I listened to the post-game press conferences on the Ohio web page, http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/020717a...

In those, I heard two different versions of the defense that was played.

Coach Saul talked about not have hand in face and being disappointed that his players weren't prepared to guard the two scorers on the team.

Simmons spoke about Central just hitting shots. At one point in the press conference (around 1:45), he said if we play them again they would be ready, "again", then spoke under his breath, "we were ready tonight"

What is your take? Was Coach Saul just being a coach and looking for any coaching point he could find? Is there any concerns that it seems like they were on completely different pages?

Coach does sound a little irritated in this presser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7zmit-ZokM

The defense has fallen off big time lately. It's hard to pinpoint why.

Just one game ago on Saturday versus Akron, they did a good job on defense. Same for at NIU. Definitely a couple bad performances in between.

I don't know if our defense should be considered anywhere near as frustrating as our uncanny ability to give up offensive rebounds in bunches. Anyone will score when given three chances per possession. Why is Jaaron our leading rebounder lately?

Sure, I understand that, but I think it's got to be more than that for the difference to be that dramatic. The defense has gone from great to awful.

The problem I see with this team is it comes down to manufacturing an open look. Why teams get on big runs is because we cannot do so. Whether it has something to do with ball movement or personnel, it simply comes down to Simmons coming down the floor, a pass or two, and chuck it from the cheap seats. Our guys like to chuck from the perimeter, but we gotta be able to run something that gets something remotely close to a layup. Just watching schematically we gotta be able to create looks from our sets because the only guy who can create his own shot is Simmons.

I'm in favor of what you're suggesting re: leaving that one scholly open, but other than that, to say he needs to approach recruiting differently -- I whole heartedly disagree. What he needs is for every scholarship player to be healthy, and able to play. Other than having one guy who isn't getting PT, the rest of the issues here are related to the health of three guys. Tony getting hurt exposed that, and Jaaron is going a great job covering it up still.

The RPI comparison you're making isn't really useful this year in my opinion. If Tony is in the mix, this is a drastically different team.

Find me another team that loses the guy widely considered it's best player, who is a senior, and doesn't struggle with some inconsistency. Creighton - lost Watson, and have been inconsistent after looking like a lock for a top 3 seed in March. Xavier - lost Sumner, same deal. IU, lost Anunoby, same deal.

Since you like using them, may I suggest you RELAX, and adjust YOUR EXPECTATIONS accordingly?

They were inconsistent with Tony, too.

Xavier lost Sumner and hasn't lost a game since. In fact, they're playing Villanova for a defacto Big East title game Saturday. Bad example.

Creighton struggled for a couple after losing Watson...but are 2-3 with a road win at Butler in there. They're aren't as good...but they'll still win a game or two in the NCAAs

IU was somewhat of a dumpster fire with Anunoby.

Bad examples.

Ohio let up huge runs with AC....see WKU, Iona, Marshall.

I'm not downplaying the loss of AC...but to pin the struggles of Ohio all on that is short-sighted.

This team is NOT good on defense. No matter what those damn analytics say ... you watch the games....do they past the eye test on defense? They struggle stopping the dribble drive. Last night they couldn't defend the 3ptr. They let a team that thrives by shooting 3ptrs outscore them 34-14 in the paint. Zero interior defense.

Would AC help fix some of these issues? Sure. But there are still issues.

That win over Akron was great! But to follow it up with such a dud vs. CMU shows what this team is all about....total inconsistency. They have the ability to play great at times...but the inability to string it together for a few games, or even two for that matter.

This team hasn't won back-to-back games since 3-0 MAC start....what gives anyone hope they can string 3 wins together in Cleveland?

Frustrating to watch...because I don't think it's a lack of talent. They guys are pretty damn good....but for some reason they can't perform at a consistent level. Is it coaching? Not sure. Desire? I hope not...except on the defensive end/rebounding where it does look like some guys aren't interested in committing on that side of the floor.

Not sure I would call scoring 87 points a dud. Usually that's a win. And Keene was just an alien last night and has been all season. Now, were there defensive lapses and missed wide open shots? Absolutely. More than there should have been. But yes, the inconsistency sucks.

Saul Ball will be better defensively next year than they were this year, the reason is simple: Younger players taking the place of KK and Tony that Saul can mold to what he wants from day one. That's a big difference. Guys like Carter and Culver will get better as well.

As for this year, I think they'll be in the hunt. They're going to have to rely on Carter to carry a load bigger than last night, but I think he will. The only thing I wish Saul & Co would do more of is switching up defenses on occasion. It just seems to be that being able to switch to some form of a zone, or a 3/4 court press/trap once in awhile could keep teams off balance. Obviously, being able to be effective in that switch up defense is necessary, but other teams do it, so I believe OUr team is capable.