Basketball | UNB hosts Memorial this weekend
Defence wins championships. The three-word saying used countless times by professional athletes, coaches and sports pundits isn't as all-encompassing as many would suggest, according to Jeff Speedy. The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds women's basketball coach would alter the timeless statement with a necessary qualifier.
Consistent defence wins championships.
After a 2-1 showing at the Accreon Helen Campbell Tournament in October, the Varsity Reds dropped seven straight matches to round out preseason play. The squad showed flashes of brilliance at times. However, Speedy said flashes aren't good enough.
"Some games we just aren't willing to defend," he said.
The inconsistent play on the defensive side of the ball is a major red flag for the UNB coach heading into their first weekend of Atlantic University Sport action. The Reds host the Memorial Sea-Hawks (1-1) in a pair of games at the Richard J. Currie Center on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. The men's games go at 8 and 3 p.m., respectively.
In two games this season, the Sea-Hawks have averaged 72 points per game, a total not met by the Reds in their 10 exhibition matches. UNB surpassed the 70-point mark only once, defeating the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers 71-51. The Reds allowed over 70 points six times during the preseason.
"If you're going to give up 75-80 points and expect to win, you're asking a lot from your offence," Speedy said.
"There was flat out times where we wouldn't guard anybody. There were (preseason) games where we gave up 10 points in a minute and then forced a bunch of turnovers and held them to 40 points over 30 minutes."
In their second game of the BDO Dunwoody Basketball Classic in Kamloops, B.C., McGill scored 61 points against the Reds in the second half en route to their worst loss, 88-58.
"It's a little concerning and frustrating, but it's something that has to get done," he said.
That said, the Reds kept pace with some of the tops clubs in the country, including No. 4 Saskatchewan and No. 8 Alberta. Speedy said, despite some spotty defence, overall their record was misleading.
"We didn't hide from anybody," he said. "I think if you look at the quality of opponents that we had, there's some pretty good basketball teams and we're still trying to find our way after losing three of our top six players from last year."
The Reds are still far from the offensive powerhouse they were in the 2010-11 season with the departure of Amanda Sharpe and Leah Corby. Last season, UNB averaged 82.1 points per game over the 20-game regular season. This preseason, UNB has averaged 64 points.
However, Speedy feels the team does have the capability to challenge any squad in the AUS with their offensive skill.
"I think if anyone wants to zone us or double team one of our players and leave somebody open, they're going to pay for it."
Nonetheless, he knows they'll need a two-way effort to steal eight points from Memorial this weekend as the Sea-Hawks have the size advantage and some of the best shooters in the conference.
"I say they are probably the second- or third-best team in the league by my estimate," Speedy said.
"They've got all the pieces and it's going to be a tough challenge. At least we're at home and we don't have to hop on a ferry or a plane."
He said each game is an opportunity to improve as a squad, however. The Reds have introduced a number of new players and moved the some veterans into new leadership roles.
"We've got some people starting that have never started before. We're asking a lot more of them than we have in the past and it's taking them a while to get used to that role," he said.
"The team chemistry is probably better than it's been in my career here at UNB. For women's basketball, having team chemistry is very important to success. I'm thrilled the way we blended in five or six new players into the roster and a whole bunch of people in leadership roles."
Leaders like second-year wing Claire Colborne and fifth-year point guard and offensive quarterback Megan Corby are going to be relied more than ever to spark the offence.