MBB: CSUN (12-3, 3-0) @ the Aggies (8-7, 3-1) 6 pm Thursday 1/11 that's a really good question that I've been trying to figure out. Honestly, I think this team just started to figure out how to play team defense. TY is playing great man on defense, as is Ade and Lose. But when they get beat, the bigs rotate over to stop the drive, and the weekside defender slides down to clog up the middle. Of course that usually leaves someone in the corner/wing open, but again, the rotation closes fast, contesting every shot. It takes a lot of energy to play this way, so Les has been subbing everyone (including Pepper) in and out on a regular basis.
And great defense leads to confidence on offense. Some of the best ball movement i've seen from the Ags, leads to open shots. And then awesome hustle from Nico on the offensive boards. Pretty good recipe for success.
I'm sure there's other changes that Coach Les has made, but it really comes down to the players buying into the system and playing together.