The Dean’s List

February 19, 2014

 

I. Inside the SoCon

There is nothing like league play and this year has been no exception in the Southern Conference.  We’ve had long winning streaks, losing streaks, buzzer-beating games and everything in between.  And although it looks like the top five seeds (and corresponding byes) in the upcoming conference tournament are almost finalized, with just over two weeks until the conference tournament, there is still a lot to be determined as it relates to seeding.

As we enter mid-February, I recall feeling how important it was to “coach” the player’s minds as much as their bodies.  No doubt, everyone is banged up and as a coach you need to be aware of nagging injuries and tired legs, but equally important is the ability to coach the players’ minds.  Regardless if you’re winning or losing, this time of year can be a grind in college basketball and you must understand the mental frame that each player is in.  Good teams – and good coaches – generally find a way to win.  Tough teams show their resilience by getting better in the dog days of February and much of this has to do with players being in the right mental state.

II. National Letter of Intent

Started in 1964, the National Letter of Intent (NLI) is the document used to specify a student-athlete's commitment to a participating NCAA college or university.  Prospects can sign during their senior year in high school.  There are two periods in which they can sign the document.  The “early period” lasts one week in the fall (this past year it was November 13-20, 2013).  The regular period (April 16- May 21, 2014) is longer but most prospects sign during the first few weeks it is available. 

I’m of the opinion the NLI is outdated.  I believe we should allow student-athletes to sign a NLI at any time, after they complete their sophomore year in high school.  No more “committing”, just sign the NLI.  Here is my rationale. 

During the past five years more than 70% of all Division I men’s basketball players signed during the early signing period.  Further, most had committed to their school of choice well before that time (even at the mid-major level).  There are kids committing to schools as freshman and sophomores.

We must keep in mind that committing to a school is a huge decision for a young person and should not be taken lightly.  Regardless if you’re an athlete, your school of choice can dictate many things about your future.  Allowing student-athletes to sign a binding letter of intent would teach them about values, making tough decisions, and most importantly, keeping their word.  Once they sign, they would be “locked” to that school, thus allowing the coaching staff and prospect to better prepare and align for their arrival on campus.

In many cases, coaches spend MORE time and resources “protecting” a committed student-athlete than recruiting the student-athlete.  Everyone would benefit if a prospect could sign a binding agreement once they had all the information they needed to make a mature decision. 

The only issue would be if a head coach left prior to enrollment of the student-athlete.  I say let the new staff have the opportunity to visit with the signed prospect one time.  If, after the meeting, the recruit wants out of his NLI, then so be it. 

Let’s teach young people about keeping their word and keep coaches from attempting to “confuse” prospects when they’re committed, but unsigned.

 

III. Being Evaluated

When college coaches attend high school or travel team (AAU) games to evaluate players for their program, they don’t just look at talent and skill level.  They are also mindful of the on-court issues that can cause them to end the recruitment and move to the next prospect.

As we near the start of high school state tournament season and later the AAU travel season, I would like to review a few recruiting turnoffs coaches look at during games.  Keep in mind, no one is perfect and emotions can run high in a competitive game. 

Listed below are a few behaviors that I always deemed critical as a former college coach.  Not adhering to these can hinder your chances at a scholarship opportunity:

1.  Play like you want to make someone’s team - Work hard, run the floor and play like you have limited talent on every possession.

2.  Warm up like you mean it – Get yourself mentally and physically ready to play regardless of the circumstances.  

3.  Play for your team, not anyone in the stands – Remember, you are part of a team and you owe it to your coaches and teammates to play within the system.  Don’t change just because a recruiter is in the stands.

4.  Be positive in your communication – Talk with your teammates and coaches.  Let your play bring attention to you, not verbal outbursts or emotional flare ups.

5.  Body language is key - Run off the court; remain positive even if something happens that you don’t agree with.

6.  Don’t take bad shots – Coaches evaluate the “total player.”  Don’t feel like you have to score a ton of points to make a good impression with a college coach or scout.

7.  Show your basketball IQ at all times – Similar to what was mentioned above, show that you understand the game.

8.  Get to the next play - Regardless if you are involved in a great play or a turnover, get to the next play.  Contrary to what the young generation likes to do by “self-promoting”, coaches will be able to see if you hit a three or made a nice pass.  There is absolutely no need to bring attention to yourself.

 

IV.  “Frankly Speaking” – Mike Young

One of the hottest teams in the Southern Conference is the Wofford Terriers.  Winners of eight straight, they have been playing very good team basketball.  I recently had a chance to speak with head coach Mike Young.

DK: What are the biggest reasons your team has played well the past three weeks?

Mike Young:  Well, Karl Cochran is a big reason why we’re playing well, but everyone on the team is doing their part.  We have a great locker room.  Guys like Lee Skinner and Aerris Smith are great communicators.  We have a great spirit about us right now – the players will simply not let each other down.  The players believe in each other and they believe in our staff.  Obviously winning helps, but I like where our focus is at this time.

DK: What’s needed for continued success?

Mike Young:   Like most teams, we must stay healthy.  Look, we still have two weeks left in the regular season; therefore we MUST get better as well as stay focused.  Collectively, our guys are working hard and doing the right things, but we can’t take anything for granted.

DK: You have an entirely new coaching staff this year.  Please tell us about this staff.

Mike Young:  I love our staff.  We have great chemistry and the players sense it.  Dustin Kerns is back after a successful stint at Santa Clara.  He’s valuable to our success.  I’ve known Darris Nichols for many years.  He’s a rising star in the business.  And we have former players Tim Johnson and Kevin Giltner with us.  We really wanted former players on the staff.  They understand the Wofford way and they believe in our program.  I also know that Tim and Kevin can communicate to the players as they have been through many of the same things.

I hope to be lucky enough to have a former player on staff for the rest of my career.  It’s nice to help get them started in the business, plus I know that they love the college and can sell that to recruits.

    
V.  The SoCon Ladder

We are headed toward March and that means things are starting to shape up for the conference tournament.  Those at the top are really peaking:  Davidson, UTC and Wofford are all 12-3 in their last 15 games.

1. Davidson – Is there a hotter shooting team in America?  The Wildcats, who have won nine in a row, are shooting 53 percent from the field and an amazing 46.1 percent from 3-point range during conference play (after shooting just 30.7 percent from 3-point territory in nonconference play)!
Outlook:  Bright considering their defense is also getting better

2. Chattanooga – The Mocs had lost three of four until beating Western Carolina last Friday.  Gee McGhee was fantastic (16 points, 15 rebounds).  When he gets it going, the Mocs are a tough out.    
Outlook:  Solid.  They looked like they got their “edge” back – now they need to keep it 

3. Wofford – The Terriers remain the other hot team in the Southern Conference as their winning streak is now at eight games.  For them, the whole is greater than the sum of their parts.  They teach all of us what good defense and teamwork can do.
Outlook:  Tough sledding to end the season (Furman, at Davidson, at Elon, UNCG), but they just might be up to it

4. Elon – The Phoenix dodged a bullet 10 days ago when they beat Georgia Southern at the buzzer – without Lucas Troutman (flu).  Then they bought themselves additional “off time” with the winter storm that swept through the south last week.  Their win streak current stands at five.
Outlook:  The Phoenix are playing their best basketball of the season.  Elon has a big week ahead with three on the road in a five-day stretch

5. Western Carolina – While it might not feel like the Catamounts are playing .677 ball (they are 8-4 in 2014), they are still a team that commands respect
Outlook:  The Catamounts are home court heroes!  Whatever problems they have away from the Ramsey Center need fixed in a hurry.  The overtime win at UNCG Sunday was a positive step

6. Samford – They just can’t string wins together.  After beating UTC at home, the Bulldogs went on the road and lost to Appalachian State and Elon.  There is still time for Samford to pull it together.
Outlook:  Opponents are shooting almost 42 percent from beyond the arc.  This needs to improve for further success

7. UNCG – Wes Miller and the Spartans are in the middle of a very difficult stretch.  UNCG will play nine games against the top five teams this season.  That’s tough for any team, but especially difficult for a young team like the Spartans.
Outlook: They will certainly be battled tested by the time they get to Asheville after finishing with Elon, UTC, at Davidson, and at Wofford during the next two weeks!

8. Georgia Southern – The buzzer-beater at Elon on February 8 was a tough pill to swallow.  The Eagles have now lost 4 in a row.  Still Jelani Hewitt, Tre’ Bussey and Brian Holmes are good enough to beat most, if not all, of the teams in this league.
Outlook:  Three of their last four on the road will make it tough to gain momentum before Asheville

9. Furman – The Paladins stopped a five-game slide with a win against The Citadel on Saturday.  Everyone knows about Stephen Croone and Kendrec Ferrara, but let me introduce you to Adonis Rwabigwi!  The 6’8” freshman has been a beast in the last three games (12.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.3 bpg).
Outlook:  This team is young and thin due to injuries.  That said, they are getting better

10.  Appalachian State – The Mountaineers began a three-game home stand by beating Samford on Thursday, but could not gather any momentum and lost to Wofford Saturday night.  The good news is Jay Canty and Tevin Baskin are playing again.  Give those guys two more weeks to get back in shape and who knows?
Outlook:  It’s been a tough year with all the injuries, but the Mountaineers might just have a full roster by the time we get to the tournament

11.  The Citadel – The Bulldogs have been in just about every Southern Conference game but have nothing to show for it.  That’s tough, but it speaks volumes about the players and coaching staff.
Outlook:  I still say this group will surprise down the stretch