After a disappointing loss to Ohio State, BYU’s head coach Mark Pope didn’t hold back when addressing his team’s glaring defensive flaws, particularly their inability to defend ball screens effectively. In a post-game interview, Pope made it clear that fixing this issue would be a major focus for the team moving forward.
The Cougars’ defense struggled throughout the game, especially when Ohio State exploited their weak ball screen coverage. Time and time again, Ohio State’s offense created mismatches by running pick-and-rolls that left BYU’s defenders scrambling. Whether it was poor communication, misjudged switches, or slow reactions, the Cougars couldn’t seem to get a handle on Ohio State’s offensive sets, which allowed them to get easy buckets in the paint and open shots from beyond the arc.
Pope was visibly frustrated after the game, calling out the lack of intensity and focus in the defensive game plan. “Our ball screen defense was unacceptable. They exposed us, and we weren’t able to make the necessary adjustments. We’ve got to be better, or we’re going to continue to get burned,” he said bluntly.
The Cougars’ ball screen defense has been a point of contention all season. While the team has shown flashes of defensive brilliance, this latest loss to a ranked opponent highlighted a critical vulnerability. With a tough conference schedule ahead, Pope knows that this issue can’t be ignored if they want to be competitive.
Moving forward, the Cougars will likely spend a significant amount of time in practice focusing on their defensive rotations, improving communication between players, and tightening up their ball screen coverage. Pope is known for his no-nonsense approach to coaching, and it’s clear that he plans to hold his players accountable. The loss to Ohio State may have stung, but it’s also set the stage for a renewed focus on defensive improvement. If BYU hopes to turn things around, mastering ball screen defense will be paramount.
