Since the BC game is still very vivid in my mind, I thought i'd address halftime strategies as it seems that's where we fall. It makes me wonder what these kids are being told.
The halftime talk by the master offensive strategist! KS's message was probably "keep pumping away guys", "keep doing what you're doing", "keep working hard", "I'm proud of you". No mention of what to expect or what might be the adjustment or strategy from the opponent. A teaching moment squandered.
BC's coach at halftime - GUYS - Hey they don't guard the corners of the free throw line so let's hit those spots! Just get close to #1 (Stewart) because he can't shoot when someone is on him! Take him to the hoop!. He's slow and a poor defender! Don't pressure the point guard (Carr) in the early part of the possession because he just dribbles around! Clamp down the last 12 seconds of the shot clock and force him to make a bad decision! Play the muscle head (Stevenson) for the bull drive - he's looking for the contact and can get quite off balance if you "on and off" the drive! Then he'll quit and pout so you have a four on five transition! The kid that stands in the other corner and doesn't do much (Davis), don't waste a foul on him. Let him get his one three point shot or drive! When the bearded guy (JWF) is in the game and doesn't have his normal points, he will force shots. He's slow and is a poor defender, so go at him! When they put the alternate point guard in (Milligan), just put a little pressure on him in the backcourt. He will probably dribble in one spot between his legs, hunched over for eight of the ten second count! Their center (Brown) doesn't command the ball and is soft! Push him off the block! Oh and the kid that plays the stretch four (Kene) - Let him shoot out there all day and when you get a rebound just hold your grounds..,he has a problem with body control and will just walk right into you! Got it guys? Now lets work hard, hustle and get every 50/50 ball, don't force anything, push the tempo and stay in control!
The halftime talk by the master offensive strategist! KS's message was probably "keep pumping away guys", "keep doing what you're doing", "keep working hard", "I'm proud of you". No mention of what to expect or what might be the adjustment or strategy from the opponent. A teaching moment squandered.
BC's coach at halftime - GUYS - Hey they don't guard the corners of the free throw line so let's hit those spots! Just get close to #1 (Stewart) because he can't shoot when someone is on him! Take him to the hoop!. He's slow and a poor defender! Don't pressure the point guard (Carr) in the early part of the possession because he just dribbles around! Clamp down the last 12 seconds of the shot clock and force him to make a bad decision! Play the muscle head (Stevenson) for the bull drive - he's looking for the contact and can get quite off balance if you "on and off" the drive! Then he'll quit and pout so you have a four on five transition! The kid that stands in the other corner and doesn't do much (Davis), don't waste a foul on him. Let him get his one three point shot or drive! When the bearded guy (JWF) is in the game and doesn't have his normal points, he will force shots. He's slow and is a poor defender, so go at him! When they put the alternate point guard in (Milligan), just put a little pressure on him in the backcourt. He will probably dribble in one spot between his legs, hunched over for eight of the ten second count! Their center (Brown) doesn't command the ball and is soft! Push him off the block! Oh and the kid that plays the stretch four (Kene) - Let him shoot out there all day and when you get a rebound just hold your grounds..,he has a problem with body control and will just walk right into you! Got it guys? Now lets work hard, hustle and get every 50/50 ball, don't force anything, push the tempo and stay in control!
