Leadership Wins in
March
by Seth
Greenberg, Virginia Tech
So what is the secret formula for success? The obvious response
would be talent and that's true, but it goes way beyond a
player's athleticism. Talent will only take you so far. In March
you need much more than shear talent.
To some extent, we as coaches have lost sight of what it takes
to win. Certainly you want to recruit players of high skill
level, but those players must also possess other qualities. Most
importantly, they must be of high character.
And character is more than just an individual quality. Players
with high character are the best teammates. That sounds simple
enough, but it's not.
I once heard a coach say, “Your best player must also be your
hardest worker.” That is absolutely correct.
So many kids think they know what it is to put forth 100% every
time they set foot on the court, but most of them have no idea
what working hard really is.
They think they are playing hard, but what they think and what
is reality are often two totally different things. Too many kids
come to college playing for the sake of playing instead of
playing to win.
Those who understand what it takes are easy to spot. They are
participating in the postseason.
People around the country are now learning what most coaches
already knew in that Davidson’s Stephen Curry is an outstanding
player. Everybody talks about his talent, but he is more then
just a great player. He leads by example and makes everyone on
Davidson better. His team is now in the Sweet 16. Ask Bobby
McKillop how important his leadership is.
Another player from the state of North Carolina, who will most
likely be everyone’s choice for National Player of the Year,
Tyler Hansbrough does a lot more then just score and rebound.
You’ve heard the expression, “He plays every game like it’s his
last.” Well Hansbrough plays every possession like it’s his
last.
I remember three years ago watching the highlights of the Big
East Tournament when Gerry McNamara willed Syracuse to a Big
East championship. Most believed that Orange wouldn’t even get
out of their opening round game against Cincinnati. Instead they
won four games in four days and were crowned Big East champions.
Take nothing away from the other members of that team, but it
was McNamara’s leadership and will to win that put Syracuse over
the top.
Of course leaders don’t only exist at the highest level. We are
just more familiar with them because of the high profile
exposure they receive. San Diego head coach Bill Grier has an
outstanding floor leader that can be defined by word leader.
Brandon Johnson is a perfect example of what a great teammate is
all about. Late in the game he sustained an injury and was
visibly hampered as San Diego tried to hold off a Connecticut
rally.
He pushed himself until he had no choice but to leave the court
after picking up his fifth foul. His presence and leadership
helped the Toreros beat the Huskies in overtime. It was the
program’s first-ever NCAA tournament win.
Siena’s Kenny Hasbrouck is another player that does everything
expected from a leader. He not only sets an example for the
younger players, but he takes them under his wing and helps them
to become better players and make better contributions to the
team.
He is a one-man support staff that accepts responsibility and
supports his teammates if they make a mistake. He’s not
head-and-shoulders above his teammates in terms of pure talent,
but few players on any team, in any league, work as hard. And he
still strives to be better.
A player like that is invaluable.
You may recall the great run St. Joseph’s had a few years ago.
Head coach Phil Martelli had a very good team, which was led by
another invaluable player in Jameer Nelson
Sure he was the popular choice for National Player of the Year,
be he was also the ultimate program player. His character, work
ethic, leadership and toughness made him a vital component in
St. Joe's success.
Remember when Bucknell defeated Kansas in the opening round of
the tournament in 2006? Head coach Pat Flannery had a roster
full of hard working players, but Charles Lee steps to the front
because of his title -- Patriot League Player of the Year.
A casual observer might not be overly impressed by looking at
his statistics, but if you watched Charles play you would
understand why he was so highly regarded. He could do a lot of
things on the floor, but his biggest contribution was making
those around him better and leading by example.
Go back a little further. Remember how important Dee Brown and
Deron Williams were to Illinois’ run to the NCAA championship
game? Much was been made about their talent level, which is not
surprising because they were also coach Bruce Weber’s hardest
workers. Both brought a great approach to the floor, which is
contagious. Everybody loves to win, but Dee Brown and Deron
Williams hated to lose. There is a difference and that’s what
made them special.
How about former University of Washington star, Brandon Roy. He
was the epitome of hard work and a relentless vigor on the
floor. Like so many players, Roy is loaded with talent, but it's
all the intangibles that make him such a great player. He's a
great teammate.
In 2006 and 2007 it was Florida’s Joakim Noah who brought those
same qualities to the floor each and every day. He played with a
passion almost refusing to let the Florida Gators lose.
It should have come as no surprise that Florida and all of the
aforementioned teams enjoyed success. There were varying degrees
of success based largely on supporting casts, but the fact that
is that both Florida (2006 and 2007) and Siena (2008) had
successful season and that’s due in large part to players like
Noah and Hasbrouck.
Of course I would be remised if I did not point out that
Virginia Tech basketball is fortunate to have a leader like
Deron Washington. He has been everything a coach could have
hoped for during his career. He plays with that passion and
enthusiasm, both on game day and on the practice floor.
That’s special.
And that is something that all those I have mentioned have done
over the course of their careers. They all practiced like it was
a game. They are all examples of how you practice is ultimately
how you play.
Whether on the practice court or on game day, each of these
players has an abundance of individual talent, but they have
also led by example, getting their teammates to become better
players. That transforms good teams into great teams.
And this is only scratching the surface. Every team that has or
will be a part of the NCAA tournament (and every team
participating in the NIT and College Basketball Invitational)
now or in the future will have at least one player that fits
this mold. The best of the group will help their teams advance.
At times, they will actually will their team to victory.
As coaches, we try to be as thorough as possible in evaluating
prospective recruits. We don't just simply grade them on
ability. We try to identify their commitment to academics, their
commitment to the team and their commitment to winning.
Talent can get you to the tournament, but the best leaders help
you to advance.
While this topic may not always be front-and-center in the
mainstream media, it continues to be a widely discussed issue
among coaches. It’s also a topic that has as many sub plots as
there are coaches working in the profession.
As coaches we all encourage our fan base to come out and lend
its support to our respective teams. We will work hard to put a
great product on the field of play and we want the community to
embrace us.
The fan-school relationship is one of the things that make
college athletics so great. By in large ‘game day’ is an
uneventful event. Translation -- everyone enjoys the experience
and it unfolds without an incidents.
Unfortunately that is not always the case.
Whether it’s recognized or not, the fact is that the line
between fan and fanatic is often blurred. Some time ago the
simple clapping and supporting of one’s team gravitated to
booing and jeering. For the most the part that was okay, but
somewhere along the line the hollering and yelling got ugly.
On some levels it almost seems like a competition of sorts. How
can one fan outdo the other? One outrageous act or comment is
met with another seemingly more repulsive act or remark.
This isn’t about being the best fan. That line has been crossed.
It goes without say that racial remarks and comments of a
personal nature are going too far. But it’s not only the person
targeted by the fan that suffers. How about all those fans who
simply want to attend the game? They are caught in the
crossfire.
Recently I heard a story of a how a young fan who pleaded with
her father to leave the game they were attending because the
fans seated behind them were so obnoxious. The stupidity lasted
for the entire game.
When you go to the arena, ballpark or stadium you know -- that
to some degree -- you will have to endure a few idiots. But does
those idiots have the right to ruin the experience for others?
Did they buy that right when they purchased their ticket?
Of course not, but that doesn’t seem to keep them from preaching
their moronic sermon, as if to impress all those seated around
them.
Again, the majority of fans are respectful when attending the
game, but it does seem that there are more unruly fans today
then there were just ten years ago.
For whatever reason some think because they are fans that it
somehow gives them the right to do as they please. That type of
behavior just cannot be tolerated.
So what can be done?
As I noted in my opening, this is a topic that has as many sub
plots as there are coaches working in the profession. I would
hope that some of my peers would voice their thoughts, share
their experiences and offer some ideas that we can all benefit
from.
The college athletic experience is one that should be enjoyed by
all. Even one bad fan is too many.
It's Not All Glamour - The Game within a Game
by Seth
Greenberg, Virginia Tech
How many college sports span two semesters? Just one. Unlike
football, which begins and ends in the fall semester or
baseball, which is starts and finishes in the second semester,
college basketball covers both.
The length of the season is something that many observers simply
take for granted in that they don’t truly appreciate the demands
it puts on those involved. Practice begins long before the
family gathers for Thanksgiving dinner. And by the time it’s all
over, many Americans will be celebrating the Easter holiday.
It’s a grind!
The demands, both academically and emotionally are tremendous.
Anyone who has ever attended a college or university understands
the discipline that it necessary to achieve success. Now couple
that with practice and games. And that doesn’t include travel
and potential media demands.
As fans it’s easy to overlook such factors. After all, the great
majority has never been through the rigors of the season.
Without a reference point, it is difficult if not impossible to
relate.
But imagine often missing that Thanksgiving dinner with your
family. Think about “at-best” an abbreviated Christmas or
Hanukah with your love ones. Now go back to your college days
and imagine working on fundamentals while your friends soak up
the sun during Spring Break.
These facts are especially challenging to incoming freshmen.
Quite often people will wonder why young players, who began the
season playing so well, have hit a wall of sorts in January of
February. Quite often there is good reason for this.
As a high school senior you have been told what the college game
is like and you think you have a pretty good grasp on the NCAA
experience. Once you get on campus it doesn’t take long to
realize that it’s much different then you had expected.
As coaches we do our best to help the young players get
acclimated to their new situations. For many it’s their first
time being far from home and therein lies another factor that
many don’t often consider.
For freshmen the game within the game can be a tough mountain to
climb, but the angle of the incline doesn’t diminish for the
upperclassmen.
With conference tournament just around the bend, the holiday
season seems like a distant memory for most, but many juniors
and seniors haven’t had a real holiday with the family in four
or five years.
It’s not easy watching everyone on campus pack their bags and
head home to visit family, knowing that you will spend the next
four, five or six weeks in what amounts to a ghost town.
By in large campuses all across the country are deserted for
most of December of January. That can be a difficult thing for
players to deal with. And just when it seems like everyone is
back in school, the bags are packed again and students depart
for Spring Break.
Let’s not forget -- These are kids.
In the coming weeks a great number of players, all across the
country, will be thrust into the spotlight because of big shots,
big steals, big rebounds and big wins. But the spotlight will
also highlight the big miss, big turnover, big foul and the big
loss.
Nobody plays the game in hopes of experiencing the latter, but
it is the reality of the game. Dealing with that can often be
difficult, to say the least.
If you have a bad day in the office, your boss may say something
to you. However chances are that it won’t be written about in
the local paper or discussed across the airwaves. Likewise, when
you perform above and beyond in the office, your boss may
commend you, but chances are that you won’t receive a standing
ovation from your co-workers.
The point doesn’t highlight the length of the season, but the
positive or negative result can linger through a long season,
neither of which is necessarily good. It cannot be stressed
enough -- They are just kids and we expect and often demand too
much.
By this point many of you are undoubtedly rolling your eyes and
chuckling at the thought of a college basketball player having a
tough and demanding existence. Perhaps there was some effect
attached to the points above, but only for the purposes of
highlighting the realities.
I am not trying to make anyone weep for student athlete, but I
do think that a better understanding of the tremendous demands
is all too often dismissed in favor of the glamour.
It’s not all glitz and glamour.
Bouncing Back - The Psychology of the Game
by Seth
Greenberg, Virginia Tech
Recently collegeinsider.com approached me about doing a
season-long feature on the aspects of the mental approach to the
game. Being somewhat of a head case myself, I agreed.
For the foreseeable future, I will offer my thoughts on the
Psychology of the game, from dealing with expectations to being
mentally prepared to face the challenges of conference play. For
the first installment I will take a look at dealing with a tough
loss.
As most of you know, we recently lost a hard-fought contest at
Duke, on a long shot at the buzzer. Given the fact that it was
played at Cameron Indoor, against the No. 1 ranked team in
America, had many people asking the question, “How will Virginia
Tech recover?”
It’s a valid question.
The most important game on the schedule is always the next game.
What happened yesterday or what could happen two weeks later are
not important. It is all about focusing on the now. You cannot
afford to get caught in the last game, win or lose. You have to
look at it, learn from it and move forward.
In the aftermath of the loss to Duke, everyone was obviously
upset by the fact that we didn’t win. Bothered, but not
bewildered. Down, but not discouraged. It’s a fine line, but you
don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of it.
Our players came away with an understanding of what could happen
if they accomplished what they set out to do. We competed,
stayed focus, played with a purpose and displayed a great mental
toughness. Sure we did not win the game, but we did everything
we set out to do and it took a shot from near halfcourt to beat
us.
We were able to turn a negative into a positive. Our players
embraced the idea that we can play with anyone, provided that we
put forth the effort.
Now being agreeable to an idea and embracing one are two
different things. You can talk about what you did or didn’t
accomplish and you can expand on what you have to do next, but
you still have to go out and do it.
As coaches we also try to reinforce the idea that, “it’s not
about the opponent, it’s about us.” If the opponent had been
“Eastern Central Northwest Tech,” instead of Duke, it still
would have been a tough loss. Regardless of the opponent, you
have to put the loss behind you and commit yourself to a
sustained effort against the most important opponent -- your
next opponent.
It should be noted that dealing with success is no different.
Winning one big game is nice, but all it does is make the next
game that much more important. Each game is a separate entity,
regardless of its outcome. How many times have you witnessed a
big win for a team? It’s talked about for days, but the next
time out that team loses. Everything gained by that big win is
lost.
You hear coaches all the time say, “we can’t look ahead,” or “we
are taking this one game at a time.” Sure they are often used
phrases, but they aren’t just coach-speak. If we don’t follow
that path we will most certainly be thrown off it. The more
often the words are spoken, the more they are reinforced.
In our case, our team responded with a great win over North
Carolina A&T. No I did not overstate the point. There is no such
thing as a “pretty good win” or a “not so bad win.” All wins are
great and all loses are bad.
Long-term success is dependent on taking it one pitch, one snap
or one possession at a time. Approaching it any other way will
result in a short-term.
