Monday, May 14, 2018

They do more with less

Logically, Duke and Kentucky ought to play in the finals of the NCAA tournament each year, since year after year they get the best talent. But they don't. Other coaches do more with less, year after year. Oh, sure those two schools win occasionally, but no where near as often as their disproportionate share of talent would indicate that they should. They do less with more. Their ADs ought to call them on the carpet for squandering talent.

I love to watch the coaches who do more with less. Coaches who can really coach, not the Guy Lewises of the world who recruited dazzling athletes who could have won a lot of games even if the coach hadn't shown up. This year it was Porter Moser, of course, who wins the More With Less award, with John Beilein a close second.

Then there are coaches who bring in very good talent, but who resist the temptation to bring in talent just because it is talent, and concentrate on bringing in players who might not be five-stars, but who fit their system. And then they teach their system and make sure their players stick with it. Jay Wright at Villanova is the current master at that trade.

No comments: