Georgetown @ UCONN

[CTWarrior]

Why is it a terrible collapse by Uconn but not an equally terrible collapse by G'Town?  They were up 5 points with what, 11 seconds left and were forced to OT.  They gave up a layup.  Missed the front end of a free throw and then gave up a 3 pointer to tie, then turned it over again and UCONN got another shot to win....all in the last 11 seconds.

Don't forget with 4+ minutes to go they were up 12.  If anyone blew this game, it was G'Town, but they managed to get it back.

All Georgetown did wrong in the last 11 seconds is miss the front end of a one and one, UConn made some very big shots to tie it.  UConn wasted time on offense down the stretch for no good reason and wound up not getting a decent shot their last several possessions.  The way they played practically guaranteed it.  Georgetown still had to make shots at the other end, but as Herm Edwards says, "You play to win the game."  UConn played not to lose at the end.

[Silkk the Shaka]

All Georgetown did wrong in the last 11 seconds is miss the front end of a one and one, UConn made some very big shots to tie it.  UConn wasted time on offense down the stretch for no good reason and wound up not getting a decent shot their last several possessions.  The way they played practically guaranteed it.  Georgetown still had to make shots at the other end, but as Herm Edwards says, "You play to win the game."  UConn played not to lose at the end.

I thought UConn took the air out of the ball with 2 to play while up 7 and all the momentum of the home crowd.  Go for the jugular!  Of course, they did the exact same thing they just witnessed Georgetown do at the end of regulation when it looked like it would turn into a blow out.  Strange game with two crazy turns of events when it looked like each team had the other on the ropes.  Really wish UConn could have pulled it out.  Still up to us to win out, and all Georgetown has to do is drop 1/3.

[ChicosBailBonds]

All Georgetown did wrong in the last 11 seconds is miss the front end of a one and one, UConn made some very big shots to tie it.  UConn wasted time on offense down the stretch for no good reason and wound up not getting a decent shot their last several possessions.  The way they played practically guaranteed it.  Georgetown still had to make shots at the other end, but as Herm Edwards says, "You play to win the game."  UConn played not to lose at the end.

CT,  G'Town is up 3 and they allow a 3 with under 5 seconds....cardinal sin in my book...foul the guy everytime. Then they can't even in bound the ball and throw it right to UConn who has a chance to win it with 2 seconds left.  As you mentioned, they also missed a ft that would have iced the game with 9 seconds left....prior to that they give up another basket after Uconn misses a 3 pointer and they get beat on the rebound.  They had that game in control and were up 12 points with 4:36 left.  G'Town couldn't get out of their own way in those last 4+ minutes.

[MerrittsMustache]

CT,  G'Town is up 3 and they allow a 3 with under 5 seconds....cardinal sin in my book...foul the guy everytime. Then they can't even in bound the ball and throw it right to UConn who has a chance to win it with 2 seconds left.  As you mentioned, they also missed a ft that would have iced the game with 9 seconds left....prior to that they give up another basket after Uconn misses a 3 pointer and they get beat on the rebound.  They had that game in control and were up 12 points with 4:36 left.  G'Town couldn't get out of their own way in those last 4+ minutes.

Everyone with a brain would take JT3's "book" over yours.

Who cares? Georgetown won the game!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Everyone with a brain would take JT3's "book" over yours.

Who cares? Georgetown won the game!

Except that many coaches, including those better than JTIII advocate for fouling that situation. So it's not "my brain" to worry with, it's what is the right call.

Here's what I think is going on here.  People are disappointed that UCONN didn't win because a G'Town loss would mean a better shot at the title for MU.  Thus, Uconn "blew it", "crapped the bed", "pissed the bed"...that's the MU lens they are looking through.  It's not that G'Town coughed up a 12 point lead with under 5 minutes to go or couldn't get their crap together again in the last 11 seconds, it was Uconn blowing it in OT which ultimately means they blew an opportunity for MU. 

I'm trying to take the emotion out of it and see it for what it is.  G'Town blew the game.  Then Uconn blew the game, but Uconn never even has the chance to blow it if G'Town doesn't blow it first.  Ultimately, good win for G'Town.

[MerrittsMustache]

Except that many coaches, including those better than JTIII advocate for fouling that situation. So it's not "my brain" to worry with, it's what is the right call.

Here's what I think is going on here.  People are disappointed that UCONN didn't win because a G'Town loss would mean a better shot at the title for MU.  Thus, Uconn "blew it", "crapped the bed", "pissed the bed"...that's the MU lens they are looking through.  It's not that G'Town coughed up a 12 point lead with under 5 minutes to go or couldn't get their crap together again in the last 11 seconds, it was Uconn blowing it in OT which ultimately means they blew an opportunity for MU. 

I'm trying to take the emotion out of it and see it for what it is.  G'Town blew the game.  Then Uconn blew the game, but Uconn never even has the chance to blow it if G'Town doesn't blow it first.  Ultimately, good win for G'Town.

If it's so cut and dry as "the right call" then there would be no debate about it. It's your opinion and the opinion of some coaches that you foul in that situation. JT3 disagrees.

I understand that due to your strong desire for attention, you like to antagonize and instigate, but seriously this one is really a stretch even for you. You are trying to argue that the team that WON the game blew the game. Do you see how ridiculous that sounds?

[hoyasincebirth]

If it's so cut and dry as "the right call" then there would be no debate about it. It's your opinion and the opinion of some coaches that you foul in that situation. JT3 disagrees.

I understand that due to your strong desire for attention, you like to antagonize and instigate, but seriously this one is really a stretch even for you. You are trying to argue that the team that WON the game blew the game. Do you see how ridiculous that sounds?

Statistics have showed you're actually more likely to lose fouling up 3 and the team is just as likely to tie to the game. And seeing as we were getting out rebounded all game I don't think it was a bad call. 

foul or not to foul is not cut and dry. With our defense I think playing it out is generally the way to go. If they make the shot you tip your hat to them.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Statistics have showed you're actually more likely to lose fouling up 3 and the team is just as likely to tie to the game. And seeing as we were getting out rebounded all game I don't think it was a bad call. 

foul or not to foul is not cut and dry. With our defense I think playing it out is generally the way to go. If they make the shot you tip your hat to them.

Latest statistics I have seen show there is no statistical difference between the two strategies according to a Harvard study in 2010, this is why the split among coaches remains.  Personally, I would foul but I understand both philosophies  I just think too many things have to go right to get into a tie.  If you are up 3 and you foul, the guy has to make the first free throw, miss the second, your team gets the rebound, and your team must score.  Four things have to happen.  If you play it straight up, only one thing has to happen...they make a 3 point shot.

Bill Fenlon wrote a good article on it several years ago.  http://www.depauw.edu/ath/mbasket/images/up3.pdf  You might ask who is Bill Fenlon?  He is the head coach at Depauw and coached a kid named Brad Stevens, the current head coach at Butler.  The article is entitled YOU GOTTA FOUL.  Stevens employed the very tactic against Michigan State a few years ago in the Final Four and it worked, to advance to the championship.

[hoyasincebirth]

I was referring to this kenpom study that came out 2 weeks ago

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/yet_another_study_about_fouling_when_up_3