K-StateNation.com Forums
Wildcat Sports => Basketball => Topic started by: KSUftw on March 10, 2011, 11:09:30 AM
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Welcome to the "Ask a former Wildcat!" thread.
This is your chance to ask former Basketball players all of your questions. Please try to keep questions related to Basketball or to the general Athletics Department. Answers will be highlighted in Blue for your convenience. Please respect the players if they don't feel comfortable answering one of your questions. Also note that the admins will do their best to minimize repeat questions, but your help reading prior posts will be appreciated! Thanks everyone and enjoy!
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Let me start this. I have been wondering the type of "goodies" that the teams can expect to receive at both the Big 12 Tourney and the NCAA? I have found articles on the Football bowl gifts, but haven't been able to find out Basketball goods.
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Man we got everything from diamond earrings to our own Dallas Cowboy cheerleader...ok a little exaggeration there. I'm trying to remember some of the things that we received and I can remember backpacks, ipod nano, sling box, NIT watch from the 2006/2007 NIT run, and portable DVD player. Those are some of the things we received from the Big 12 or other regular season tournaments. Most likely receive even better gifts now. The NCAA gave us a miniature replica NCAA championship trophy. Compared that was like a :64-0:. I cant remember if we received something else as well. I'm sure how ever far you make it in the tourney depends on the gift that you receive.
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What happens after a hugely disappointing loss. Are the coaches still as tough in the locker room, or are they more compassionate? What do you think Frank told them after this loss?
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I'm sure Frank told them the reality of it is that the season is not over. We have to regroup, but we can still make a run in the NCAA tourney if we focus and play together. At this point in the season the guys know what have to be done. Less teaching and more just being focused and attentive. Selection Sunday we'll find out who we play and the focus and attention will be put on that team. Hours of game film and details will be presented. The other side is we're luckily have Pullen playing since we made the NCAA.
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What is your feeling on the new offense ?
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The new offense was definitely a change in what myself and everyone else was used to seeing. Since Coach Martin has been there the offense was already predicated off of a 3-2 set (3 guard and 2 post). Like all 3-2 sets the constant with the offense was always work from the inside out. Even when Denis was there, if he didn't have a fast break opportunity the offense went into a 3-2 set. Baseline screens for Denis or Jacob always involved this look that way if they weren't open for the shot then they could look inside or the big could pull out and set a ball screen.
The new offense changes everything as it's a more 4 out or 4 guard look. Even with 2 bigs in the game, Kelly or Samuel's play the post/guard position where they are out on the wing. It really spreads the floor and opens up more driving opportunities for the guards. Denis scored a lot of his points in the open court, but because we don't have the lightning speed he possessed we have become a more half court team dominated by Jacob with shooters around him (McGruder, Spradling, Russell, etc.). So this offense allows for them to open up more driving lines and take advantage of teams playing help defense which allows for penetration and kick opportunities. This also spreads the floor more for the post player in the triangle offense. No longer does he have to worry about a double team from our opposite big as our opposite big (post/guard) is playing outside on the perimeter, making it too far for a double team to occur. Kelly has been able to take advantage of this when he's playing the 5 spot.
All in all, it was a great change to take advantage of this teams strengths and personnel.
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Speaking of Nick Russell... do you think he will finally "breakthrough" next season and play a large role or will he be on the outside looking in.
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I really hope he breaks through. He's shown flashes of his capabilities and what he can bring to help the team. Offensively he will have a chance to take on some of the burden point wise that we will miss from Pullen and I think he has the ability to fill the stat sheet. I've seen some defensive lapses so hopefully he works on his footwork and guarding the ball over the summer. If he works on those things and continues to get as many jump shots as he can over the summer he has a chance at playing a bigger role next year.
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Once the season is over, what are spring and summer workouts like? How much are the guys practicing on their own and scrimmaging together? Who typically organizes this (as I assume the coaches cannot be involved)?
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Yeah, there are limits around how often teams and players can work out as well as how often coach can be present. I'm trying to remember correctly, but I believe spring workouts all we could mainly do is lift and some light conditioning. The guys also play pick up several times a week. Once summer hits the the guys come back for summer classes, individual workouts can start were we could have those workouts for 2 hours a week along with the lifting and hard conditioning. Individual workouts consist of 3-5 guys at a time going through drills together from shooting, to defensive footwook, guarding the ball one on one, and other various drills to prepare them for the season. They then get 2 weeks at the end of the summer to go home before fall classes start. Once fall semester starts "individual" team practices start so coaches can have as many players as they want on the floor at a time so usually the whole team. This is limited to twice a week I believe as well for only a few hours a week. Conditioning and lifting continue and then that rolls into the October first official practice.
So there are limitations as to how often a coach can be present during the week. It's key for the individuals to get up extra shots and grab a manager to help rebound and pass for them during the offseason because the coaches can only do so much in a short period of time.
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Can you break down next years class with this new offense ? Who needs to do what for it be successful ?
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Hey with all the talk now of Judge making a decision I was wondering what the real reasons are for him to abandon the team mid-season. He has recently be quoated as saying
"I feel like if given the opportunity, my talent is going to shine. I want to win, and I want to be a part of it."
I thought he had plenty of opportunities to play, especially after Asprea left.
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He did have many opportunities. Just as many as anyone else. He looked like he was lost when he got on the court. He didn't understand what defense was and he looked awkward when he got the ball. I don't blame him for this...he was just grossly overrated and needed some training. If he would have someone like Manning giving him extra attention, he might have done some good. He needs to bring his ego down to earth before he can become successful.
Just my opinion :huh:
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Can you shed some light on today press conference(s) and who you think would be a good fit for a new head coach?