B-RadHoops - October 2008

October 26, 2008

A Saturday scheduling conflict in Peters gym forced us to find an alternative practice court.  A family connection enabled us to head to Blacksburg and use the VT practice facilities.  Lucky for me, I was a guest speaker at the VT Basketball Coaches Clinic and was able to talk hoops in front of about 60 HS coaches earlier that day and then head to practice.

Nick McFarlin asked for a few days off to travel home to attend a family function honoring his grandmother who recently passed away.  Nick is a strong student, and has strong family ties back in Davenport, Iowa and it was important for him to be with family for a few days to pay respects and celebrate the life of someone dear to him.   

The injury bug hit our team this week and that has made practices a bit more challenging.  Cole Wilder is still nursing a sore knee.  He is yet to practice with us and I am hopeful he will be back pretty soon.  Art Parakhouski is sidelined with a pulled muscle.  So we were down to 11 players at the start of a scrimmage with referees Saturday afternoon.  Then Jamar Jenkins and Daniel Mitchell tweaked ankles and we were down to 9 guys.  We subbed in Assistant Coach Cedric Smith for a few possessions on defense and he immediately picked up a few steals!  When Cedric finished up his career at the University of South Florida he was Conference USA's all-time leader in steals.    

We had a few more prospects on campus for official visits.  Coaches worry about lots of things.  And bad weather on a recruiting weekend is one of them.  But despite weather reports predicting a rainy weekend, the sky stayed clear.  The prospects and their families had the chance to walk our beautiful campus, meet professors, administration, spend time with our coaches and players, and watch our team workout.  And Friday evening they saw Volleyball team make a dramatic come from behind win over Charleston Southern.  Earlier B-Red’s mentioned we are not permitted to talk specifics but we feel good about both the prospects.   

We have five practices scheduled for this week.  By next Sunday, after 14 days of practice, our team should have the defensive framework to play solid man to man defense, and two different zones.  We should also have a good feel for at least three different offensive sets, at least a half dozen fast break plays, three zone offenses, sideline out of bounds plays and underneath out of bounds plays vs. both zone and man to man defense.  A lot to learn for any team in a short period of time but you need to move fast, be attentive, focused, and work hard to prepare for a season that begins in less than three weeks!

Ten days till the November 5th Tip-Off Banquet.  We are expecting a crowd of about 200.  Exciting!  Still time to reserve a seat or table to meet our team, coaches and hear guest speaker, John Feinstein.  Call Ross Condon at 540-831-5125. 

Go Highlanders

Brad

 

October 19, 2008

As per NCAA rules, Friday was the first day allowed for Division I basketball practices to officially begin.  It begins the 20 hour weekly limit for on court practices and off court strength and conditioning work.  NCAA rules also mandate taking off one day per week. 

My brother, Seth, believes the first few days of practice are for coaches to re-define what hard work is.  I think he is right on with that.  I also believe that the first few days of practice are when staff should be emphatic and aggressive to establish how a team is going to play.  We will work every day to be a consistently strong defensive team, an improved ball handling team, and a team that works very hard for high percentage shots. 

On Tuesday, I was in Concord, NC for the Big South media day and head coaches meeting.  At the media day luncheon the coaches and media poll was released - we got picked to finish 2nd in the pre-season poll.  And Joey Lynch-Flohr was picked pre-season 1st Team All Big South. 

At the head coaches meeting, an equitable conference scheduling format was recommended and later approved.  Now all Big South league games will be played on Thursdays and Saturdays starting next season. 

Late last week we received a couple of exciting phone calls from two recruits.  NCAA rules prohibit mentioning details about recruits until after a National Letter of Intent is signed.  November 12th is the first day of the “early” signing period for that document and we will release our news then. 

The November 5th Tip-Off Banquet is fast approaching.  There is still time to reserve a seat or sponsor table.  If you can’t make it yourself, you can still support the program by sponsoring an individual seat for one of our special guests or players.  Call Ross Condon at 540-831-5125 for details.  In addition to honoring former coach Joe Davis, we will also recognize former Highlander Rod Cousin who is going to make it back to Radford from his Graham, NC home.

Go Highlanders

Brad

 

October 12, 2008

RU Family Weekend, a campus community tradition for over 30 years, attracted hundreds of families and friends to campus this weekend.  On Friday President Kyle welcomed parents and families with a reception.  Early Saturday, our team and coaches participated in the Highlander Festival 5K run.  Director of Basketball Operations Ross Condon cruised home in 21 minutes.  Assistant Coach Rick Hall blistered the course in 23 minutes.  And yours truly finished 3rd in the 50-54 age group, winning a certificate!  My pride was slightly deflated when I found out there were only three runners in that age group.

After the morning run, our team enjoyed the pancake breakfast at the Farmers Market Lot, schmoozed with neighbors on Main Street and then took part in the Highlander Festival Parade down Main Street and up Tyler Avenue.  Other events included the Annual Appalachian Folk Arts Festival, Scotch-Irish traditional events including the Heavyweight Games (guys in Kilts throwing logs and rocks), Clan gatherings, Scotch Tastings, and an evening concert.  Great stuff!

The Big South Conference Media Day is this Tuesday afternoon in Concord, NC.  Earlier that day, Big South Head Coaches will meet to discuss future league scheduling formats in an attempt to create an equitable league schedule.  The current Big South schedule has some built in inequity in relation to the number of days teams have to prepare to for league opponents.  Let me explain.  This season we play two league games in a three day period on six different occasions.  That means we get just one day to prepare for a league opponent six times.  No other team in our league faces that six times.  Winthrop doesn’t face this once!  The result – some teams have more time to prepare for league games when facing a team that only has one day in between games.  That is a competitive advantage that should not occur.  I know of no other D-I league where this occurs.  The meeting on Tuesday will include discussions on a number of scheduling proposals where all league games will be played in either a Saturday-Monday format or a Saturday-Tuesday format.  The results of the coaches and media pre-season poll for All Conference, Player of the Year and predicted order of finish will also be announced.

Friday, we start official practice.  I can't wait.  Instead of being limited to two hours a week on the court like we have been subject to during the pre-season, we will have 20 hours of court time per week to train and prepare for the season.   

I spoke to former Highlander coach Joe Davis last week and am delighted to announce that Coach Davis and his wife Ann will attend this year's Tip-Off Banquet and that we are going to honor him.  Sponsor tables are filling up fast!  We are going to have record attendance.  But we can still make room for more tables and individual so call Ross Condon at 540-831-5125 to reserve a seat or table. 

Go Highlanders

Brad 

 

October 5, 2008

There was an overflow crowd of Red at the Meet the Coaches event this past Thursday at the River Company restaurant in Radford.  I missed the memo and got called out by President Kyle.  I thought I looked pretty good in a blue striped button down and black slacks!  Alumni, friends and former athletes gathered for food, drink and spirited conversation.  Alumni RU basketballer, Tim Blassingame was there.  Earlier that day another former Highlander, Stephen Barber stopped by the office to say hi.  It is always great to see former players and hear how much they love Radford. 

We have so many outstanding coaches in the athletic department.  The records of both our men’s and women’s soccer squads should be noted.  Coach Spencer Smith’s men currently stand 6-3-1 (2-1-0 Big South), and Coach Ben Sohrabi’s women are still undefeated with a 6-0-3 record and are one victory away from the best undefeated start in school history.

On Friday, we had a spirited one hour workout on the court after an on the track “speed” conditioning workout-- our guys running 13 one hundred meter sprints.  The team is working hard.  Sophomore forward Nick McFarlin suffered an unfortunate injury during practice when he took a hit to his mouth that resulted in two cracked teeth.  He will need some dental work this week and will be sidelined for a short while.  Nick has been playing well and should give us greater frontcourt depth this season.

On Saturday morning we officially tested the players in the mile run and Joey Lynch-Flohr ran a 4:54 mile.  That time drew praise from some of our track and field athletes and coaches who were trackside at Cupp Stadium. 

Sunday afternoon, I was invited by Coach Joe Gaither (Joe coached our own Phillip Martin) to Roanoke Catholic HS to introduce my brother Seth at a Seth Greenberg Appreciation Ceremony. Roanoke Mayor, David Bowers presented Seth with a proclamation (lots of “Whereases” in those) and declared October 5th Seth Greenberg Day in Roanoke.  I thought he was going to get a key to the city!

12 days to go before our first official practice.

Six steel trusses in place…three to go and the welders are torching away!

Tables and seats are selling quickly for the Tip-Off Banquet on November 5th.  Tickets are limited, so please make your reservations now.  You’ll get to meet our players and hear guest speaker, John Feinstein.   Call Ross Condon at 540-831-5125 to reserve a sponsor table or individual seats.

 

Go Highlanders

Brad 

 

---