While fans are busy
filling out their brackets, coaches are busy making preparations
to face their first round opponent. And shortly after the
brackets are unveiled, coaching staffs immediately begin the
process of preparation.
Methods to the madness differ, but all are consistent with being
very thorough.
We have always had a very detailed approach to preparing for
both our first and -- potential -- second round opponents, which
does not vary much from our regular season scouting system.
One of the most often used expressions is, "Our focus is solely
on our next opponent." That is not exactly true.
In practice our attention is focused squarely on the next game
and nothing else, but -- as a staff -- we are always trying to
stay two steps ahead. As a coaching staff, we have our next
three opponents scouted and that is something that we carry over
to the NCAA Tournament.
And that process begins all over again when the brackets are
announced on Sunday evening.
More likely than not, we already have game tapes on our first
round opponent. We have an excellent video crew who tape every
single college basketball game throughout the season.
One assistant coach is assigned the responsibility of breaking
down every aspect of that first round opponent, from the tapes
we have available. While he is examining film, another assistant
will begin utilizing contacts to obtain updated game tapes.
Five to six hours after the brackets have been announced, the
assigned assistant has a complete scouting report mapped out.
One of our other two assistants has the assignment of working
with him on specifics of defensive approach. He answers the
questions, what players do have to be concerned with, what types
of sets the opponent will run in a given situation, what are
their tendencies and so on.
When we convene as a staff on Monday morning, we are fully
prepared to discuss approach and implement our game plan.
At the same time the first round opponent is being examined, a
third assistant draws the assignment of scouting the two teams
who we would possibly face in the second round, assuming that we
win our opening round affair.
His breakdown also begins on Sunday evening and often goes late
into the evening. But his assignment is not discussed during our
Monday morning meeting. I do not want to know anything about our
potential second round opponent until the first game has gone
final.
Still, it is of the utmost importance the assistant that draws
that assignment to have a complete understanding of both teams
in advance. By the time we board the plane for our first round
destination, we have a thorough breakdown on three teams.
In the days leading up to that first game, every conceivable
scenario is played out. We break our preparation down to the
finest detail with one simple goal in mind -- We want our
players prepared for everything.
One thing that we always preach to our players is that they will
never be surprised by what they encounter on game day.
Once they step foot on the floor they will know that when the
opponent's guard goes left he will probably look for a screen to
get his shot, if he goes right he will look to pass to the post,
if he penetrates to the middle he will look to kick it back out
and so on.
By no means do we do anything radically different than every
other coaching staff in America. More likely than not, our
approach is very similar to every team participating in the NCAA
Tournament.
Some coaches put a heavy emphasis on their own teams, with the
idea that if they execute their own stuff they will be
successful. I have always taken a different approach, in that we
want to be sure we are sound in what we want to do, but we also
want to be sound and secure about what our opponent will do.
There are always going to be variations in approach and
philosophy, but one thing is the same with all sixty-five
coaching staffs -- They are all very thorough.
We Knew Him as Coach
by Lute Olson,
Arizona
The
greatest compliment you can pay can pay someone in this
profession is to simply call him “coach.” Admiration, success
and the respect of one’s peers are what earn a man the simple
title of “coach.” Coach Ray Meyer had all of those things and
more.
The passing of the legendary DePaul coach was somewhat lost in
the midst of first and second round action in the NCAA
tournament. Ironically that is probably how coach would have
proffered it. He devoted much of his life to the game he loved,
never seeking the spotlight but the spotlight most certainly
found him.
For more then four decades he brought class and dignity to the
sidelines at DePaul University. Twice he took teams to the Final
Four and seven times he guided teams to the National
Invitational Tournament, including a team that featured George
Mikan. At a time when the NIT was college basketball’s crowning
jewel, Mikan helped coach win the 1945 NIT and the national
championship.
Thirty-seven winning seasons and 724 career wins would seem
unapproachable to a young man breaking into the profession
today. But among his most remarkable achievements was that his
second appearance in the Final Four, in 1979, came thirty-six
years after his first trip, in 1943.
It was only appropriate that he was inducted into the Naismith
Basketball Hall of Fame that same year.
Equally as impressive as his staying power was his ability to
take something pretty good and make it really great. So many of
his teams began the season without expectations, but by season’s
end he taken the average and turned it into a winner. And he did
that year after year.
But it wasn’t only basketball teams that coach would touch in a
positive way. Always approachable, coach wore a smile like it
was his purpose. And in many ways it was. He always made every
person feel like they were special. That was his way.
Through the years countless numbers would cross paths with the
legendary coach and they were the better for it. But it was
coach who believed he was in fact a better person for having
known you. He truly loved and admired people.
As visible as he was over the last twenty-plus years, it’s hard
to believe that coach actually retired following the 1984
season. His career might have concluded in an official capacity,
but he really never put down the whistle.
He would remain a fixture at the University that he alone made a
household name. For thirteen years he served as a Special
Assistant to the President, with a focus on special projects. He
would also provide color commentary for DePaul basketball games
on the radio until 1997. Even then he was never more then a
mid-range jumper away from the game and the program that he
loved so much.
In December of 2003, the playing surface at the University’s
arena was officially named “Ray and Marge Meyer Court,” in honor
of coach and his late wife. And his legacy will continue.
Quite simply, he was and will always be DePaul University.
News of his passing may have been somewhat lost in all the
excitement of the NCAA tournament, but those that knew would
agree that he would have had it no other way.
A true coaches coach, it was never about him. It was always
about the players. Therefore it was only fitting that his
passing came during one of the most exciting and entertaining
first weekends that the NCAA tournament has ever seen.
The
greatest compliment you can pay can pay someone in this
profession is to simply call him “coach.” Admiration, success
and the respect of one’s peers are what earn a man the simple
title of “coach.” Coach Ray Meyer had all of those things and
more.
