Is this Akron's worst defensive team ever?

[1981 grad]

After watching yesterdays game and see another team shooting over 50%, I wondered whether this is the worst Akron team on defense that I can remember.  I was almost afraid to look at the stats, but we are now ranked 241st in defense giving up 76 points per game.  (Kent is worst at at 336 and giving up 82 points).  I know that we play a fast tempo and therefore giving the other teams more shots and we are not a great rebounding team giving up more 2nd and 3rd oppotunities to score.  But the fact remains that statistically we are probably giving up more points this season than in any other season. 

It seems to me the players are working hard on defense.  However, we do not have a rim protector and it just seems like we cannot keep the opposing team from attacking the basket or shooting an open three.  Also, it does seem like there is more talent in the MAC this year.  But we have seen all year, both in conference and out of conference it seems like we have trouble getting stops.  Which leads me to the question: Do you think this team ranks last in defense or are there other Akron teams that were worse? 

[NWAkron]

I guess the MAC doesn't blow.

[Zippy87]

46 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

After watching yesterdays game and see another team shooting over 50%, I wondered whether this is the worst Akron team on defense that I can remember.  I was almost afraid to look at the stats, but we are now ranked 241st in defense giving up 76 points per game.  (Kent is worst at at 336 and giving up 82 points).  I know that we play a fast tempo and therefore giving the other teams more shots and we are not a great rebounding team giving up more 2nd and 3rd oppotunities to score.  But the fact remains that statistically we are probably giving up more points this season than in any other season. 

It seems to me the players are working hard on defense.  However, we do not have a rim protector and it just seems like we cannot keep the opposing team from attacking the basket or shooting an open three.  Also, it does seem like there is more talent in the MAC this year.  But we have seen all year, both in conference and out of conference it seems like we have trouble getting stops.  Which leads me to the question: Do you think this team ranks last in defense or are there other Akron teams that were worse? 

 

I really think this could be Barre if he can stay on the floor. He was really playing well and making a difference before he got hurt. 

[kreed5120]

There were some objectively terrible Akron teams prior to Dambrot coming to Akron. That was before my time though. I would imagine the defense was worse on some of those single digit win teams. 

 

I do think it's lazy to just look at points allowed as the sole measure of a defense. Like your mentioned pace can inflate the numbers. I still think outside of Groce's 1st season this is probably his worst defensive team. 

 

Like you, I don't necessarily think it's all effort. They just often try to trap and then are slow in rotating. Not having a rim protector certainly plays a part, but I feel that would be something we could overcome if we boxed out better and defended the 3-point line better.

[Blue & Gold]

I've got to chalk it up to not having the rim protector because our guards and wings are quick and athletic. The Mahaffey brothers are two of the more athletic players we've ever had at Akron, and I said last year that Shammah Scott's lateral quickness up top is one of the quickest I've ever seen. Tavari is pretty tenacious. I really can't figure it out so I'm chalking it up to not being able to make the opposition hesitate at the rim. But ?????

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, 1981 grad said:

After watching yesterdays game and see another team shooting over 50%, I wondered whether this is the worst Akron team on defense that I can remember.  I was almost afraid to look at the stats, but we are now ranked 241st in defense giving up 76 points per game.  (Kent is worst at at 336 and giving up 82 points).  I know that we play a fast tempo and therefore giving the other teams more shots and we are not a great rebounding team giving up more 2nd and 3rd oppotunities to score.  But the fact remains that statistically we are probably giving up more points this season than in any other season. 

It seems to me the players are working hard on defense.  However, we do not have a rim protector and it just seems like we cannot keep the opposing team from attacking the basket or shooting an open three.  Also, it does seem like there is more talent in the MAC this year.  But we have seen all year, both in conference and out of conference it seems like we have trouble getting stops.  Which leads me to the question: Do you think this team ranks last in defense or are there other Akron teams that were worse? 

 

I wouldn't put too much stock in yesterday's game.  The Zips have had much worse defensive games this season.  Much, not all of yesterday's success yesterday was the result of guys making tough shots over well- positioned defenders.  Sometimes teams just get hot.

 

Some of Dambrot's teams were sketchy on defense.  However, during the 4 years with Zeke it all got cleaned up on the back end.

 

Groce's first team here was 8th in the MAC in average points surrendered and 9th in opponent field goal percentage.  They were regularly just "out-athleted."  This year's squad is 7th in average points surrendered and 2nd in opponent FG%. 

 

The current team is not the worst.  The fast pace of the offense gives both teams more possessions.  They've had lapses which have hurt and can be cleaned up but they're never going to be at the top of the MAC on defense.  Barre can help a little if he returns but he'll at best play 12-15 minutes a game and the biggest problem has been on perimeter traps and switches and recovering on help defense when the ball swings, and that's not him on the perimeter.  

Edited 2 hours ago by clarkwgriswold

[kreed5120]

I would agree the defense has improved since after the Murray State game. There were some breakdowns defensively against Ball State, but for the most part they were hitting contested shots. Many of those being mid-rangers or 3s with a hand in their face.

[ZippyRulz]

1 hour ago, 1981 grad said:

After watching yesterdays game and see another team shooting over 50%, I wondered whether this is the worst Akron team on defense that I can remember.  I was almost afraid to look at the stats, but we are now ranked 241st in defense giving up 76 points per game.  (Kent is worst at at 336 and giving up 82 points).  I know that we play a fast tempo and therefore giving the other teams more shots and we are not a great rebounding team giving up more 2nd and 3rd oppotunities to score.  But the fact remains that statistically we are probably giving up more points this season than in any other season. 

It seems to me the players are working hard on defense.  However, we do not have a rim protector and it just seems like we cannot keep the opposing team from attacking the basket or shooting an open three.  Also, it does seem like there is more talent in the MAC this year.  But we have seen all year, both in conference and out of conference it seems like we have trouble getting stops.  Which leads me to the question: Do you think this team ranks last in defense or are there other Akron teams that were worse? 

 

With our scoring average at 93+, another good question would be is 17+ ppg our highest average scoring differential ever? (And is maximizing the scoring differential the best way to structure and coach a team?)