Great Job by Coach Willard

[MBF72]

Excellent game plan; good in bounds plays; good plays called coming out of time outs; good rotation of players, and very good patience with Carrington who at times looked as if he was trying to drive our bus off the cliff.

TV guys said Willard told them there was no one distinct leader on the team. I disagree; to me it is Desi.

Victory today is a great confidence builder going into the BE schedule.

 

[catholicman]

The best coaching move of the day: using man-to-man defense for most of the game. That is our strength.

 

[Merge]

I haven't been a huge Willard fan in general but gotta give him credit here. We still have a lot of work to do but there is a noticeable difference between this year and previous years on both sides of the floor.

 

[anon_4htvdezyfe7k9]

Not close enough to the program to know who is the team leader, but agree with kws comments that they are mostly a "lead by example" team. Not ideal considering recent results, but can't disagree.

Credit to Willard today (and the players) for the 2nd half and OT. I thought we were toast after watching the first half.

 

[pirated]

Willards still a putz

 

[catholicman]

Willards still a putz

Merry Christmas to you too! Lol. Sourgrapes after a big win???? Bah humbug.

 

[lokiSHU]

I have been down on Willard, but deserves credit for the win. Really like the core group we have. Desi, Ish and Nzei are great finds and the difference to this season. Willard did a much better job today with his substitution and glad to see he giving some tough love to Whitehead. Still wish he would stick to a traditional man defense.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

Willards still a putz

you know I'm usually with you, but you can't say that today. That's a VERY good team we fought back & beat today. They showed poise, they improved the D as the game went on, they were tough, and KW was attempting to coach his ass off throughout. I want the guy fired as much as you, but he was solid today.

 

[TheBluePirate]

The best coaching move of the day: using man-to-man defense for most of the game. That is our strength.

Agree! I think our players tend to thrive in a man-to-man defense. Coach really did a good job today.

 

[Marc1996]

I think Willard did a really good job today as well. Was thinking that even when I didn't think we were going to pull out the game down 7 late. I thought he was much more purposeful and vocal than we have heard during other live cut-ins. I think the game plan was solid. We got down early in the first half due to lack of execution. Missed a bunch of chippies on offense and were showing no effort defensively.

The two biggest things that made me smile were:

1. Willard calling Angel off the bench and simply growling "Play some defense."
2. Willard putting Whitehead on the bench in overtime when he was proving ineffective.

We have a bunch of supremely talented players on this team. It is important that Willard establish himself as the alpha male. Still too early in the season to be sure we won't be fooled again, but think that this win must surely be viewed as a feather in Willard's cap. Keep it up KW and we will sort out the chips pertaining to your future at the end of the season.

 

[hallgrad80]

You do have to give credit to Kevin today for not letting this team fold as we've seen in the past and he did make several key decisions that were a key part of the victory. One final note let's keep wearing those retro uniforms , they passed their first test today.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

guarantee the regular ones will be back next game. this will be a special thing, not a regular thing. i bet the contract won't allow it. i also bet the contract wording is also why there were so few made for purchase and it being a one time only thing.

 

[dcPirate]

Great win by the team and kudos to Willard. I too have been one of his biggest bashers the last few years (justifiably so imo...lol) but he has done a nice job so far this year and should be given credit. I was at the GW game a couple weeks ago and that was a winnable game. Would be so nice to have that one, but it was clear to me first hand, this team is the most athletic at The Hall in quite some time and glad to see Ish made it back so quick. When he went down vs GW it looked bad. Also glad to see Delgado seems to be back closer to what we all expected coming into the year. Hopefully they can run with this momentum and keep it going. I'm cautiously optimistic, but give the recent history I'm not jumping in with both feet just yet (though I really want to...LOL).

Go Hall!

 

[Marc1996]

DC Pirate - I was at the GW game as well as I currently live in Springfield, VA. Would be great to meet you at the GTOWN game or another watch party at Crystal City Sports Bar this year.

 

[Section112]

Thought Coach Willard did a great job today. Keeping your star on the bench during a crucial stretch in OT took some guts and it worked. I also thought his substitutions worked well too and we got some key contributions from the bench today. Nice job!

 

[Halldan1]

The best coaching move of the day: using man-to-man defense for most of the game. That is our strength.

My one issue was playing the zone early in the game. It got us into a bad situation.They had fits going up against our man, especially in the second half and O/T.

I know coaches like to throw multiple defenses against teams. But when the zone was getting destroyed he stayed in it too long.

Other than that, absolutely no beefs.

 

[Halldan1]

The two biggest things that made me smile were:

1. Willard calling Angel off the bench and simply growling "Play some defense."
2. Willard putting Whitehead on the bench in overtime when he was proving ineffective.

Great observations. Well done!

 

[garyshu71]

Let's start playing more man. I think the zone puts these guys to sleep.

 

[Turiddu]

I was at the GW game and noticed a real difference in his demeanor and coaching style. In the past he seemed so passive but that night and certainly today he was extremely active. I have been no fan of Kevin but fairi s fair,he coached an exceptional game today and I hope this is the beginning of growth and insight on his part.

 

[ponyfoot19]

I don't know, but wonder if the early zone was due to WSU being on the road having to adjust to the background, and perhaps figuring his players would be hyped-up, thr zone might avoid early foul trouble.

 

[Shuathelete]

Willard had it going on. But the more I watched him this team the more fight I see in every single guy. When one guy is struggling two rise up. Love these dudes.

 

[49ers10]

The players really wanted this game; they were looking forward to it all week, especially Delgado. Ish was the key today; he played like a man possessed. Gordon came through big-time on defense and we needed all the offense we could muster-up from the other players since, Carrington had an off-day on offense however, had a very good defensive game. In fact, our guards played very well against one of the best back court tandems in Van Vleet and Baker and although they scored 19 and 16 points respectfully; Van Fleet fouled out late in the game and Baker really did not hurt us in OT. Our players deserve the credit for playing hard. I know Willard is going to emphasize not to fall into the trap of having a letdown against South Florida.

 

[Halldan1]

Let's start playing more man. I think the zone puts these guys to sleep.

My guess is that he didn't want to get his guards in early foul trouble so he played zone.

Plus he didn't want to wear his three headed backcourt down too much. But when the zone is getting shredded you have to get out of it.

We didn't and paid the price.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

Willard was big time today. He really recognized how much better the team was playing without Whitehead and didn't have a problem putting his star on the bench. And credit Willard for getting Angel touches on so many 2nd half possessions.

 

[shu09]

Willard had a strong game. I thought in the second half when we were still down he put a lineup out there that was designed to get Desi going as he was the biggest scoring threat of the five on the floor (I forget the exact lineup). It did just that and was one of the main reasons we won the game.

I also liked when he played Sanogo and Nzei together for some extended stretches. Added a lot of energy and toughness around the rim defensively. Sanogo in particular was outstanding on defense and on the boards in the second half.

A different feeling came over me during and after this win than any other early season win in the Willard era. This time just might be different. We shall see. Great job by the coaches and players today!

 

[Piratz]

The fact that Willard admitted to over-coaching and scrapped his plan may've made this a bigger game for Willard than it was for our players, LOL. Almost drove off the road when I heard that earlier.

 

[TheBluePirate]

A different feeling came over me during and after this win than any other early season win in the Willard era. This time just might be different. We shall see. Great job by the coaches and players today!

09, holy cow, this is exactly how we have been feeling, even late thus evening during the afterglow. This is different.

 

[mbraue]

The best coaching move of the day: using man-to-man defense for most of the game. That is our strength.

Amen. Willard admitted in his post-game interviews that he screwed up by complicating things too much. No doubt that refers to his matchup zone defense.

With this talent, rely in solid man-to-man defense with a zone occasionally to give guys a rest or to protect players with fouls.

Vintage uniforms back and vintage SHU man-to-man defense unveiled to help win the game.

 

[SHUmash90]

Say what you want n Willard but the layers love him. Watch and listen to the fox story on the sophomores , the quotes by the players today and their interaction in the locker room ( somewhere I saw a video). These kids play hard for him. Proud f what we did today and all season so far on and off the court. Great kids. Great teammates to each other. Gotta respect it all.

 

[dr bill1]

Coach W did a great job today. He kept up the pressure, gave some benching when he needed to and kept his players focused and confident. Coaching like this is what we need going forward.

 

[The SHUttle]

This was the coach I thought we were getting 6 years ago. We were a mess in the first half, but he did what was needed to fix it. We almost handed it away with silly turnovers, but that's not shocking with a young team. Kudos and keep it going. We've looked good before and then fallen apart spectacularly. We'll see.

 

[wpc75]

Kudos to players and the entire staff. In pre game Sha said he was so pumped he wanted to play. This entire staff is working together and each brings something to the table.

 

[sami]

Willards still a putz

Yup, worth the effort after a good win and solid coaching effort. You're act is boring.

 

[mjs428]

Willard was great in the 2nd half & ot. I keep hearing how he benched IW in ot. Jerry Carino is reporting its cause IW was gassed which I believe. No way Willard would bench him in a close game.

 

[mjs428]

I can tell Willard has taken a diff approach this year & it seems to be working. However, his development of IW has been bad.

 

[sami]

Kudos to players and the entire staff. In pre game Sha said he was so pumped he wanted to play. This entire staff is working together and each brings something to the table.

Another quote, which was really funny...

Q: Sha, if you were to suit up up today, would you be the best player on the court?
Sha: I'd be the best player in the country baby!

I recall the "baby", not so sure if it was there. lol

 

[sami]

I can tell Willard has taken a diff approach this year & it seems to be working. However, his development of IW has been bad.

And his development of Desi, Khadeen, Ish and one may assume Nzei (who is not playing like a first year player after reportedly being "raw" last year) has been excellent.

As always, I'm not on Willard's tip but I do root for this team. And continuity into next year with this group of juniors, a true PG and another shooter is imperative. Maybe Willard will grow with this group.

 

[Piratefan2009]

There are three threads congratulating Willard right now on the win. I'm certainly glad he made in-game adjustments (a great example), and I see improvements in the in-bounds play department, and the "benching for solo acts" department. All good things. However, one win does not a season make.

We still lost a huge game in LBSU that we could have won. We still have one more OOC game and an entire conference season to play. If we circle the drain like we did last time or regress in the quality of play from this point over continuous games, it's too little too late. I just hope Lyons doesn't sign him a 20 year extension this morning over the win.

 

[mjs428]

Sami, but Willard is supposed to have a knack for working with point guards (Theodore & Gibbs). Plus, a player of IW's caliber, it should be easy.

 

[sami]

Sami, but Willard is supposed to have a knack for working with point guards (Theodore & Gibbs). Plus, a player of IW's caliber, it should be easy.

Yup, and I feel those two improved. Maybe IW won't change and morph into a PG. It's on the player too. Hopefully he acknowledges this and stays.