[Cracked Sidewalks] Using a timeout

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Using a timeout

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (muwarrior92)




Remember when Mike Deane would burn 1, 2 or even 3 timeouts in the first 10 minutes of the game to absolutely lay the lumber into Richard Shaw, Chris Crawford or someone else that obviously was not executing the game plan?  Those were crazy days and I don't think anyone is harking back to them, but for crying out loud...USE A TIMEOUT when it's right.

Why is it that everyone in the arena can sense a timeout is warranted but our coach?  Now, move 65 feet down the sideline and Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun gets it.  At the 18:43 mark of the second half, he calls a timeout sensing a MU run.  At the 12:35 mark, he calls another timeout when MU ties the game.

It's always one bucket too late.  In the first half, MU is 19-14, the crowd is into it, but we let them go  on an 11-2 run before finally calling a timeout trailing 21-25.  Why  are we waiting so long?

In the second half, after MU built up a 56-51 lead, a 9-4 UCONN run forced a timeout with the game tied 60-60.  OK, we can live with that one.  Then UCONN goes on another 6-0 run before we call the next timeout.  We then manage to go another 3 minutes scoring a total of 3 points while UCONN extends their lead even greater before the next timeout.

Isn't a timeout used to stop the other team's momentum and to reorganize one's own team?

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2011/01/using-timeout.html

[MUfan12]

Didn't realize timeouts were a magic tonic.

It fixes things if the players execute. UConn had lapses in both halves defensively, and their length made it tough on MU when they stayed at home. Once they figured it out, it took MU completely out of their offense.

I have no problem with the way Buzz used his timeouts. Had they gone on a run, and picked up a crucial 5 second call because they had no TOs left, people would have crucified him.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Chicos hysteria completely kills the credibility of an otherwise quality MU blog that CS is.

[lab_warrior]

Phil Jackson detested using timeouts with both the Bulls and Lakers.  His mentality was that the players have to learn to work through those problems on the floor.  (Ed. note:  NOT ENDORSING, just informing!) It seemed to work out okay for him.  Although, it helps to have MJ/Pippen, and Kobe/Fisher "working" those problems out.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

The credibility of your blog is being damaged by this stuff.

[Earl Tatum]

Still like Buzz, but not as our coach. His recruits have let him down. Should have laid out a gold carpet when Sean Miller or Anthony Grant were available. Especially Miller.

[Skatastrophy]

This post is like when I write a heated email at work and then delete it... except you accidentally hit the post button.

[NotAnAlum]

Still like Buzz, but not as our coach. His recruits have let him down. Should have laid out a gold carpet when Sean Miller or Anthony Grant were available. Especially Miller.

I wouldn't say that either of those guys have blown away expectations.  Miller's having a good year in a very down PAC-10.  Last year they were 500.
Grant's team is middle of the road SEC.  His prior years were about .500.  I don't know how you could make a case that MU would be much better off with either.  I don't think either guy takes MU's team last year to the NCAA tournement. 
Buzz is still working through the transition with the team patched together with a bunch of Jucos.  If next year kids like Vander, Gardner, Jones and Eric don't come around and build a solid core you might have a better arguement.

[Earl Tatum]

NotAnAlum---- Neither am I. But, I do bleed Blue and Gold and am frustrated. Saw at least three games a year for for 30 years. Liked the energy and atmosphere at the MECCA and Bradley. I saw Miller play at Pitt, a no nonsense player, to me he seems to have something extra like a Bo Ryan. Not as good though.

[Rubie Q]

Maybe I'm missing something:

The credibility of a fan-run blog is being harmed by one of the posters questioning our coach's game management?

[NotAnAlum]

NotAnAlum---- Neither am I. But, I do bleed Blue and Gold and am frustrated. Saw at least three games a year for for 30 years. Liked the energy and atmosphere at the MECCA and Bradley. I saw Miller play at Pitt, a no nonsense player, to me he seems to have something extra like a Bo Ryan. Not as good though.

When you get frustrated think of this.  Hiring a coach is a crap shoot and Crean had done a pretty good job at MU.  We could just as easily have gone down as up.  Plus in any coaching change you are likely to take an initial hit.  For the first 2 years Buzz exceeded expectations, especially last year when they were picked 12th.  This year they were picked middle of the pack and that is where they will probably end up.  Thats not great but its not terrible either. My goal is that they finish at least 9-9.  They will likely do that.  Next year my goal is a top 4-5 finish and decent NCAA seed.  If they don't make that there will be rightful concerns with Buzz.

[79Warrior]

Phil Jackson detested using timeouts with both the Bulls and Lakers.  His mentality was that the players have to learn to work through those problems on the floor.  (Ed. note:  NOT ENDORSING, just informing!) It seemed to work out okay for him.  Although, it helps to have MJ/Pippen, and Kobe/Fisher "working" those problems out.

Yeah, that is right. Lets compare seasoned pro's to college kids. Phil Jackson and the bulls and Lakers?????????? Seriously?

[mu_hilltopper]

Maybe I'm missing something:

The credibility of a fan-run blog is being harmed by one of the posters questioning our coach's game management?

Agreed.  I am missing it too.  I've read dozens of critical Scoop posts concerning Buzz's use of time-outs.   It's clearly something that could be blogged about.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Agreed.  I am missing it too.  I've read dozens of critical Scoop posts concerning Buzz's use of time-outs.   It's clearly something that could be blogged about.

My point is that, on top of the rant of the previous Cracked Sidewalk entry, that blog seems to have a a rogue poster on their hands. He's like on of these DJs that locks himself in the studio and plays Judas Priest non stop until they pull the plug on him.

[Danny Noonan]

Likewise, I don't see the harm in questioning (whether right or wrong) Buzz's use of timeouts for this years team when it comes to stopping the opponent's momentum and letting the team play through it due to our inexperience at the point guard position.

Generally, if it as an experienced group or even if its an inexperienced team and its early on in the season, I don't mind when coaches let their players "play through" their  opponent's run as it does build character for the team as they go through some adversity.

In Buzz's first year, the Big 3 had the wherewithal to handle the opponent's runs and answer them. (Great job Buzz! Unfortunately, we'll never know what could have been if only DJ did not get injured)

In Buzz's second year, he had a senior led team, including 2 senior guards and the team grew stronger as the year went on. (Great job Buzz, as that team definitely overachieved!)  (Although I think we were all screaming for a quicker TO during that 2nd half run of the MU / Washington game which wasn't called until after a 9-0 run)

With this year's team of Buycks, DJO and especially with JC /Blue at our guard play, combined with a newcomer in Crowder, perhaps Buzz should be quicker with the TO's during the opponent's run? During the Louisville and at ND and UCONN game, MU was not able to get key stops and the offensive stalled during these runs and it is possible a quicker TO may have benefited our squad (Although, one could also argue that there were TV timeouts during these runs, and that our defense was the real problem)

I don't have a problem with how Buzz manages his TO's as I realize the importance of having the TO's at the end of the game. I also admit that calling a quicker TO during these runs may not have changed the outcome (probably not) of any of MU's defeats. However, in going forward for this years MU team, I would still prefer a quicker whistle by Buzz during our opponents runs, especially on the road.

[dsfire]

http://espn.go.com/ncb/playbyplay?gameId=310250269&period=2

Take a look at the second half play-by-play from last night and note where timeouts were called (by both coaches) and how effective they were at stopping runs, or long stretches of time where a team was ineffective that a timeout could've been called but wasn't.

There are times where can't fathom why Buzz doesn't call a timeout, but to pretend like he's leagues behind the timeout-calling genius of Jim Calhoun is just silly.  I still don't understand why Calhoun called the timeout less than 90 seconds into the second half with no turnovers from his team and only one 3-point shot being logged for Marquette.  He did yank Okwandu - who had missed both of their shots during that time - I guess.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Someone needs to take over during the later minutes. We seem to flounder around until whoever ends up with the ball  at the end of the posession time shoots in deperation. Halftime adjustments by opposing coaches stop what we had been doing successfully.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Using a timeout

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (muwarrior92)

That is the hand signal for a technical foul   

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Maybe this post...or even the whole board post-UConn - is getting tee'd up!?!