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As one would expect, the extraordinary success of Geno’s program has, over the years, engendered huge admiration from us fans, but no dearth of hatred (jealousy) from the outside world. That’s only natural, and the coach’s often brash personality has doubtlessly done its share to contribute to the widespread antipathy out there. Sure, he gets often-grudging recognition as a great coach, but usually the praise, however reluctant, is accompanied by sniping about the quality of talent he’s had at his disposal, as in, “how could his record be otherwise with the likes of Diana, Maya, Tina, Stewie and Paige on his rosters.” Such sentiments are, of course, true, but they overlook the main element that separates Geno from the rest of the pack.
Last year, after ringing up Championship #12, I pointed out that in the six victories achieved in the NCAA tournament, the Husky opponents, including three #1 seeds, averaged exactly 54 ppg! Try to win with that number!
Twenty games into this season’s campaign, and in the wake of its recent thrashing of a sadly depleted ND team, Husky opponents are averaging a whopping 51ppg. In large measure, this is, of course, an indictment of the opposition within the Big East, but out-of-conference teams aren’t faring much better. Not a single team has managed 70 points, although Michigan came close after UConn took its foot off the gas.
This squad boasts truly legitimate stars on its roster, but it’s team defense that really makes it so formidable. Some individual players are naturally great defenders, but “team” defense is something else again. It requires communication, discipline, strategies, and a host of skills that are not naturally inborn but must be taught. For me, this is the clearest indicator of coaching greatness!
Over the course of a long season, every team, and I mean every team, no matter how talent-laden, suffers occasional off-nights, when shots aren’t dropping and when loss of focus results in mounting turnovers. But stalwart team defense rarely fails to show up, and covers a multitude of sins, affording certain teams the luxury of enduring those nights without adverse consequences. Even tonight, in the third quarter, while nothing they threw up there wanted to fall in, and the Huskies netted, I think, only nine points, yet they held Georgetown to eight. When the day eventually comes, as it inevitably must, that Geno hangs it up, I pray that his replacement embraces a similar orientation with regard to team defense, an emphasis out of which championships are born!
Last year, after ringing up Championship #12, I pointed out that in the six victories achieved in the NCAA tournament, the Husky opponents, including three #1 seeds, averaged exactly 54 ppg! Try to win with that number!
Twenty games into this season’s campaign, and in the wake of its recent thrashing of a sadly depleted ND team, Husky opponents are averaging a whopping 51ppg. In large measure, this is, of course, an indictment of the opposition within the Big East, but out-of-conference teams aren’t faring much better. Not a single team has managed 70 points, although Michigan came close after UConn took its foot off the gas.
This squad boasts truly legitimate stars on its roster, but it’s team defense that really makes it so formidable. Some individual players are naturally great defenders, but “team” defense is something else again. It requires communication, discipline, strategies, and a host of skills that are not naturally inborn but must be taught. For me, this is the clearest indicator of coaching greatness!
Over the course of a long season, every team, and I mean every team, no matter how talent-laden, suffers occasional off-nights, when shots aren’t dropping and when loss of focus results in mounting turnovers. But stalwart team defense rarely fails to show up, and covers a multitude of sins, affording certain teams the luxury of enduring those nights without adverse consequences. Even tonight, in the third quarter, while nothing they threw up there wanted to fall in, and the Huskies netted, I think, only nine points, yet they held Georgetown to eight. When the day eventually comes, as it inevitably must, that Geno hangs it up, I pray that his replacement embraces a similar orientation with regard to team defense, an emphasis out of which championships are born!
