|
Easily the defense. The offense has some issues, but the only glaring one is the over reliance early on with taking 3 point shots. They'd be far more efficient attacking the basket more, and they need to post up more. The biggest culprit is XW. He's infatuated with the 3 point shot and seems to have no interest in working down low to score unless it's a putback (which he rarely gets as he is out on the perimeter). Less 3's, more passing into the paint or at the post will go a long way in freeing up more open shots.
The defense has been brutal. Especially the perimeter defense. A lot of that is inexperience. Crosby hasn't played much before this year, and we're relying on 2 freshman for a lot of minutes in Crutcher and JD. DD is our best outside defender (surprise surprise, the one with experience) but no one is going to confuse him with Kyle Davis either. CAG is getting some athletes, but rare is the kid who can come in and be a great collegiate defender at 18/19 years old.
XW's lack of bulk has shown against the bigger forwards we've been facing. He's got the height to alter shots, but he gets backed up under the basket too easily. Cunningham has the strength, but he's not as long as a lot of bigs and still isn't as explosive as he was pre-injury.
Kostas has the potential to be an elite inside defender and at time will look great, but he's still young and skinny. Another offseason of adding bulk and strength will do wonders for him, but even moreso will be the experience. I didn't get to see a good portion of the ODU game, but there is 0 reason he should be playing under 20 minutes a game.
Trey Landers getting injured hurt as he was sort of a bigger less developed version of Kyle Davis. He had attributes that could make him a great versatile defender and not having him against ODU hurt.
|
