Who Is running the Grinnell system?

[hjmphelp]

Another great point, Digs. Where it really becomes evident is when the primary scorer (Grotberg this year) gets shut off or is not on the court, there are many others who can take up the slack.
One other interesting fact is that having a shooter out of EVERYONES league-like Grotberg- loosens it up for others on the court at the same time. That is one reason why the penitration kick is really working this year-ya just don't know what John is gonna do so you have to cover him-or at least attempt to.

[digs]

It looks like the young David could end up averaging more assists than points for Grinnell.  That has got to be pretty rare for anyone in any system.  (By the way to you get credit for 1.5 assists if you assit on a 3?  only seems fair.)

Also would be cool if Nordlund could get a triple double with points, blocks and rebounds.

[hjmphelp]

Jr can dish like nobody's business! He finished 3rd or something all classes at the HS level in assists for his career. Still makes a few too many freshman mistakes, but is getting better. Another interesting point is that Toby is playing much better at the point as well! How incredible to have 3 guys that can play the position with complete understanding of the role required! A luxury that GC has never had!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Redlands over Wheaton last night.  I know Wheaton is down quite a bit, but its still got to be a huge win for Redlands.  Thoughts?

[hjmphelp]

I'll bet Jordis Rocks is feeling great today.

I'll bet April is FREAKED OUT!!!

Down or not, this is still a major win for a Redlands team that has been struggling.

Congrats to Coaches Smith, Watson and Team Redlands!

[Mr. Ypsi]

To say Wheaton is down a bit (or even QUITE a bit) is an understatement!  They graduated 4 of their starters, and the other one (a future CCIW MOP IMO) chose not to return.  They also lost two other underclassmen who probably WOULD have been starters this year.  All together, they have only ONE of their top nine players from last year.

I predict that they will finish next-to-last in the CCIW this year (and that's only because I have such respect for Coach Bill Harris as to figure he will SOMEHOW avoid the basement!  Congratulations to Redlands, but this was NOT a real Wheaton team they beat.

And, yes, April is taking it hard - see her post on the Survivor Pool board.

[Knightstalker]

I just read on the MAC women board a description written by Bob Ziadie of the Salisbury women team.  It sounds like they are running some variation of the Grinnell System.  He wrote something like "40 minutes of hell, run and gun, full court press, mass substitution" in describing them.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think they are just playing the old Marymount style with some tough full-court pressure.  The do spread the minutes fairly evenly over nine players, but they only shoot three's for about 15% of their shots.  They just play tough d and fast break the whole time.

[Knightstalker]

It was the full court press, mass substitution that made me think they were running the system.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah a lot of times it is hard to tell.  I think you just have to go back to the five goals and see how the team lines up.  The men's team down at Troy, I think it is, runs a really fast paced game with a ton of threes.  They aren't quite at the five goals yet, but they certainly seem to be a lot closer than any other d1 school I've come across.

[hjmphelp]

I've been told there are about 190 coaches who belong to the "system " website and that there are  many different approaches to information discussed there. Many don't do anything but read and get ideas, but many more are actually instituting some or all of the principles of system play at all levels of competition from Jr high school through HS, Juco, NAIA, and D3; both men and women. I'd be willing to bet the teams/coaches you are talking about have had contact with the folks at this particular website whether what they play is called system ball or not. It definitely does NOT appear to be a flash-in-the-pan phenominon as some thought it might be.

[smedindy]

The trend in D-1 is to get more of a defensive game now.

Troy has been running that version for quite a while, they were the team that put over 200 on the board one day. I'd say it's closer to the L-M version of it all.

UC - Riverside was supposed to emulate Marymount, as they hired Westhead's old assistant at L-M, but they've...stunk...to put it mildly. Teams are successfully slowing them down and taking them out of it.

[hjmphelp]

The trend in D-1 is to get more of a defensive game now.

Yeah, thats why I hardly watch it (D1) anymore. Too jaded by up tempo stuff with a different type of defensive emphasis. Not that it is wrong, I just don't care for it for 40 minutes straight.

[hjmphelp]

So, obviously I don't have the hang of this quote thing yet. In the above post, the first sentence is the quote and the rest is my response. Sorry.

[TeeDub]

UC - Riverside was supposed to emulate Marymount, as they hired Westhead's old assistant at L-M, but they've...stunk...to put it mildly. Teams are successfully slowing them down and taking them out of it.

I think this may be one of the hurdles of getting the "System" to Division I...getting the horses you need to run it against the opponent's DI type athletes.  UCR just doesn't have the personnel right now to be able to force action against their opponents.  Coach Spencer is a recruiting stud though and if he can be given another year or two to bring some kids in, I expect that you will see a more system-like performing team (probably more LMU than GC)

I've been told there are about 190 coaches who belong to the "system " website and that there are many different approaches to information discussed there. Many don't do anything but read and get ideas, but many more are actually instituting some or all of the principles of system play at all levels of competition from Jr high school through HS, Juco, NAIA, and D3; both men and women. I'd be willing to bet the teams/coaches you are talking about have had contact with the folks at this particular website whether what they play is called system ball or not. It definitely does NOT appear to be a flash-in-the-pan phenominon as some thought it might be.

The "System" definitely has its place in the game and deservingly so.  It really is a 'disciplined' way to play.  You have to have your kids COMPLETELY commit to it, or it won't work...other systems of play may have a little more wiggle room on that level of buy-in by the players.  Nonetheless, we are seeing more and more interest in the System, but still haven't seen too many teams really implement it completely.  It is a very hard not to tinker with it because it really is very simplistic...and as coaches we sometimes overwork stuff...