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Setting the pace for SEC play
Posted: Wednesday January 05, 2000 04:52 PM
Andy Landers, a three-time National Coach of the Year, is in his 21st season at Georgia. Landers has averaged 24.3 wins a year, third-best among all active Division I coaches with as much tenure. The Lady Bulldogs are one of only four teams to reach the NCAA Final Four five times. Georgia is 14-2 and ranked No. 7 in the nation. Check out Landers' diary every other week on CNNSI.com.
January 5, 2000
The Christmas season presented our basketball team with a much-welcomed seven-day break. To make it even more enjoyable, we concluded our pre-holiday schedule with impressive wins over two very talented teams in Ohio State and Long Beach State in The Beach Classic at Long Beach, Calif. Overall, I was very pleased with the play of our team, and I am certain that they were pleased with themselves. Going home for Christmas to be with family is a very special time of year, and I was happy for our staff and our basketball team that we were all going home on a winning note. Moreover, we had run our won-loss record to 13-1. I think each of us was proud our accomplishments in light of the difficulty of our schedule. Each year, we attempt to design a schedule that allows our players to spend not one or two days at home, but rather an extended vacation of 5-7 days. While we realize that this affects our play upon return from the holiday break, we think it is important for them to spend the quality time that Christmas presents with their families. I know that moms and dads through the years have been appreciative of this and it's something I hope we will be able to continue in the future. As we returned from Christmas vacation, the layoff had taken its toll on our basketball team. It was obvious when we returned to practice that we had eaten more than our share of turkey, cookies and Christmas goodies. We faced the challenge of regaining competitive condition and preparing for a game with a good East Tennessee State team in just two days. As we returned to the floor for that first game, my worst fears were realized. We had not regained the necessary conditioning, and offensively we had become somewhat rusty. Regardless, our team was able to muster enough defense to frustrate and disjoint our opponent, and we were able to notch another victory. We are pacing ourselves from a practice standpoint for what we believe will be a very tough year from both physical and mental standpoints. As we approach the heart of the Southeastern Conference schedule, we understand the difficulties and the challenges that will be presented to us. Basketball season is long, and when you intend to play until the first of April (in the Final Four), it really is a long and difficult proposition. In the week prior to our first SEC game of the New Year, we will continue to tweak our defense and improve our ability to play together. Our primary concerns will be helping or doubling-down on effective post players. We've also had the opportunity as a coaching staff to catch quite a few high school basketball games leading up to and after the Christmas break. There are a number of outstanding tournaments throughout the country. While it is difficult to see them all, we have seen several of the top underclassmen perform. As a head coach, at this time of year it becomes even more difficult to structure practice schedules, recruiting schedules and time for the media. You're burning it at both ends and often times it seems that nights and days run together to become one and the same. You rest when you can as you are constantly mindful of the day-to-day requirements that accompany this position. Reviewing scouting reports, planning game strategies and practices, coordinating recruiting schedules and trips, handling media obligations and taking care of the day-to-day correspondence that accompany the job are starting to peak. It's a great time of year and one that ultimately will make or break a lot of basketball teams. Our team and staff are handling it well and I'm pleased with our performance in virtually every area. By the time I make my next CNNSI.com diary entry, we will have a couple of more Southeastern Conference games under our belt, and we will have some idea then how we stack up in the nation's most competitive conference.
-- Coach Landers
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