kepdawg
01-19-2009, 10:17 PM
Tech's Knight looking for leadership
4:43 PM Mon, Jan 19, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Chuck Carlton E-mail News tips
Texas Tech basketball coach Pat Knight knows that no matter how hard and how loud he prods his players, it probably won't be enough.
Knight went on a vintage rant about the Red Raiders' shortcoming after a 71-49 loss to Texas dropped them to 10-7 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12. But as he noted while talking with a former Tech player at practice, some players must become extensions of the coaching staff, holding their teammates accountable.
"We haven't had that since Ronald Ross," Knight said on the Big 12 coaches teleconference. He recalled Ross' leadership during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005 against Gonzaga. At halftime, Tech trailed by nine and the coaches were talking in the shower area when they heard a huge commotion in the locker room.
"Ronald Ross has got Devonne Giles, our 6-10 center, by his jersey and his neck up against the locker, telling him, 'You're not going to ruin my senior season by playing like a dog,'" Knight remembered.
The coaching staff didn't have to say anything, and Tech rallied for a 71-69 win and a spot in the Sweet 16. Knight would love a similar response now.
"Instead of someone stepping in, they're all getting in a shell. They're all quiet," Knight said. "Kids want to be buddies with people too much. They don't understand, that if you cross that line in practice, it doesn't matter if he's your buddy or not. If you have to punch him in the mouth, punch him in the mouth. If you got to block him out, you got to block him out. Knock him on his ass. Then after practice you can be buddies."
One candidate to assume a greater leadership role, Knight said, is forward Mike Singletary, who has the required production and the physical presence.
LINK (http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/techs-knight-looking-for-leadership.html)
4:43 PM Mon, Jan 19, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Chuck Carlton E-mail News tips
Texas Tech basketball coach Pat Knight knows that no matter how hard and how loud he prods his players, it probably won't be enough.
Knight went on a vintage rant about the Red Raiders' shortcoming after a 71-49 loss to Texas dropped them to 10-7 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12. But as he noted while talking with a former Tech player at practice, some players must become extensions of the coaching staff, holding their teammates accountable.
"We haven't had that since Ronald Ross," Knight said on the Big 12 coaches teleconference. He recalled Ross' leadership during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005 against Gonzaga. At halftime, Tech trailed by nine and the coaches were talking in the shower area when they heard a huge commotion in the locker room.
"Ronald Ross has got Devonne Giles, our 6-10 center, by his jersey and his neck up against the locker, telling him, 'You're not going to ruin my senior season by playing like a dog,'" Knight remembered.
The coaching staff didn't have to say anything, and Tech rallied for a 71-69 win and a spot in the Sweet 16. Knight would love a similar response now.
"Instead of someone stepping in, they're all getting in a shell. They're all quiet," Knight said. "Kids want to be buddies with people too much. They don't understand, that if you cross that line in practice, it doesn't matter if he's your buddy or not. If you have to punch him in the mouth, punch him in the mouth. If you got to block him out, you got to block him out. Knock him on his ass. Then after practice you can be buddies."
One candidate to assume a greater leadership role, Knight said, is forward Mike Singletary, who has the required production and the physical presence.
LINK (http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/techs-knight-looking-for-leadership.html)