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I recently stopped by a UNLV hoops practice with Charlie Spoonhour, and I really liked what I saw.
They’ve been doing a lot of conditioning drills, but I did get to see them scrimmage for a little bit.
I like their running offense. They get the ball up quick. They attack very quickly. They’re always looking to drive the ball. People are sliding and finding open spots.
I like the fact that, although it’s very early, they’re not running a lot of set plays. I don’t like a lot of set plays. Anyways, I like what they’re doing. They’re attacking and they’re deep.
I think the big thing last year was Wink Adams. He had a bad year. I think what happened to Wink was, he tried to get ready for the NBA. He must have lifted weights so much.
He bulked up and got stronger than heck. I don’t think he played as well, or was as quick, as in the past.
A lot of kids do that. They think they’ll go to the NBA and try to get so strong. They bulk up and lose quickness.
Armon Gilliam did that his first year in the NBA. I told him that offseason that I don’t think he played well, and he got his weight back down. And he was normal.
I think Patrick Ewing did that, too.
The Rebels would have had a better year if Wink had stayed like he was when he was a junior.
They lost some real close games. They were a good ball club last year, they just weren’t as good as they were a year earlier – yet, they had better players.
That can drive a coach, and fans, nuts.
But Charlie and I loved that they ran hard and played hard the entire hour and 10 minutes we were there. They were in attack mode the whole time.
I know many people have expectations for this squad, but we never talked about expectations when I was coaching UNLV. We just tried to practice hard, every day, and play harder than anybody.
That was our goal.
Someone wrote about having a 1-year-old who is 32 inches tall and weighs 30 pounds, wanting to get him into basketball and wondering what that first step should be.
I have no advice at all. It’s way too early. You have to expose him to the basketball and hope he enjoys it. Don’t try to shove it down his throat. He has to enjoy it.
Someone else wondered about politics and basketball, two very public arenas. My wife, Lois, and my son, Danny, are into politics, and I do not like the fundraising side of politics.
I didn’t do much of that when I coached.
I just don’t like the fact that it’s probably the most important aspect to politics. That shouldn’t be the case. The best person should get elected. Now, it’s basically one big thing – who can raise the most money.
You’re out in the open more in politics. But if you’re winning, you’re OK in coaching.
Getting along with people and speaking in public, those parts of politics are OK. I just don’t like the fundraising.
I talk with Danny a lot. He loves politics. He’s been a strong Republican. His mother is a Democrat. I was a Democrat until Danny became a Republican. Now I’m a Republican.
I was trying to get Danny to switch to Democrat. I thought he could have owned his last two elections, but Danny is so loyal. He stayed Republican because he’s so loyal.
I said, God, you’re mother is a Democrat! But that’s his belief. He’s strong.
I am very excited about going to the Arkansas football game at Ole Miss in three weeks. I am told Mississippi is a fantastic place to watch a game, so that will be special.
Only 11 more days until the official start of practice! I am also very excited about that and I hope a lot of UNLV fans are, too. See you at some of those practices.
Thanks for the great words again Coach. I also am hoping that we will have a good turnout on the 16th. The practice should be a blast. Now that I'm getting a little older, I'm glad we didn't do it at midnight this year. *GRIN*
I can't afford the scholarship donation for season tickets anymore, but I will be at as many games as possible.
Good luck with your rehab.
ps. - No cat update?!?!?!
Ha ha Louis, it's coming ... the Shark has a great feel for dramatic pause and timing. Look for the cat status in the next Byte. :-)
A Wild-cat roaming freely in the Shark's domain? I'm not worried, Coach is a master at handling Wild-cats. Just wish it was televised!!
Get well soon Coach!
I actually just wanted to compliment you on Tark's blogs Rob. I enjoy them immensely, and look for them every time I visit this site.
Coach - From the outside looking in, it seems that Kruger has embraced the past more willingly and certainly more consistently than his predecessors. Does it feel that way from your perspective?
I think the reason Coach Kruger is so willing to embrace UNLV's past is he is totally secure in his ability as a coach. I think the other coaches were always looking over their shoulders because of Tark being almost worshiped by Las vegas.
Does Coach Tark think Kruger runs too many set plays? He likes to set things out of time outs (very few of which actually worked last year but maybe that was just last year's problem).
rebelmom, thanks ... that topic could take up an entire Byte, which is a good idea. I am sure the Shark will take that bait and run with it. Look for that next week, very likely.
Well, Lenny, he didn't see many set plays that day, but, as you know, it's very, very early. I'll press him on your subject and look for his answer soon.
Am also sure he'll address that darn cat issue, too, in his next Byte. We also have some special things planned for him, so look for that news soon.
thanks
I think you have to have set plays to be successful in college b-ball these days. I remember Coach Bayno seemed to have ZERO offensive plays. His teams had tons of talent, however, if UNLV would run into some sound defensive teams they would run into trouble. I was reminded of this when I saw the sweet 16 team play Houston a few years back. UH had no set offense, and would just pass the ball around and different people try to take it one on one, fail, and jack up a deperate jump shot. UNLV dominated and it was nice to see that type of game from the other side.
I think the offense just shouldn't get in the way, or change the flow of the game. UNLV is definitely getting more athletic and I think we would all like to see them get out and run a little more. However, that doesn't work against teams like Air Force or other defensive teams. Also I think you need to have good depth or conditioning to run all the time. I think we overestimated both last year, especially in the low post. So I would like to see a structured offense and run and gun. Top programs can do both, and I think we have a coach and the players that can do both.
Coach, why cant any of the coaches since you left been able to recruit the talent you were able too. Your worst squad was better than any of these other guys best squad. What gives, why the disparity in recruiting? Can you help Kruger recruit?
That bothered me last year too, Coach. Wink bulked up, got too big, and lost his quickness and edge. I also think not enough praise can be heaped upon Curtis Terry's role as point guard. He was a sound ball handler, ran the team well, and when he was on fire, could shoot the lights out. Those were two huge and frustrating differences between the last two seasons.
As a staunch liberal, I can't vote for Danny, Tark. But, there was one heck of a point guard and floor general; a great Runnin' Rebel.
Feel better, Coach. Lots o' love...
valid points, htown ... kudos. figsy, I'll run that by the Shark. Should be interesting.
NevadaSouthern, Tark says thanks. He doesn't like to get political, but the question was posed and ... well, with his wife and son so involved ... look for that chatter to be kept to a minimum.
thanks all
and keep the questions coming ... Tark enjoys responding to each and every one... and if we miss one or two, shoot em back. This space is for the Shark and his many fans.
Ya Tark, I always knew you were a Republican...Since Tarked talked politics....I feel it's ok for at least one blast....Danny, Go get Reed, and squash him like the bug he is!!....Good luck Danny!
Louis, season tickets are $185-ish for upstairs. A lot more people up there these days. Not as bad as it used to be. If you are a member of the alumni association, you get two-for-one season tickets. So for $185 plus $50 to the alumni association, you get a pair.
We love you TARK!
But coach are these guys 'scholar athletes' like on your teams that couldn't read 'Dick and Jane' or are they really just 'student athletes' today?
No doubt they can dribble and pass the ball, but can they write and do basic math as well? Some of your 'good ole boys' had a hard time with that...remember Coach? huh, remember that?
I love to read coach Tark's posts. I went to school with Danny at Gorman and remember him as a quiet leader. Never one to brag or want to draw attention to himself, he earned his leadership by his play on the field, both as QB and point guard. If I remember correctly, Danny lead Bishop Gorman's football team to 2 state championships in football but couldn't beat Vegas in basketball. He was a Sr when I was a Fr so I may be wrong.
I will be helping Danny with his election, financially and otherwise soon. What this country needs is non-insiders to lead us out of this mess the insiders have created for us! Running on that platform, he will win. Common sense is not common in DC, Danny has the common sense we need representing "we the people" in Washington.
BTW, I think the city ought to re-name Maryland Parkway which runs in front of UNLV Tarkanian Parkway to honor Tark for all he did to give Las Vegas an identity back in the day when we were a one horse town.
Yeah, let's talk about it sestini. Let's talk about the fact UNLV would still be comparable to a community college if it weren't for Jerry Tarkanian. Your academic agenda would be an afterthought.
You may shove your condescending self-righteous views where there isn't any sunshine, sir.
It is easy to take shots at athletes, but why don't you take a serious look at some of the other degree programs in the academia land. How many History majors get a job directly relating to that degree, drama?, liberal arts?, etc. etc.
vesentini your comments are uneducated. Tark took kids no one wanted. These kids became better people after Tark ran them through his program. Granted they were not always acadamically sucessful. However, the college life that Tark presented made them better people and gave them the tools to survive. Many of the ex rebel greats work here on the strip. Your foolish attack on these kids is heartless. These kids came here with nothing and left with a feeling of pride and love that Tark gave them. He treated them like family. He gave them purpose which they translated into life skill for their future after basketball. God bless Tark.