Reason's plentiful for OU's struggles >>> Tulsa World

[OUHoops]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsext...ctid=92&articleid=20100310_92_B1_KANSAS817780

 

[SoonerNorm]

"We were 'the man' in high school, so it really wasn't about defense. It was all about offense," Gallon said. "Since we came here, it's been learning different things, playing in a stance and playing ball screens and stuff. When I was in high school, I didn't know anything about playing any ball screens. They'd come off (the screens) and shoot, and I'd just go get the rebound. Now it's hedging and playing help-side. It's a lot different."

If high school and AAU coaches aren't teaching how to play defense correctly they should be fired.

 

[luckyc1423]

"We were 'the man' in high school, so it really wasn't about defense. It was all about offense," Gallon said. "Since we came here, it's been learning different things, playing in a stance and playing ball screens and stuff. When I was in high school, I didn't know anything about playing any ball screens. They'd come off (the screens) and shoot, and I'd just go get the rebound. Now it's hedging and playing help-side. It's a lot different."

If high school and AAU coaches aren't teaching how to play defense correctly they should be fired.

Thats what I was thinking. Exp. him coming from a national highschool power house

 

[SoonerNorm]

No wonder we struggled on defense this year.

 

[OU84]

The four identified problems in the article are spot on. After that you can get into the psychology of why they weren't a team.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

"We were 'the man' in high school, so it really wasn't about defense. It was all about offense," Gallon said. "Since we came here, it's been learning different things, playing in a stance and playing ball screens and stuff. When I was in high school, I didn't know anything about playing any ball screens. They'd come off (the screens) and shoot, and I'd just go get the rebound. Now it's hedging and playing help-side. It's a lot different."

If high school and AAU coaches aren't teaching how to play defense correctly they should be fired.

I dont know what is more disturbing about this comment, that the coaches didnt teach it or he didnt know anything about it...i would bet he did, just didnt know how to properly execute it...if you are a basketball player, most likely you enjoy watching basketball and you would have picked this up...

 

[NickZepp]

Why is this not special to just OU? Why don't all teams in the NCAA suck on defense?

 

[AdaSooner]

The four identified problems in the article are spot on. After that you can get into the psychology of why they weren't a team.

It's enough to drive a shrink up a wall, isn't it 84?

Seriously, I, for one, appreciate Tiny's honesty. Fans like us saw these problems the entire year. It's good to know that at least one player has finally woke up to the truth.

Team chemistry wasn't just lacking, there was none that I could see. The tumble Tony took is a good example of that. The OU men could learn from their female counterparts. The women's team doesn't just talk about being a "family," they walk the walk. You can see it on the court and on the bench.

I was immensely impressed (and pleased) by their display of togetherness after the Bedlam win last weekend. The entire group formed a dance line as each member of the team took their turn at "strutting their stuff." What a contrast to what we have seen from the men's team!

Hopefully, that will change next season. If it doesn't, expect more of what we have seen this year.

 

[SoonerfanTU]

My question then is why after 8 months of practice and games is our defense not much improved? If it's as simple as getting exposure, and being taught, IMO, the improvement would be much more noticable.

I still think it goes back to teamwork, communication, physical limitations, EFFORT, and maybe even a little big of scheme, as much as not knowing anything coming in.

 

[crawfish]

Tell ya what - that comment from Gallon gives me hope for next year. I think we'll see a team of different players who will let go of their individual egos because they do NOT want to go through this again.