Author: Coach Z (Page 33 of 38)

This week started Jimmy V Week in college basketball. Appropriately named for the former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano. Having had the opportunity to hear him speak in person while he was still coaching I was mesmerized by his storytelling and motivational skills. It was easy to see why he was able to orchestrate the greatest upset in NCAA history. HIs run to the National Championship was something that every coach dreamed about. The little David pitted against the mighty Goliath (Houton “Phi Slamma Jamma” Cougars) is what Hollywood scripts are made of, however, I don’t know if anyone would have bought this one.

After leaving NC State he became one of the best in the broadcasting business. But what if he had taken the UCLA job. That afterall was his dream job. Being a former English major he grew up watching John Wooden hanging banners. How many more banners would be hanging in Pauley Pavillion if he had become the coach? Alas, it was not to be. Too much bueraucracy. His legacy will live on forever and I ask you to be generous in giving to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Now back to basketball. The ACC – Big Ten Challenge is the highlight of Jimmy V Week and it looks like it will be a highlight for the ACC. After winning the conference showdown last year (8-3), the ACC is off to a 5-1 start this year. The first night winners were Wake Forest, Duke, Clemson,Florida State and Virginia. The lone victor for the Big Ten was Indiana…Speaking of Indiana, I will get a chance to see Indiana next week as part of the Big Ten Network. I am looking forward to seeing one of the best guards in the country, Eric Gordon. Forget about it, that he is only a freshman.

Duke was absolutely unstoppable last night as they steamrolled Wisconsin. A pretty good Badger team was no match for a hot shooting Duke squad. It looks like Duke has put the pieces together early for Coach K. So much for the coaching hangover from the Olympic team preparations.

One final note, if you get a chance tune into ESPN for the Jimmy V ESPY acceptance speech at 7:00est. Whether you are a sports fan or not you will not be disappointed.

I don’t want to take anything away from North Carolina State, but their win against Villanova in the Old Spice Classic was a result of a horrible call by an official. One thing that I feel needs to be changed about the officiating in the college game is that officials need to be held responsible. After every game players and coaches are expected to address the media and explain why they did what they did.

It is about time that officials are held to the same scrutiny. When you are making close to $2000 a game for blowing your whistle there needs to be some accountability. Having watched officials through the years get off scott free for a blown call, I think it is about high time that it changes. Speaking of blown calls I still want the official who made the call against Seton Hall in the championship game that allowed Michigan to win a national championship to step up and explain that one.

Sorry for the rant…

Teams flying under the radar, but off to good starts are Sam Houston State. The Bearcats have marquee wins over Texas Tech and Fresno State. They look more than ready to make run for another conference championship.

Coach Billy Herrion has his New Hampshire team off to their best start in close to two decades. Junior college transfer, Eric Gilchrese, has helped lead the resurgence. After a couple of good recruiting classes he has the Wildcats poised to make a run in the America East.

Also, hats off to Kerry Keating at Santa Clara. He has the Broncs off to a 4-1 start with three road wins.

A round up of the holiday tournaments:

Coaches Vs. Cancer— Memphis (As good as advertised. With so much youth they will only get better.)
CBE Classic— UCLA (Minus a couple of starters they still put the “Love Crush” on their opponents.)
Maui— Duke (Coach K has them running and shooting like the old days.)
NIT— Texas A & M (Acie Law is gone, but a wider aresenal of weapons are available.)
Great Alaskan Shootout— Butler (Won the Preseason NIT last year and went to the Sweet 16. Could do the same this year.)
OLD Spice Classic— NC State (Beat Villanova on a controversial call and I am still not on the Wolfpack bandwagon.)
Anaheim Classic— USC (Beat a cold shooting S. Illinois team. OJ Mayo is for real.)

In recruiting players are put into two categories. They are either “prospects” or “suspects.” As we end the first month of the basketball season I would place the following teams in the “Prospect Category.”

North Carolina— Hansborugh’s energy is contagious
UCLA— Overcome injuries to gind out victories
Memphis— Early blooming for the Rose
Georgetown— Veterans with a new wrinkle
Butler— Basketball IQ and Marksmanship at it’s best
Creighton— Early season wins over Depaul and Nebraska (Altman is a maestro!)
George Mason— Larranaga has the horses pulling in the same direction
Texas A & M—Turgeon picks up where Gillespie left off

“Suspects”

Arizona— Loss at home to Virginia and on the road to Kansas (When will Olsen be back?)
Kentucky—A lot of talent that needs fine tuning
Stanford—Double digit loss to Siena
Oregon—Double digit loss to St. Mary’s
Kansas—Injured backcourt must get healthy/Inconsistent front court play must be solved