MVP or not count me as one that is glad both Benny and David didn't listen to the nay sayers and are still part of the team.

[Noah121]

It's amazing how a defensive effort sparked a huge turnaround for both of my teams this year.  And it's translating to wins for the Huskers since they also have offensive playmakers.  Northwestern still has no offense, so even though they are in all the games that they are playing, they're not generating enough points.

[GoBigRed]

IMO, I think if I were to choose the team MVP up to this point in the season, It would be Benny!! Petteway and Shields have been great don't get me wrong, but this team changed its fortunes when Benny "The 5 foot something Bulldog" Parker changed his mindset and became the defensive assasin that he has been for the last 8 or 9 games. The energy that he has enduced to the defensive side of the ball has translated over to his teammates and created easy offensive possessions for them! Plus not to mention the HAVOC he has created on the opposing players confidence levels! I swear, he destroyed any confidence that Purdue's point guard Ronnie Johnson had coming into the game and turned him into a basketcase by the end of the game!!

I love your enthusiasm, but come on, that's like saying Creighton's most valuable player is Grant Gibbs. Guys like Terran Petteway come around once every 15 years.

[Huskerpapa]

Role player vs Difference Maker.  You need both, but we are a .500 team with role players only...please note the past....ohhh...sayyy...20 years!!!

[hhcdave]

This team was BAD defensively in the non-con and the early portion of the B1G slate.

 

To go from BAD (we're talking worst defensive Nebraska team in many, many years) to GOOD in just a few weeks is nothing short of remarkable.

 

Props to the coaching staff and the guys - I have never seen anything like this.

[AuroranHusker]

This team was BAD defensively in the non-con and the early portion of the B1G slate.

 

To go from BAD (we're talking worst defensive Nebraska team in many, many years) to GOOD in just a few weeks is nothing short of remarkable.

 

Props to the coaching staff and the guys - I have never seen anything like this.

 

Re-inserting Rivers and Parker into the mix on a more consistent basis made such a huge difference in mind-set (toughness/intensity), and the coaching staff took on the "Raid" defensive tactic to great success.  Their togetherness is awesome to witness after their early-season mistrust of others' performance (which seemed to be prevalent in their defensive deficiencies).

 

Fun to see such an amazing, in-season turn-around to go along w/ the emergence of several, consistent offensive stars to complement the astounding defensive prowess!  This team has a look & feel of a battle-tested band of brothers!

[hhcmatt]