Slow Starts

[achrist70]

I know that this has been mentioned in other threads, but we have been getting in the habit of having extremely slow starts in big games that cause us to fall so far behind that it is very difficult for us to come back.

Last year games we lost because of slow starts included

Louisville
Memphis
Stanford
Iowa
UNLV
@Wichita
Indiana State (2)
Illinois State (STL)

We tend to make some runs that get us back into the game, but have to use so much energy to get back that we struggle at the end, I would say that both of losses this year are due to a slow start.

What are the causes of this?

What are some solutions?

[hoopfan]

Re: Slow Starts

I know that this has been mentioned in other threads, but we have been getting in the habit of having extremely slow starts in big games that cause us to fall so far behind that it is very difficult for us to come back.

Last year games we lost because of slow starts included

Louisville
Memphis
Stanford
Iowa
UNLV
@Wichita
Indiana State (2)
Illinois State (STL)

We tend to make some runs that get us back into the game, but have to use so much energy to get back that we struggle at the end, I would say that both of losses this year are due to a slow start.

What are the causes of this?

What are some solutions?

We don't have a go to player who we can get the ball to early to get a couple buckets and get us going. If the 3 point shot isn't falling early, we struggle. It would be great to see us start the game with some kind of two man action with Seth and Deon and get one them going. Some of it is on the players and some of it is also on the coaches. There was a comment in another thread about all the ingredients we have on our team and Coach Jake is a great chef and they trust he'll work it out. Most every chef I know preheats the oven before putting something in it. Maybe Jake needs to do something different with the pregame routine, speech or preparation? I don't know the answer to the question.

[Zakelsta]

Re: Slow Starts

I'm calling the "start" the first 5 minutes of the game.

Ohio:
We actually started initially, very well. 2 made layups in a row, and where up 2-0, and then 4-3. It's what happened after that, the sparked a 12-0 run by Ohio, and us being down 15-4.

Missed Layup: Seth Tuttle
Missed Layup: Deon Mitchell
Turnover: Wes Washpun
Turnover: Seth Tuttle
Turnover: Jeremy Morgan
Missed 3point: Matt Bohannon

At that point, it was 15-4. From 19:19 to 14:22, we did not score. Including 3 empty possessions, in which we did not get a shot.

George Mason:
In those same first 5 minutes again GM, we found ourselves down 11-2. What happened in those 5 minutes?

Missed 3point: Matt Bohannon
Turnover: Matt Bohannon
Missed Layup: Wes Washpun
Turnover: Seth Tuttle
Missed Jumper: Deon Mitchell
Missed 3point: Wes Washpun
Turnover: Team (5 sec violation)
Missed Jumper: Jeremy Morgan
Turnover: Wes Washpun

Again, 4 turnover left us with 4 possessions, where we didn't even attempt a shot. The missed shots is one thing, to come out shooting cold on the road, it happens. We have to overcome that. But giving away 4 possessions? That is where the issue is.

Verdict:
We had 12 Turnovers against Ohio, and 14 against GMU. In both cases, a quarter or more of those, came in the first 5 minutes. We're coming out sloppy with the ball. Poor passes, bad footwork, bad decisions. The cold shooting will take care of itself. This issue will not. As soon as we solve the early turnover problem. We won't be finding ourselves in these big holes.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: Slow Starts

Against Ohio we opened up with a lay-up from Tuttle and a lay-up from Deon on our first two possessions. We followed with a pair of missed lay-ups and three straight turnovers before we even attempted a 3-pt shot over 4 minutes into the game.

Against GMU Bohannon had a missed 3 on our first possession but we then went Turnover, Missed Lay-up, Turnover, Missed Jumper before we attempted another 3 (from Washpun), got the offensive rebound and then took a 35 second call for another turnover.

I don't think shooting too many threes is the issue. I think they are just not playing loosely right now. I also think our prep may be off simply because we don't have great scouting on our opponents just yet in order to prepare our attack and the guys are thinking and trying to react rather than just playing and going with it.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: Slow Starts

Verdict:
We had 12 Turnovers against Ohio, and 14 against GMU. In both cases, a quarter or more of those, came in the first 5 minutes. We're coming out sloppy with the ball. Poor passes, bad footwork, bad decisions. The cold shooting with take care of itself. This issue will not. As soon as we solve the early turnover problem. We won't be finding ourselves in these big holes.

I think we hit on the same thing. It is probably a combination of cold shooting but also not being entirely sure of what the other team is going to be trying to do and maybe being tentative on how the officials may call the game rather than just coming out and doing our thing.

[catsize]

Re: Slow Starts

Start Coleman!!!

[KansasCityPanther]

Re: Slow Starts

Glass half full...
If this young team can reduce the number of unforced errors they have the athleticism to be a really good team. Also, Ohio and GM got way too many O boards; this should get better with experience. I bet Marvin sees more time to help correct this issue.

Still a very young team learning to play together.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: Slow Starts

Well, fixed that today. Had to hold on, but at least it was the other guys having to scrap like crazy to try and make a game of it.

[achrist70]

Re: Slow Starts

We still had that 8-10 minute stretch were we couldn't seem to do anything, seemed to be a better spot in the action though

[Zakelsta]

Re: Slow Starts

Loyola Marymount:
Zero turnovers in the first 5 minutes. At that point, we were tied 11-11. Had we committed the turnovers we had in the first few games, we would have found ourselves in the same hole we have been all season. Fix the turnovers: Fix the problem.