First Half Offensive Woes and Other Thoughts

First Half Offensive Woes and Other Thoughts
by dddomer (2019-04-08 14:05:20)

ND first half offensive woes in the last 3 games were inexplicable. 86 first half points and 160 second half points. It is hard to keep coming back after spotting elite teams a double digit lead. Needed to come out much better in each game and play TEAM basketball.

With that said, ND came back and had many opportunities to win the game. However, unlike the UConn game where we played an almost flawless ball in the last 4 minutes, the last 4 minutes against Baylor were flawed

No field goals in last 4:32 minutes. 0-6 from field. All great looks. Just missed the shots including a lay up and wide open 3 from MM and 2 wide open 3's from AO. No complaints. That is who you want shooting the ball. They just missed. It happens

3 missed FT. AO at 3:18; Jess at 0:48 and AO at 0.02 - missed FT are deadly. 18-22 from the line. Shame that 2 of those misses were in last 0.48. Again, no complaints. It happens.

Turnover by AO at the 1:31 mark where she dribbled off her foot was critical. AO would have scored or gotten fouled in my opinion. Bad luck.

we had 3 chances to extend the lead at 76-76. ended up with 1 FT in those 3 possessions. AO and MM missed open looks. Good shots.

Don't think the injury to Cox mattered. Cox had 8 points and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes. Her replacement had 14 points and 6 rebounds in 17 minutes. She came up huge.

Don't think the referees were a factor except that they could have called more 3 second violations on Brown and maybe a couple of traveling calls.

We needed much more from JY and Jess in this game.

It was a great season. I'm very proud of the team. Congratulations to all but especially the seniors.

Think fatigue and stress

Finally caught up with us the last few minutes of the game.

Regarding the open 3s

In hindsight they were open and being shot by our best shooters, but had had success attacking the paint that point, I wish we would have went at them. I know Marina got blocked too.

One other bad luck play near the end

I believe it was Bri saving the ball back in on our end - the typical "throw it off the opponent" and retain possession ..... except it came back and hit her as she was out of bounds. One ref called it our way, but was reversed by another (I believe the correct call)

Cox's value went beyond general stats

Knowing where to be on defense and shot blocking. The plus minus stats with her on the court had to be double digit plus.

Nice post *

Agree...Thanks. The Arike Dribble Off Her Foot...

...made me dance a little jig while watching the game. I'm sure she would've gone in for a layup and/or possible foul call there.

Very nice synopsis and breakdown of end of game plays.

It certainly was a game they had every opportunity to win at crunch time and given their toughness and proven success in big game closeouts I entirety expected the Irish to win. But you nailed it, this game the open shots, fouls and opportunities were missed.

They seemed to develop an identity as slow starters. I got it last year given the injuries and need to stay out of early foul trouble, but it’s puzzling this year.