Pace Changers - Upping the Tempo

[Bearcat04]

Good analysis from Basketball Prospectus.

December 3, 2012

Pace Changers
Upping the Tempo

by Corey Schmidt

Every preseason during media day, there's no shortage of coaches who talk about playing a faster tempo. Coaches may desire a chance of pace because they have a roster that will thrive with increased tempo, or because they're new to the program and they've brought a new system along with them. While it's still early in the season, most teams have nonetheless started to form an identity after seven or eight games, and there are several coaches who have been true to their word when it comes to upping the tempo.

Today we look at the six schools that have significantly increased their pace of play through December 1. These squads are all averaging ten or more possessions per game than they did last year. We also explore the impact that the tempo boost has had on the teams' performance to date. Later this week we'll take a look at the schools that have slowed down the most...

Cincinnati
2012: 64.2 possessions per 40 minutes
2013: 74.2
Historically, Mick Cronin's squads have come in slightly below Division I average in terms of tempo, which makes Cincinnati's blistering pace at the start of 2012-13 all the more intriguing. While the Bearcats are typically killed in the media for their cupcake schedules in November and December, this year's 7-0 start includes three straight wins over Iowa State, Oregon, and Alabama. So what has increasing the pace of play done for the Bearcats? They're forcing defenses to foul them more often. UC has been among the worst teams in Division I at getting to the charity stripe, so improving their free throw rate from around 30 percent to 40 percent has helped keep their offensive efficiency solid despite a slight uptick in turnovers. Their bigs have been able to keep up too. Three forwards have a block rate over 7.3 percent, including Cheikh Mbodji at 15.2 percent, and as a team they're holding all opponents to just 36 percent shooting inside the arc (a mark that ticks up to just 42 percent for major conference foes).

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2482

 

[TheLongHaul]

That's a good point about getting fouled more. I still don't think they have played close to the tempo that we've heard about all off-season. Then again, I didn't think they would. I do think they still need to increase the tempo. I'm not a big fan of their half court offense and increasing their tempo will get them better shots while the defense is scrambling.

 

[UCalum08]

From an article in the Enquirer:http://news.cincinnati.com/article/...up-poll?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

“Film evaluation was ugly,” Cronin said. “We got out-executed, out-played and out-coached against Alabama. You’d have thought that we had lost if you had been to our practice Monday. Cronin didn’t like the fact that his team abandoned its fast-break style of play for long periods as it forfeited a 13-point lead in the first half, forcing UC to grind out a victory in the closing seconds. He would prefer to see the Bearcats continue to run and press and force the issue regardless of how big of a lead they have."

I love quotes like this from Cronin. He knows all the bad that came from the Alabama game and he is very quick to turn that into a learning and growing moment. That is why I have nothing but confidence in Cronin and the team will come continue to get better. Love it!

 

[TheLongHaul]

Here is what I don't get though. Cronin obviously says he wants them to run. They've all talked about it non-stop since last year ended. And I've read multiple times this season that the team wasn't pushing the tempo like he would have liked. So why aren't they? I can't imagine Cash, Parker, SK, JJ, etc don't like to push the tempo. Are they tired? Are they timid? Most of these guys liked UC because of the thought that they'd be a run n gun team. You just wouldn't think a coach would have to persuade his team to push the tempo as much as Cronin has to.

 

[Bearcat04]

Here is what I don't get though. Cronin obviously says he wants them to run. They've all talked about it non-stop since last year ended. And I've read multiple times this season that the team wasn't pushing the tempo like he would have liked. So why aren't they? I can't imagine Cash, Parker, SK, JJ, etc don't like to push the tempo. Are they tired? Are they timid? Most of these guys liked UC because of the thought that they'd be a run n gun team. You just wouldn't think a coach would have to persuade his team to push the tempo as much as Cronin has to.

They pushed the pace all season until Bama put on the full-court press. Then, for whatever reason, they became very timid and barely beat the 10-second call every possession. They let Bama dictate the pace and I didn't understand that, especially at home. With that group of experienced guards teams should fear putting the press on. Oregon tried it a few times in the first half and they got burned. This team needs to keep attacking! There are going to be more turnovers as a result, but it's also going to lead to more fouls on the opponent.