Lack of defensive intensity costly in recent games

Men's Basketball

February 8, 2010 —

by Adam Baudoux

Freshman guard Chris Webb goes up for a shot in front of the Cardinal bench with a Wayne State defender coming at him. Webb finished the game with 16 points in 38 minutes. The Cardinals defeated Wayne State 68-63.

Defensive intensity, or lack thereof, has proven to be costly for the Cardinals.

After SVSU lost 100-88 to Northwood, head coach Frankie Smith was not satisfied with his team’s effort.

“All season I’ve said we will only go as far as our defense allows us,” Smith said. “If we continue to play like that, we won’t get very far.”

The 100 points allowed and 88 points scored were both season highs. Smith knows the Cardinals can score points. Allowing such a high mark is what was most surprising.

“I think that is the first time we have allowed 100 points since I’ve been here,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter how much you score if you can’t stop the other team.”

Northwood led 45-41 at halftime. The second half was a different story as the Timberwolves were able to gain a 21-point lead.

Each team had five players score in double figures. The difference was Northwood’s Lionel Sullivan’s 25 points and Dorian Pierce’s 23 points.

“[Northwood] flat out came out here and outplayed our five starters,” Smith said. “They had more intensity from the very start. Our defense just couldn’t stop them.”

Not even Keithan Jackson, the Cardinals leading rebounder, who sat out due to injury would have helped SVSU against Northwood.

“When you get out-hustled and outplayed the way we did, it wouldn’t have made a difference,” Smith said. “It’s a team game and we just didn’t have it against Northwood.”

The Timberwolves held a 36-31 rebound advantage. They shot 62 percent from the field and 63 percent from beyond the three-point line. The five rebounds played a role in the outcome.

“When a team is as hot offensively as Northwood was, it’s crucial to not let them get second chance opportunities,” Smith said. “They took advantage of the opportunities they got.”

Despite the loss, Smith was able to find some positives.

“Even though we were down by 21 in the second half, we never gave up. We struggled a lot, but I’m confident we will improve.”

Unlike the high scoring Northwood game, the Cardinals game against Wayne State was a low scoring, defensive battle.

The Cardinals defensive intensity matched what Smith demanded and resulted in the Cardinals winning 68-63.

On average, SVSU converts seven three-points per game. Against Wayne State, the Cardinals only attempted eight three-pointers, a season low. Wayne State’s defensive style was the reason for such few attempts.

“We just took what the defense gave us,” Smith said. “They were guarding us tight and not allowing us to get the open looks we wanted.”

SVSU made 20-42 shots while Wayne State made 20- 62 shots. The defensive intensity that was lacking against Northwood was on full display against Wayne State.

“We forced them into a lot of bad shots,” Smith said. “When a team takes 20 more shots than you that’s usually not a good thing. Luckily our defense stepped up.”

With Jackson injured early in the game, the Cardinals bench outscored Wayne State’s 29-17. Smith believes the differential was what led them to victory.

“I don’t think we come out of that game with a win if it wasn’t for our bench,” Smith said.

Jackson, who suffered a hip pointer, is listed as day to day. Smith thinks he will be back this week when the Cardinals travel to Ashland for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off Thursday. The Cardinals also play at Tiffin on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Both teams sit at the bottom of the GLIAC South Division, although Smith knows neither will be an easy matchup.

“Ashland played us close in the first game and Tiffin is hungry to get their first GLIAC win. We need to come out focused.”