Alex O'Connell: "We’re Trying to Predicate Our Team on Defense

Alex O’Connell is averaging 11 points per game, but his focus is on improving on defense.

“We’re definitely a good offensive team naturally, but a big part of becoming a good team is working on our defense every day,” he said. “We’re trying to predicate our team on defense and try to see if we can build some of our offense off of our defense, creating steals and getting fast baskets in transition.”

“Defense is going to be a big key for our team this year,” he said. “If we keep working, keep preparing for games like we have been lately, I think our defense can definitely be a key component for our team.”

“We’ve all been working since we’ve been here in summer,” he said. “Some things I’ve been working on are staying solid, staying in front of my guy, also being in passing lanes, trying to get some steals.”

“Last year was a team of its own,” he said. “This year is definitely a more balanced team. We have more guys capable of coming in off the bench or being the starter and having a hot night. It helps us, because we’re capable of bringing guys off the bench with fresh legs, and we’re more capable of rotating guys in, especially if somebody gets hurt or somebody gets tired.”

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said that it didn’t matter who started the game, since there’s such a deep roster.

“I definitely agree with what Coach said. We have a lot of guys who can play,” O’Connell said. “We have different starting lineups we can come in and put in the game, depending on who we play, or it depends on what matchups we want to get. The balance and depth we have is a good thing for our team.”