I think it was briefly mentioned how the non con and lesser opponents might present different challenges than better teams with how they try to attack Bucky Ball. As we got into conference and played against teams that have more talent and an established identity they struggle with something as different as Bucky. That and the team itself is gelling much more confident playing together

Bunk Moreland said:

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I think it was briefly mentioned how the non con leader opponents might present different challenges than better teams with how they try to attack Bucky Ball. That and the team itself is gelling much more.

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That's true, we've played 5 of the bottom 6 teams in offensive efficiency so far. Only Texas and Auburn are in the top half of the league. But it's still a really pleasant surprise. It's that defensive efficiency that's allowed the high volume attack to work. We're actually middle of the pack offensively.

Bucky called it his mother in law defense/ full court press. It definitely looks like it's working!

Seeing Tennessee at 8 is surprising to me.

Torvik's robots like them a lot better. There also not much difference between about third and eighth, and they've also already played most of the league's better offenses.

Definitely improved immensely at Halfcourt-Defense. Better at help defense and not giving up as many wide open 3's.

But but but but….
How are we good on DEFENSE without Buzz??

Playing this well on defense with the size limitations is incredible. They are so so good at trapping down low and rotating out to 3 point shooters. Teams really haven't figured out a good way to attack us

We also have done our best to contest every shot possible in conference play. That's something I remember Popovich mentioning once, uncontested shots vs contested shots and how it impacts field goal percentage quite a bit.

I've been in the same boat. I'm amazed at how many awkward shots it's forced

bobinator said:

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Another thing about it that I didn't account for is that it seems to really annoy the **** out of people. Especially some of the high level guards we've played. Not even just because it's effective, but it's like they're annoyed they're going to have to break it all game.

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And they don't like the physicality.

A team that is physical and presses the entire game means refs can't call ticky tack contact calls or they risk looking bad by altering the game. A lot of players really can't stand the physicality and it gets under their skin.

Agree this is a big part of it and we have improved a lot at getting back into half court defense from the press since early in the year . That may be the biggest improvement this team has made .

I'm still trying to diagnose how they know when to break out of the press and how they know where to go in the half court defensive set but they seem to be very well drilled on it.

Angry red face emoji was an accident.

Team appears to be getting better and better. Was honestly hoping for an Aggie MBB season I could just take a break from; but damn it, they got me sucked in.