Author: Coach Z (Page 10 of 38)

Watching the Kansas-UNLV game I wondered if I was the only one who thought the officiating was bad. I know I am biased as an ex-coach, but come on. Then I saw Dennis Dodd’s column and I knew I wasn’t alone.

Also, how could the NCAA clear Tim Higgins and Jim Burr to ref in the NIT, but not the NCAA? Or why is it that Curtis Shaw has thrown out 5 coaches this year, including Trent Johnson (Stanford) this weekend? Could it be he works too many games? He does and it is.

Getting and keeping everyone healthy this time of year can determine whether you make a Final Four or even win a national championship. Teams like Louisville and North Carolina went through key injuries early in the year, but now have everyone playing at 100%. Kansas struggled while Brandon Rush came back from ACL surgery and Sherron Collins worked to get his foot healed. Now they are ready to go and so are the Jayhawks.

UCLA starters Josh Shipp (strep throat) and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (went for an MRI on his ankle) are both less than 100%. The Bruins will need them healed by this weekend if they want to get to San Antonio. Villanova lost a key insider in Casiem Drummond in the Siena game and is done for the year. Every team is given one rally game when an injury occurrs. The only question is will it be Kansas or was it the Siena game. Chris Lofton is playing with a banged up leg. The Vols need him badly to get by Louisville.

Coaching Note: Lute Olsen met with Kevin O’Neill today about the future of the two coaching together. Judging by some previous remarks about his not liking how things were being run in his absence, I find it hard to believe that these two will be able to share the bench next year.

Every March there are teams that are elated to make the NCAA Tournament and then there is everyone else. Making the tournament and missing the tournament means coaches will be changing jobs. Coach who will be in play for new jobs this Spring due to making the Big Dance:

Fran McCaffrey (Siena): Providence, South Carolina

Phil Martelli (St. Jospeh’s): Providence

Tom Crean (Marquette): Indiana

Tony Bennett (WSU): Indiana

Sean Miller (Xavier): Indiana

Scott Sutton (ORU): TCU

Assistants on the move: Cuonzo Martin (Purdue): Missouri State

Marist is open now that Matt Brady has left for JMU. Top candidates would be Tom Herrion and Pat Flannery

San Francisco is taking a look at Kansas asst. Kurtis Townsend.

Rex Walters, coming off a losing season at Florida Atlantic, was offered the Mercer job. Also, Buzz Peterson is tired of carrying Michael Jordan’s bags so he is involved at TCU.

More info as I dig it up….

Bob Marlin (Sam Houston State) is in play at Rice and TCU

John Calipari can say all he wants about not worrying about his team’s poor foul shooting, but it almost cost them today. The Tigers overcame shooting a dismal 15-32 from the foul line, that included some late misses to pull out a three point win over Mississippi State.
Coach Cal is saying it doesn’t matter publically, as he should, but you know it keeps him up at night.

After missing some late free throws Miss. State pulled to within three and had a couple of chances to tie, but could never get over the hump. Jamont Gordon and Ben Hansborough carried the Bulldogs, but in the end it was Derrick Rose and too much depth for them to overcome.

Louisville used a pressing defense that harrassed Blake Griffin to jump out to a 44-22 halftime lead over Oklahoma and never looked back. Coach Rick Pitino has the Cards clicking on all cylinders and now that they are healthy are a definite threat to win it all.

Meanwhile, North Carolina blasted Arkansas. The TarHeels are healthy and rolling at the right time. With McDonald’s All Americans at every position, it is easy to be Roy Williams. When you shoot 67% from the floor and 8-16 from the 3 point line, let me repeat, it is easy to be Roy Williams.

Looking ahead, there are some interesting mathups.
North Carolina vs. Wash State. Can the Cougars make the Tar Heels play in the half court?
Memphis vs. Michigan State Brawn vs. athleticism?
L-Ville vs. Tennessee The originator of the full court pressure game (Pitino) vs. futuristic pressure coach (Pearl)
Stanford vs. Texas Size vs. Speed
Kansas vs. Villanova Favorite vs. Upstart
UCLA vs. Western Kentucky Blue blood vs. Red Blood
Wisconsin vs. Davidson Halfcourt vs. Halfcourt Whoever gets to 60 first wins.
Xavier vs. West Virginia Youthful experienc (Xavier-Miller) vs. Experienced youth (WVU-Huggins)

Keep tuned for a closer look as the week goes on.

Both Texas and Tennessee started quickly and then had to hold on to defeat Miami and Butler.

Coach Rick Barnes has taught his former assistant well. Frank Haith’s Hurricanes almost completed a miraculous comeback but fell three points short. It took 26 points from AJ Abrams, including some clutch free throws to enable Rich Barnes and the Longhorns to advance.

Texas gets great guard play from Augustin and Abrams, the key to making it to the final four will be can they get enough inside production.

Bruce Pearl had a great game plan. Make Butler beat them off the bounce, not the 3 ball. Everytime Mike Green or AJ Graves drove helpside defenders stayed home. It made them take difficult shots over bigger defenders.

Butler was able to make the game a halfcourt game, but in the end the Vols proved they can get it done in the halfcourt. It was a great run for first year head coach Brad Stevens. Now he must replace Green and Graves in the off-season.

Coaching Note: Indiana will take a long look at Sean Miller from Xavier. If they’re smart they will hire him.