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I am as slow (metally) as molasses in January.  All season long I have been second guessing Coach Williams in losses for not calling a time out to get the team re-grouped and re-focused.  Early on I was more accepting because I believed that Coach Williams was not calling time outs in order to give the players a chance to grow on their on.  Later on, I was giving Coach Williams the benefit of the doubt in that if Dean Smith saved his timeouts for those end of the game emergency situations, well then it was OK for Coach Williams to do the same.

And then last night it finally dawned on me.  By not calling a time out, Coach Williams wasn't trying to teach the players self-reliance.  Coach Williams wasn't trying to save his time outs for the end of the game.  By not calling a time out, Coach Williams was trying to maximize the biggest advantage he had over equally talented teams.  Depth.  Any advantage gained by calling a time out to get the players re-grouped and re-focused is more than off-set by letting the other team rest.  If you have a depth advantage over another team, then run them until their tongues hang out and for goodness sake don't let them catch their breath by calling a time out.

I am absolutely convinced that if Coach Williams had called a time out at the 17:00 minute mark in the second half when USC went up 16 and later when USC was responded to UNC's first run in the second half, then the extra rest that USC got during those time outs would have been enough for USC to win the game.

Once again, Coach Williams proved why he gets the big bucks while I sit slack-jawed staring at the TV wondering why he does what he does.

Good observation 05 but it also appears the self-reliance/confidence angle is also worthy of consideration and at least a part of the strategy:

Quote:"We look over at Coach Williams, and he's not calling a timeout," Marcus Ginyard said. "He's just telling us to get the ball up the floor and continue to play. All the players can feel the confidence Coach has in this team. It's really hard to say how important that is for a player, for a coach to feel that confident about his team and the way he knew we'd be able to come back."

From the Adam Lucas thread

I think he refuses to call timeouts for all the above reasons, plus some others, just as Dean did. Roy, like Dean did, does most of his coaching in practice and expects his players to adapt and apply what they've learned of their own volition. It drives many fans berserk, and almost certainly drives the coaching staff berserk at times as well, but over the years it's paid off in spades, in consistency of success, in strong finishes, and in players who thrive in the NBA and whatever other walk of life they may embark upon, due to the self-confidence, self-reliance and ability to think on their feet and think/learn for themselves that's instilled in them in the Carolina program.

You are correct jws...it is indeed about the Long Haul. I know I've said this a million times but if a person hasn't read A Coach's Life they really should...much wisdom there applicable on and off the court. Additionally, The Carolina Way should be read #2. My wife manages a lot of folks and this is her Bible of sorts and it is no secret. She recently wrote Coach Smith asking if he might have the time to come talk with her staff...we've got our fingers crossed.