Bad 4th quarters

[Conndog]

Why in out 2 losses have the 4th quarters been so bad? Or, stated differently, could anything have been done differently to produce better results in the 4th quarter ?
Possible reasons:
Fatigue due to high starter minutes
Other team has figured out our strategy by then
Our offensive strategy shrinks then somehow
Defense softens a lot by 4th
Opponents not in foul trouble in 4th
I don’t know, something about the 4th in these losses is hurting is

 

[eebmg]

Why in out 2 losses have the 4th quarters been so bad? Or, stated differently, could anything have been done differently to produce better results in the 4th quarter ?
Possible reasons:
Fatigue due to high starter minutes
Other team has figured out our strategy by then
Our offensive strategy shrinks then somehow
Defense softens a lot by 4th
Opponents not in foul trouble in 4th
I don’t know, something about the 4th in these losses is hurting is

My bet is Nerves / Confidence. First few minutes tips the scales. You hope we have more mental toughness to take a punch and hit back but I don't see it (especially without paige). The same thing on the other side for ND

 

[TCC Kid]

My bet is Nerves / Confidence. First few minutes tips the scales. You hope we have more mental toughness to take a punch and hit back but I don't see it (especially without paige). The same thing on the other side for ND

I'm not sure it's nerves, mostly because I don't what that is, but there is a phenomenon that happens with teams: When the Seniors or most respected player can't score, or show weakness the TEAM as a total begin to have doubts about winning. Then, all they know seems to slip away. The result is usually a loss.
To combat that you need a leader with terrific confidence like DT, Maya, Paige. It is NOT just their scoring or passing --it is their demeanor, I got this!! ONO, Evina, CW are respected leaders with Paige out. They must act with confidence, score some, defend more, foul less--LEAD.

 

[Bigboote]

According to Geno after the South Carolina game, it was mental fatigue. I can certainly buy that vs Georgia Tech, too, since they're still trying to figure out how to play without Paige or Nika.

 

[fomalhaut]

Other team has figured out our strategy by then

Connecticut had a strategy against Georgia Tech?