Clearly set so that Gideon has the inbounder and Johnson has the guy who took the final shot.

Gideon switches over to him...don't know if Pope wanted Gideon to defend the ball or take the individual player...do you?

Johnson isn't sure where to go now and runs to take the player in the corner on the perimeter while Saunders take the guy who inbounded.

From here Johnson and Saunders are out of the play and non factors along with Hall guarding his guy on the perimeter as well.

Then there was the switch. Don't know if that was called or Gideon (like Robinson against the Zags) went under the screen and shouldn't have. I can't stand going under screens on a final possession. Low IQ. Gideon was terrible all night.

The rest is history.

When you say the D isn't set in your OP, many understand that as the kids running around with heads cut off and nobody is guarding anyone. Basically not being ready. That was not the case. They were ready. Neither you nor I know what Pope wanted them to do, but the defense was set up.

Regardless of what George or Johnson did or did not do all game, they are our best on ball defenders and not a surprise that both were involved in defending the inbound. I think George messed up his assignment and fatally went under the screen. Just my opinion, but the D was prepared.