Rick Mons
The former MN Snowman
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2009
- Messages
- 1,272
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 36
We attended what was originally to be a practice today; however, because Tubby was out of town yesterday and didn't get back until this morning, practice was cancelled. Instead, we had a chance to ask Tubby questions and get pictures, etc. (At the end of this post is Alec's current "most prized photo")
I asked Tubby how he'd seen recruiting players chrange over the years of his career. The biggest change he reported was that it has gotten much more difficult to get to know prospective players due to the decreased number of permitted home visits, contacts via telephone, etc. He pointed out that when he started coaching (as an assistant) it wasn't unusual to see a key prospect 15 times or more and thus establish more rapport and a better sense of a player, a player's (and family's) interests and background and how good a fit the school and the athlete might be.
Another change is that coaches used to be very tight-lipped when recruiting players. Coaches could play it very close to the vest about which players were of interest ... but the 'net has given rise to a sharp increase in the interest and discussion about recruiting. Plus there's been an expansion in recruiting services. As a result, the previously "quiet" process has become pretty wide open.
And a third difference (that's somewhat tied to the first observation regarding limits on visits) is that there are a lot of "fractured" families where mom lives in one place, dad in another, players are living with other relatives (e.g grandparents) -- all count against the maximum number of home visits and dilute the ability to know the players.
Another participant asked how recruits have changed over the years. Tubby said that now every player (and their "moms and dads") have expectations of being able to advance to the NBA. The focus has become much more narrowed on NCAA ball as the jump-off point to an NBA career.
There's increased focus on how much playing time a recruit might get; how large a role a recruit may play on the court, etc. He said it reminded him of Chuck Daly's comments on the "Rule of 48s" in the NBA
Finally, another person asked what Tubby thought about "one-and-dones" like John Wall of Kentucky. Tubby smiled, acknowledged it could be too bad to see an NCAA career end after one year but that Wall gives a coach a great chance to win ... and that every coach wants to win. He quickly added that he wants to win and wouldn't turn down a chance at a John Wall.
This was a great event and Tubby seemed very willing to talk at some length. He was reasonably candid and open. Most important IMO -- he came across as a guy you'd like to spend some time with talking about other things as well as basketball.
And here's the picture of Alec with Tubby -- now one of Alec's most prized possessions
I asked Tubby how he'd seen recruiting players chrange over the years of his career. The biggest change he reported was that it has gotten much more difficult to get to know prospective players due to the decreased number of permitted home visits, contacts via telephone, etc. He pointed out that when he started coaching (as an assistant) it wasn't unusual to see a key prospect 15 times or more and thus establish more rapport and a better sense of a player, a player's (and family's) interests and background and how good a fit the school and the athlete might be.
Another change is that coaches used to be very tight-lipped when recruiting players. Coaches could play it very close to the vest about which players were of interest ... but the 'net has given rise to a sharp increase in the interest and discussion about recruiting. Plus there's been an expansion in recruiting services. As a result, the previously "quiet" process has become pretty wide open.
And a third difference (that's somewhat tied to the first observation regarding limits on visits) is that there are a lot of "fractured" families where mom lives in one place, dad in another, players are living with other relatives (e.g grandparents) -- all count against the maximum number of home visits and dilute the ability to know the players.
Another participant asked how recruits have changed over the years. Tubby said that now every player (and their "moms and dads") have expectations of being able to advance to the NBA. The focus has become much more narrowed on NCAA ball as the jump-off point to an NBA career.
There's increased focus on how much playing time a recruit might get; how large a role a recruit may play on the court, etc. He said it reminded him of Chuck Daly's comments on the "Rule of 48s" in the NBA
- every NBA player expects to get 48 minutes of playing time
- every NBA player expects to get 48 shots
- every NBA player expects to get $48 Million
Finally, another person asked what Tubby thought about "one-and-dones" like John Wall of Kentucky. Tubby smiled, acknowledged it could be too bad to see an NCAA career end after one year but that Wall gives a coach a great chance to win ... and that every coach wants to win. He quickly added that he wants to win and wouldn't turn down a chance at a John Wall.
This was a great event and Tubby seemed very willing to talk at some length. He was reasonably candid and open. Most important IMO -- he came across as a guy you'd like to spend some time with talking about other things as well as basketball.
And here's the picture of Alec with Tubby -- now one of Alec's most prized possessions
