You have to imagine the depth that Hamilton creates plays into this. You can have your best players fresher at the end of games. That's a big advantage compared to most teams who rely heavily on 7-8 rotation guys throughout the entire game. However, the abundance of playable depth might also create a lack of continuity throughout the game. This could help explain why he has a great record in 1 possession games and OT games but his overall record isn't as strong. Just my 2 cents.
I totally agree about the depth playing a factor the longer the game goes on. Both in terms of energy and in less foul trouble.
But the overall record being weaker is actually easily explained by something else—his career progression. He has taken three college jobs (Okie State, Miami, FSU) and all three he took over when the program was down. In Miami and FSU’s case, the programs were among the worst in all of high-major basketball when he took over. Miami was on the brink of disbanding the program altogether.
These rebuild jobs took time. And often the person who’s record benefitted was the NEXT coach. When Ham left Miami they had just won the Big East and went to the Sweet 16. Had he stuck around, Miami was poised to be what FSU is now.
The only program he coached long enough to enjoy the full fruits of his labor was FSU.
First year at Okie State - 8-20.
Last year at Okie State (year 4) - 17-14
First year at Miami - 9-19. (His second year at Miami was their first in the Big East. They went 1-17 in league play).
Last year at Miami - 23-11 and reg season champ.
First year at FSU - 14-15 (4-12 in ACC)
Since 2007, 22+ wins in 10 of the 14 full seasons since.
