Longwood certainly has been shorthanded and out of gas lately but when we explore the season at a whole Longwood is one of the worst, if not the worst, defensive team in the country. According to StatSheet LU gives up the MOST average points per game out of all 344 Division I schools with opponents averaging 84 points per game. The Lancers also rank 338th in opposing field goal percentage (49.2%), 337th in opposing rebounds (40 rpg), and 341st in opposing assists (17 apg).
We certainly do play an up-tempo style of basketball, but this is ridiculous! Our transition defense this year has been abysmal and has cost us games, the Navy and Canisius matchups come immediately to mind. It’s not all bad news though for Mike Gillian’s squad the Lancers do counter their horrific defense by ranking 39th in the country in scoring with 75 points per game, and 31st in the country in assists with 15 assists per game. These are certainly nice numbers, but last time I checked you have to score more than you give up to win a basketball game. The Class of 2012 recruits also seem to focus on offense and the “run and gun” style. Nik Brown is a combo guard, Lucas Woodhouse a distributor, and Kirk Stain an athletic wingman. Hopefully Frank Holloway can be the guy to beef up the defense. The Lancers have to find an inside force with their last scholarship to potentially help this club shore up their defense.
Tonight the Lancers take on Division 2 Washington Adventist (11-11) at 7PM in Willett. Hopefully defense will not be an issue.
Photo Credit: SB Nation
