March Hoops - Dialing up Defense for Dollars

The Florida Gators won't win the national title this season, after winning the previous two years. Those Florida teams had the reputation as wide-open, attacking offensive teams. And that was true. Billy Donovan had tremendous depth and a balanced lineup, one that could run the court with anyone, or slow it down and bang the boards if the opponent wanted to.


One thing that is often forgotten is that those Florida teams were also outstanding defensively. In last year's SEC tourney, the Gators allowed 56, 57 and 59 points! In the Big dance they held Butler to 57 points and 40% shooting, then held UCLA to 39% shooting while killing the Bruins on the glass 42-25.


All of which brings up the importance of defense as we move into the Sweet 16 and beyond. Washington State has gone 2-0 under the total allowing 40 and 41 points in two tournament games. What has Bob Huggins brought to West Virginia basketball? The same tough defense he got Kansas State to play. The Mountaineers just held Duke to 38% shooting in a 73-67 upset that went under the total. Duke was 5-of-22 from beyond the arc.


One player remarked this week about when West Virginia turned things around: 'Tennessee plays the same kind of defense, in your face and constantly trying to bother you. And we were constantly on our heels, not used to that type of defense,' West Virginia junior Alex Ruoff said. 'That's one thing coach Huggins can't stand - someone playing scared and not attacking defenses like that. And he let us know about it.'


With teams fighting for so much advance or go home you can see why all-out defense would be more intense this time of the season. One of the teams I had was Washington State. In my pregame analysis I noted, I expect the better defensive team to win this interesting matchup, featuring Notre Dame's explosive offense vs. Washington State's dominant defense. While the Irish outscored opponents by an 80.2-69.6 margin this season, the Cougars outscored their opponents by a 67.2-56.5. That's a very similar margin of victory.


However, if we look at the games which were played away from home, we find that the Cougars were significantly stronger. Washington State is 13-4 SU and 11-6 ATS away from home, outscoring opponents by a 66.9 to 58.9 margin. Notre Dame, on the other hand, is 8-7 SU/ATS away from home, outscoring opponents by a 75.9 to 72.5 margin. Both teams were impressive in the first round. However, Washington State was more dominant. After receiving a 'wake-up call' in the first half, the Cougars crushed Winthrop by a 41-10 count in the second half of Thursday's game.


Notre Dame struggled somewhat against the top defenses of the conference, losing vs. the likes of Louisville, Georgetown and UConn. The Irish are 15-19 SU the past three seasons against teams which allow 77 points or less per game. Looking at the teams that defeated the Cougars and we find that they were primarily teams like UCLA, Stanford and USC, which play strong or excellent defense. The Cougars didn't have much trouble against high-scoring teams though as they went 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS against teams which score 77 or more points per game.


Looking back further and we find that they're a profitable 14-4 SU/ATS their last 18 against teams which average 77 or more points per game.


My 2nd Round Game of the Year was an easy cover, as the superior defensive team, Washington State, won 61-41 as a 3-point favorite. Notice who controlled the tempo with that final score? That's another edge defensive teams can have. Up-tempo teams that rely on offense like to get into a rhythm, but that rhythm can easily get thrown off by attacking defensive teams that play physical or get in their face. It may not always be pretty to watch, but the bottom line in the handicapping business is turning a profit.


That's another advantage about defense: It really doesn't disappear. Strong defensive teams can always play the same way intense! That's not quite the case with offense, which can go hot or cold because it depends on touch, rhythm and execution.


I used defense in another game, this time with a total, playing UNLV/Kansas under. The Jayhawks offense rightfully gets a lot of credit, but their defense is also really strong. In fact, they allowed an average of just 61.6 points per game on the season, including just 27.5 in the first half, holding opponents to 38.2% shooting. The UNLV defense was also playing well. The Rebels held Kent State to 58 points in the first round.


Even more impressive was the fact that they held BYU to 61 points in their previous game, as the Cougars came into that game averaging 74.5 points per game. Prior to that, the Rebels limited Utah to a mere 55 points. Including those results, they've now held eight of their last nine opponents to 65 points or less and 10 of their past 15 to 61 points or less. UNLV has seen the UNDER go 7-3 this season when listed as an underdog and the Rebels have also seen the UNDER go 10-5 the last 15 times they faced a team which averages 77 or more points per game.


Ohio State was an under machine last season behind Greg Oden as they stormed to the NCAA title game. The Buckeyes may have lost Oden and Mike Conley, but last week they shut down Cal, allowing 56 points in a tournament game that went under the total by double digits. Its not just the players but the coaching staff, like Huggins at West Virginia, who demand defense from their players. Remember: Great offensive teams can go cold, but great defensive teams don't suddenly forget how to play tough 'D'!

Documented Champion Ben Burns continues to CRUSH THE BOOKS in all sports. He easily won his 1st Round Game of the Year and followed it up by easily cashing his 2nd Round Game of the Year. His Sweet 16 Game of the Year is next. Don't miss it!