Note: The following piece was prepared by Dean Keener, who provides commentary on Southern Conference men’s basketball broadcasts.
Keener played collegiately at Davidson before embarking on a successful 20-year coaching career. He served as head coach at James Madison from 2004-08. You can follow him on twitter: @DeanKeener1
The Dean’s List
February 1, 2017
I. Inside the SoCon
With just over a month until the 98th annual Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament in Asheville, N.C. the regular season title is still very much up for grabs! While most believed the league was primed to be good, I don’t think anyone thought the league would be this competitive. The league RPI is an impressive 14 and no one is safe.
The parity in the league this season speaks to the job many of the coaching staffs have done putting together programs that are improved and very competitive. Even though all ten league members are at different stages in building their programs, each team can win on any given night. Not many leagues in Division I can say that as there are usually two or three programs at the bottom of the standings that are generally considered “a win.” Not in the Southern Conference this year!
There are two things coaches want to see as they enter February. First, they want their teams to be peaking. That is, playing their best basketball. Also, they want to secure a top six seed in order to receive a first-round bye. No team has won four consecutive games to win the SoCon Tournament since 1939 (Clemson). While there has been some separation among the top five teams, the race to land in one of the top six slots is still very much open and will be fun for fans during the stretch run. The key may be holding serve at home.
II. SoCon Star Watch - Most Improved
Player development is key for all college basketball programs, but it’s especially important in the Southern Conference because there aren’t one-and-done players. Therefore, the coaches must have a program in place to help players get better.
It must be noted that player development comes in several forms. Obviously, it’s time spent on the court working on the fundamentals, in the weight room and in the film room. But it’s also learning about proper diet and nutrition which is critical for student-athletes. Finally, it’s about learning to be a good teammate as well as maturing as a young person while on a college campus.
There are several players who have shown marked improvement from last year. Let’s take a quick look at those who have made the biggest jump in their game this season:
• Cam Jackson (Wofford) – The big fella from Winchester, Va., was limited to just seven games last year due to a season-ending injury. Now healthy, he’s showing what he can do – and what hard work can do. He’s currently averaging 11.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg while shooting 59 percent from the floor.
• Zane Najdawi (Citadel) – As a freshman, he averaged 7.7 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Not bad for a first-year knob, even in a fast-paced system. But the sophomore has exploded this season for six double doubles and is currently averaging over 16 points and 7.5 rpg.
• Jordan Strawberry (Mercer) – After backing up Phillip Leonard for two years, Strawberry has become more than just the Bears’ starting point guard. He is an important part of their team. He is scoring in double figures while rankling third in the league in assists.
• Diante Baldwin (UNCG) - The key for the Spartans. Yes, he was named third team all-league last year by the league’s media, but he has improved in almost every area. He’s still setting people up (fourth in the league in assists), but he’s also knocking down his shots from beyond the arc, and free throws at a much better clip. He’s also third in steals.
III. Did You Know?
Domination
As of February 1, Villanova’s seniors are 117-15 for their career. Simply awesome.
Scoring
There are currently 48 Division I teams averaging more than 80 points per game. Compare that to 2013, when Iona was the only D-I team to average over 80 ppg.
March Madness
For the first time ever, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Selection Committee will provide fans an in-season look at their processes. On Saturday, February 11 at 12:30pm ET CBS will present the NCAA March Madness Bracket Preview Show. At that time, Committee Chair Mark Hollis (Michigan State AD) will reveal the current Top 16, including the top four in each region as they stand February 11.
This should create lots of excitement, but could also cause a lot of angst among coaches and teams that are ranked in the Top 16, but go on to lose games in late February and early March. No doubt, there will be lots of movement before Selection Sunday on March 12.
IV. Clock Management
There’s a lot that goes into a running a successful basketball program. Staff composition, talent evaluation, solid recruiting, an off-season strength and conditioning program are non-negotiable. Just as important is the development of a sustained culture, which includes discipline and chemistry. These are just a few of the things that help a program win at a consistent level.
On the court, one of the most critical yet overlooked variables is clock management. Think for a moment how many games are won (or lost) in the final minutes of a game?
Clock management involves many aspects. Thus, a coaching staff must work on these areas during staff meetings as well as during practice time.
1. Proper Substitutions
a. Having your best free throw shooters and ball handlers’ in the game
b. Offense / Defense – having the best units on the floor at all times
2. Who to foul
a. This is all about scouting. It’s not just overall free throw percentages, but what a player shoots in the final five minuets
3. When to foul
a. Having a clear philosophy about fouling / not fouling when up by three points
4. Use of timeouts
a. The late Dean Smith was the absolute best at having multiple timeouts late in the game. This allowed him to provide his team instructions and / or make key substitutions
5. Player management
a. Reviewing and practicing plays and late-game situations so that players know what to do in critical, pressure-filled conditions
Practicing late-game situations is the key. Most coaches will utilize 10-15 minutes every practice to review a unique situation so that their players understand what to do and when to do it.
V. The SoCon Ladder
The Ladder is as fluid as it’s ever been. As we enter February, everything is still wide open and the battle for finishing in the top six is critical. Remember, this allows a team an extra day of rest as they don’t have to play in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament on Friday evening:
1. Furman – Make no mistake, Niko Medved has players, but what the Paladins are doing right now is beyond impressive. They’ve won four in a row and the win at UNCG last Saturday simply confirms they are a team to be respected. We knew they could win at home, but now they’ve proven they can win away from Timmons Arena.
2. UNCG - The Spartans have dropped two in a row and now face a three-game road swing starting at Chattanooga on February 2. We will know exactly what they are made of by the end on February 11.
3. ETSU – The Bucs beat rival UTC last Saturday in front of a sellout (6,149) crowd at Freedom Hall and are now 8-2 in their last 10. Steve Forbes has a crew that can play with anyone in the Southern Conference.
4. Chattanooga - The Mocs are still one of the favorites, but they’ve lost two straight and need to right the ship in a huge game at the Roundhouse on February 2 against UNCG.
5. Samford – With the win at VMI last Saturday, the Bulldogs improved to 8-4 on the road this season, including an impressive 4-1 mark in SoCon play. This team is for real and can play with anyone in the SoCon!
6. Mercer - The Bears have won three in a row and with two more home games this weekend, they can climb above .500. This is a dangerous team, if they gain the necessary confidence.
7. Wofford – Just when we thought the Terriers had garnered a season defining win against UNCG, they go to Cullowhee and lose to the Catamounts. I still like this team and believe they have a run in them, but they need to pull it together as we enter February.
8. Citadel – Four of their next six are in Charleston, so it’s now or never if the Bulldogs are going to secure a top six seed which allows a first round tournament bye.
9. VMI –The Keydets came up with a HUGE win at Chattanooga on January 25 only to lose a heartbreaker at home to Samford. That said, they have five consecutive home games in the next two weeks and need to hold serve.
10. Western Carolina – While slotted last, the Catamounts are by no means an easy out. They are playing hard and starting to find some offense and that is good news. My guess is Larry Hunter’s team finds its way in the next month. He’s simply too good.
Until the next “Dean’s List” on February 15, follow me on twitter: @DeanKeener1