MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Last evening's NCAA men's games brought to mind several questions I periodically have about coaching strategy (which I also see play out in our DIII games). Comments welcome.

[i]Game clock management[/i]:  When a team takes possession of the ball with a minute left in a half or game, would it make sense to prioritize getting a shot off by about 43 seconds left—in order to gain (if they don't foul) the last possession?  Wouldn't they rather have two decent attempts to score rather than (as with Notre Dame last night, running the clock down to 34 seconds left) letting the other team have the sole decent chance at a game-winning shot?

Defending the last 30 seconds:  If, as in last night's KY-ND game, the game is tied and one team gains possession with less than 35 seconds left, surely they would like to calmly hold the ball and, with positions established, initiate their play on their own time schedule—with no defensive disruption up to that point. Thus it puzzles me that the defense routinely (as did ND last night) grants them that wish—rather than playing at least nominal defense that forces passing, and the chance of a turnover or at least altering the wished-for last seconds play.

Maximizing key player minutes:  I noticed in the other game last night that a key Arizona player was allowed to play with two first half fouls, and made key contributions in bringing his team from behind into the lead. To me, that makes sense—maximize the player's total game minutes and points, mindful that all points count the same.  Many coaches, however, elect to have a player sit the last 15 minutes of the first half after picking up two early fouls—seemingly in the belief that the points scored at the games end are more decisive (count more?) than those first half points.  Better to have the player play 20 minutes and be available at the game's end then to play 30 minutes and risk not being available then.  (This is one we've discussed before.)

The first is hard to do, especially if its 'on the fly'. 

State had this same scenario this afternoon, got the shot off with 40 to play virtually guaranteeing they get the last shot.  Then they were fouled on a rebound at Louisville's end, missed two FT's and Louisville had the ball with the chance to win (or tie had MSU made their FT's).  State played it right and still didn't get the final possession, desperate shot not included, (or would have if they hadn't sent Louisville to the line)

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Last evening's NCAA men's games brought to mind several questions I periodically have about coaching strategy (which I also see play out in our DIII games). Comments welcome.

[i]Game clock management[/i]:  When a team takes possession of the ball with a minute left in a half or game, would it make sense to prioritize getting a shot off by about 43 seconds left—in order to gain (if they don't foul) the last possession?  Wouldn't they rather have two decent attempts to score rather than (as with Notre Dame last night, running the clock down to 34 seconds left) letting the other team have the sole decent chance at a game-winning shot?

Defending the last 30 seconds:  If, as in last night's KY-ND game, the game is tied and one team gains possession with less than 35 seconds left, surely they would like to calmly hold the ball and, with positions established, initiate their play on their own time schedule—with no defensive disruption up to that point. Thus it puzzles me that the defense routinely (as did ND last night) grants them that wish—rather than playing at least nominal defense that forces passing, and the chance of a turnover or at least altering the wished-for last seconds play.

Maximizing key player minutes:  I noticed in the other game last night that a key Arizona player was allowed to play with two first half fouls, and made key contributions in bringing his team from behind into the lead. To me, that makes sense—maximize the player's total game minutes and points, mindful that all points count the same.  Many coaches, however, elect to have a player sit the last 15 minutes of the first half after picking up two early fouls—seemingly in the belief that the points scored at the games end are more decisive (count more?) than those first half points.  Better to have the player play 20 minutes and be available at the game's end then to play 30 minutes and risk not being available then.  (This is one we've discussed before.)

The first is hard to do, especially if its 'on the fly'. 

State had this same scenario this afternoon, got the shot off with 40 to play virtually guaranteeing they get the last shot.  Then they were fouled on a rebound at Louisville's end, missed two FT's and Louisville had the ball with the chance to win (or tie had MSU made their FT's).  State played it right and still didn't get the final possession, desperate shot not included, (or would have if they hadn't sent Louisville to the line)

I actually heard one of the announcers in an earlier round mention that NBA teams seem to be very aware of this but that it seems as though this approach has not made it to the college game.  Always has puzzled me as well.

[Coach Rich]

 Has anyone seen former Hope Coach Matt Neil around?  I heard he was trying to run his own coach consulting business.  Did he go back to teaching or has any desire to coach again?  Just curious what he is up to these days.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

With all the hype about the legendary coaches in this year's D1 Final Four, I was perusing an all-time wins list for men's college basketball coaches. I noticed that there are only nine coaches in history (at any level or classification) that have both more career victories and a higher winning pct than Glenn Van Wieren. I normally wouldn't go out of my way to praise anything orange and blue, but I found it interesting and it's a pretty impressive list:

Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Steve Moore, Roy Williams, Bo Ryan, Jerry Tarkanian, Dave Robbins, John Wooden

Only three of those coaches also coached their entire career at one school.

[Ohigy]

With all the hype about the legendary coaches in this year's D1 Final Four, I was perusing an all-time wins list for men's college basketball coaches. I noticed that there are only nine coaches in history (at any level or classification) that have both more career victories and a higher winning pct than Glenn Van Wieren. I normally wouldn't go out of my way to praise anything orange and blue, but I found it interesting and it's a pretty impressive list:

Mike Krzyzewski, Dena Smith, Adolph Rupp, Steve Moore, Roy Williams, Bo Ryan, Jerry Tarkanian, Dave Robbins, John Wooden

Only three of those coaches also coached their entire career at one school.

That is impressive!

[almcguirejr]

Former Calvin player, Ryan Nadeau, has made it to the Final Four as a student manager for MSU.

[almcguirejr]

Alex Dykema, Forest Hills Central guard, will join his brother, Adam, at Kalamazoo College next year.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/158280466651361849/alex-dykema-johnny-nutter-provide-leadership-for-forest-hills-central/

[ziggy]

Alex Dykema, Forest Hills Central guard, will join his brother, Adam, at Kalamazoo College next year.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/158280466651361849/alex-dykema-johnny-nutter-provide-leadership-for-forest-hills-central/

And no one else ever shot the ball again.

[sac]

Adam Dykema:  11.8 shots per game
A recent MIAA MVP who baffled supporters by not taking more:  11.9 shots per game.

[sac]

For anyone interested, the MHSAA's reclassification and enrollment list is out, links inside:  http://www.mhsaa.com/news/pressreleases/articletype/articleview/articleid/3704/2015-16-school-year-classifications-announced.aspx


On a personal note, I'm floored Jackson Northwest and Jackson Co-Parma Western are Class A.  "Back in my day" those were C to barely B schools. 

[almcguirejr]

For anyone interested, the MHSAA's reclassification and enrollment list is out, links inside:  http://www.mhsaa.com/news/pressreleases/articletype/articleview/articleid/3704/2015-16-school-year-classifications-announced.aspx


On a personal note, I'm floored Jackson Northwest and Jackson Co-Parma Western are Class A.  "Back in my day" those were C to barely B schools.

Detroit Pershing will be a Class C school next year.  Henry Ford was a Class B schooll this year. Those used to be huge Class A schools.

[Mr. Ypsi]

For anyone interested, the MHSAA's reclassification and enrollment list is out, links inside:  http://www.mhsaa.com/news/pressreleases/articletype/articleview/articleid/3704/2015-16-school-year-classifications-announced.aspx


On a personal note, I'm floored Jackson Northwest and Jackson Co-Parma Western are Class A.  "Back in my day" those were C to barely B schools.

Detroit Pershing will be a Class C school next year.  Henry Ford was a Class B schooll this year. Those used to be huge Class A schools.

The enrollment list is interesting.  A lot of movement over the years for many districts (sometimes explosive growth) or drastic shrinkage (due largely to drainage to charter schools and declining communities).  Only a few years ago Ypsi HS was a medium-sized class A; Willow Run HS a large class B.  They merged a couple of years ago to become Ypsi Community HS, yet at only 213 over the cutoff may fall out of class A in the near future (though my understanding is that they are no longer in total 'free fall').  At the other extreme, Grand Blanc was a rather small HS when my wife was a student; people fleeing Flint have now made it the second-largest HS in the state!

[sac]

For anyone interested, the MHSAA's reclassification and enrollment list is out, links inside:  http://www.mhsaa.com/news/pressreleases/articletype/articleview/articleid/3704/2015-16-school-year-classifications-announced.aspx


On a personal note, I'm floored Jackson Northwest and Jackson Co-Parma Western are Class A.  "Back in my day" those were C to barely B schools.

Detroit Pershing will be a Class C school next year.  Henry Ford was a Class B schooll this year. Those used to be huge Class A schools.

I believe at one time not even that long ago, Detroit had no PSL schools below 'A'. 

It will be interesting to see what happens in Saginaw now that Arthur Hill and 'The High' are merging.   Pretty much combining two of the states best recent programs. 

For anyone interested, the MHSAA's reclassification and enrollment list is out, links inside:  http://www.mhsaa.com/news/pressreleases/articletype/articleview/articleid/3704/2015-16-school-year-classifications-announced.aspx


On a personal note, I'm floored Jackson Northwest and Jackson Co-Parma Western are Class A.  "Back in my day" those were C to barely B schools.

Detroit Pershing will be a Class C school next year.  Henry Ford was a Class B schooll this year. Those used to be huge Class A schools.

The enrollment list is interesting.  A lot of movement over the years for many districts (sometimes explosive growth) or drastic shrinkage (due largely to drainage to charter schools and declining communities).  Only a few years ago Ypsi HS was a medium-sized class A; Willow Run HS a large class B.  They merged a couple of years ago to become Ypsi Community HS, yet at only 213 over the cutoff may fall out of class A in the near future (though my understanding is that they are no longer in total 'free fall').  At the other extreme, Grand Blanc was a rather small HS when my wife was a student; people fleeing Flint have now made it the second-largest HS in the state!

The demise of the Flint schools, at least on a basketball level has been something.  Flint Central, Flint Northern both gone.  Flint Beecher still proudly hanging on though.  The High School tournament in 'A' is just so very different from even just a few years ago.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm not sure about this, but I think AA Pioneer may have been the largest HS in the state only a few years ago; they are now 26th (more due to AA Skyline opening, than to either decline or charter schools).

The shifts in population are fascinating to me.  My oldest brother (just 5 years older) started at a 4-room grade school (1-8, only GS in the district, no HS); he was in the first freshman class of the HS; by the time I graduated HS, there were 5 grade schools and a 2,500 HS - I was at the early heart of the 'baby boom', and 'Richwoods' was at the heart of suburbanization of Peoria.)  Alas for them, most of the houses built were 'garbage' and were never expanded or upgraded.  Once the 'peak' of suburbia, they are now in danger of becoming a suburban slum.

I have high hopes that Ypsi (at least in my immediate neighborhood) will not follow their example.  The houses all started as 'starter homes', but nearly half have been expanded/upgraded because there are many of us who simply LIKE the area.  It used to be that once a family had 1-2-3 kids, they left; now they often upgrade instead.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Adam Dykema:  11.8 shots per game
A recent MIAA MVP who baffled supporters by not taking more:  11.9 shots per game.

Once again, counting stats don't tell the whole story. On a per minute basis, Dykema shot 22% more often than Brink. As for the quality/efficiency of those shots, Brink shot over 50% from the floor and 43% on 3-pointers, while Dykema was 35% from the floor and 33% on 3's. I think it's pretty reasonable to believe that Brink could have helped his team further by shooting more often and that Dykema probably shot the ball a little too often. Dykema's brother has a reputation as one who is not afraid of taking the outside shot either, so I think Ziggy's comment/joke was appropriate, and funny too.