Coach Gary Edwards Column

​There has been a lot of talk recently about the porous southern border of our country. Donald Trump wants to build a wall to help the situation.
 
If he wants to see porous, I can show him porous. Just come to Florence and watch my Francis Marion University men’s basketball team play defense.
 
In our last four games we have given up 120, 92, 80, and 83 points respectively, but have won three out of those four. Our record stands at 10-2 overall and 6-1 in the tough Peach Belt Conference.
 
On average the Patriots give up 86 points a game. When an opposing player drives to the basket we look like Manolete, the famous Spanish bullfighter, shouting “Ole” as the bull charges past.
 
We are not alone in our defensive ineptness. The Golden State Warriors of the NBA scored 51 points in the first quarter alone against the Denver Nuggets the other night.
 
The Philadelphia 76ers put up 83 in the first half against Minnesota on that same date, and a night later the Warriors beat the Pelicans, 147-140.
 
When the Oklahoma Thunder lost to the Atlanta Hawks, 142-126, OKC Coach Billy Donovan said, “What did we score, 126? That should be good enough for us to win.”
 
I hear you Billy, but my Patriots have averaged over 100 points a game since Christmas and I am still nursing an ulcer because the games have been so close.
 
It’s just a sign of the times. Defense is tough, and our society is now geared toward making things easier.
 
 But easier is not necessarily better. I still believe defense wins championships.
 
We play Georgia Southwestern this afternoon on our campus at 3:30 p.m. When we traveled to Americus before the holidays we beat them in a very spirited contest, 90-85.
 
But we gave up 57 points in the second half of that game. It is going to be a monumental challenge for us to hold the talented Hurricanes to under 100 points.
 
I am not sure what our defensive game plan should be. Do you think the NCAA would let me build a wall?