I've read the other threads dissecting the defensive flaws and readily acknowledge that they certainly enlighten me, a non x's-and-guy. The thread with the clips and explanations was fantastic.
But I still have to wonder: was the second half improvement due to adjustments and better play by the Tigers' defense, or was it more a case of attrition on the part of the Bears? Mo. State was playing with a much shorter bench coming in , and they were dropping like flies with cramps (particularly in the second half). I don't know if we are just that much better conditioned, or if the Bears players were forced to take far more snaps due to lack of depth. In any event, my concern is that we didn't so much play better defense as we were playing a worn down team.
Maybe both.
I'm hoping we did, in fact make adjustments, and that we can look forward to at least modestly improved defensive play Saturday night. South Carolina will not get worn down.
But I still have to wonder: was the second half improvement due to adjustments and better play by the Tigers' defense, or was it more a case of attrition on the part of the Bears? Mo. State was playing with a much shorter bench coming in , and they were dropping like flies with cramps (particularly in the second half). I don't know if we are just that much better conditioned, or if the Bears players were forced to take far more snaps due to lack of depth. In any event, my concern is that we didn't so much play better defense as we were playing a worn down team.
Maybe both.
I'm hoping we did, in fact make adjustments, and that we can look forward to at least modestly improved defensive play Saturday night. South Carolina will not get worn down.
