http://www.whatifsports.com/hd/GameResults/BoxScore.aspx?gid=6963607

Puget Sound was favored by 6 and I had a half time lead and then lost it in the 2nd half to force OT and then crapped the bed in OT losing by 8.

How do I read the box score to determine what to do differently? I've heard peeps talk about looking at the boxscore to see what they did wrong and right.  I'm running a FB O and MAN D.

The first thing I noticed:

If I have a halftime lead over a favored opponent, I never change my defense.  You let the computer change from 0 to -2.

Don't put too much stock in the favorite odds. It's very erratic in the early games of a season

Posted by alblack56 on 5/12/2011 10:41:00 AM (view original):
The first thing I noticed:

If I have a halftime lead over a favored opponent, I never change my defense.  You let the computer change from 0 to -2.

Don't put too much stock in the favorite odds. It's very erratic in the early games of a season

I agree with Al on the defense - especially against SIMS.  The engine makes them take ~30% of their shots from 3 no matter how good or bad they are.  I generally play 0 to +2 against SIMS and NEVER go less than -1.

Also, no offense but that team is more talented than yours and more experienced.  His overall is 520 to your 507 and his on-court is 326 to your 306.  He's got 6 SRs, and 0 FR while you have 3 SRs and 2 FR which makes a big difference in IQs.  And he's the home team which does make a slight difference, even at D3.

All in all you did well to get that game to OT.

Thanks! 

When you say I "LET" the computer change at halftime (with a lead) WHERE do you see that, and HOW do I change that.  Am i supposed to monitor the simed game and watch to see if I have a half time lead? Don't they sim at 2 am or something?  The halftime adjustment is if i "ALLOW" the computer to adjust?  I can't manually adjust it at halftime can I? I can't actually follow the game and make the adjustments IN-GAME, Its a sim after all, right?

The +/- you're talking about, is that positioning for the Primary D, and then specifically + is pressuring the perimeter (allowing more/easier interior shots) and - is pressuring the interior (allowing more/easier perimeter shots)?

btetzl50, take a look at your various options on the 'Team Game Plan' page under the 'Office' menu.  One of dictates the circumstances of the halftime adjustment.

Yes, your description of the +/- is accurate.

You'll find people on the forums and sometimes the coach's corner to be helpful if you ask questions.

One other note on +/-, its not just about how open perimeter shots are.  Playing a + defense also makes it much easier to get beat off the dribble if your guy on defense has lower ath/spd than the guys he's guarding.  

It also has some effect on rebounding and fouls, at least according to some people on the forums