Two Game… Two Wins… Why Aren't we Closing Out Strong?

[Limbo Land]

Not a criticism yet of the team, I really like this group of guys. It may be two easy as the new players gel with the old but as I look at the end of Maryland and end of Yale, it seems we haven't developed that killer instinct. Maybe I am missing something but I feel that we are playing not to lose right now at the end of games.

 

[cohenzone]

Not a criticism yet of the team, I really like this group of guys. It may be two easy as the new players gel with the old but as I look at the end of Maryland and end of Yale, it seems we haven't developed that killer instinct. Maybe I am missing something but I feel that we are playing not to lose right now at the end of games.

Actually, that was a pretty consistent pattern last year. Not a great pattern. But I'll take a W.

 

[OklahomaUconn]

A win is a win..but in 2nd halfs we have been outscored..i think yale was give or take 2 pts difference in scoring in the 2nd

 

[Gurleyman]

Closing is hard. It is actually much easier to play from behind - you have free reign to chuck at the first open look, gamble for steals, etc. When you lead comfortably in the last 7 minutes, you start to play a little differently. You reach a point where a good look with 25 seconds on the shot clock is too early to shoot. You want to be aggressive and not stop playing the way you did to get the lead, but at the same time, the clock is your friend and you don't want to give the other team more possessions.

The best closing teams can milk the shot clock and get good shots at the end of the possession. I think we'll be good eventually because of Bazz - he'll be able to manage those plays in the last 10 seconds of shot clocks. Against Maryland, he was in and out of the lineup at the end and we became more disjointed.

Our close would have been better vs Yale if we just controlled the glass. We would have had a layup line in transition because Yale was sending four guys to the offensive boards. We didn't make them pay for that until garbage time when we finally got some fast breaks/leakouts.

 

[caw]

I'll worry about after a team has a lead on UConn, or even is tied in the second half. Two wire-to-wire wins, I'm sure Ollie is worrying, but I just can't get myself to worry about that aspect of it.

 

[huskiesnyc]

I'll worry about after a team has a lead on UConn, or even is tied in the second half. Two wire-to-wire wins, I'm sure Ollie is worrying, but I just can't get myself to worry about that aspect of it.

Exactly two wire-to-wire wins one by 18 points the other over a very solid top 50 team in Maryland. This is November folks, and if anything we look MUCH deeper than any of us anticipated going into the season.

 

[upstater]

If the team is anything me, then it's simply a matter of letting their foot off the gas. I'm a nervous wreck in the first half, then by 5 to 7 minutes of the second half, I'm like, they got this. I start sitting back, drinking more, talking to people, reading the game thread. Then I look up, there's 5 minutes left, and the lead is down to 9! I'm like, "Hold on!"

Overconfidence is playing a role here.

Not only did the tide change against Maryland when Bazz got that T, but the tide also changed after Bazz ran down court laughing and bragging. Now, that's not a technical, in my eyes, but it certainly shows overconfidence. Earlier this year, the Saints were actually celebrating on the sidelines against the Patriots with a minute left in regulation.

 

[ctchamps]

Closing is hard. It is actually much easier to play from behind - you have free reign to chuck at the first open look, gamble for steals, etc. When you lead comfortably in the last 7 minutes, you start to play a little differently. You reach a point where a good look with 25 seconds on the shot clock is too early to shoot. You want to be aggressive and not stop playing the way you did to get the lead, but at the same time, the clock is your friend and you don't want to give the other team more possessions.

The best closing teams can milk the shot clock and get good shots at the end of the possession. I think we'll be good eventually because of Bazz - he'll be able to manage those plays in the last 10 seconds of shot clocks. Against Maryland, he was in and out of the lineup at the end and we became more disjointed.

Our close would have been better vs Yale if we just controlled the glass. We would have had a layup line in transition because Yale was sending four guys to the offensive boards. We didn't make them pay for that until garbage time when we finally got some fast breaks/leakouts.

Actually Duke plays it differently. They keep the pedal to the metal and the result is wider spreads with their victory. There is a value to this in that players develop a sense of confidence vs. the guys who are just squeaking things out. But the downside, is overconfidence and a belief that the system works so well, there is no need to tinker, hence less dynamic development. UConn's methodology since JC has been at the helm has been to develop grittiness and pluckiness. KO is just following in these footsteps. There is no extra victory in winning with huge margins vs. close games. The more important thing is for players and teams to develop as the season progresses, improving their strengths and reducing or eliminating their weaknesses.

 

[ctchamps]

If the team is anything me, then it's simply a matter of letting their foot off the gas. I'm a nervous wreck in the first half, then by 5 to 7 minutes of the second half, I'm like, they got this. I start sitting back, drinking more, talking to people, reading the game thread. Then I look up, there's 5 minutes left, and the lead is down to 9! I'm like, "Hold on!"

Overconfidence is playing a role here.

Not only did the tide change against Maryland when Bazz got that T, but the tide also changed after Bazz ran down court laughing and bragging. Now, that's not a technical, in my eyes, but it certainly shows overconfidence. Earlier this year, the Saints were actually celebrating on the sidelines against the Patriots with a minute left in regulation.

I think Bazz really enjoyed the moment and that was the extent of things. I would give testiculo to Argentina if DD could only go out there and have a moment or two of fun playing like Bazz.