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Oklahoma State men's basketball coach Steve Lutz has made it clear that defense is his primary worry heading into the upcoming season. When asked at Big 12 media days in Kansas City last week what the Cowboys need to do to end their NCAA Tournament drought and get back to the Big Dance for the first time in five years, Lutz didn't hesitate: defense.
"Our biggest hurdle is just going to be playing better defense," Lutz said. "We have the offense to get there."
Lutz has reason to be confident in his offense. He added height and scoring talent through the transfer portal, bolstered the perimeter attack, and brought in talented freshmen who can contribute right away. But all that offensive firepower won't matter if the Cowboys can't get stops.
Seeking a Fix
So what's the best available fix? When asked in Kansas City, Lutz essentially said time will tell. "We've shown spurts in practice for extended periods of time where we're pretty good defensively," he said. "But until we get hit in the mouth [by an opponent], I'm not going to be able to answer that one for you."
The Cowboys had already taken a hit by the time of that interview, having lost an exhibition game to New Mexico. "I can tell you that against New Mexico the other night that we weren't nearly good enough," Lutz said.
Last season, Oklahoma State's defensive numbers were alarming. The Cowboys ranked last in the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing 84.2 points per game. They were one of only two Big 12 teams to give up more than 80 points per contest. In conference play, the numbers worsened to 85.2 points per game, also the worst in the league.
In the grueling Big 12, playing solid defense is non-negotiable. The conference boasts some of the nation's top defensive teams, including Iowa State. Fixing the defense will take time, but there is a more immediate solution: rebounding.
Rebounding as a Remedy
Lutz views rebounding as an extension of defense, and it's an area where the Cowboys struggled last season. In Big 12 play, Oklahoma State was the second-worst team in combined opponent rebounds, surrendering 38.9 per game. Iowa State led the category by allowing just 32.2 rebounds per game. As a result, the Cowboys had the fourth-worst rebounding margin in the conference, getting out-rebounded by 3.1 boards per game.
Controlling the defensive glass denies opponents second-chance opportunities and easy baskets, while offensive rebounding gives the Cowboys extra scoring chances. Until Lutz and his staff can turn the defense into a strength, rebounding offers a straightforward way to address the weakness.