The defense is just better these days

I have watched the film of the Trojans' 1986 victory over Notre Dame, and of the great UCLA teams of the 1960's and 1970's, and of Pete Maravich's days. I hope it will not wound the feelings of my fellow fans of those days, but the defense today just seems a lot more intense than it was back then. There was not that in-your-face, physical, challenging feel to defense back then. Perhaps it was more than merely symbolic - I would not go that far - but the better half-court defenses these days are like a war zone, and take no prisoners. I do not get that impression while watching the play from a of generation or two ago. Just one man's impressions. Perhaps that is in fact what the Powers That Be in NCAA basketball are trying to reverse by decree these days.