The Logic of TOs

[Norm]

Didn't he leave two time outs unused in the MSU NCAA game two years ago?

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

As I mentioned in the game recap, Shaka oddly took a timeout up 13. Then Xavier went on their big run.

I believe burning that timeout handcuffed Shaka a bit. He didn't want to burn a 2nd timeout to stop the run.

I think Shaka wanted to save one TO in case we needed to save possession (trouble inbounding, getting trapped near the sideline, loose ball on the floor, etc.) and a second TO for the end of the game (either drawing up a play for the last shot or to set his defense).

The lesson is never call a timeout when you have a comfy lead. You need to wait until the opponent goes on a run to call TO and stop momentum. Call TO when the lead is cut to 6-8, not when you extend the lead to 13.

[MUfan12]

What's interesting is at the time, I actually thought that was a good timeout. Things had gotten a little ragged, especially on defense, and they could regroup after a bucket.

[The Thing]

The way our guys run on defense, I'm wondering if the timeout up 13 was just to give them a quick breather?