This is not a good defensive squad. Not good individually. Not good defensively as a team. It is staggering how bad our perimeter defense is in particular. Our guards don't play tight 1:1 defense, they don't fight through screens, and our bigs are basically worthless perimeter help defenders.
Pope and Wilcher are particularly noteworthy bad defenders. Weaver provides hustle, but isn't really a very good individual defender either. Mark can play decent defense... when motivated. Half the time there is a 3, it seems to be in the face of Vokietaitis who is failing to close out.
Add it all up and our 3P% defense is #287 in the country. And our ability to create steals and turnovers is #303 and #283 in the country. Horrid, horrid defensive work from our guards.
When I hear Pope say that "we will do better", I want to see him start by putting in effort on the defensive end. Our guards are 6'2, 6'3, 6'4 and 6'5 and have plenty of athleticism. Weaver should be able to lock down the best opposing guard. Same with Wilcher. They should be smothering. Nope nope nope.