House G
04-06-2010, 06:17 PM
I have to admit that my Duke bias often makes be think that our opponent is getting the benefit of more calls than we are. After watching us play Cal, Purdue, Baylor, West Virginia, and Butler, I felt like we played some very physical teams. I thought Purdue and Butler in particular were allowed to play a style of defense that frequently included a lot of hand-checking, grabbing, shoving, etc. Whereas Duke's big men appear capable of "dishing it out", our guards seem to play a less-aggressive style with regard to these tactics.
Is this a function of the players we have? Are different styles of defense played in different conferences? If so, do teams recruit certain players to match that style of play? Is the seemingly rougher style of play related to bigger, stronger players? To what extent do the zebras dictate this type of play? Since everyone preaches that "Duke gets all the calls", are we now held to a different standard? Do teams try to take advantage of this sentiment? Has the game changed to where teams now adopt the old Georgetown defensive philosophy of committing so many fouls that the zebras can't possibly call all of them?
I feel that our team did a remarkable job of dealing with some very aggressive, physical defensive teams in the tournament. Perhaps this is a trend in college basketball. I personally believe that this style of defense has gone too far and that it detracts from the offensive flow of a game. Any thoughts?
Is this a function of the players we have? Are different styles of defense played in different conferences? If so, do teams recruit certain players to match that style of play? Is the seemingly rougher style of play related to bigger, stronger players? To what extent do the zebras dictate this type of play? Since everyone preaches that "Duke gets all the calls", are we now held to a different standard? Do teams try to take advantage of this sentiment? Has the game changed to where teams now adopt the old Georgetown defensive philosophy of committing so many fouls that the zebras can't possibly call all of them?
I feel that our team did a remarkable job of dealing with some very aggressive, physical defensive teams in the tournament. Perhaps this is a trend in college basketball. I personally believe that this style of defense has gone too far and that it detracts from the offensive flow of a game. Any thoughts?