Coaches who are good teachers keep the pipeline full

Yes, it helps to have talented recruits, but coaches who are good teachers tend to have players on the bench who are ready to step into primary roles when the time comes. Perhaps the best example this past season was Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky, who went from a 4.2 points/game sub to a star on a Final Four team. The players on the bench are prepared for their spot in the limelight because their coach was a good teacher.

We perhaps have our own example waiting in the wings. Stetson Billings has been the most invisible of role player bench jockeys for two seasons. Now our main defensive guy (Leroy Isler) is gone, and we hope Stetson will be ready to step into that role in a seamless transition. Will he be a big scorer? Probably not; I have seen nothing to indicate it. But he can be an adequate scorer, as well as an outstanding defensive specialist and rebounder.