January 29, 2008
There's Something Happening Here
by Cortney Basham

And what it is ain’t exactly clear.  Actually, it is pretty clear.  It’s called defense.

Die-hard Hilltopper fans have probably noticed the improved defense this season.  More precisely, they have probably noticed that the Toppers did not forget how to defend over the Winter Break.  In fact, they have become better in the games after Christmas.  That is an encouraging sign.

WKU has been a “pretty good” team for the last couple of years based on tremendous shooting and good offensive players.  In every year of coach Darrin Horn’s tenure, WKU has been among the best offensive teams in the country (I have the offensive efficiency numbers to prove it).  But, the defense has been average at best—and usually downright bad, especially at the end of the season.  Have a look at the defensive efficiency (point scored against a team per 100 possessions) ratings for WKU during Horn’s tenure:

2004: #205 nationally

2005: #204

2006: #177

2007: #224

2008: #80 (with a bullet!)

What’s the difference?  Well, there are a few.

1. Experience.  The roster has lots of seniors, and Horn has to be considered an experienced coach in his fifth year.
2. WKU has scrapped the 1-3-1 trap for the most part.  The traps come mostly in man-to-man schemes.  This seems to be working better for WKU.
3. Excellent perimeter defense.  Teams only manage 32.3% from Three, and the Toppers force teams into turnovers on 24.7% of their possessions (#38 nationally).
4. Scott Cherry.  I have no idea if the new assistant coach has made a difference, but whatever he is doing (or not doing) needs to continue.  It may be coincidence, but whatever works!

Rare is the team that both creates turnovers and plays good field goal percentage defense, but this year’s Toppers are one of those teams.  They are #38 in forcing turnovers and #74 in FG% defense, and in the last 8 games, the numbers are even higher. In fact, the only thing that keeps WKU from being an absolute monster defensively is their propensity to send teams to the line.  The Tops send their opponents to the line at an alarmingly high rate (18th most in the country).  But, that aggression is what fuels the turnovers and good FG% defense.

At any rate, it is not just wishful thinking or with red-tinted glasses that I say that this WKU team is different.  It’s the same good offense, the same fantastic Courtney Lee, and the same bevy of bodacious shooters that WKU always seems to have.  But, this season, Big Red also plays defense—and that is bad news for the rest of the Belt.  And, hopefully, bad news for some first round NCAA opponent.