Carino: Q&A with Seton Hall hoops coach Kevin Willard

[Halldan1]

The sixth-year skipper talks about his personnel, playing-style changes and team chemistry.............

http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2015/10/01/q-seton-hall-hoops-coach-kevin-willard/73081296/

 

[HALL85]

At least he came out of witness protection finally to give an interview...

 

[sportsfantatic44]

Willard complaining about the schedule already. Unreal.

 

[cernjSHU]

How is this team going to press more with only three guards and Soffer? I would say that they can press in spots. But to press more than they did last year without the depth, is hard to believe.

 

[hallgrad80]

What struck me the most was the absence of any comment about Anderson other then he's been sidelined for a couple of weeks with a concussion. No comments how he was doing before that injury, no observations about what he sees as his strengths , weaknesses , the role he'll play , etc. . Just seems odd to me as he was viewed early on as being a starter up front.

 

[sportsfantatic44]

I'm not sure how he considers this his most talented team when a probable 1st team BE player got run out of the program. Also don't agree that this is his best defensive team either. Think defensively were average at best. Will see.

 

[HallBall10]

"Desi is moving to a different spot (small forward) and has been a good surprise."...
Really, a "surprise" I think half the board was calling for some of this last year.

Anybody else throw up a little when they read the title "the SIXTH-year skipper"?

I know that we have some talent on this team it's just really discouraging knowing that Willard doesn't know how to mold talented players together to make a good team. It's also discouraging that we have a huge glaring hole at center and over the past 2 calendar years he couldn't get a talented big to join talented guards and a very good rebounding power forward.

 

[jcalz88]

you people are brutal...

 

[Pirate6711]

Willard complaining about the schedule already. Unreal.

Especially when the schedule is far from brutal.

 

[HallB]

I love the literal dissection of every word out of his mouth...what exactly do you want to hear him say? It's a general beginning of the season interview. Until we see them play in game action, what do you expect to hear?

 

[SHUSource]

I love the literal dissection of every word out of his mouth...what exactly do you want to hear him say? It's a general beginning of the season interview. Until we see them play in game action, what do you expect to hear?

Agreed, especially when the verdict is pretty much in on the guy. Those who want to hang him will not be persuaded by anything he says. Also, he's never been particularly quotable nor eloquent. I just skimmed this article to be honest - there just isn't much left to glean from his words at this point.

But that said, he's here and the season is about to start. I'm way down on the program despite the fact that there is some pretty good talent on the roster. But it's the beginning of a fresh new season, so there isn't any point in rehashing the same old grievances. I have them too, but what's the point? Either they play well this season and we have something to enjoy, or they stumble again and a change is made ... which always breeds optimism, whether it's realistic or not.

 

[Halldan1]

I love the literal dissection of every word out of his mouth...what exactly do you want to hear him say? It's a general beginning of the season interview. Until we see them play in game action, what do you expect to hear?

HallB is right.

Willard is not the most popular person at the Hall. That's an understatement. But guys, this is just a run of the mill interview and already the year long attacks continue.

It's a new season. The past is the past and there's nothing anyone can do about that. Let the current season begin to play out before we express our opinions about this team and our coach's take.

 

[Pirate6711]

I love the literal dissection of every word out of his mouth...what exactly do you want to hear him say? It's a general beginning of the season interview. Until we see them play in game action, what do you expect to hear?

The interview is fine. I never expect anything from the preseason interviews, no matter how charismatic the coach may or not be. But a brutal schedule? No even close.

 

[Seton75]

I have no issue with the interview. Yeah, we knew Desi would probably be a better three, but he was also better than anyone off the bench at the 4. What coach ever said yeah, we have a nice easy schedule. We have to relax.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

I absolutely cannot stand this guy. What a terrible leader for the program. The schedule is "brutal"? On what f'ing planet is this brutal? Tell John Thompson, Tom Izzo, Dan Monson, Steve Fisher or even Coack K that this schedule is "brutal" and they will laugh in your face. What a clueless, tone deaf whiner. This is a middle of the road non-conference for any real program, and a pretty fair Big East schedule in terms of timing & spread of road trips.

His comments about our defense show he still doesn't get it. We should NEVER be taking easy on defense...doesn't matter who is on your roster. Yet he continually gives his players outs for the basic duties that should be expected every time you're on the floor. And as said above, how aggressive are we REALLY going to be with 3 guards and a weak frontcourt bench? Please...more fluff from Willard.

Sad that Carino was probably strongly told to not ask ANY hard questions about any of the dozen disasters that happened last season.

Please fire this terrible coach. There is zero buzz & very little support for the program until he is gone. 6th year of this bullshit. I won't be attending any games (except Wichita State) until he's fired. Fire his protector Lyons as well. He's just as responsible for this mess continuing.

 

[knowknow456]

I liked the interview. It is another sign the season is getting closer. Lets go Pirates!

 

[garyshu71]

I'm done with the talk and won't read the interview because what he has said in the past was of little value predicting the future of the team. The only thing that matters is how he coaches his squad and the results.

 

[HALL85]

I'm done with the talk and won't read the interview because what he has said in the past was of little value predicting the future of the team. The only thing that matters is how he coaches his squad and the results.

+1. At the end of the day that's all that matters.

 

[400SOAVE]

The article started with a big factor, perhaps the most important hurdle for the Pirates- knowing your role on the team.

When Duke won the championship in April, Coach K specifically talked about the team and the fact that players knew their role in the game plan. Not everybody is going to get 30-35 minutes.

If each player knows his role, accepts that role and gives a 100 percent effort even if they average five minutes, I believe this team is deep enough and talented enough to dance in March.

You can make a significant contribution to a team even if you play five minutes. You can play a lousy, angry, bad-attitude five minutes or you can play a very productive five minutes, which can eventually lead to more playing time.

If each player is on board, I am optimistic that the Pirates will succeed. After last season, I have to believe that on pride alone, each returning player feels they have something to prove. I am confident they are motivated.

As for Anderson's concussion, how did it happen? It's unbelievable that every pre-season there seems to be injury news. I know that's probably the case with every team. My focus, however, is SHU. And it happens all the time.

 

[hallgrad80]

HallB is right.

Willard is not the most popular person at the Hall. That's an understatement. But guys, this is just a run of the mill interview and already the year long attacks continue.

It's a new season. The past is the past and there's nothing anyone can do about that. Let the current season begin to play out before we express our opinions about this team and our coach's take.

Both Dan and HallB make valid observations but I would just say to both of you what did you expect to happen? KW has for all practical purposes been silent since the end of last year and has never understood the value of communicating with the fan base so it should not come as a surprise that his answers would be dissected and criticized . As you point out KW is unpopular with a significant number of the SH fan base which contributes to even routine pre-season comments about the team being subject to more then usual scrutiny.

At this point in the Willard tenure we should let this season play out and see what the results are .

 

[The Crows Nest]

HallB is right.

Willard is not the most popular person at the Hall. That's an understatement. But guys, this is just a run of the mill interview and already the year long attacks continue.

It's a new season. The past is the past and there's nothing anyone can do about that. Let the current season begin to play out before we express our opinions about this team and our coach's take.

I agree. we all have our own feelings on the issue....but now is the time to root for the team, and hope they succeed.

Having said that....seeing the posts we see that always go back down the negative track.....I can only imagine what happens after our first "unexpected" loss.....or, we don't blow out a team that people think we should demolish......could get ugly.

Lets hope not....but, hey, if things go really south again, then everyone has a right to vent. And, certainly critiquing a game is all part of what this Board is about. But, if every hiccup turns into a lynch mob....not good.

 

[donnie_baseball]

Both Dan and HallB make valid observations but I would just say to both of you what did you expect to happen? KW has for all practical purposes been silent since the end of last year and has never understood the value of communicating with the fan base so it should not come as a surprise that his answers would be dissected and criticized . As you point out KW is unpopular with a significant number of the SH fan base which contributes to even routine pre-season comments about the team being subject to more then usual scrutiny.

I've only been following for the last 25 years or so, but what coaches have communicated with the fanbase?

At this point in the Willard tenure we should let this season play out and see what the results are .

What other choice is there? He's here for the year. Unless the team totally implodes again, I'm wondering if he's not here for longer than that, particularly if they are able to bring in Aiken, along with Powell.

 

[SHUMikechine]

The article started with a big factor, perhaps the most important hurdle for the Pirates- knowing your role on the team.

When Duke won the championship in April, Coach K specifically talked about the team and the fact that players knew their role in the game plan. Not everybody is going to get 30-35 minutes.

If each player knows his role, accepts that role and gives a 100 percent effort even if they average five minutes, I believe this team is deep enough and talented enough to dance in March.

You can make a significant contribution to a team even if you play five minutes. You can play a lousy, angry, bad-attitude five minutes or you can play a very productive five minutes, which can eventually lead to more playing time.

If each player is on board, I am optimistic that the Pirates will succeed. After last season, I have to believe that on pride alone, each returning player feels they have something to prove. I am confident they are motivated.

As for Anderson's concussion, how did it happen? It's unbelievable that every pre-season there seems to be injury news. I know that's probably the case with every team. My focus, however, is SHU. And it happens all the time.

THIS +1000. I really think that is Willard's ultimate failure. It never seemed that roles were defined. Or if they were, the players did not buy into it. I guess it boils down to strong leadership and players buying into the vision. I think if this happens, we could have a good season.

 

[statenman]

Last year Willard stated we would press and run an uptempo offense. We did neither, unless you consider lack of ball movement and quick I'll advised shots uptempo.

 

[knowknow456]

I was always under the impression the roles were quite well defined. Many people criticized KW for the roles he assigned and for his adherence to those roles but those are two different criticisms. I am hoping that this year everyone will buy into their assigned role. It does make things easier.

 

[hallgrad80]

I've only been following for the last 25 years or so, but what coaches have communicated with the fanbase?



What other choice is there? He's here for the year. Unless the team totally implodes again, I'm wondering if he's not here for longer than that, particularly if they are able to bring in Aiken, along with Powell.

Donnie
Raft was always accessible and at the season ticket holders parties Raft was always available and if you ran into him at any of his after game "watering holes " you could come up to talk to him or if he recognized you he would come over and say hello. So was TA from the first time I met him at the welcoming party Bill Eyers threw at his home to introduce to us to him to the various meet and greets TA had and no one worked the room better then TA and TA used the media to push the program as well as PJ did.

 

[donnie_baseball]

Donnie
Raft was always accessible and at the season ticket holders parties Raft was always available and if you ran into him at any of his after game "watering holes " you could come up to talk to him or if he recognized you he would come over and say hello. So was TA from the first time I met him at the welcoming party Bill Eyers threw at his home to introduce to us to him to the various meet and greets TA had and no one worked the room better then TA and TA used the media to push the program as well as PJ did.

Fair enough, and I was a tot when Raft was coach, I just think that in the information age, people unrealistically expect frequent updates and new information. Coach KNOWS he's on the hot seat, so I would imagine that his usual terse media statements will become moreso.

 

[HallB]

I absolutely cannot stand this guy. What a terrible leader for the program. The schedule is "brutal"? On what f'ing planet is this brutal? Tell John Thompson, Tom Izzo, Dan Monson, Steve Fisher or even Coack K that this schedule is "brutal" and they will laugh in your face. What a clueless, tone deaf whiner. This is a middle of the road non-conference for any real program, and a pretty fair Big East schedule in terms of timing & spread of road trips.

His comments about our defense show he still doesn't get it. We should NEVER be taking easy on defense...doesn't matter who is on your roster. Yet he continually gives his players outs for the basic duties that should be expected every time you're on the floor. And as said above, how aggressive are we REALLY going to be with 3 guards and a weak frontcourt bench? Please...more fluff from Willard.

Sad that Carino was probably strongly told to not ask ANY hard questions about any of the dozen disasters that happened last season.

Please fire this terrible coach. There is zero buzz & very little support for the program until he is gone. 6th year of this bullshit. I won't be attending any games (except Wichita State) until he's fired. Fire his protector Lyons as well. He's just as responsible for this mess continuing.

Ha, Bobbie Solo...I won't be attending games either (except Wichita State, Georgetown, Villanova, DePaul, Georgia, Marquette, Providence, St. Johns, and St. Peter's....oh, and Creighton). Other than that, I won't go to any more games as long as Willard is the Coach. I draw the line.

What a joke....we all know the issues, but please continue to write another 4,584 posts rehashing all the same old BS. I don't think I quite understand what you're point is yet.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

i repeated myself a bit to hammer it home, but plenty of what I wrote was direct response to his comments. Nice try though.

 

[Seton75]

PJ said the same thing after every game - if we rebound, play D and shoot fouls well, we can be a good team...he didn't even bother to send an asst to the post game interviews, but sent Hamburger instead. And that was when radio was way more important. And he spoke fluent coach's speak. And who cared then and how cares now what they say. The only good think about either being interviewed is that it means the season is getting closer. Criticize the guy's coaching or leadership, that is earned. But come on with being irate about the interview.

 

[Vegas pj]

you people are brutal...

Truth hurts.

 

[Vegas pj]

HallB is right.

Willard is not the most popular person at the Hall. That's an understatement. But guys, this is just a run of the mill interview and already the year long attacks continue.

It's a new season. The past is the past and there's nothing anyone can do about that. Let the current season begin to play out before we express our opinions about this team and our coach's take.

KW set the bar Muhammed Ali high - this is the "greatest" (team he's had yet at SH). Hate to borrow a line from the So. Jersey "power conference school" board often used in connection with SH related postings, but here goes: "Tick, Tick, Tick". (Until the first sign of collapse with an ETA of mid January.)

 

[pirated]

How is this team going to press more with only three guards and Soffer? I would say that they can press in spots. But to press more than they did last year without the depth, is hard to believe.

Forget Soffer, he's not going to see much if any playing time.

 

[Seton75]

Forget Soffer, he's not going to see much if any playing time.

Desi can press like a guard if you ask me

 

[Shuathelete]

you people are brutal...

No. Brutal is watching our players cry because theyre giving it their all and still getting their $h*# pushed in by a last place team in their home city and starting to realize they made a huge mistake coming to play for a guy who who is so insanely bad at coaching and so insanely good at turning things to $h*#...who to no surprise, already scurried off the court like a coward.

Thats brutal

 

[jcalz88]

No. Brutal is watching our players cry because theyre giving it their all and still getting their $h*# pushed in by a last place team in their home city and starting to realize they made a huge mistake coming to play for a guy who who is so insanely bad at coaching and so insanely good at turning things to $h*#...who to no surprise, already scurried off the court like a coward.

Thats brutal

I can tell you first hand that is not how the players felt. If you along with some others on this board attended the event tonight and talked with these kids you would know how they feel.

 

[Shuathelete]

They were crying. get out of here with that nonsense. they will say anything to you guys and youre dumb enough to believe it. another 6 game losing streak by 10 pts or more and a last 3 finish will bring us right to where we left off. Are they optimistic today? Sure. Will they be halfway through the season? We'll see.

Its like you actually believe when a player says they pick a school based on academics and tradition. Complete nonsense. Did they tell you they are gonna make the dance too? Did you believe it?

You cant use your ears with Seton hall, only your eyes.

 

[jcalz88]

They were crying. get out of here with that nonsense. they will say anything to you guys and youre dumb enough to believe it. another 6 game losing streak by 10 pts or more and a last 3 finish will bring us right to where we left off. Are they optimistic today? Sure. Will they be halfway through the season? We'll see.

Its like you actually believe when a player says they pick a school based on academics and tradition. Complete nonsense. Did they tell you they are gonna make the dance too? Did you believe it?

You cant use your ears with Seton hall, only your eyes.

I hear what you are saying, but how do you know what these kids are thinking when you have not even talked with them once??? You have your opinion but you are completely disregarding what they are saying basically calling them all liars...

 

[garyshu71]

If they said what they think or feel, would that help them with the guy who hands out minutes.

 

[Vegas pj]

I think Richard Gete had the right idea in Pretty Woman - "suck up" muy importante