Last Second Strategies...

[Niv Berkowitz]

With all the money coaches are being paid out there in college hoops today, why is it that in about 90% of the games I see, when the game is down to the last possession, the team with the ball does nothing but dribble in place at halfcourt and not drive to the hoop until four seconds left?

I mean, even off a timeout, that's the designed play! And I understand not wanting to give an opponent a chance to get a shot too, but seems that every team waits two seconds to late to start driving. And by that time, the defense jumps out to the ball to challenge the dribbler, thus forcing up an ugly three point heave (See MU vs. Syracuse for an example).

[CTWarrior]

Agree.

When I got home yesterday I caught the end of the Northern Iowa - Illinois State game.  ISU had the ball and were holding for the last shot in regulation and waited until the very end to go into their offense and ended up taking an off balance fade-away three from the corner.  They couldn't have taken a lower percentage shot!

[lab_warrior]

I would say Ill St.'s last 2 minute strategies were horrendous.  Up 4, one of their players takes a corner 3 with at least 15 left on the shot clock, then give up a 3 on the other end, all starting the avalanche to them losing the game....horrible game management.

[MU_Warrior44]

I'll agree that teams seem to wait too long to begin the last play. I also think that coaches are extremely paranoid careful about not going too early and giving the other team any chance at all to get the ball back and score. For the most part though, I think teams need to start plays with about 7 seconds left. The extra few seconds would give them time to hopefully get a better shot off as well as a chance for the offensive board.

Speaking of last second plays, did anyone see the Morehead State - Austin Peay game? Tie game and Morehead state runs a pick and roll and their big guy throws down a monster alley oop with like 6 seconds to go (their shot clock was almost expired so they had to shoot). Then Austin Peay runs the ball back down the court, guy loses his dribble, his teammate picks up the lose ball and banks one in to send it to overtime. Morehead ended up winning in 2OT. Since my writing doesn't do it justice, here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFqUj_NycIA

[chapman]

I've noticed it too.  It seems like it's gotten worse.  I always thought the general rule was to start things up around 9 seconds, maybe even 11 if they were trying to run something complex.  Even a quick open look gives the other team at most 6 seconds to go the length of the court or get something that isn't a prayer off.  But it also gives you a shot at a putback or a tip-in.  I'm not in favor of the whole 4 second heave.

[Big Papi]

I am not saying its right or wrong but the Acker to Flynn turnover for a layup and a foul could easily happen if you run your play with more time on the clock and that would be a horrible way to lose a game.  Some might feel better to wait until the bitter end and if the shot fails, you still get 5 minutes of OT. 

I think the game situation and who you are playing against plays a huge role on what you want to do.  Are you tied or down?  Are you head and shoulders better than the other team?  Foul situation? How comfortable are you in the player who has the ball to get his shot off?  How good of a shooter is he?  Do you have a huge advantage on the boards? etc. 

I can't imagine there would be too many coaches who would feel real comfortable in running something complex that took more than 8 seconds.  Your relying on a lot more players to execute a play under a stressful game winning situation and you empower the other team the ability to make a play and the refs to call a foul against your team.  I believe most coaches are control freaks and want to limit the outcome to 1 or 2 players who they trust the most to get the best shot they can get.

[Pakuni]

Generally speaking, at most upper levels of basketball the last second strategy is to put the ball in the hands of one of your best scorers, let eveyone clear out and let him create a shot either from the perimeter (in which case the other four crash the boards) or by driving (in which case the other four crash the boards or, in rare cases, look for a dish).
Not saying this is right or wrong, but it seems to be the modus operandi for most coaches. They seem to like the odds of putting their best (or one of their best) scorer in a one-on-one situation as opposed to drawing up a play where a half-dozen things could go wrong.
It worked for Jimmy Chitwood.

[Daniel]

I think Al McGuire used to say take that shot with like 6 - 7 seconds left (or something like that) so that you can have a chance at a rebound or put back, and not just the single shot.  But who knows these days - seems like, as said above, it's 4 seconds and one and done.

[ErickJD08]

I think that drawing up a play increases the chances of a turnover.  The one on one situation with your best player is best.