1-3-1 breakdown: Three under-the-radar moments from KU-Baylor (LJW)

Solid analysis with video to add support.

www2.kusports.com/weblogs/chasen-point/2...-under-the-radar-mo/

KU’s right lane on defense has been an Achilles heel most of the season. The last play shown here was clearly a scouting report play. But our defense was somewhat better. Texas Tech probably did the most damage to KU on that play. I didn’t chart it but I recall they ran a right lane drive time after time. We seem to be getting better at that. Rotating off baseline drives has been another play that has been problematic for KU. Svi has been far better this season on defense. He is making the right choice more often and is much more aggressive at coming around screens and also at helping the helper. LaGerald has been spotty and especially the last 6 games he has been a wee bit more reticent on moving off of screens. Garrett seems to understand defense inordinately well for a freshman. But he is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because his offense is something close to non-existent. He is maybe the best natural defender KU has had in a while, Josh Jackson was a strong natural defender as well as was Travis Releford. Udoka, is part of our defensive problem. Any screen going to or by the basket will involve Udoka in a switch of some sort and he has been spotty, but actually not always his fault. Overall, Graham has been excellent on defense all season, Svi has been excellent on rotations but occasionally is still a victim of his slow first step, Vick is spotty from occasionally awesome to missed picks or assignment, Malik was almost a liability early in the season and has become pretty smart on defense except for the occasional play he seems to take off and Udoka sometimes struggles with making the right choice. Garrett is fun to watch on defense with amazing natural ability but still makes an occasional freshman mistake. Lightfoot also has some natural ability on defense especially shot blocking but the young man just can’t guard bigger guys with any physicality what so ever. But few if any try harder than Lightfoot. I would say the biggest upside we have on defense is Udoka choosing better off of picks coming his way and Vick picking up the pace of intensity and everyone rotating when they drive the right lane.