U-M B1G Ranks: 12th PPP, 1st PPP Allowed

Just how we had it projected right?

#3 in B10 for defensive efficiency (#53 overall), I expect that number to decline a bit once we face stiffer comp, but I think the perimeter D has certainly taken a step in the right direction.

#3 in B10 for defensive efficiency (#53 overall), I expect that number to decline a bit once we face stiffer comp, but I think the perimeter D has certainly taken a step in the right direction.

Referring to Big Ten conference-only numbers right now. Last year Michigan was 1st in O and 10th in D.

Here’s a stat for you guys… last year UM held 6 opponents under 1 PPP in Big Ten games. This year, they’ve already done that 5 times in 9 games.

I’m not ready to say this is some great defense, but the ability to hunker down in some of these games has been somewhat impressive, all things considered.

Here's a stat for you guys.. last year UM held 6 opponents under 1 PPP in Big Ten games. This year, they've already done that five times.

I’m not ready to say this is some great defense, but the ability to hunker down in some of these games has been somewhat impressive, all things considered.

Agree, it has been impressive, B10 certainly not as strong, but considering we lost Jmo on defense and essentially replaced it with air…the perimeter D has picked up the slack for sure.

Donnal, Doyle, and Bielfeldt will be tickled to be called air. Remind us what you do for a glorious living again? I really want to hear that you’re a celebrated something or other, and that you freely subject yourself to such public abuse, happy to have it assumed that if you’re not putting up big numbers today you never will, etc. Otherwise, maybe more thoughtful language is in order? These are great kids, going to my school, and I value and appreciate them–try it! Dissing them because they’re not MattD’s fantasy firstrounders is. . . well, numbing after awhile, for one.

You are free to voice your opinion, much the same that I am entitled to to voice my own, irrelevant of my occupation.

Furthermore, I do not take into account the emotions/feelings of any player or poster when voicing my opinion. In other words, my honest take without bias.

And, in my honest opinion, the interior defense is VERY poor, the equivalent of air. If you disagree, that’s fine…but it’s also your issue.

I don’t care about playing nice, I’m here to engage in basketball related dialogue rather than a Lifetime one hour special.

The key is forcing the other team to take tough shots. Yes, they will make them but the more contested they are the better it is for the defense.

Dylan, where are these stats available? Just want to see what some other teams are doing as well. I also coach some HS bball and am thinking about using it with my team.

KenPom.com is the best for PPP stats (he has adj SOS efficiencies for the season and conference only numbers).

Some of the basic calculations are explained here

Key is: Possessions = FGA + Turnovers - Offensive Rebounds + .475*FTA

MattD, you can have your opinion, but just because it’s an opinion doesn’t make it right. In my opinion, our offense is by far the best in the Big Ten! But you can’t say I’m wrong because it’s an opinion! YAY!!! At first I thought you were just being hyperbolic when you said they replaced it with air, but when you repeated the same thing and literally said the equivalent of air, I had to chuckle quite a bit. Obviously Olah and Kiminsky had great games against it, but if it were as sieve-like as you say, there would be absolutely no way in hell that we’re first in Big Ten games in defensive PPP. Perimeter defense cannot 100% cover up for “air,” and neither can a myriad of zone defenses.

MattD, you can have your opinion, but just because it's an opinion doesn't make it right. In my opinion, our offense is by far the best in the Big Ten! But you can't say I'm wrong because it's an opinion! YAY!!!!!!! At first I thought you were just being hyperbolic when you said they replaced it with air, but when you repeated the same thing and literally said the equivalent of air, I had to chuckle quite a bit. Obviously Olah and Kiminsky had great games against it, but if it were as sieve-like as you say, there would be absolutely no way in hell that we're first in Big Ten games in defensive PPP. Perimeter defense cannot 100% cover up for "air," and neither can a myriad of zone defenses.

You are correct, an opinion can not be refuted, hence I cannot be wrong.

That being said, what happens when an entry pass is made in the post against Doyle, Donnal, or Max? I think we all know good and well that all three of those guys(in particular Doyle and Donnal) are going to get scored on with relative ease on most occasions. Simply are not good post defenders regardless of any particular agenda some people may have. There is a reason why every commentator says the way to beat UM is through the inside and being physical - we simply don’t have interior defenders that are athletic or strong enough to effectively deter shots.

My opinion

The more zone we play, the fewer the one on one situations in the low post. Kaminsky is sort of a special case since he can score from anywhere on the court, and he can put the ball on the floor 15 feet from the basket and get to the rim - against anyone.

The more zone we play, the fewer the one on one situations in the low post. Kaminsky is sort of a special case since he can score from anywhere on the court, and he can put the ball on the floor 15 feet from the basket and get to the rim - against anyone.

Very good point. I think we’ve been very good as a team in the 2-3 zone

I’m not saying we have good post defense at all, in fact it’s terrible, but I think you’re over exaggerating its terribleness.

I'm not saying we have good post defense at all, in fact it's terrible, but I think you're over exaggerating its terribleness.

Eh, I don’t know. Just going off memory, Bielfeldt seems like the only one who consistently holds his ground when being posted up. Donnal just gets completely manhandled every time someone posts up on him and Doyle generally falls for some fake or lets the defender get too close to to the basket before the entry. I’ve got to imagine that our PPP on post up defense is horrible. Obviously, it’s not literally air, but more times than not, it’s a bucket.

The competitive attitude that Dawkins and MAAR bring to this team cannot be overstated.

These kids play every possession like they have something to prove. It’s rubbing off on the rest of the team.