Maybe I was wrong when I said, “we’ve already seen what we are made of.”
Or maybe I was right when I said, “I think we’ve got the players to be competitive with anyone in our conference.”
Because we do. I think Atlanta demonstrated that. As well as many other games during the season, some of which we won, some we lost.
So, ‘I’m told’ (for longtime readers you know that means I’ve been talking to people very close to the fire)…I’m told that the players love Stan Heath but are not sure he can get them to the next level. That may be a fair concern.
However, players have to decide to get to the next level. ‘Response – ability.’ Stan can’t go play for them. Besides, he’s not that tall and I suspect he’s not quick either.
But you must give him credit for putting together some talent. You must also give him credit for putting together a schedule that was tough enough to play a strong role in the NCAA’s determination that the Hogs deserved to be in the dance.
I give him credit also for this. Two years ago the team ‘lost it’ at the end of the year. Self-destructed. This year, they pulled it together.
Whether it was Steven Hill’s haircut…or going to the defense of Gary Ervin…or the fact that Sonny Weems decided to become a leader and stop drifting around on his jump shot…or that Charles Thomas decided to be the double-double guy…or that Welsh and Washington suddenly became key contributors – I don’t know. I just know that they pulled it together.
Stan, for his part, at least attempted to be a bit more ‘fired up’ as bench coach.
That’s been the weakness of the team this year. The bench coach. It has not been about talent or preparation. It has been about managing the game from the bench. Pushing the right buttons with the players; calling timeouts at the right time; and working the referees.
In Sunday’s game against Florida, Billy Donovan and his players put on a clinic in working the refs. I knew when goaltending was not called on Florida’s second basket of the game that the calls would not go our way. Early block/charge calls went against us. Hand checking and touch fouls called after Donovan pointed those out to the referees.
Managing the referees can’t overcome the ‘fourth game in as many days’ fatigue the Hogs had to have. Nor can it overcome the excitement and ‘rush’ that lead to the early jacking of 3′s and overall poor outside shooting. But that, too, is something that a bench coach can manage as the game unfolds.
But Florida is probably the best team in the nation. They are well coached and very talented. So I cut the tired Hogs and their bench coach a little slack for Sunday’s performance.
I do think being in the finals was exactly what this team was talented enough to accomplish. Whatever the reason, I’m glad they finally decided that, too.
You touched on several good points, mainly that Stan is no bench coach. The one point I think you missed was about getting the players to the next level. An 18 year old kid needs someone who knows show him how much he can accomplish. He needs to be pushed beyond his own expectations. I said before, I don't care whether Stan is their best friend, father figure, dutch uncle, or worst enemy he has to have his hand on the controls of the emotional level of his team. That is why they lose the games they have no business losing. Nolan, Bobby Knight, Reggie Herring have one approach. Eddie Sutton, Rick Petino, Billy the Kid have another. But, there is no doubt that they are involved and control their teams. Stan is a sweet man. I think he enjoys the kids and recruiting. I don't think he really cares that much about winning and it shows.
Unlike BlindHog I do think that Stan wants to win however undisciplined teams don't win the big games. You want to see a motion offense go back and watch the Florida – Ark game on Sunday. Florida's offense was amazing and I would catch myself just watching the movement of the players without the ball.
I remember watching that show on ESPN that showed Texas Tech practices and Bobby Knight was talking one time about setting screens and how it should be done. His whole point was that disciplined teams will set screens the proper way. We do not set screens the proper way and we don't cut off of the screens correctly. We do have a player run to the spot to set the screen but then it falls apart. This is the key to the motion offense, you have to set good screens. If you don't then all you can do is just try to outrun the defense to a spot and try to get open on your own. This is just one of the things that I see that tells me discipline is apparently not stressed. Watching the players during timeouts and their attention to what the coach is saying is another area of concern for me.
In the end, I think they probably really like Stan but when it gets right down to it I don't think they respect him and that is what will keep us from moving to the next level. That is also the reason that it is imperative that we must make a coaching change if we want to move to the elite ranks once again.
Hogballer – Care to quote any more from the movie Dumb & Dumber? So there really is a chance!!!!
I admit I too had the same feelings you did in your column. I'm gald that the Hogs & Stan have made it to the Dance. Now we just nee dto win a game or two.
As I stated in my post, look to the 2000 season for the answers. That meant that I believed they would play their way into the NCAA Tournament just like the 2000 team did.
I will say though, that unlike the 2000 team, I don't think this team is "one and done" in the tourney.
I beleive the kids like and respect Stan how else do you explain the push at the end of the season once it was leaked if he didn't make the tournament he was out. You don't fight that hard if you want a new coach. I also think Stan does a good job bringing the best out of his players I mean who thought Washington, Welsh, and Beverly were recruits good enough to make an impact this season in the Sec. I think sometimes myself included we get so caught up on was going on now that we don't realize what we are setting up for the future with that being said I beleive this team will be the team to beat next year in the SEC with Stan as coach.
We are next year’s Florida in the SEC. We should win the SEC in both Football and Basketball. What a wonderful year it will.
Just wait until next year!!
Players and coaches grow together, no doubt. I believe Stan will continue to get better as a coach, and the players will continue to develope also. This is the same story we see with the football team. If Houston cannot develope a passing game next year to open up a great running game, then he should go. If Stan cannot bring along his players enough next year, to the max of their potential, on a senior dominated team , then he should go. I personally have more confidence in Stan, than I do Houston. It could easily be said that Stan has not improved from last year to this year, but Stan's team last year was a guard dominated team, who's inside men only showed their potential from time to time. This year they looked a lot better, but was stifled by a new and inexsperianced back court. Next year, as I have stated before, will be the first time Stan will have exsperiance in the front line and the back court. It will be time to show out next year. If this does not happen, it will be time for Stan to go.
All good comments.
Blind – I tend to agree with you. I don’t watch practices, so all I see is on the bench.
Hank – I agree on the screens. They are beyond sloppy way too often. I bet Blind would agree with me that a little Bobby Knight would go a long way with this group.
Dieinghog – I think you are right also. I think the other factor along with the ones you mentioned is that you hate to see your goof off performances or bringing your personal issues with team mates to the floor cause a coach you like to lose his job.
When you think of the number of freshmen it does make the future seem good. However, he is going to have to continue grow as a coach and pick up the pace of that growth.
Yep, I think that this could be a final four team next year with a good coach. I suspect Stan will finish second in the west, win one in the SEC and make the sweet sixteen.
The only problem is those seven scholarships. If he stays now and then goes next year you have ruined recruiting for half of the team and created a trainwreck after he got the talent level back up. Sad but true, he either wins two this year or he should go.
Hey did any one see the all everything Drexel go down the first round.
Let's not laugh too soon. Check back with that on Saturday.