My conclusion after watching too many hours of the NCAA Tournament, is that the games are being won by the drive, and intelligence of the players, and not in game coaching. I have not been impressed by the x's and o's of the coaching which alter the results. Rather the quality of the coaching is demonstrated by the extent they have built squads with players that play the game as we all recognize that it should be played. These games are being won by squads that were built well, with balance and IQ, that have been well drilled in practice, and consist of players with the drive to win.
My thoughts on specific teams that are discussed a lot on this board are as follows.
Kentucky- an exception to the rule. NBA developmental league playing college level. Calipari is the master of ego management. Not much strategy,or discipline needed to win with the talent on that team.
Louisville-not impressed by Pitino, as his teams seem to under perform considering they consist of all blue-chip players. Again carried by the talent.Impressive looking players, but they do not play hard or show discipline. Prima Donna factor.
Duke- As much as I hate that program, the best coached squad of blue-chip talent. Not necessarily in game moves, but coaching that has instilled how to run the offense and defense, fast breaks, and all elements of the game that you do not see from most programs. Combine that training with the great talent, and they are awesome to watch at times.
Kansas-high level talent, but they play like their talent alone is going to carry them. It does most games against inferior talent. But they lack the drive and desire necessary to win against a Wichita State. Prima Donna factor.
Wichita State-I do not see in game coaching by Marshall that impresses, but rather the ability to put together a squad that has sufficient talent, high basketball IQ, and the drive to win. They out hustled and out fought KU. No Prima Donnas on WSU.(This squad is helped by the fact that the repeat State H.S. Champions was a Wichita H.S. and he recruited three of its players)
Oklahoma-Kruger has put together a squad of ball players with good talent, drive and IQ. They have gotten to the Sweet 16 due in large part to the lack of quality of competition. Decent not great team.
Wisconsin- we all know too well they have the best coach in the Big 10, maybe the country. Again, Ryan knows how to build a squad with players with sufficient , but not blue-chip talent, high IQ, and drive. They show that they are highly coached in practice and very disciplined. Even more impressive in the results he achieves, as he does not recruit the elite players.
N.Carolina-a team carried by blue chip talent, underachieves as they do not show signs of the discipline and knowledge of the offense and defense which a good coach would have taught them.
West Virginia- Huggins built a team of slim, fast, high jumping, high motor players. Never hear of any of them ,and they all look interchangeable. But they use their athletic ability to beat less athletic players.
Illinois just did not have enough players this year to compete at the Tournament level.
This post was edited on 3/24 11:04 AM by bucshon
This post was edited on 3/24 11:19 AM by stoneaxe27
My thoughts on specific teams that are discussed a lot on this board are as follows.
Kentucky- an exception to the rule. NBA developmental league playing college level. Calipari is the master of ego management. Not much strategy,or discipline needed to win with the talent on that team.
Louisville-not impressed by Pitino, as his teams seem to under perform considering they consist of all blue-chip players. Again carried by the talent.Impressive looking players, but they do not play hard or show discipline. Prima Donna factor.
Duke- As much as I hate that program, the best coached squad of blue-chip talent. Not necessarily in game moves, but coaching that has instilled how to run the offense and defense, fast breaks, and all elements of the game that you do not see from most programs. Combine that training with the great talent, and they are awesome to watch at times.
Kansas-high level talent, but they play like their talent alone is going to carry them. It does most games against inferior talent. But they lack the drive and desire necessary to win against a Wichita State. Prima Donna factor.
Wichita State-I do not see in game coaching by Marshall that impresses, but rather the ability to put together a squad that has sufficient talent, high basketball IQ, and the drive to win. They out hustled and out fought KU. No Prima Donnas on WSU.(This squad is helped by the fact that the repeat State H.S. Champions was a Wichita H.S. and he recruited three of its players)
Oklahoma-Kruger has put together a squad of ball players with good talent, drive and IQ. They have gotten to the Sweet 16 due in large part to the lack of quality of competition. Decent not great team.
Wisconsin- we all know too well they have the best coach in the Big 10, maybe the country. Again, Ryan knows how to build a squad with players with sufficient , but not blue-chip talent, high IQ, and drive. They show that they are highly coached in practice and very disciplined. Even more impressive in the results he achieves, as he does not recruit the elite players.
N.Carolina-a team carried by blue chip talent, underachieves as they do not show signs of the discipline and knowledge of the offense and defense which a good coach would have taught them.
West Virginia- Huggins built a team of slim, fast, high jumping, high motor players. Never hear of any of them ,and they all look interchangeable. But they use their athletic ability to beat less athletic players.
Illinois just did not have enough players this year to compete at the Tournament level.
This post was edited on 3/24 11:04 AM by bucshon
This post was edited on 3/24 11:19 AM by stoneaxe27
