Comparing This Season's Defense Through the First 5 Games with Last Season's

Raw PPP Allowed
2009 = 0.904
2008 = 0.932

Points Allowed Per Game
2009 = 58.4
2008 = 57.4

2FG%
2009 = 43.6%
2008 = 44.3%

3FG%
2009 = 25.4%
2008 = 38.5%

Free Throw Rate
2009 = 40.8
2008 = 26.8

Defensive Rebounding
2009 = 74.8%
2008 = 74.2%

Steal Rate
2009 = 8.7%
2008 = 7.7%

Block Rate
2009 = 13.8%
2008 = 12.6%

Turnover Rate
2009 = 18.6%
2008 = 22.2%

What does it all mean? The increase of free throw rate suggests that the team is fouling way too much and is having some trouble defending the paint. The guards are lock-down on the perimeter and close-out very well. Rebounding is immaculate per usual. Lastly, they have slightly up-ticked the glamor stats of blocks and steals, but haven't forced as many turnovers. Although many of the numbers are similar, I would say the improvements are going to be lasting as they have faced better competition than they did last season, and the free throw rate should drop the further they get away from the Gonzaga and Arizona games.