This is my 2nd attempt to record an association.

Similar to my 1st association, I will use as a starting point the same "50+ years simmed version", in order to set some historical records (school, coach, etc.) - see
http://www.wolverinestudios.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17970. As a refresher, I started the association in 1940, and simmed it until 1993

The difference in this association though is instead of starting off my career as a head coach, I opted to start working as an assistant. A summary of my "record" as an assistant are as follows

1993/94: Saint Mary's (13-15), 3rd assistant coach
1994/95: Saint Mary's (7-21), 3rd assistant coach
1995/96: Oklahoma (22-14, NCAA finals), 2nd assistant coach
1996/97: Oklahoma (23-10, NCAA 2nd round), 2nd assistant coach
1997/98: Oklahoma (24-8, NCAA 1st round), 2nd assistant coach
1998/99: Oklahoma (34-4, NCAA champions), 2nd assistant coach
1999/00: Oklahoma (18-13), 1st assistant coach

My strongest trait as a coach is recruiting, and hence, my job in those 7 years as an assistant was mainly to recruit.

I won't be able to take much credit on Oklahoma's surprise run during the 95/96 season, as it was just my first year there so the players during that time were not my recruits. Clearly though, my most successful recruiting season was the year before we won a national title, thanks mainly to the 2 stud freshman that we brought in during the 98/99 season

However, after we won the title in 1999, the NCAA board discovered major "irregularities" on our HC's recruiting practices. The school was handed out a severe penalty of 3 years without recruiting and postseason, starting on the 99/00 season.

My job as a recruiting asst coach was to set up the call lists (shortlists) and watch tapes. I swear I had nothing to do with whatever our HC is doing during his interactions with potential recruits

Not surprisingly, the school fired the HC. Our 1st assistant coach at that time was not renewed, so somehow I got promoted (by default?) to 1st asst. I still had 1 year left on my contract, and I decided to finish it out. Besides, since we won't be able to recruit that season because of the ban, I will be basically paid for doing nothing

After the (uneventful) 1999/00 season, my contract was not renewed. I could have seek to continue my assistant coaching gig at another major program, but I decided to eventually take the plunge and go to the next step

As the title of the thread implies, my main focus is to produce academically bright student athletes. If they happen to win games and some titles, then that would be a bonus on my part

Hence, I will (as much as possible) coach only on schools with a high academic rating, i.e. A- or above. I realize it will severely limit the pool of candidates that I can recruit, but that will be the challenge of this association.

Some of my specific philosophies include

A. Academics

1. Target GPA that they need to maintain while in the program is 3.5. This applies to both scholarship and walk on players. By the time they graduate, their target GPA should be at least 3.8

2. I will not hesitate to cut scholarships if they show poor performance on their academics. This applies even to "star" players


B. Recruiting

1. Target recruits who give high priority on academics, as this will be my main recruiting pitch. I may also target in-region recruits (main pitch: Location) as long as the scouting report says they have very good work ethic.

The following table is not "cut-and-dry", but I have used it in the past to somehow determine if a potential (high school SR) recruit would be able to hit a school's min SAT, given their current GPA

A+ (1100 SAT): min 3.4 GPA
A (1000): 3.0
A- (980): 2.8
B+ (960): 2.7
B (940): 2.6
B- (920): 2.5
C+ (900): 2.4
C (880): 2.3
C- (860): 2.2
D+ (840): 2.1

I included all academic ratings, including those below A-, in case some of you want to use it. Again, this is not 100% exact; you may find some instances where a 3.1 GPA student gets a 1100+ SAT, or a 2.6 GPA student not even hitting a 900 SAT. Use this at your own risk

2. No JuCos, unless they have a min of 2.8 GPA (or make that 3.4 if in case I'll be coaching in an A+ academic institution like Harvard)

3. I will give importance on a recruit's attitude, work ethic, discipline, and basketball IQ. Hopefully, my recruiting asst will have those on his scouting reports

4. Basketball skills-wise, I'll give preference to those with good ball-handling and FT shooting skills (regardless of position played)


C. Offense

1. Favor Inside, if the opposition is not using zone defense. Running triangle and princeton sets could give my team more low post scoring opportunities. Key here is to convince my low post guys to lessen their jump shots (via regular phone calls)

May also use motion (favor outside) and 5-out offense during situational plays. Off freedom is dependent on how the team is knowledgeable on our set plays, so most likely, will run a lot of off freedom at the start (which is why I would prefer to get high basketball IQ recruits)

Practice Time (Off: 55%)
- Motion: 10
- Princeton: 10
- Triangle: 15
- 5-Out: 5
- 3 Zone attacks: 5 each


D. Half Court Defense

1. I won't most likely get good athletes due to a smaller pool of recruits that I will have, so we would employ zone defense most of the time. 2-3 will be our default (starting) defense, but we may shift to 1-3-1 or 3-2 if the situation warrants it.

2. Towards the end of a tight game, we may go to m2m defense, esp if the opponent has a star player that we want to double. Also, I like to use "cross switching" when putting m2m assignments, e.g. I may switch my taller SF to guard the opposing SG, or assign an SG (or even an SF) to guard a scoring PG

Practice Time (HC Def: 30%)
- M2M: 5
- 2-3 zone: 15
- 1-3-1 zone: 5
- 3-2 zone: 5

(*note*: practice time may change depending on the opposition for the next 2 weeks)


E. Pressure Defense

1. How much we will employ pressure defense depends solely on the familiarity of my existing players. But we will continue to practice pressure defense regularly, as we may use it on "special" situations towards the end of the game

Practice Time (Pressure Def: 15%)
- M2M: 5
- 1-2-2: 10


F. Pre-game preparation

1. Use "analytics" as much as possible. For example, the metrics on the opponent's OR% and DR% may give us an idea on how much rebounding intensity (def and off) we need to set. Of course, in-game adjustments maybe necessary. In one of the threads in this forum, CoachC has discussed in detail his algorithm for adjusting off and def rebounding intensity during a game, so I will need to use that as well

Tempo can also be used, to get the opposition "out of their rhythm". For example, we slow down the pace against teams that play high tempo, etc. However, this strategy should be used in conjunction with other metrics like opposition's OeFG%, OTO%, etc. Hopefully, as I play along in this association, I may be able to come up with some set of rules (and share with the readers) on what strategy adjustments to make depending on the style of play of the opposition

2. Off Strategy Mix

I am hoping that our variety of set plays (both inside and outside) would be enough to counter any type of defense. The mix (or % allocation) to each offensive set may vary, before the start of each game depending on the opposition

After my (assistant coach) contract with Oklahoma was not renewed, I considered the different job openings, and decided to accept the head coaching job at William and Mary

Academics: A
Facilities: C
Conference: Colonial Athletic Association
Conf Prestige: 8
Team Prestige: 9
Historical W-L: 964-833
Conf Championships: 8 (last: 1994/95)
NCAA tournament appearances: 8 (Sweet 16: 2)

During the last season, they finished 12-18 (8-10) and lost in the tournament semifinals.

True to my commitment in prioritizing academics, I immediately cut 2 underclassmen who became academically ineligible during the season

Interesting set up. Looking forward to your upcoming dynasty reports.

5/1
- Buy Atlantic East Gold Report
- Tutoring for all

6/1
- One of my players (an SG) decided to transfer, giving me 2 slots for potential transfers
- I will limit the transfer search only to those with a GPA of at least 3.0

At the end of the transfer period, we were able to snag the following recruits:

1. PG John Holland, 6-2 Jr from Tulane, 4.0 GPA, 3.5/3.5 stars
2. C Alan Bachmann, 6-8 Jr from Dartmouth, 3.9 GPA, 2.5/4.0 stars (2000 Ivy League POY)

6/26
- 3 recruits to fill; looking to fill 1 SG, 1 SF, and 1 PF
- our biggest need is scoring; 4 of the top 5 players in SCR rating are all Cs, so the SG and SF that we will bring need preferably can put up points

10/16

At the end of the recruiting, we're able to fill in all the 3 open slots

1. #214 SF John Wollfolk, 6-6, 3.3 GPA (SCR:B, HDL:B, OUT:B, DEF:C)
2. #412 PF David White, 6-7, 3.9 GPA (SCR:B, IN:B, DEF:B, REB:C)
3. #743 Marcus Dwiggins, 6-4, 3.2 GPA (SCR:B, HDL:C, OUT:B, DEF:C)

We answered our need to have more scorers, plus they are at least average on areas important relative to their positions. Very unlikely that any of them will not meet the min 1000 SAT score required by the school. Overall, no t a bad recruiting year

Starting 5

1: Sr PG Mac Bennett, 6-3, 2.5/3.5 stars
2: Fr SG Tarvis Buckmaster, 6-3, 2.0/4.0
3: Sr C James Moore, 6-7, 2.0/3.5
4: Sr PF Matt Davis, 6-7, 3.5/3.5
5: Jr C Scott Cherry, 6-8, 3.0/4.0

Key bench players

1/2: So PG Jonathan Dudley, 6-2, 2.0/3.5
1/2/3: So SF Jarrett Althoff, 6-8, 1.0/1.0
5: Fr C Darrin Millard, 7-1, 2.0/4.0
4: Sr PF Michael Lackey, 6-6, 2.0/2.0
2: So SG Jason Gipson, 6-0, 1.0/2.0

(bench warmers)
4: So PF Tim Lewis, 6-6, 1.0/3.5
3: Fr SF Aubrey Scott, 6-6, 1.0/2.5
4: Fr PF Matt Spitler, 1.0/1.0

(transfers - ineligible to play)
1/2: Jr PG John Holland, 6-2, 3.5/3.5
4/5: Jr C Alan Bachmann, 6-8, 2.0/3.0


Situational lineups

Ball handling (protecting a small lead, late in the game)
1: PG Mac Bennett
2: PG Jonathan Dudley
3: SG Tarvis Buckmaster
4: PF Michael Lackey
5: C Scott Cherry

Zone breaker (5-out, favor/heavy outside)
1: PG Jonathan Dudley
2: SG Jason Gipson
3: SG Tarvis Buckmaster
4: SF Jarret Althoff
5: PF Matt Davis

Defense / Rebounding
1: PG Jonathan Dudley
2: SF Jarret Althoff
3: C James Moore
4: PF Matt Davis
5: C Scott Cherry


Depth Chart

1: PG Mac Bennett (starter)
- PG Jonathan Dudley (shooting, defense)
- SF Jarret Althoff (tall "point forward", if necessary)

2: SG Tarvis Buckmaster (starter)
- PG Jonathan Dudley (shooting, defense)
- SF Jarret Althoff (defense)
- SG Jason Gipson (shooting)

3: C James Moore
- SF Jarret Althoff (defense, shooting)

4/5: PF Matt Davis, C Scott Cherry (starters)
- PF Michael Lackey (defense, rebounding)
- C Darrin Millard (inside scoring)
- C James Moore

11/15/00: William & Mary (0-0) @ St Francis (0-0)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: 1-3-1
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: PG Terell Carter (All-NEC 2nd team last season), PF Jay McIntosh (All-NEC 1st team last season)

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Favor Inside
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 8 / 65%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 10 / 10
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)


13:21, Up 13-9
We're taking advantage of the "corner holes" in STFR's 1-3-1 zone, resulting to inside baskets

9:08, Up 21-14
We'll lower def reb intensity to 9

2:35, Up 32-24


Halftime, Up 36-31
STFR is 4-14 3PT, so we'll remain to play with 2-3 zone. Our DR% for the 1st half is 79%, so we'll lower further the def reb intensity to 8, to generate transition pts


Start of 2nd Half

14:04, Up 46-39
Cs James Moore and Scott Cherry continues to make a living in the low post

7:56, Up 56-44
STFR still inconsistent with their 3 pt shooting (28%), so we found no need to adjust on defense

3:45, Up 64-57
STFR going almost exclusive to PG Terrell Carter, who is now playing the 2; he has 25 pts. We'll switch to m2m, and double on Carter

Teams trading baskets. Still up 7, 2:33

STFR: Scores on an inside play. Up 5, 2:25
WM: Cherry with shot. Miss. Cherry gets his own miss. Shoots again. Miss again
STFR: We're called for a foul. Only our 1st team foul in the 2nd half. Terell Carter now at the 1 position; we'll still double him. Carter with the quick drive (double team was late). Carter scores. Timeout

1:18, Up 68-65

We'll call for an iso play for Matt Davis

WM: Davis gets the ball, but he's too far from the basket. He drives. Block. STFR recovers the ball
STFR: Carter gets the ball again; and again very quickly driving before the double team arrives. He missed, but last touch on us. Still STFR ball

0:54, Up 68-65

STFR: Carter puts up a 3. Miss. We rebound and dribble to the frontcourt. Timeout

0:41, Up 68-65

We'll go for a 2-for-1

WM: Scott Cherry with a jumper from the corner. Miss. Not a good shot selection. STFR calls a timeout

0:35, Up 68-65

They would most likely go to Carter again (29 pts). I'll put in an SF to guard him

STFR: Carter gets the ball. The double team is there. He pass to his SG who puts up a 3. It's good! Timeout

0:24, Tied at 68

We'll take the last shot. Off pace lowered

WM: Bennett passed to Moore. Moore drives. Pulls up a short jumper. Banks it in! STFR timeout

0:14, Up 70-68

We'll continue to put a tall defender on Carter

STFR: Carter has the ball. And again, he has no shot and has to give up the ball. PF Jay McIntosh gets the pass. McIntosh, who's had quiet offensive night today (4 pts, 2-7 FG) has to put up a long jumper. Miss. Cherry with the rebound.
WM: Quick outlet to Bennett. STFR never had the chance to foul intentionally. And Bennett even connected in a 3 at the buzzer


Final score: William & Mary - 73, St Francis - 68


Box Score

[INDENT]Buckmaster 15, 4, 2 (*)
Davis 13, 4, 2
Moore 10, 3, 3
Millard 10, 4, 0
Cherry 8, 9, 1
Bennett 7, 5, 3
Althoff 6, 0, 0 (he guarded Carter during STFR's last 2 possessions)
Dudley 2, 3, 6, 4 tos
Lackey 2, 4, 1
Scott 0, 1, 0
Gipson 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 49-41%
REB: +5
TO: Even
Paint: +32
2nd Chance : -2
Fast Break: +7
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. A good road test to begin the season, and my first game as HC. Just a total team effort by everyone allowed us to "escape" with this win. We executed a simple game plan of getting high pct shots (52 pts in the paint, only 8 3PAs); 4 of our top 5 scorers were post players. Also, we did not force to execute our half court sets (65% off freedom), resulting in a reasonable 10 turn overs

2. The adjustments in reducing def reb intensity somehow worked, as we had 12 fastbreak pts in the 2nd half, as compared to only 4 in the 1st

3. STFR's Terrell Carter finished with 29 pts (11-26 FG, 7-21 3PT), but none of his team mates scored in double figures
[/INDENT]

11/18/00: William & Mary (1-0) @ Western Illinois (1-0)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: Sr PG JoVann Silva (scored 23 pts in their 1st game)
4. They play a 3-guard lineup

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Favor Inside
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 8 / 65%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 10 / 10
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 3-2 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3

SG Travis Buckmaster is injured, which further depletes our depth in guards. PG Jonathan Dudley will start at 2
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)


13:58, Up 9-5
We have the rebounding advantage, but we need to shoot better (20% FG)

9:09, Up 19-11
C Scott Cherry with 7 pts and 7 rebs. WILL already in penalty

2:56, Up 27-25
A series of turn overs allowed WILL to come back


Halftime, Up 31-29
We did a good job shutting down their guards, but sloppy plays on our side has kept this game close


Start of 2nd Half

15:04, Up 42-35
Dudley (10 pts) has filled in well for the injured Buckmaster. Cherry (13 pts) reestablishing himself again inside

11:50, Up 49-40
Our DR% is 0.83; lowering def reb intensity to 8. Cherry now with a double double (15 and 10)

7:40, Up 60-45
Dudley with 21 pts

3:34, Up 68-58
WILL still keeping this game undecided. Called a timeout to settle the team down, and avoid a late collapse. Will will press more

WM: PF Matt Davis with a jumper. 3:22, up 12

WILL: Traveling
WM: Traveling
WILL: Foul. Davis fouls out. Both teams in the bonus. Hits both. 2:39, up 10

WM: Traveling again
WILL: Converts an inside shot. Timeout

1:56, Up 70-62

I put in a 3 guard lineup. Slow down the tempo

WM: We milk the clock, until Cherry connects on a mid-range jumper; godd possession. 1:25, up 10

WILL: They get another inside shot, plus a foul. Hits the bonus FT. 1:05, Up 7

WM: We take our time again, but this time Cherry had his shot bloked. Timeout WILL

0:40, Up 72-65

WILL: Miss a 3. That should do it


Final score: William & Mary - 73, St Francis - 66


Box Score

[INDENT]Dudley 22, 6, 1 (*)
Cherry 17, 10, 0, 2 stls
Davis 12, 3, 2, 2 stls
Millard 8, 2, 1
Lackey 6, 6, 1
Althoff 4, 4, 1
Scott 2, 0, 0
Lewis 2, 0, 0
Bennett 0, 2, 8
Moore 0, 1, 2
Gipson 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 49-45%
REB: +7
TO: +2
Paint: -2
2nd Chance : -6
Fast Break: -12
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. Dudley stepped up big time. We will earn more playing time, even when Buckmaster comes back from his injury
2. Turnovers, coupled with our poor transition defense, remains a big area of improvement.
3. We sacrificed giving up inside baskets to WILL because of our 3-2 zone, with both of their centers (Andre Gomes and Henry McNeil) combining for 29 pts, 11-14 FG. But PG Wesley Silva struggled with 3 pts, 1-6 FG in 30 mins of play
[/INDENT]