Poor defense all season is finally catching up to basketball team...

Agreed. Their defense comes and goes. Idk if its because tired legs or what but it was terrible last night.

Defense is all about desire and aggressiveness. It has to come from within. Everyone knows what to do with the ball in their hand it's instinctive for most. D can be taught but the effort required to play it properly can't . Dribble penetration is the new offense in CBB we suck at defending it...

Amen brother!

I've been bad mouthing the defense for a while, but the numbers don't lie. LSU's defense is pretty efficient (35th in the nation according to KenPom). Last night was a poor effort on the defensive end (coupled with AU hitting several contested shots). However, other than maybe Martin, this team hasn't played that bad of defense.

What LSU does do is play at a fast tempo. Fast tempo = more overall shots for both teams which generally = more made baskets per game = more points

AU attempted 8 (61 vs 53) more FG's than they normally take. The also attempted 12 more FTs than usual (27 vs 15). That usually is the case in fast pace games.

On the flip side, LSU's offense is very inefficient. They have a high scoring avg because they attempt the 2nd most shots per game in the SEC. Again more shots = more made shots. However, they give away a ton of possessions with a high turnover rate. I think someone did the math and found that LSU turns the ball over on nearly 25% of their possessions each game. LSU's game is to try to outscore teams, not necessarily keep their opponent from scoring. That is a fine philosophy until you start giving your opponent extra possessions because of TOs

If Martin, mickey, or Hornsby get in foul trouble we are dead in the water. For that reason they have no choice but to be a bit passive defensively.

Add on gray being a horrendous defender and you end up where this team is.

As others have mentioned, defense is a part of the game that doesn't get the praise or highlight reel spots. You have to have it instilled in your game. Your defensive motor should run at 110% even in practice. That will translate into the game day attitude. That below average Auburn team ran up and down the court and scored almost at will. I don't think being tired has too much to do with it...I've run games (back in the day) playing point and I focused mainly on defense and dishing the ball and didn't really have an issue with being tired when I was "in the zone"...just didn't feel it. Getting in foul trouble, i could understand that being an issue. These guys only want the ball after the inbounds pass. Kentucky will destroy this team if they don't show a fire in their belly.