Howe: McCaffery Stands By Late Game Decisions

Most times you can catch the defense lagging, someone will get out of position....I'm kind of in the frame of mind that if you have the players to execute (I'm sure they have something set up in practice that they cover and do daily), that you let'em go. I was so pi$$ed I didn't see the end so I'm not sure what the shot was...it is what it is, I guess, maybe we can win a few of these types of games for Christ's Sake
 
The 2 worst years for close games was Marble's junior and senior years. Iowa couldn't really ask for a better player in that situation so the "not having the right players to execute" arguement doesn't really work. If you were Fran, when would you have given up on putting the ball in Marble's hands at the end of close games?
 
PCHawk said:
The 2 worst years for close games was Marble's junior and senior years. Iowa couldn't really ask for a better player in that situation so the "not having the right players to execute" arguement doesn't really work. If you were Fran, when would you have given up on putting the ball in Marble's hands at the end of close games?
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back in Woolridge's early years, Iowa had three straight one point losses in B1G play, where they had a shot to win. I broke three remotes. I've mellowed.
 
JonDMiller said:
back in Woolridge's early years, Iowa had three straight one point losses in B1G play, where they had a shot to win. I broke three remotes. I've mellowed.
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The losses can compound and get harder to deal with. This loss was harder than it should have been. Partly because of all the other close losses in the last few years. But I think for me a lot of it was left over from the football game. My wife thinks a little less of me after hearing my reaction from the basement.
 
The only problem I have with Fran's use of time outs is when he allows the other team to go on long runs to erase double digit Iowa leads without taking a time out to settle the troops and break the other team's momentum. Don't let the other team score 12 unanswered points. Ever.
 
lightning1 said:
The only problem I have with Fran's use of time outs is when he allows the other team to go on long runs to erase double digit Iowa leads without taking a time out to settle the troops and break the other team's momentum. Don't let the other team score 12 unanswered points. Ever.
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I notice him doing this, too. It's great to let your players play through things at times but it's also important to try to stem the tide when things are going sideways.
 
I think it often depends on the team and the way the game is going. If Iowa was in a groove in the last minutes like they were in the first half then I can see letting them play it out. BUT, the way the 2nd half went and the way they were playing, I think they would have been better off taking a TO and try to set up some kind of play, at least try to get to the rim or a higher % shot.

I don't think it has to be a black-and-white decision whether to let them run or call a TO, but think the decision should be based on how the team in playing. Iowa wasn't playing well that 2nd half & IA St took Uthoff out of the game.
 
Losing close games can cause confidence issues which leads to losing more close games, which leads to losing more confidence. Jok doesn't have any issues so next year all of the players that suffered from so many close losses will be gone. If problems continue after that I will start to wonder what's up. Until then I'm gunna assume it's a player confidence issue from too many meltdowns 3 years ago.
 
I've got no problem with Fran's end of game no time out strategy. Especially with a veteran team. A team with this many seniors should know exactly what to do in these situations. Calling a timeout only gives the defense a chance to switch up or make a special call of their own.

What I do have a problem with is the apparent lack of ability to run said play. I still believe in Fran. Always have.
 
I have no problem with Fran standing behind his decisions in the closing seconds of a game. I have a slight issue with the team (not just Fran) now 13-30 in "close games". I think its minimal in comparison to the fact were putting one possession under a microscope at the end of a game when we blew a 20 pt. second half lead. Do I honestly care about what transpired in the final seconds when I spent the last 15 minutes watching a 20 pt. lead disappear. Game should never have come down to the final possession whether we make that play or not.
 
kicker22 said:
I have no problem with Fran standing behind his decisions in the closing seconds of a game. I have a slight issue with the team (not just Fran) now 13-30 in "close games". I think its minimal in comparison to the fact were putting one possession under a microscope at the end of a game when we blew a 20 pt. second half lead. Do I honestly care about what transpired in the final seconds when I spent the last 15 minutes watching a 20 pt. lead disappear. Game should never have come down to the final possession whether we make that play or not.
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Exactly. Breaking down the last possession is like fretting over what color nail polish to put on the elephant in the room.
 
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