hard morning start

I have a 2001 lumina with a 3.1 engine and roughly 128000 miles
Several weeks ago it became hard to start in the mornings. Each turn of the ignition would sputter then die. After 2-3 cranks sometimes 4 tries it would start. All day it would be fine cranking. This is only in the mornings. My shadetree experience wants to say not getting gas? but why only in the mornings. It is also warm weather usually 70's in the am. Any suggestions on problem. A friend has a ranger truck and says maybe "idle control valve". How can I be sure?

thanks
robert

First, are there any error codes? I.E., does the "Check Engine" lamp remain on after the engine is running?

Second, you may want to alter the method you use to start the engine. Instead of inserting the ignition key and immediaely turning the lock cylinder to the START position, turn it to the RUN position for a second or two. You should be able to hear the fuel pump runing for two seconds, building pressure in the fuel rails. That alone may make starting on the first crank of the engine more likely. Otherwise, the pump will have to try to build pressure while the injectors are firing, which may take a bit longer.

There are other possibilities, but if it starts normally after the first start of the day, and you don't have to open the throttle to get it to start, and there are no stored error codes, it may be as simple as that.