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Diary Entry #5: 2/22/00
It was a good team win over Cal. Once we established momentum, weplayed well. The team's play was good- but there are definitely a lot ofareas to improve - rebounding! That is something I am personally reallyfocusing on as well as our team. Our team spirite felt good throughoutand that is great to see and feel. Different combinations of people gotto play together.My play was decent- I could have finished on a few moreplays- they are shots that should be made- but I concentrated on gettingin deeper in the post and that really helped in getting the shots that Idid. Again rebounding and defense our the key to our ultimate success.We have yet to get the second round scouting report onWashington State - that is our first focus. Everyone comes ready to play-we need to approach each game as if it is for a pac-10 championshipbecause in reality IT IS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP. We do not like to lookahead, but revenge is very sweet and we were not happy with the way weplayed against Washington the first time around. We need to take care of thosefeelings.
As far as my play this year, I have been happy with my defense- we have adopted a new philosophy this year which took some time to adjust to- and we are stillgetting better. I have done a better job at being more internallypositive with myself. I talk when I can and think positive things most ofthe time. I need to improve my rebounding at this point- it has beenfairly strong- i just need to be aggressive and get back the mentality ofgoing for every ball. I think I can score and be even more assertive onthe low block- getting in deep helps with working on that aspect. If Iget in deep and get the ball- then more fouls can be drawn- and we likethat. I am comfortable with my outside shot this year and I feel morerelaxed about that part of my game- whereas I use to tense up a lot- If Irevert back to that then I remind myself that it is something that Ipractice and execute daily. I need to play really aggressive and be a bigpresence- that is the largest focus for the next few games.
(On "tough" players around the Pac-10 and country) There are different types of "tough" players. Players thatare super athletic- that like to jump and get up and down you must boxout. I like to run with people and get people running- when I play greatleapers I really have to concentrate on boxing out and using my strength.Then, there are the physical players who may not be as quick but usetheir bodies to be aggressive. The key there is to tire those players outand use running ability and play hard for 40 minutes. I actually enjoyaggressive players too because it is fun to battle. The only type ofplayers I don't appreciate are cheap players- there really aren't toomany in the Pac-10 but they are the ones who bow, or use some othertactics to make up for lack of position or foot movement. There are somegood players in the Pac-10 and the posts that are the "toughest" displaydifferent types of talents. The best thing is to know what makes youropponent tough and then approach the game in a way that attacks their wayof playing.
On a typical weekday (normal practice routine), we watch video to see what we need towork on as well as what we are doing well- which is really quitebeneficial. Then, we warm up---ball handling, passing, cutting drills,position work- then stretch. Team drills (full court lay-ups), 3-2-2-1etc... position work offense/defense, rebounding drills, wings/posts typework. Then we get into half court and full court play with defense- whichis really fun- to get out a play- we get some guys to play against us- andother people come in. We shoot FT's inbetween all this- we finish withsome type of drill and we try to beat our goals (ex: full court shootingdrill we have a set goal - # of baskets we need to make in the amount oftime given) and FT's making a string of them. We do our lifting andworkout in the morning during the week 2 times a week for maintenace inseason, which is a good change from doing it after practice inthe past. That way you are up and into the workout- and you have some timein between until practice (most of which you are attending class).
The practices the day before a game are a bit different with scoutingreports and play geared more towards playing the specific team- althoughwe have the opposing team play similar to our upcoming opponent all weekin order to better prepare us.