Does anyone have a team that plays consistently good defense in this engine or should we just get used to opponents shooting 50% from the field in this "steroid" version of HD?

These games may be more exciting but they certainly aren't more realistic than the old engine.

I think part of the reason for the steroid version as of now though is that they dropped overall player ratings in the NEW recruits, which should bring down scoring, but since the old recruits are still better, they are roided out, as you say in the new engine.  In theory, once the player ratings drop across the board, the steroid scoring should as well.

I can't really force TO's anymore even when I have big SPD advantages, which is most frustrating.

As far as shooting%s go, I've noted that you almost have to play even more + than usual to stop good outside shooting teams.   I've had teams with no better than a 45 PER player shoot lights out against me playing -1.  Needs a slight tweak for sure.

My Marquette team finished their season holding opponents to less than 60 ppg and shooting 39.5% from the field and 27.2% from 3pt.  Not a brutal schedule, but certainly not bad - final SOS of 54.

Good analysis, grant. I think you're right about the "old recruits" in the new engine.

Your WV State, team, mully, has good defense overall. You're holding opponents to 41% .

Thats primarily from playing crappy conference SIMS.

This latest boxscore is the typical **** from this current engine. Both teams throwing in baskets at over 50%. Salem has some nice defensive players and we still light it up. I've never seen so many teams lose shooting >50%, than here.

http://www.whatifsports.com/hd/GameResults/BoxScore.aspx?gid=5960439

Taking it a step further ...does it feel like defensive positioning has EVEN LESS effect on the outcome of a game than before?

I've played -4 and -5 vs teams that pound the ball inside and not been able to stop them at all. I've also seen teams throw up +2 and +3 defenses but still be totally unavble to stop the 3 PTers.