Speed Figs

[GoFastAndWin]

   In thoroughbred handicapping, an indispensable tool is the concept of speed figures. It's not to be confused with overall pace of a particular race. IOW, you can have a front running horse and a deep closer with completely different running styles, and both can have the same standout speed figures. The high number was produced with either sustained speed (the front runner) or with a massive "burst" at the later stages of a race.(the closer)

   Well, one thing I've noticed lately with our beloved Warrior Eagles, is that they are playing with extremely high speed figures. Ed Cooley made note of it in the postgame. He said that the Hoyas couldn't keep up with how fast MU was playing. He wasn't just referring to the transition game. During our recent winning streak, our decision making and our reactions, even in the half-court, are just so quick. The cuts are precise and this team looks so well-connected. Relationships. Time playing together. Connectivity. The precision two-man game of Tyler and Oso is carrying over to everyone else at this point.

   You've heard guys like Dodds and some on this board use the phrase, in describing frosh development, that the game "hasn't slowed down for him yet." It's actually referring of course to the tremendous speed at which the game of college basketball is played, relative to high school.

  My choice for moniker on this site, GoFastAndWin, originally had nothing to do with MU hoops. It was a comedic reference to the great horse racing movie LetItRide. The lead character, played by the legendary Richard
Dreyfus, is seeking out inside information to make a big score at the track. As the camera pans inside the 🐴 paddock and starts to zoom in on one particular trainer-jockey combo, the seasoned handicapper watching the movie expects some complex racing strategy instructions to be given from trainer to jock. You know, something along the lines of "let the pace develop, sit midpack on the outside, maneuver into the pocket, make your run exiting the far turn...". Instead, what the jockey is told is, comedic in its simplicity, "GO FAST AND WIN!" Sometimes, it really is that simple.

[tower912]

A benefit of team continuity.

[GoFastAndWin]

A benefit of team continuity.

Tower, 💯!

So much fun to watch. As Goose says, Enjoy it. Savor every moment of it.

[tower912]

Also can be seen on the defensive end.  You can see the 7 guys who have done this together for 1 2/3 season,  nearly 60 games as well as endless practice reps, effortlessly switching and rotating and hedging and trapping. 

Yes, there are games where the opponent's  physicality disrupts MU.  MU is simply not as big and strong and physical as some other teams.  But when clicking, they sure are fun to watch.

[MuggsyB]

Great post!  I have always been a strong advocate of  speed/zoomability. 

[Goose]

GoFast

The speed of the offense when clicking is a thing of beauty. Best part, they are fast without rushing or forcing things. A perfect collection of players led by TK/Oso has had moments of looking unstoppable on offense. Let's see if we can enjoy it for another eight weeks.

[MU82]

Good topic, GFAW.

It's especially noticeable when we play against a team where the ball sticks a lot. Georgetown would get it into the frontcourt and whoever had the ball would pound it for 15-20 seconds at the top of the key, or drive it into nowhere, and then they'd end up with a forced shot or a turnover.

Then our guys would move the basketball and themselves ... and we'd end up with our choice of open looks.

And it's not just Georgetown. There are even some good teams who don't move the ball all that well.

I also agree with the comments by tower and Goose. We're a fun team to watch - must be really fun for the players.

[Daniel]

They moved the ball so fast and effortlessly vs Georgetown  the Hoya's heads were spinning.  They didn't know who to guard or where or who was going to shoot - it really is an eloquent and fluid execution when our guys are clicking. 

There is motion with or without the ball, working for the best shot.   A thing of beauty!

[4everwarriors]

Eye wair Figs everydey. Greight scrubs, aina?

[Mutaman]

Hopefully the boys will not "bounce" off the big Georgetown win.
Rooting for a "pair of tops".

[GoFastAndWin]

Hopefully the boys will not "bounce" off the big Georgetown win.
Rooting for a "pair of tops".

I see what you did there. 🐴 👏

[GoFastAndWin]

Eye wair Figs everydey. Greight scrubs, aina?

I see what you did too, and I chuckled, but I'm cancelling my appointment 🦷 🤣

[4everwarriors]

Huh? Your loss, hey?