(05-19-2021 03:30 PM)RamyEMU Wrote: (05-19-2021 08:10 AM)Block_E Wrote: https://thekneejerks.libsyn.com/website/...stan-heath
Skip to 7:47.
Thanks for sharing (especially the time slot)!
I am amazed at how humble he is giving a lot of credit to Gary Waters in the process of responding to a question about his incredible Kent St run. A couple other interesting points:
** He talked about how mid majors are routinely able to recruit great guards that can compete with the P5. But it is the quality of big men that are the differentiating factor.... Hmmmm, next years roster is not looking that great now.
** He said something about playing “ball heavy defense”, something about moving where the ball is. I am really curious to what that means...
Although somewhat talking coach speak, college coaches listening to HC Heath’s interview would interpret as follows:
He’s saying that Power 5 teams get better front-court players, but went on to say he can come close to nullifying that by getting bigs that can do some of the things as well or better, and restrict his bigs from doing what they don’t do as well. When one eliminates the bad in a big’s game, the result may well be a wash or close to a wash. For instance, a Power 5 big may shoot better, but a EMU big may block shots better.
Seems from EMU’s recruits list that Heath’s going after bigs that first and foremost can defend the rim. Take EMU’s recruit J. Randle. He’s an outstanding shot blocker, the best quality a big can provide on defense. In his last HS game he had 8-blocks. His quickness allows him to provide weak side help.
HC Heath believes he can recruit guards who are as good as Power 5 guards.
On defense, he’s talking about playing a man to man on-ball defense. Such serves multiple purposes, including limiting number of three’s attempted and lowering the number of three’s made.
By playing on-ball, he wants to force opponents to shoot more shots off their dribble which is a lower percentage shot compared to opponents shooting open jump shots which are a higher percentage shot.
An on-ball defense also leads to forced turnovers via steals of off the opponent’s dribble, and makes it easier for intercepting passes from the player with the ball.
I also took away from his interview that he intended to play on-ball defense so EMU can trap the offensive player in hopes of either stealing the ball from him or intercepting a pass out of the trap.
He also spoke about extending the defense further out. An on-ball defense and an extended defense disrupts offensive plays and can lead to forced turnovers.
By pressuring the ball he also hopes to speed up shooters into taking poor shots.
Heath is going to play bb as it should be played. One can see why he’s been a successful coach. Players with professional or NBA aspirations would be wise in choosing to play at EMU.
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Stan Heath Interview by the Knee Jerks
