Posted on Wed, Feb. 04, 2004
Defense isn't problem for Huskers, Wildcats
BY JEFFREY PARSON
The Wichita Eagle
The philosophy is not just different than the one Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson preaches, it's in many ways completely opposite.
So Sampson has marveled at Nebraska's defensive success this season. It's based on an approach Cornhuskers coach Barry Collier learned while serving as an assistant to Stanford's Mike Montgomery for three seasons.
"They never, ever deny an entry pass," Sampson said. "They never overpressure the ball, so they never get a lot of steals. But they also never get beat on the dribble and never get out of position on rebounds. They're never out of position."
As a result, Nebraska leads the Big 12 in points allowed (57.4) and opposing field-goal percentage (37.0). Each number ranks in the top 10 nationally.
In a conference known for having great defenses, normally led by Sampson's Sooners, the Huskers are making a name for themselves on that end.
Kansas State will face that defense tonight at Bramlage Coliseum.
"They've always had an inside-outside type of defense," K-State coach Jim Wooldridge said. "They force you to take contested perimeter shots. That's just how they play their defense, playing the percentages.
"I think the difference this year is they have more experience on their team. They've been together in this defense for a couple of years now."
The Wildcats are not bad defensively, either. They're fifth in the conference in points allowed (63.5) and third in field-goal defense (38.7 percent).
Combine all that with offenses each averaging 69.1 points (tied for ninth in the Big 12), and there should be no shootout tonight.
Unfortunately for Nebraska and K-State, good defense has not provided success in the Big 12. Each is 1-5 and coming off a loss where the defense did its job. The Huskers held the Sooners to 52 points in a two-point defeat Sunday.
The Wildcats kept Missouri to 62 points, 12 below the Tigers' season average, in losing a fourth conference game by fewer than 10 points.
"Our defense has been the most consistent part of our game," Wooldridge said. "I thought at Missouri our zone defense was pretty good, maybe at times best we've played this year."
Collier is actually somewhat frustrated with his team's defense lately, pointing out the jump from opponents' field-goal percentage in non-conference games (34.5) to that of Big 12 opponents (41.6).
Like Sampson, he'll also note that part of Nebraska allowing just 62 points per conference game is a deliberate offense that slows the game's pace.
The Huskers, Collier said, are in the process of adjusting to how opposing offenses are adjusting to them.
"Even more than just facing better competition day after day in the Big 12, it's the coaching staffs you face, the way they know your team and study every play," Collier said. "It's always been tough to score in this league. And when teams attack us well, we have not always responded."
KState -2, lean to the over 122
Defense isn't problem for Huskers, Wildcats
BY JEFFREY PARSON
The Wichita Eagle
The philosophy is not just different than the one Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson preaches, it's in many ways completely opposite.
So Sampson has marveled at Nebraska's defensive success this season. It's based on an approach Cornhuskers coach Barry Collier learned while serving as an assistant to Stanford's Mike Montgomery for three seasons.
"They never, ever deny an entry pass," Sampson said. "They never overpressure the ball, so they never get a lot of steals. But they also never get beat on the dribble and never get out of position on rebounds. They're never out of position."
As a result, Nebraska leads the Big 12 in points allowed (57.4) and opposing field-goal percentage (37.0). Each number ranks in the top 10 nationally.
In a conference known for having great defenses, normally led by Sampson's Sooners, the Huskers are making a name for themselves on that end.
Kansas State will face that defense tonight at Bramlage Coliseum.
"They've always had an inside-outside type of defense," K-State coach Jim Wooldridge said. "They force you to take contested perimeter shots. That's just how they play their defense, playing the percentages.
"I think the difference this year is they have more experience on their team. They've been together in this defense for a couple of years now."
The Wildcats are not bad defensively, either. They're fifth in the conference in points allowed (63.5) and third in field-goal defense (38.7 percent).
Combine all that with offenses each averaging 69.1 points (tied for ninth in the Big 12), and there should be no shootout tonight.
Unfortunately for Nebraska and K-State, good defense has not provided success in the Big 12. Each is 1-5 and coming off a loss where the defense did its job. The Huskers held the Sooners to 52 points in a two-point defeat Sunday.
The Wildcats kept Missouri to 62 points, 12 below the Tigers' season average, in losing a fourth conference game by fewer than 10 points.
"Our defense has been the most consistent part of our game," Wooldridge said. "I thought at Missouri our zone defense was pretty good, maybe at times best we've played this year."
Collier is actually somewhat frustrated with his team's defense lately, pointing out the jump from opponents' field-goal percentage in non-conference games (34.5) to that of Big 12 opponents (41.6).
Like Sampson, he'll also note that part of Nebraska allowing just 62 points per conference game is a deliberate offense that slows the game's pace.
The Huskers, Collier said, are in the process of adjusting to how opposing offenses are adjusting to them.
"Even more than just facing better competition day after day in the Big 12, it's the coaching staffs you face, the way they know your team and study every play," Collier said. "It's always been tough to score in this league. And when teams attack us well, we have not always responded."
KState -2, lean to the over 122
