Big Equalizer: Great Defense

[BillyC80]

Whenever I‘m worried about facing a certain team, I think of our great defense and how it gives us a chance to win every game.

We routinely hold teams far below their scoring average.

Things really started clicking defensively against SHU, when we held them to 32% shooting. Since then we’ve held NE to 32%, PSU to 36%, IL to 29% and IN to 32%. In every one of these game we outshot our opponent from the field, and we won all but the IL game, who beat us at the foul line.

 

[Scangg]

And the offense really hasn't reached its peak. The ceiling is very high

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Whenever I‘m worried about facing a certain team, I think of our great defense and how it gives us a chance to win every game.

We routinely hold teams far below their scoring average.

Things really started clicking defensively against SHU, when we held them to 32% shooting. Since then we’ve held NE to 32%, PSU to 36%, IL to 29% and IN to 32%. In every one of these game we outshot our opponent from the field, and we won all but the IL game, who beat us at the foul line.

It’s not just the raw stats...it how we are taking away what other teams want to run...their plan A nd make them settle for plan c, let alone plan B

 

[4theknights]

We had a dry spell offensively in each half vs Indy and still won by 9. Pike talks about how we still can get better, I’m sure he’s talking about more consistency on offense. I really give our coach and staff kudos for us winning games in BIG yet struggling on offense. I really enjoy watching our stout defense and how we rattle teams.

 

[rufeelinit]

I agree about the defense and that should travel fairly well. However when we talk about us getting better I am sure most coaches believe their teams have room to improve as the season progresses so its all relative. We will likely have to live with an inconsistent offense this year particularly as it relates to perimeter shooting.

I thought Michigan State, Michigan and Iowa all displayed potent offenses last night that will be a big challenge for any defense.

 

[bac2therac]

Rutgers can sustain lulls at home because of their defense and energy of the crowd but its a different story on the road. Illinois had a period where they missed 18 of 19 shots but the RU offense was so ineffective that they only led by 2-3 points. Have to force turnovers and get more transition opportunities

 

[RUHouston]

What May also be understated is that teams have enough tape on us to gameplan for our defense....but credit Pike and staff for game planning opposing offenses....

 

[BillyC80]

Opp YTD %, % vs RU; RU YTD%, % vs Opp

SHU 45%, 32% vs RU 46%, 47%

NEB 42%, 32% vs RU 46%, 54%

PSU 44%, 36% vs RU 46%, 41%

ILL. 46%, 29% vs RU 46%, 34%

IND. 45%, 32% vs RU 46%, 47%

 

[BillyC80]

Starting with the SHU game, and in our 4 conference games since, the RU defense is holding opponents to 12% below their average shooting percentage per game.

 

[RUJMM78]

Rutgers can sustain lulls at home because of their defense and energy of the crowd but its a different story on the road. Illinois had a period where they missed 18 of 19 shots but the RU offense was so ineffective that they only led by 2-3 points. Have to force turnovers and get more transition opportunities

Spot on comments regarding how Rutgers is able to win at home but has great difficulty winning on the road because of the lack of consistency on offense.Holding Illinois to only 54 points should have resulted in a easy win.