The Basketball Team Is Struggling, Here’s Why

Reported By: Sam Erickson

Photographed By: Kelly North

The George Fox University (GFU) men’s basketball team has started the season 2-6, with several close losses (and some that weren’t so close). The team is better than their record might suggest if you use the eye test, but there are also a few problems that could explain their slow start.

Number One: They Are Getting Outrebounded In Every Game

In their last game against the University of Redlands, they had a better shooting percentage, and a better three point shooting percentage. Their defense played well enough to keep them competitive; their full court press they run has been effective so far this season. However, they brutally underperformed in the rebounding game. Redlands had 47 rebounds, and 22 second-chance points (points scored after an offensive rebound), compared to GFU’s 12 rebounds, and zero second-chance points.

The Bruins are getting outrebounded by 15.9 rebounds a game right now. This is a massive problem that will be hard to overcome if it goes unaddressed. Their season averages in shooting percentage, turnovers, assists, and steals, are all close to or better than their opponents’. Unfortunately, that means almost nothing when every rebound goes the other way. This is a team issue, it only takes one player not boxing out to ruin a good defensive possession.

In their two wins they do have, they smoked Northwest Indian College (NIC) 104-73, and Willamette University (WU) 103-79. In the win against NIC, they tied them in rebounds, 44-44. The win against WU was similar, with the two teams tying in rebounds with 38. And while NIC and WU aren't up to par with the other teams GFU has faced, it is a sign that if we can at least get close to even on the boards, wins will follow. 

Number Two: They Are Playing Pretty Talented Teams

On their most recent road trip to California, GFU lost to Chapman University (CU) 91-76 and Redlands 95-84. CU has a 3-2 record, which isn’t great, but they have an offense that is getting hot right now (they had three starters score a combined r 67 points). University of Redlands, on the other hand, has won four out of five games this season, with their only loss coming from their match against the number two team in the country. 

All of GFU’s “bad” losses have come against teams with a lot of talent, and in most of those games, the score isn’t accurate in showing how close they really were. For example, in the game against East Texas Baptist University (ETBU), ETBU didn’t pull away until the latter part of the second half. 

December’s schedule looks a little kinder. They dropped a winnable game against Linfield, but followed with the win against WU. Now they travel to Idaho on Saturday for a game against Northwest Nazarene, a middle of the pack Division II school, then after that they play a struggling McMurry University.

What Should Come Next

There’s no doubt in my mind that this team is much better than their record. The struggles they’ve faced have been because of many factors, including the two mentioned and many more. (Don’t underplay the loss of last year's leading scorer Zac Schmerber, who graduated in 2022.)

Don’t be surprised if the team rattles off some wins soon. The shooting is there, the coaching staff is figuring out what rotations work, and the players will respond. It is a rough start, but the season is far from over.