"Be quick, but don't hurry" - The mathematics of UConn WBB

[oldude]

“Be quick but don’t hurry” is a quote by legendary coach John Wooden that has become a mantra for basketball coaches at every level. But what exactly does it mean? At its most basic level, it entails pushing tempo on offense and defense to force your opponent into mistakes and bad execution while, at the same time, playing under control. I have previously suggested that this year’s UConn team is playing as fast (quick) as I have ever seen any UConn team play.

More specifically, playing with pace on defense involves pressuring your opponent to speed them up, which UConn is doing all over the court through full court pressure, half court traps and just plain “in your face defense,” all of which is designed to create turnovers and rushed shot selection. So far this season, UConn has won the turnover battle in each of 4 games by -46 turnovers in total. As for shooting the basketball UConn’s % as a team is .502 vs their opponents .361. UConn also has slightly better shooting percentages from 3-pt and the FT line as well. That is difficult math to overcome for any UConn opponent.

On the offensive side, UConn runs off turnovers, missed shots or made shots at every opportunity….the 30 second clock be damned. If a transition shot is not available, UConn quickly shifts into their beautiful halfcourt motion offense where the ball flies around the court accompanied by a series of screens and back cuts that usually result in a very good shot for whomever is open.

So far this season, UConn is still working on “don’t hurry” as the offensive pace and dizzying number of different lineups has led to some sloppy play at times. But don’t expect Geno to slow down the offense while everyone gets used to the speed. The Huskies will continue to push the pace while Geno figures out his most effective rotations, and the game will effectively “slow down” for individual players. In the most recent game vs tOSU, I noted that both Serah & Ash appeared much more comfortable with the fast pace of play.

Finally, this may be one of the best rebounding teams at UConn in many years. The Huskies have also won the rebounding battle in each game to the tune of +37 in total. Again, this all comes down to a mathematical equation that I first heard from another legendary coach, Red Auerbach, who stated that if his “fast breaking” Celtic team got 10 or more shots than the opposing team, they would win the game almost all the time. Between winning the turnover and rebounding battle in every game UConn has taken 72 more shots than their opponents so far this season.

You cannot play the way UConn is playing this year if you don’t have a deep roster. Otherwise, players getting in foul trouble or a key injury pretty much derails the strategy. With 15 talented players, depth should never be a problem for the Huskies, while fatigue will be a factor for many UConn opponents. Ultimately if UConn continues to win the math battle while everyone on the team gets comfortable with the pace of play, the only way any team can derail UConn’s march to #13 is to play the absolute game of their lives, and even that might not be enough.

 

[oldhusky]

Good points all. IMO the "don't hurry" part of the half court offense is why despite the "we want to play fast mantra" we are rarely high in the pace statistics. I am talking about the one that measures the number of possessions per game. We push the pace on both sides of the ball, but once we get into our half court offense, I would argue we use considerably more of the shot clock than most teams because we are patient, taking a pass on a 40-45% shot while looking for a much better one.

There is nothing wrong with that as a strategy, and we still have enough one on one ability to get a decent shot if the shot clock is running low, but because of our selective patience in our half court offense, we will never be near the top of the "pace" stats despite in many ways playing fast when we can.

For most of the injury plagued seasons we were actually significantly below average in pace. That was partly because we did not have the depth to press much on defense, and now we do, but when we can't break, and settle into the half court offense we are very good and patient, but certainly not fast.

So for me the "fast" is almost all the time on defense, and when running the break on offense and off turnovers, but the "don't hurry" is our half court offense.

 

[Bone Dog]

The awesome pace of play UConn has displayed only 4 games in to the season is almost entirely the work of the veterans, and especially Sarah Azzi KK and Ash. They are the ones who have pushed pace and forced opponents to rush. The rest of the core are still catching up but are still susceptible to getting rushed by opposing teams — Kayleigh Serah and Blanca are making huge strides. It won’t be long before they are all playing quickly without hurrying.

The interesting player to watch in all this is Allie — a veteran but not someone who got a lot of minutes last season. And yet she has not seemed rushed by opposing teams. This was really clear in the tOSU game, a team designed to rush opponents. Allie seemed unflappable against their press, often breaking It single-handedly and with ease. Her defense has made significant strides since last season. Once her offense catches up, her sophomore leap will be complete.

And just for the record, tOSU did manage to rush our girls a bit and the traveling calls were a sign of this. Of course, we rushed them much more. I’m particularly looking forward to the Tennessee game, another team built around a pressing defense. I suspect that by February we will be impervious to opposing presses and at the same time able to press strategically with great effect. If the new players, Blanca may be the X-factor, with the size and athleticism to challenge Cooper and Spearman at both ends. And I’m especially looking forward to watching Allie in this game.

 

[oldude]

On offense the best players have what I will refer to as “an internal regulator” that tells them when to speed up and when to slow it down. Paige was absolutely the best. But I also see it in Sarah, particularly when she pulls down a defensive rebound, casually dribbles up the court, sees an opportunity and then explodes to the basket for a layup.

 

[oldude]

I had mentioned the necessity of having a deep roster in order to play with the agressive pace that UConn plays with. The tOSU game was a good example of why you need that deep roster as 4/5 UConn starters got into what I would consider to be foul trouble with 3 fouls each, and yet UConn hardly missed a beat as Geno was able to sub in talented reserves who kept up the pressure.

 

[my2cents]

As a team, we do look much faster. For two reasons, our bigs are much faster and run the floor well. With the depth, if a player is gassed, she gets a breather. Almost like changing lines in hockey.
Side note: Now that the penny is going away, I may need a new name.

 

[MSGRET]

As a team, we do look much faster. For two reasons, our bigs are much faster and run the floor well. With the depth, if a player is gassed, she gets a breather. Almost like changing lines in hockey.
Side note: Now that the penny is going away, I may need a new name.

Naw, keep it us old fogies know what it means, let the young ones try and figure it out. 😉

 

[Bills Fan]

As a team, we do look much faster. For two reasons, our bigs are much faster and run the floor well. With the depth, if a player is gassed, she gets a breather. Almost like changing lines in hockey.
Side note: Now that the penny is going away, I may need a new name.

Side note to your side note: The penny isn't going away, they just won't be making any more so you might want to save them as they increase in value over the next 50 years😊😄. I know we are not printing many $2 bills anymore, in fact when use one I almost always get a comment. I stocked up on a couple of hundred of them and use them as part of my signature gift to family. They all enjoy getting them and quite a few of my grandchildren have never spent any of the ones I have given them.

 

[Huskee11]

Sometimes a team will be blown out early by the speed and pace of the 2025-2026 team. Lousiville was down at the end of the first quarter by 25-9. (To their credit, they cut into a huge lead in the second half.)

Sometimes it will wear a team down over the course of the game. OSU hung tough in the first quarter but was outscored in the second 23-6.

In the words of Blondie, one way or the other, I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha getcha getcha......

Aubrey Griffin at her best played at a different pace than everyone else. That role has now been assumed by Blanca. Having her come off the bench at a time when the other team's starters are starting to feel it is going to be a huge factor.

 

[Bone Dog]

In the words of Blondie, one way or the other, I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha getcha getcha......

Was she referring to Dagwood?

 

[WiseWillie]

“Be quick but don’t hurry” is a quote by legendary coach John Wooden that has become a mantra for basketball coaches at every level. But what exactly does it mean? At its most basic level, it entails pushing tempo on offense and defense to force your opponent into mistakes and bad execution while, at the same time, playing under control. I have previously suggested that this year’s UConn team is playing as fast (quick) as I have ever seen any UConn team play.

More specifically, playing with pace on defense involves pressuring your opponent to speed them up, which UConn is doing all over the court through full court pressure, half court traps and just plain “in your face defense,” all of which is designed to create turnovers and rushed shot selection. So far this season, UConn has won the turnover battle in each of 4 games by -46 turnovers in total. As for shooting the basketball UConn’s % as a team is .502 vs their opponents .361. UConn also has slightly better shooting percentages from 3-pt and the FT line as well. That is difficult math to overcome for any UConn opponent.

On the offensive side, UConn runs off turnovers, missed shots or made shots at every opportunity….the 30 second clock be damned. If a transition shot is not available, UConn quickly shifts into their beautiful halfcourt motion offense where the ball flies around the court accompanied by a series of screens and back cuts that usually result in a very good shot for whomever is open.

So far this season, UConn is still working on “don’t hurry” as the offensive pace and dizzying number of different lineups has led to some sloppy play at times. But don’t expect Geno to slow down the offense while everyone gets used to the speed. The Huskies will continue to push the pace while Geno figures out his most effective rotations, and the game will effectively “slow down” for individual players. In the most recent game vs tOSU, I noted that both Serah & Ash appeared much more comfortable with the fast pace of play.

Finally, this may be one of the best rebounding teams at UConn in many years. The Huskies have also won the rebounding battle in each game to the tune of +37 in total. Again, this all comes down to a mathematical equation that I first heard from another legendary coach, Red Auerbach, who stated that if his “fast breaking” Celtic team got 10 or more shots than the opposing team, they would win the game almost all the time. Between winning the turnover and rebounding battle in every game UConn has taken 72 more shots than their opponents so far this season.

You cannot play the way UConn is playing this year if you don’t have a deep roster. Otherwise, players getting in foul trouble or a key injury pretty much derails the strategy. With 15 talented players, depth should never be a problem for the Huskies, while fatigue will be a factor for many UConn opponents. Ultimately if UConn continues to win the math battle while everyone on the team gets comfortable with the pace of play, the only way any team can derail UConn’s march to #13 is to play the absolute game of their lives, and even that might not be enough.

Well said, Old Dude. To provide a little context around the Wooden quote of "Be quick but don't hurry":

The quote from John Wooden is contained in his great book, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success" 1/

In the chapter labeled "Fight" Wooden wrote:

"Fight is a determined effort to do the best we can do. On the basketball court, fight is measured by hustle: diving to the floor for loose balls, sprinting to fill a lane on a fast break, taking a charge, picking up a missed defensive assignment, or stealing the ball from the opponent. It's digging in, gritting our teeth, standing our ground. When we have fight, we are always ready to respond. We are quick, but we don't hurry. We make fewer mistakes because we have the level of our intensity under control. ... Players with fight never lose a game; they just run out of time."

For those who haven't had the opportunity to read this book, I highly recommend it as worthwhile reading by one of the legends of the sport.

1/ Wooden, John and Carty, Jay, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success", Regal Books, 2005, Revell 2015 Ed., p. 114.

 

[Next 12]

As a team, we do look much faster. For two reasons, our bigs are much faster and run the floor well. With the depth, if a player is gassed, she gets a breather. Almost like changing lines in hockey.
Side note: Now that the penny is going away, I may need a new name.

I was in the same boat with "the next12. Some one posted " keep it for the next 12. So I did and now we are going for NO.13 on the way to 24. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Conndog]

Well said, Old Dude. To provide a little context around the Wooden quote of "Be quick but don't hurry":

The quote from John Wooden is contained in his great book, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success" 1/

In the chapter labeled "Fight" Wooden wrote:

"Fight is a determined effort to do the best we can do. On the basketball court, fight is measured by hustle: diving to the floor for loose balls, sprinting to fill a lane on a fast break, taking a charge, picking up a missed defensive assignment, or stealing the ball from the opponent. It's digging in, gritting our teeth, standing our ground. When we have fight, we are always ready to respond. We are quick, but we don't hurry. We make fewer mistakes because we have the level of our intensity under control. ... Players with fight never lose a game; they just run out of time."

For those who haven't had the opportunity to read this book, I highly recommend it as worthwhile reading by one of the legends of the sport.

1/ Wooden, John and Carty, Jay, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success", Regal Books, 2005, Revell 2015 Ed., p. 114.

Nice footnote! But it is inducing mild PTSD from schooling

 

[FanSince17]

Well said, Old Dude. To provide a little context around the Wooden quote of "Be quick but don't hurry":

The quote from John Wooden is contained in his great book, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success" 1/

In the chapter labeled "Fight" Wooden wrote:

"Fight is a determined effort to do the best we can do. On the basketball court, fight is measured by hustle: diving to the floor for loose balls, sprinting to fill a lane on a fast break, taking a charge, picking up a missed defensive assignment, or stealing the ball from the opponent. It's digging in, gritting our teeth, standing our ground. When we have fight, we are always ready to respond. We are quick, but we don't hurry. We make fewer mistakes because we have the level of our intensity under control. ... Players with fight never lose a game; they just run out of time."

For those who haven't had the opportunity to read this book, I highly recommend it as worthwhile reading by one of the legends of the sport.

1/ Wooden, John and Carty, Jay, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success", Regal Books, 2005, Revell 2015 Ed., p. 114.

Recently retired and struggling with it a tad. I’m going to read a little John Wooden to get me motivated. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe a little Bill Walton off YouTube. (Walton used to site that quote, and preface it with, “not sure what that meant…” He knew. If anybody knew he knew. Alcindor.)
Be where you’re supposed be, when you’re supposed to be there. Like Sarah.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Side note to your side note: The penny isn't going away, they just won't be making any more so you might want to save them as they increase in value over the next 50 years😊😄. I know we are not printing many $2 bills anymore, in fact when use one I almost always get a comment. I stocked up on a couple of hundred of them and use them as part of my signature gift to family. They all enjoy getting them and quite a few of my grandchildren have never spent any of the ones I have given them.

@Bills Fan, thanks for the tip on saving the pennies, for future increased value. Also, I myself have several $2 bills, that are in excellent condition, and various dates.

 

[meyers7]

Was she referring to Dagwood?

Actually, Debbie was referring to a stalker (old boyfriend) she had at one point in her life.

 

[Ironman23]

As a team, we do look much faster. For two reasons, our bigs are much faster and run the floor well. With the depth, if a player is gassed, she gets a breather. Almost like changing lines in hockey.
Side note: Now that the penny is going away, I may need a new name.

How about "wooden nickel"?

 

[pbchi]

There is a version of this that we use in surgery which goes “ you have to go slow to go fast” it means avoid mistakes, redos , wasted motion.

 

[Bone Dog]

There is a version of this that we use in surgery which goes “ you have to go slow to go fast” it means avoid mistakes, redos , wasted motion.

I often tell students, who generally prefer readings to be shorter, that reading more of an author’s words makes it much easier to argue with them in a paper. The leverage is simply more in your favor.