TAD - Toughness, Attitude, Defense

[Do Dah Day]

When looking for what it takes to win more games than we have been winning in the tourney, the post game press conferences are a wealth of wisdom and insight into coaches and players thoughts.

A commentator on ESPNU just defined Miami as having TAD, which will take any team far in this tourney. His comments followed the Post-game Press Conferences after the Miami-Wichita State game. Comments from the players in those press conferences were "I told Fred we'd be back to the final four. I told him that in the tunnel after the Louisville game. I let him down. I couldn't keep my promise. It just shows how tough this tourney is," said Ron Baker. "'We're not going to lose this game, we're not going to lose. We are NOT going to lose this game.' That's all he kept saying in the huddle and on the floor. He's a senior leader and he wouldn't let anyone think a single thought about losing," said Coach Larranaga about one of his Seniors.

A VA players said it was a battle of wills. He said Butler was really tough, but we were tougher. We wanted it more.

Often, there is too much focus on skills and plays, and not enough on intangibles such as leadership, toughness, attitude, and just plain "We are NOT going to lose. That's a promise."

 

[lbodel]

When looking for what it takes to win more games than we have been winning in the tourney, the post game press conferences are a wealth of wisdom and insight into coaches and players thoughts.

A commentator on ESPNU just defined Miami as having TAD, which will take any team far in this tourney. His comments followed the Post-game Press Conferences after the Miami-Wichita State game. Comments from the players in those press conferences were "I told Fred we'd be back to the final four. I told him that in the tunnel after the Louisville game. I let him down. I couldn't keep my promise. It just shows how tough this tourney is," said Ron Baker. "'We're not going to lose this game, we're not going to lose. We are NOT going to lose this game.' That's all he kept saying in the huddle and on the floor. He's a senior leader and he wouldn't let anyone think a single thought about losing," said Coach Larranaga about one of his Seniors.

A VA players said it was a battle of wills. He said Butler was really tough, but we were tougher. We wanted it more.

Often, there is too much focus on skills and plays, and not enough on intangibles such as leadership, toughness, attitude, and just plain "We are NOT going to lose. That's a promise."

First things first - these are traits Purdue likes to play with. I think at the end of the day, our seniors did not play like they wanted it more than LR's. I've posted again and again, but I like our underclassmen because they do play with confidence, toughness, etc. It was great to see Vince step up towards the end of the season as he was getting a bit lost in the middle of the conference season. And while Swanigan's 3s were frustrating, to say the least, a lot of our underclassmen do not play with fear, a trait I think Purdue's had some shortage on the last couple years, particularly by some of their older players. Keep in mind - Purdue's played some very tough teams in the tournament over the years and played them very well, including multiple that went on to win the championship.

 

[Do Dah Day]

First things first - these are traits Purdue likes to play with. I think at the end of the day, our seniors did not play like they wanted it more than LR's. I've posted again and again, but I like our underclassmen because they do play with confidence, toughness, etc. It was great to see Vince step up towards the end of the season as he was getting a bit lost in the middle of the conference season. And while Swanigan's 3s were frustrating, to say the least, a lot of our underclassmen do not play with fear, a trait I think Purdue's had some shortage on the last couple years, particularly by some of their older players. Keep in mind - Purdue's played some very tough teams in the tournament over the years and played them very well, including multiple that went on to win the championship.

I have no problem with what you say. My post is directed at the future in general. We were not a scrappy, fighting, whatever team this year. We've discussed that we didn't have a Cardinal or a Kramer (or a Foster, who many forget to list). Every ounce of my energy is focused on the future, not the past. Along with the many things we need to address, I want to make sure the idea of leadership, aggressiveness, take-charge, toughness, we will NOT lose attidudes are included. We need to look at those aspects of recruits. What makes a 3-star contribute like a 4-star .... I think it is toughness and an "I will not lose attitude." Sure, every player needs to improve their skills, that is assumed. We are all upset that we have not played well in the tournament ... we have not advanced ... we have not gone as far as we think we should have. I cannot help but look at our team at the end of games and say that we DO NOT have the intangibles that are discussed by players and coaches on the winning teams. So, IMHO, those are the missing lincs. If you have players good enough to win, and they don't, then why didn't they?

And yes, Vince gives me great hope for the future. His last game was what he needs to be every game he plays from now on.

And PLEASE don't turn this into a "That's the coach's job" thread!

 

[blg430]

Smotherman has a lot of TAD to him

 

[Inspector100]

Smotherman has a lot of TAD to him

OK, big430. His chance starts this coming season. He has all of last season and this summer to be ready to display that. I hope you are right.

 

[Do Dah Day]

OK, big430. His chance starts this coming season. He has all of last season and this summer to be ready to display that. I hope you are right.

I hope so too ...

I find this very interesting. We go from a team who most will agree lacked toughness and aggression to a team which possibly has Vince like he was in the last game, Haas who has shown times of pissiness, Biggie who definitely does lot like to lose, and Basil with tendencies toward tough aggressiveness. Looks like a whole new game ....

 

[BoilerBiker]

Smotherman has a lot of TAD to him

i always thought so too.

I hope so too ...

I find this very interesting. We go from a team who most will agree lacked toughness and aggression to a team which possibly has Vince like he was in the last game, Haas who has shown times of pissiness, Biggie who definitely does lot like to lose, and Basil with tendencies toward tough aggressiveness. Looks like a whole new game ....

since you mention this,
is this something a player just 'has?' or can it be repressed or developed further with certain teammates and coaches?

 

[Do Dah Day]

since you mention this,
is this something a player just 'has?' or can it be repressed or developed further with certain teammates and coaches?

In my coaching experience, it can be "brought out." I have seen it repressed for a couple of reasons, often 1. they wait for older players to be the ones ... then sometimes they decide the older ones aren't going to do it and they take over, or 2. They have it, but due to lack of self-confidence, they don't express it. In that case the coach can pull it out of them by assuring them that it is needed by the team and that they are the ones to provide it. Of course there are the ones which just ARE that way ... and nothing is going to stop them.

 

[bonefish1]

No more "defense lives here". I honestly believe that's a negative in recruiting.
Guys don't make it to the NBA for being great defenders (that's why teams score 120 points a night). You make it to the league based on offense.
There's not many NBA level players who can't shoot.
This is a change in philosophy and culture the program needs.