Arizona Men’s Basketball Newsletter – March 2010

March 2010 edition of the Arizona Men’s basketball Newsletter.

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Some Offensive Thoughts From Kevin Eastman

A tremendous site for so much basketball knowledge and ideas.

Some Offensive Thoughts From Kevin Eastman

I’m always looking for nuances that help explain things. I like finding patterns and see how to apply them for added advantage. From some notes that I received a little while ago, here are some interesting “truisms” courtesy of Kevin Eastman, the Assistant Coach for the Boston Celtics

TRUISM # 1: There is a direct correlation between the number of ball reversals and defensive breakdowns. 

Our players have to understand that the hardest thing to do defensively is to close out — to be running out at a player from the help position. Having said that, we need to understand that an advantage our offense must look to create is to get the defense to close out as often as possible; we want the ball to be reversed from side to side. With our team I can tell you that our scoring proficiency goes up as the number of passes and ball reversals goes up. Of course we have a shot clock that forces us to shoot the ball quicker, but we still would like a minimum of 3 passes as we then know the ball is getting reversed. When we only throw 1 or 2 passes we find that it is very easy for the defense to load up to the ball

TRUISM # 2: The closer you run your offense to the basket, the more physical your screens can be.

We have found that the officials are more apt to let contact go when it is closer to the basket as they are used to seeing more contact down there as opposed to out by the 3 point line. We feel that is why the flex action is allowed to get away with some physical baseline and pin down screens, and why we have to be careful when setting a back screen out by the 3 point line. So give some thought to having some part of your offensive system where you run your stuff closer to the rim.

TRUISM # 3: The faster the ball moves, the closer the defenders stay to their man.

We have found that when we move the ball a little faster, the defensive players are more concerned with staying up with their man and tend to not jump to the ball and get in help position. We also feel that that leaves us with more room to drive it as the defenders are out of position just enough to allow us to get a good driving angle on them. I would say if you do not have a good scoring post man, you should look to move the ball a little faster at times and create driving opportunities. If you do have a good post man you would want to slow it down and give the post man a good look.

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Trust: Communication Is Key

To see real change and gain significant benefits from their strategies, leaders (be it head coach or assistant) need to establish an environment of trust. Leaders who are trusted — even in times of great difficulty — are skilled communicators.

When leading in times of change and transition – new head coaches, assistants moving to a new school and staff – remember communications fundamentals including these:

• Communicate relentlessly. Communicate information, thoughts and ideas clearly — and frequently — in different media. Find many ways to share information; keep processes open and transparent.
• Listen. Good communicators are also good listeners. Allow people to air their gripes and complaints. Pay attention to what others are saying, thinking and feeling. What is said, and what is left unsaid.
• Explain. People are often skeptical of change. Share your thinking and the trade-offs you’ve weighed — not just the final decision or strategy.  Involve everyone in the process.
• Articulate expectations. Clearly explaining why, how and when things need to happen will set expectations and create a healthy level of stress and pressure. It also establishes a mechanism for monitoring and addressing performance.
• Be visible. If you communicate well, you won’t be out of sight. Find ways to interact with all of your stakeholder groups – staff, student-athletes, administrators and supporters.  Be willing to roll your sleeves up and get in there and work with them.
• Confront problems and conflict. Don’t postpone dealing with challenging issues or conflict. By avoiding the difficult people or difficult issues, you can do great harm to yourself, your team, your staff and your university.
• Be honest and sincere. Communicate truthfully and honestly, follow through with what you say and avoid deception.

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What is the most important skill for a new leader?

What is the most important skill for a new leader?

It’s the end of February… March and April are just around the corner.  Conference Tournaments. NCAA’s.  Coaching changes.  The end of season right of passage.  Every year, the same – the inevitable.

Usually 25+ new head coaches are hired in Division I Men’s & Women’s Basketball each year.

What is the most important skill for those “First-Timers” as a new leader?

Leadership 501 recently identified some important characteristics or abilities that are necessary.  They polled many experts, posted their answers and interjected their insight.  We, as coaches, can apply these ideas to  new first time leadership roles, as well as continuing to improve on what leadership skills we already possess.

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Northern State’s Meyer, 922 career wins, retiring

Amazing man… coach and career.  Congratulations Coach Meyer.  I was privileged to see two of his recent clinics (Richmond, VA and Las Vegas) this year.  Outstanding.  As I have said before, if you have not heard him – do it.  You will be a better person for it.

Thank you for everything you have done for your student-athletes and our profession.

Coach Don Meyer

from CBSSports.com wire reports

One of the winningest men’s basketball coaches in history is retiring.

Northern State coach Don Meyer said Monday he no longer has the physical or mental energy to run the basketball program at its “highest possible level.” He will retire at the end of the season.

Meyer, 65, was critically injured in a car accident in September 2008 that later resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. Doctors then discovered he had an inoperable form of cancer.

“It is time for someone with more energy and time available to deal with the unique challenges of a basketball program like Northern State,” Meyer said.

Meyer has continued to coach despite his health problems, with 922 wins and 323 losses headed into the final week of this season. In January 2009, he broke Bob Knight’s NCAA record of 902 wins, coaching from the sidelines in a wheelchair.

Meyer’s record includes wins at NAIA schools, though he broke Knight’s record while with the NCAA Division II Wolves. Philadelphia University basketball coach Herb Magee won his 902nd game — all at NCAA schools — on Saturday. He can surpass Knight on Tuesday when the Rams play Goldey-Beacom College in Philadelphia.

Earlier this season, McKendree University coach Harry Statham notched his 1000th win at the NAIA powerhouse in Lebanon, Ill. The only other member of the 1,000-win club is Tennessee women’s coach Pat Summitt.

Last July, Meyer received the ESPN Jimmy V. Perseverance Award. In April, he is to receive the Legends of the Hardwood Award at the NCAA Final Four. The court at Northern State is named in his honor.

“Don is a legendary coach but, more importantly, a legendary person,” Northern State president James Smith said. “His passion for developing young men into extremely successful adults is and always has been his true key to success. I look forward to working more closely with him but am saddened by the thought of not seeing him walking the floor that so proudly carries his name.”

Smith said Meyer will remain on staff at Northern State helping promote the northern South Dakota school. A national search for a new head men’s basketball coach is to begin immediately.

Meyer, a native of Wayne, Neb., coached at Hamline University and Lipscomb University before taking the Northern State job in 1999. Before becoming a head coach he was an assistant at Western State and at Utah.

Meyer plans to address the crowd from center court following Northern State’s final regular season game on Saturday night against Southwest Minnesota State.

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