I don’t have the stats to back this up, thus the question:
Anybody have any team stats on the opening tip to start the game?
I ask because…
For quite a while (at least as far back as the start of last season), my perception is that UH…previously…controlled the opening tip almost every game (seriously, seemed like 95% or higher).
This season - and specifically without Francis starting - my perception is that it’s rare that we ever control it (maybe only 20% of the time).
It seems obvious to me that Tugler just isn’t nearly as successful as Francis IN THAT CATEGORY. And to be clear, I’m NOT contending that should dictate which of them starts. But…if true…given the reach plus athleticism of each, I’m guessing Francis just times it better?
It seems like a drastic difference…and sometimes does make for one more (or less) possession in many games.
Anybody else notice it? Anybody have any stats to quantify it either way?
Because while it does work that way in the NBA, doesn’t work that way in college. In college, the possesion arrow dictates who gets the ball to start the second half.
I don’t think it will always hold true though. If possesions end unequally, it is one additional possession. And starting off 1 to 0 can mean exactly an additional possesion in the game.
And regardless, I’m still interested. Some could argue scoring first can be an advantage (however slight).
Also will mention…it matters in Overtime too. Losing a tip with 5 minutes left and the score tied can BE the difference…sometimes critical.
It is on my mind since i just rewatched the win at Kansas. We overcame losing those tips - but we did lose them. BOTH of them. That’s a net -2 possesion-wise in those minutes beyond regulation.
It may not be the biggest factor, but it’s not a zero either.
Write a python script to go through the schedule and download the play by play… then parse the text to see if we won it or not then you’ll have your stat…
Could, but my coding is legacy centric. So python to me is still mostly a snake!
Seriously though, I’m certain we now lose those tips mostly, while last year, we almost always won them. I think that because I notice who controls that every game. Last year, felt like practically every game, I said to myself “won it again”. Not this year (“lost it again”).
Just thought some of these extreme stats sme’s might have a one clicker to quantify it.
If there are an odd number of possession changes then team that wins the tip will get an extra possession not counting turnovers…
Speaking of turnovers… seems it probably doesn’t typically affect us because we turn teams over so much we end up with way more possessions than they do… shots anyway…
In the game at Kansas, the opening tips (that we lost) in overtime had no recovery in the count. I would have MUCH preferred to have won them (although we did overcome those lost possessions). So that could have equated to a net -3.
I’m not trying to say I’m more concerned about losing these tips compared to many (most) other stats.
I just contend they can matter (especially in OT)…and that I was curious if anytime else noticed. I wonder if the coaching staff tracks that.
