Phase three
Another slow start may finish us this postseason
Posted: Saturday March 06, 1999 03:31 PM
Entering our first-round matchup with Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, we look to finally rid ourselves of our biggest nemesis this year -- slow starts.
Unfortunately, we're not getting the type of coaching, leadership, commitment or whatever it takes to get off on the right foot early in the games we end up losing. But the biggest thing I see with this team is that when we do win a game, we're not able to sustain the concentration level, either here in Mackey Arena or on the road. Simply, we're unable to stomach success and use it as a springboard. Instead, we get caught up in self-fulfillment, along with satisfaction with mediocrity.
With an understanding of that complacency entering the postseason, we as coaches need to somehow improve the attitudes of our student-athletes and help them understand that they have to be focused for the entire game -- all 40 minutes.
As we fought to a 7-9 conference record this season, we also fought through some Big Ten inexperience. Right now we have six players that have never played in the league before, and getting our older kids to lead them in a way that our coaches want them to has been challenging. I'm not blaming anybody, mind you. The buck stops with the head coach. I'm blaming me, so it's up to me to sell the players on the proper things and to finally focus them as our season nears perhaps a premature conclusion.
Phase rule
I've learned to separate the college basketball season into three phases. The first phase is the nonconference schedule, during which I get a feel for the players, learn about them, try to determine the starters and who to bring off the bench, as well as develop some toughness. Then there's the conference season -- in my case, the Big Ten season, which has been a big disappointment for the coaching staff and the players and fans here at Purdue. Unfortunately, we did not carry over much from the nonconference season, and the items we still need to improve upon include: making sure that we don't give up easy baskets, making sure we don't commit a lot of silly fouls far from the opponent's basket, and making sure we don't get impatient on offense and take some quick shots when they're unnecessary.
For Purdue to have a chance in the postseason, Gene Keady needs bench players like John Allison (54) to step up. AP |
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In the Michigan State game, we played pretty well for 19 minutes and then the Spartans' rebounding really hurt us. They scored the last basket of the first half, which really hurt us and helped their momentum going into halftime. Then they came out in the second half and scored two or three baskets to put us away. But rebounding was a big weakness there, so we really need to do a good job on the boards in the Big Ten Tournament if we're going to get into the NCAA Tournament.
The postseason is the third phase, and if we're to make a run through it we have to do a lot better job taking other people's easy baskets away, and then we just have to get the ball inside. Then we must get some help from our bench; our bench had only two points against Michigan State. One of our supposed strengths this year was depth. Unfortunately that didn't come to be, and we're just trying to find out who's going to do what.
It's almost sad because it's late in the season. But by the same token, we have high hopes and great enthusiasm. We were rated in the Top 25 for most of the season and probably deserve an NCAA Tournament berth, but if you're not playing well the committee takes a good look at that, so we need to get back on track and play some great basketball coming down the stretch.
Looking ahead
At the end of the season, I think the main thing I need to do is take a hard look at what to do about the point guard and center positions for next season. I'll then ask the returning kids to get a lot better over the summer months.
But right now we're concerned with getting ready for Michigan. The Wolverines are probably the most improved team in the league except for Michigan State, which stayed very good all year and deserves a lot of congratulations because that team did a great job throughout the season. And that's tough to do, especially in this league in this year when there are so many teams that can beat you on your court, let alone at their place. But right now, my thoughts are positive and looking forward to practice before heading to Chicago. The United Center was a great experience last year, and we want to go up there and have another great experience and get into the NCAA Tournament.
'Bury your ego'
We know we have our work cut out for us, and the challenge is there. The coaching staff is looking forward to it and I hope the players are, too, because right now we've worked hard these last three weeks to try and get attitudes adjusted to make progress. That's one thing I like about Michigan State: They don't seem to have any egos and we fought that all year. The kids are growing up, kids are starting to understand better their roles and understanding that you need to bury your ego in order to be a great team.
To the e-mailbag
I'm worried Purdue isn't getting enough slam dunks. I'm not worried about "showboating" but the fact remains -- dunks are easy points. I haven't seen Purdue get easy points, dunks or layups in a while, where I've seen other teams throw it down on the Boilers. What are your thoughts?
Joshua J. Wilson, West Lafayette, Ind.
We're not very good passers, so therefore getting the ball for our set plays on dunks and out of bounds and some of our offensive schemes are not there because we're not passing the basketball with any confidence. You're worried about it and so am I, and I have the same question for my team as you do.
Do you think Hawkeyes coach Tom Davis is getting a raw deal from the University of Iowa's athletics director? I think he has brought a lot of class to the Big Ten and has a lot more to offer.
Larry Kleckner, Garland, Texas
That's an administrative decision and not any of my business. Tom Davis has been a friend of mine in all the years that he's been in this league as far as a colleague, and we've always gotten along very well. I'm sure that a person of his character and his success will land on his feet and be very successful wherever he goes next.
Do you feel the advent of the Big Ten Tournament helps or hurts the teams within the conference when preparing for the NCAA Tournament?
Scott Reamer, New York
I said this when the tournament vote was made two years ago: If we're winning and we win a couple of games in that tournament, I love it because it probably means we'll qualify for the NCAAs. But, I might hate it if we go in there and get beat in the first round and don't qualify for the NCAAs. It really depends on what side of the river you're on. I hope the Big Ten Tournament will make us tournament tough for the NCAAs, and that's one of the reasons that we as coaches voted it in, although I know not all coaches in the Big Ten feel the same about it.
From the season's first tip-off to its final buzzer, Purdue coach Gene Keady files a weekly column with CNNSI.com. In his 19th year as head coach of the Boilermakers, Keady provides an exclusive peek into the highlights, lowlights and sidelights of a full college basketball season. Follow one of the nation's top coaches within one of the nation's top conferences this season "From Midnight to March."
Get the inside skinny from Purdue coach Gene Keady! Click here.
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