Kenner

The Moore effect.

I was going to say the exact same thing. We have got to keep getting those scrappy rebounds from our guards.

Still can't believe we were top 10 in rebounding margin in the country last year with that lineup, pretty amazing.

Cant wait to see Ian Boyd, Even more jacked. If thats even possible.

Needed a 6'2" to have a historic season, rebounding wise. What do they do this year?

Paulsen's teams always are among the national leaders in rebounding. His defensive system, when executed properly, puts his guys in ideal position to box out.

I would expect us to remain a strong rebounding team this season even with 4-guard lineups.

I agree.

His defensive philosophy emphasizes rebounding at the expense of steals / forcing turnovers.

Hmm for some reason "Positioning" doesn't have the same marketing appeal of "Havoc" of something like that.

All this means is we dare them to shoot by sagging off and prepare to rebound. Sometimes I like, somestimes I dont despite being highly ranked in rebounds. At times, there will be a need to pressure a hot shooter.

I'm hesitant to hype a player who hasn't played one minute yet, but from what I have seen from highlight tapes is AJ can shot block. and Paulsen isn't a scheme coach, he plays through his players strength so I imagine there will be more shot pressure this year.

Mar looks like he can shot block as well.

Yes, Mar definitely will be able to block shots. He had a really nice block in transition when I saw him in the all star game so I suspect he will do more of that.

Dave has a way he likes to play defense. He's done it that way for a long time and I doubt he's going to just up and change it. That's generally not how coaches work.

We're going to be better able to challenge shots this season because we have more length on the roster and our guys are another year stronger and more experienced, but the scheme is still predicated on cutting off the paint and making opponents hit contested jump shots.

Anyone expecting to see us pressuring the ball all over the court should prepare to be disappointed.

Nobody said pressure and trap all over the court. Hopefully, with the added length we will do better.

You seemed to be suggesting that our defensive scheme is to let people shoot and hope they miss, which is incorrect.

We don't have to force a bunch of turnovers to be a very effective defensive team.

I felt more jumpers could of been better contested. Im sure the juniors know what to do now.

A lot of that came from not closing out fast enough after having to collapse and help once the ball went into the paint due to our lack of size.

Random thing I've been thinking about since AJ went bananas in Kenner: Jalen moved from playing the 4 (Shevon at the 5) as a junior to playing the true 5 position as a senior. Playing the 5 in Paulsen's four guard system led to a career low in blocks:

Freshman: 31
Soph: 26
Junior: 25
Senior: 9 (only nine blocks, not a typo)

You know who led the team in blocks last year? The guy who was playing the defensive 4, Jaire Grayer.

What I'm saying is, now that it looks like Relvao starts at the 5 and AJ starts at the 4, AJ might set the single season record for blocks, win player of the year, lead us to a national championship, and declare for the draft after his freshman year.

Petey has been mixing his green and gold KoolAid with something stronger!

Absinthe and Goldschlager?