With the possible exception of the 23 win team, I thought this past season was Shields' best job of coaching so far. And, it was due, because the previous season had been one of his poorer efforts. He and the team did a classic job of playing to their strength - 3-point shooting. We had almost no inside offensive presence, so we went strictly outside, and thankfully the team had the sharpshooters to make it work. I have not seen many instances of better team discipline in who took the shots than what we had last year, and give Shields and the staff a lot of credit for that.

This year, the team is going to be faced with an entirely different mix of talent, and so the offensive scheme will have to be changed. For perhaps the first time we may have legitimate 3-point ability from post players (and would have had more if Gus had been healthy). Working that into the offensive scheme will be an interesting challenge.

Shields did an excellent job because he adapted. It was a concern of ours that he would stubbornly stick to his offensive philosophy but he didn't. That bodes well for future years, as he adapts his scheme to the talent base at his disposal.

Steve is a very intelligent person. Every good coach will tell you they continue to learn and grow. I think we've seen Steve mature into a coach that is evolving into a very good coach. And at some point, with some luck, he'll have some chances to move to bigger program. But with what's occurred the past couple of seasons, and with the NCAA tournament, and upgraded recruiting, I feel we're lucky to have him. Another post season appearance or two, and even LRTrojan might come around to a Steve supporter.

(08-24-2011 11:18 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  Steve is a very intelligent person. Every good coach will tell you they continue to learn and grow. I think we've seen Steve mature into a coach that is evolving into a very good coach. And at some point, with some luck, he'll have some chances to move to bigger program. But with what's occurred the past couple of seasons, and with the NCAA tournament, and upgraded recruiting, I feel we're lucky to have him. Another post season appearance or two, and even LRTrojan might come around to a Steve supporter.

What a difference one fortunate miracle shot makes in one's coaching ability!

+1

(08-24-2011 05:09 PM)Jim Tripcony Wrote:  What a difference one fortunate miracle shot makes in one's coaching ability!

Granted it does affect perception, but I already thought that before the tournament.

(08-24-2011 05:09 PM)Jim Tripcony Wrote:  

(08-24-2011 11:18 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  Steve is a very intelligent person. Every good coach will tell you they continue to learn and grow. I think we've seen Steve mature into a coach that is evolving into a very good coach. And at some point, with some luck, he'll have some chances to move to bigger program. But with what's occurred the past couple of seasons, and with the NCAA tournament, and upgraded recruiting, I feel we're lucky to have him. Another post season appearance or two, and even LRTrojan might come around to a Steve supporter.

What a difference one fortunate miracle shot makes in one's coaching ability!

There were three wins over higher ranked teams in the tournament, just to get to that "miracle shot". And had it not been for a miracle shot by the opponents in the NCAA game to send it to overtime, and then Alex and Solo fouling out, we could and should have advanced.
I think that NCAA tournament trip will help to make Steve a much better coach, because it looks like he's now able to recruit a higher caliber player. Which reminds me of a story a friend of mine told me about the little guy who worked in the circus for years, being shot out of a cannon. He finally went to the owner and said he was retiring, and the owner said......Well we'll never be able to find another man of your caliber. Tada.....

You have to have a little luck somewhere along the way.

You can call it luck but I think that the team created their own luck. They were focused and tough and all the preparation paid off. Shields often mentions that they drill those endgame pressure situations in practice extensively and seriously, calling them "championship plays". +1 to the coach.

(08-24-2011 05:09 PM)Jim Tripcony Wrote:  

(08-24-2011 11:18 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  Steve is a very intelligent person. Every good coach will tell you they continue to learn and grow. I think we've seen Steve mature into a coach that is evolving into a very good coach. And at some point, with some luck, he'll have some chances to move to bigger program. But with what's occurred the past couple of seasons, and with the NCAA tournament, and upgraded recruiting, I feel we're lucky to have him. Another post season appearance or two, and even LRTrojan might come around to a Steve supporter.

What a difference one fortunate miracle shot makes in one's coaching ability!

Or, at least, some folk's perception of a coach's ability. Hasn't changed my perception. I know it hasn't changed LRTrojan's. We may have different opinions but, at least, we're both consistent.

I think a change in perception is allowable if the coach adapts his system somewhat to allow his talent to be utilized in the most efficient manner. Some criticized Steve at some points in his career for trying to play Big Ten basketball without Big Ten type players. But without giving up his basic philosophy of hard nosed defense, he seemed to allow his guards, Solo, Matt and D'Andre, to become more of the focus on offense this past season. I think it's essential that a coach be able to adapt his scheme to fit his players, and I believe Steve has come around to doing that. So good for him. We all like Steve personally and have mentioned many times we hope he succeeds, even those who might not agree with his coaching ability. On paper we have arguably the best recruiting class in many years, maybe even the best ever.
I believe Steve's largest challenge this year will be in keeping good players happy with their playing time. And hopefully having good senior leadership. And as someone said, a coach needs a little luck sometimes, and Steve finally got a break in that department. There's no doubt he's done more with less talent than a lot of coaches in the league. With better talent he might just be a world beater.

(08-28-2011 09:44 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  I believe Steve's largest challenge this year will be in keeping good players happy with their playing time.

Nice to have that problem for a change.