It was soooo much fun for me after having personally been stuck in a sorrow for so long that it had stolen much of my joy for the game. This team brought me back to life, and I'm grateful for that.
I also adore our staff and think they did an unbelievably great job this year, all things considered. All the injuries were devastating, but they still managed to keep the team focused and prepared enough to get to the S16. Bravo!
That said, I don't think I'd be out of line to suggest that the offseason is not only the best time for the players to put in the extra work in order to come back better players the next season, but it's also the time for coaches to step up their games as well.
Our staff will have an excellent group of players next season, with a real opportunity to make a deeeeeep run in the tournament. But they have to know that if someone gifts you with a $10 million racehorse, you'd better know how to train it to run to its maximum potential. You don't train a thoroughbred the same way you train a plow horse.
The staff will, of course, always be busy with recruiting -- exhausting work from all I've heard. But just as the players will have to dig deep to get in tens of thousands of extra shots and free throws and ball-handling drills before next November, the staff is gonna need to find some extra avenues to pick up teaching tips, new drills, new offensive sets, some new motivation techinques and so on to have something super special to bring to the table themselves come next November.
I'd love very much to read stories next year about how our staff had had their OWN coaching/techniques book club, or had traveled to see other excellent, respected coaches somewhere to pick their brains in the same spirit Pat did with Harry Perretta and several other great coaches over the years.
I would also love for our players to be sent to Point Guard College, to have a free throw expert come in for some sessions, and possibly an expert in visualization techniques to come in.
Anyway, I think everyone would agree that everyone -- players AND staff -- need to use the offseason to up their games by expanding their skill sets.
Also, I'd like for the staff also to set aside a little time to put their heads together to figure out how to increase the student fanbase. Gotta get the 35-85ers back to TBA, too.
EVERYBODY has to step up for next year. If they do, it'll be special.
I also adore our staff and think they did an unbelievably great job this year, all things considered. All the injuries were devastating, but they still managed to keep the team focused and prepared enough to get to the S16. Bravo!
That said, I don't think I'd be out of line to suggest that the offseason is not only the best time for the players to put in the extra work in order to come back better players the next season, but it's also the time for coaches to step up their games as well.
Our staff will have an excellent group of players next season, with a real opportunity to make a deeeeeep run in the tournament. But they have to know that if someone gifts you with a $10 million racehorse, you'd better know how to train it to run to its maximum potential. You don't train a thoroughbred the same way you train a plow horse.
The staff will, of course, always be busy with recruiting -- exhausting work from all I've heard. But just as the players will have to dig deep to get in tens of thousands of extra shots and free throws and ball-handling drills before next November, the staff is gonna need to find some extra avenues to pick up teaching tips, new drills, new offensive sets, some new motivation techinques and so on to have something super special to bring to the table themselves come next November.
I'd love very much to read stories next year about how our staff had had their OWN coaching/techniques book club, or had traveled to see other excellent, respected coaches somewhere to pick their brains in the same spirit Pat did with Harry Perretta and several other great coaches over the years.
I would also love for our players to be sent to Point Guard College, to have a free throw expert come in for some sessions, and possibly an expert in visualization techniques to come in.
Anyway, I think everyone would agree that everyone -- players AND staff -- need to use the offseason to up their games by expanding their skill sets.
Also, I'd like for the staff also to set aside a little time to put their heads together to figure out how to increase the student fanbase. Gotta get the 35-85ers back to TBA, too.
EVERYBODY has to step up for next year. If they do, it'll be special.
