07-24-2002, 08:40 PM
Heath wants to develop versatility at Arkansas
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Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- New Arkansas basketball coach Stan Heath said Thursday he wants to build a team that can handle the ball under the basket and outside, and one that can also play in transition.
Heath says he demands a deep sense of obligation from his players, and said he will use a deliberate half-court game when necessary.
"The most important things I want from my guys are work ethic and commitment,'' Heath said. "If we do those things, everything else will take care of itself.''
Freshman guard Berry Jordan didn't answer Heath's call for commitment. As such, Jordan requested and was granted his release from the university this week. Heath said Jordan never bought into what he asked of his players.
When asked how the style of play would change with respect to what was run under former coach Nolan Richardson, Heath said he didn't mind being aggressive when the situation warrants. However, he said the Razorbacks will settle into a deliberate half-court game when needed.
"I would like us to be a team that plays in transition and scores easy baskets and attacks,'' Heath said. "At the same time, ... we'll be a team that has to execute and we'll be a team that sets screens and moves the ball. We'll get touches around inside and out.
"There will be more of a focus as I see it on rebounding and defense. We'll probably be more of a man team.''
Heath, speaking during his turn in a conference call with all Southeastern Conference men's basketball coaches, said he expects a smooth transition when it comes to the style of play.
"I don't think players will have that hard of an adjustment,'' he said. "Players are players. They love the game and they know there's different ways to skin a cat. It's just a matter of everyone of being on the same page.''
Richardson won the program's only national championship, coming in 1994. Heath has to build back a program that has high expectations from fans and endured Richardson's acrimonious departure. The former coach claimed he was a victim of discrimination and fought his ouster.
Heath said he will set more specific goals for the season ahead after the fall semester starts and he runs his players through individual and team workouts.
Heath has been able to have some contact with everyone on the team this summer. Incoming freshmen are now allowed to take classes during the summer semesters and the five newcomers and six returnees have been able to get to know one another in pickup games.
Heath said it has been invaluable having the freshmen on campus so soon because the group will need to come together quickly. With Jordan's departure and a knee injury to senior guard Charles Tatum, the new freshmen guards will have to grow up in a hurry.
"I think right now it's really early to tell because a big part of our future for next season is going to depend on how our freshmen develop and come around in our program,'' Heath said. "There's no question we lost some very good guards last year. Some of our young guys who come in at guard are going to have to step in and contribute right away, meaning Eric Ferguson, Kendrick Davis and Jonathan Modica.''
The other new freshmen are Rashard Sullivan, a 6-9 forward from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Wenbos Mukubu, a 6-5 forward from Miami. Davis is from Sugar Land, Texas, and Modica is from Smackover.
Ferguson, who is from Hempstead, N.Y., went to Milford Academy in Connecticut and will be asked to fill in at point guard.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- New Arkansas basketball coach Stan Heath said Thursday he wants to build a team that can handle the ball under the basket and outside, and one that can also play in transition.
Heath says he demands a deep sense of obligation from his players, and said he will use a deliberate half-court game when necessary.
"The most important things I want from my guys are work ethic and commitment,'' Heath said. "If we do those things, everything else will take care of itself.''
Freshman guard Berry Jordan didn't answer Heath's call for commitment. As such, Jordan requested and was granted his release from the university this week. Heath said Jordan never bought into what he asked of his players.
When asked how the style of play would change with respect to what was run under former coach Nolan Richardson, Heath said he didn't mind being aggressive when the situation warrants. However, he said the Razorbacks will settle into a deliberate half-court game when needed.
"I would like us to be a team that plays in transition and scores easy baskets and attacks,'' Heath said. "At the same time, ... we'll be a team that has to execute and we'll be a team that sets screens and moves the ball. We'll get touches around inside and out.
"There will be more of a focus as I see it on rebounding and defense. We'll probably be more of a man team.''
Heath, speaking during his turn in a conference call with all Southeastern Conference men's basketball coaches, said he expects a smooth transition when it comes to the style of play.
"I don't think players will have that hard of an adjustment,'' he said. "Players are players. They love the game and they know there's different ways to skin a cat. It's just a matter of everyone of being on the same page.''
Richardson won the program's only national championship, coming in 1994. Heath has to build back a program that has high expectations from fans and endured Richardson's acrimonious departure. The former coach claimed he was a victim of discrimination and fought his ouster.
Heath said he will set more specific goals for the season ahead after the fall semester starts and he runs his players through individual and team workouts.
Heath has been able to have some contact with everyone on the team this summer. Incoming freshmen are now allowed to take classes during the summer semesters and the five newcomers and six returnees have been able to get to know one another in pickup games.
Heath said it has been invaluable having the freshmen on campus so soon because the group will need to come together quickly. With Jordan's departure and a knee injury to senior guard Charles Tatum, the new freshmen guards will have to grow up in a hurry.
"I think right now it's really early to tell because a big part of our future for next season is going to depend on how our freshmen develop and come around in our program,'' Heath said. "There's no question we lost some very good guards last year. Some of our young guys who come in at guard are going to have to step in and contribute right away, meaning Eric Ferguson, Kendrick Davis and Jonathan Modica.''
The other new freshmen are Rashard Sullivan, a 6-9 forward from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Wenbos Mukubu, a 6-5 forward from Miami. Davis is from Sugar Land, Texas, and Modica is from Smackover.
Ferguson, who is from Hempstead, N.Y., went to Milford Academy in Connecticut and will be asked to fill in at point guard.