It is not just Stanford sports who does this. Just human nature to relax a hair when you "know" you will win. Get way ahead, relax just a bit, maybe play some subs who might make a few more mistakes, while the other team is in go for broke mode, playing loose with nothing to lose since they are already way behind. The other coach may make a few changes and sometimes a change works, coupled with the ahead team relaxing just a bit. Then the losing team goes on a run and the team that was way ahead may tighten up as the lead shrinks, causing them to play not to lose instead of how they played to get the big lead.
We cite UConn as a team that never lets up. That is correct but Geno also plays his stars and starters way more in blowouts than Tara does, more than I think most coaches do. It maybe helps them win by bigger blowouts but it doesn't help the bench get better or keep those players happy. Witness the transfers out they have had.
As annoying as it was to watch what happened against CO in the 4th quarter, and as much as I think that needs to be fixed, I would rather err on the side of playing more people, trying new things, etc., than what Geno does with his subbing.
Lastly it is easy to remember games like CO, where we almost chucked away a big lead. Consider also all the games we did not do that, including the WSU games recently. I am going to stick to the thought that we have a very, very good team with a few flaws, and inconsistent play seems to be one of them. The youth of the four players who play the 4 and 5 spots is part of the reason. I do think the coaches could recognize it quicker and maybe change something up sooner, but then again, often a big lead waxes and wanes a bit toward the end, and there is a case to be made for letting the players figure things out before intervening.
We cite UConn as a team that never lets up. That is correct but Geno also plays his stars and starters way more in blowouts than Tara does, more than I think most coaches do. It maybe helps them win by bigger blowouts but it doesn't help the bench get better or keep those players happy. Witness the transfers out they have had.
As annoying as it was to watch what happened against CO in the 4th quarter, and as much as I think that needs to be fixed, I would rather err on the side of playing more people, trying new things, etc., than what Geno does with his subbing.
Lastly it is easy to remember games like CO, where we almost chucked away a big lead. Consider also all the games we did not do that, including the WSU games recently. I am going to stick to the thought that we have a very, very good team with a few flaws, and inconsistent play seems to be one of them. The youth of the four players who play the 4 and 5 spots is part of the reason. I do think the coaches could recognize it quicker and maybe change something up sooner, but then again, often a big lead waxes and wanes a bit toward the end, and there is a case to be made for letting the players figure things out before intervening.
