Collins, apparently, has a lot of work to do.
- Thread starter stpaulcat
- Start date
Defense is a full-team concept. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, especially in a switch-heavy system like what NU runs. It’s not a scheme where you just park your best defender on their best scorer and call it a night. Everything is built on switching, early help, and instant reads. That demands constant communication and a shared understanding of where the next rotation is coming from. With eight guys in their first year in the system, that stuff is naturally going to take time.
Mullins and Gelo are clearly two of the better perimeter defenders on the roster, but you need more than just two guys to build a real defense. Mullins’ offensive game still leans heavily on his athleticism in transition. The jumper has not become a consistent weapon yet, and in the half court he tends to play at one speed, fast. He needs more change of pace on drives and even on his off-ball movement to keep defenders off balance. Gelo, on the other hand, gives you the next-best defense on the team and is less limited offensively. He’s earning the minutes over Mullins right now.
That, plus some instant offense from Green or KJ, could flip momentum and spark inspired team defense. The 4 is locked up by Martinelli and Singleton, and that pairing also soaks up a lot of the minutes at the 3. That leaves four guys battling for the remaining rotation minutes at the 3 and essentially all of the minutes at the 2.
They’ve had all summer and fall and 8 games so far. And Mullins is in his third year and is a senior captain. He should be better all around, especially in helping the new guys figure this defense out.
Mullins is not the problem defensively. He cannot cover for everyone else’s mistakes. His minutes are more limited because of the offensive side, and NU also needs to keep the post spaced for Page and Martinelli, their two best scorers. Last year, Big Matt was an elite post anchor. Page is not at that level yet, and that alone drastically changes how this defense functions. It is not only Page’s first year in the system, but his first year playing this role with heavy minutes.
Reid is also dealing with a jump in competition and a new scheme. He is adjusting to bigger, faster guards and the demands of the system. Green is not a plus defender right now. Martinelli is not the level of defender past NU leaders were. Barnhizer was elite and Buie was very underrated. Singleton, while mature and physically strong for a freshman, is still learning the pace, the system, and when to pick his spots. KJ has not taken a major step defensively, and Clayton simply does not have the foot speed to be a true lockdown guy.
Compare that to last year with Matt anchoring the post and erasing mistakes on the back line, Barnhizer as a top-tier defender on the wing, Leach being very steady, and Berry also grading out well. That roster had multiple guys with years of experience in this defense. This one just doesn’t yet.
One offseason isn’t enough for the level of players that NU gets also their additions are pretty young.
Your points are always well thought out. I’m maybe just frustrated, and now more so that we’re likely about to give up 80+ points again, at home.
Not sure they had all summer. Can they practice together before they are enrolled? Did have the fall but there are a lot of new guys to have to work in. Singleton had an off night but that happens to Frosh
Paige is not really a center. Plays as more of a forward. Reid is pretty short so any time some one switches with him he is suddenly having to guard someone 6'7 or better and that is hard for him to do. Usually leads to pretty big mismatch
