Story Links
Jan. 22, 2004
Virginia head basketball coach Pete Gillen was furious with his team’s performance in Atlanta against Georgia Tech. Especially with the Yellowjacket team entrance video that showed Ismail Muhammed driving from the wing and dunking on an earlier opponent. Guess what happened in the first half? Muhammed got free, off the dribble, and jammed over the Cavalier defense. It’s amazing how one play can set the tone for the game but that one seemed to do the trick.
With the coaches doing everything in their power to get the team to buy into playing defense, Friday’s practice prior to the two game, Florida State and Clemson homestand, looked more like an English joust than a basketball workout. “Take charge” drills, baseline to baseline suicides…4 trips in twenty seconds or you run again, guys falling over chairs, getting dizzy, knocking each other over in the lane…it was a practice to remember…and it appeared to pay dividends. Even though UVA’s offense has struggled, the young guns played pretty good defense against FSU and the Tigers to pull off two home wins.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember, and I borrow this line from Wahoo football coach Al Groh, that four of Virginia’s players who are earning valuable minutes…T.J. Bannister, Gary Forbes, Donte Minter, and J.R. Reynolds were riding a yellow school bus at this time last year. First year students go through a lot anyway and when you throw in ACC basketball, it takes time to adjust. I know…you’re saying wait a minute…these kids have been playing hoops all their lives…they should be in shape, they should be prepared to play every game…blah…blah…blah. It’s an eye opening experience for them…especially the strength of ACC players, the way they play defense, the clutch and grab scenario which happens in every game….it just takes a while to get adjusted.
I have to salute J.R. Reynolds…the Roanoke native has been to you-know-where and back and is now starting to mold into a very good ACC player. J.R. suffered a torn ligament in his non shooting thumb, had a severe blister develop on his foot, and then was nailed with some skin virus that weakened him during the holidays. He has bounced back and could be a very valuable member of the team during the final 6 weeks. He shoots the three, understands the offense, sees the openings, just does a lot of little things that help the team. I love his savvy and basketball make up. He and Gary Forbes are going to be a terrific duo for the Cavs and fun to watch grow up.
Derrick Byars is fighting through one of those “slumps” that is simply hard to explain. TheMarksman fromMemphis couldn’t hit a bull in the backside with a base fiddle right now…but will snap out of it. Coach Gillen told me that when you go through things like this, it just helps to get in the gym and work it out. Don’t think about it….just shoot, pass, dribble, don’t overthink. I know golfers who go through it and spend hours on the practice tee. Being “scrambled” is the worst. I remember leading sports psycologist Bob Rotella asked me one time if I was “scrambled”. I told him no, I’m just not a very good golfer. Hang in there Derrick, you’re a better basketball player than I am duffer.
Until next week…see you in Blue Heaven…and don’t forget Monday nights at Buffalo Wild Wings.