How Much Has NC State's Defense Improved?

by Akula Wolf on Mar 17, 2010 4:35 PM EDT

With their win over South Florida last night, the Wolfpack improved to 6-2 over their last eight games, this after a 2-10 start to conference play. With the offense unable to escape the 50s of late, State obviously has needed strong defensive efforts in order to win games. To get an idea of how much better the defense is, take a look at this comparison between the 6-2 stretch and the 2-10 stretch.

NCSU D	W-L	DEF_EFF	eFG%	TO%	OR%	FTR	2FG%	3FG%
12/20-2/17	2-10	108.1	50.3	18.2	36.0	44.7	48.3	37.9
2/20-pres	6-2	91.8	44.9	23.3	33.8	41.7	49.3	22.6

The difference is massive, an improvement of 0.16 points per trip. Our effective field goal percentage defense is much better thanks to improved perimeter D, we're forcing lots of turnovers, and we're giving up fewer second opportunities.

This has done as much for my optimism in re: next year as anything else. If Sid can get them to carry this sort of play into next year--and we don't have to be this good, just in the ballpark--then we will be in a position to make noise in a big way.

State's offensive efficiency over the first 12: 96.8. And over the last eight: 96.7. So there you go. It's all about the D.

One other note: check out the offensive splits by half over the last eight games:

NCSU O	OFF_EFF	eFG%	TO%	OR%	FTR	2FG%	3FG%
1st Half	76.7	40.4	25.2	24.3	21.6	41.7	24.5
2nd Half	116.7	55.9	18.0	35.3	59.0	51.5	44.1

I guess the guys need 20 minutes to warm up or something. Maybe Sid can't properly re-emphasize the game plan and/or make adjustments during the timeouts he gets in the first half and needs the entire halftime break in order to do those things. I'm reaching here. This is baffling.

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yep

I planned to post a FanPost on here one day setting out the case for optimism, but this is really the big component (plus the new backcourt, natch).

by TVP on Mar 17, 2010 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

Jeebus Christmas

Those half-by-half offensive stats are as jarring as the first-12/last-10 defensive stats. Every single category improves offensively in the 2nd half… maybe we can just scrimmage ourselves for an hour before every game.

As usual, great stuff, Steven… the stats clearly bear out what we’ve been talking about the last few games.

by wolfonthehill on Mar 17, 2010 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with woth

It is hard to decide which difference is more astounding.

The lack of defense is the one thing that has really bothered me during Lowe’s tenure and a big reason I thought even with better offensive players he would ultimately fail as a coach. This defensive turnaround does give me some hope though.

by PACKHOOLIGAN on Mar 18, 2010 8:22 AM EDT reply actions