Foreign 2

[PointGuard]

Wayne,

Good development of your all-international team. Good test of a part of the game that has not been evaluated fully in the past.

Other than Tapa (who came to you as a #23 ranked recruit), do you feel the international players generally have about the same ratings as freshmen or do you think they come in with lower ratings as freshman compared to national players with similar recruiting rankings? My impression is that their freshman ratings tend to be a little low. But with this dynasty, you've got a lot more experience with international players than do I.

Another impression I have is that international players (who are ranked/rated well...e.g. ranked 50th to 150th) aren't recruited as strongly by the AI coached teams as are national players and therefore are more frequently available in the spring. Even in the spring they don't seem to be highly recruited by the AI. Do you agree?

[Wayne23]

1. Generally, yes,I think International players are ranked a little lower, on average, than domestic players.

2. They are definitely easier to recruit because teams don't go after them as much EXCEPT for top 50 players, who are recruited by other teams, or seem to be.

3. Low rated International players seem to perform above their rating level. Small sample though. Sixth season, and really, that's not a lot of time.

[Wayne23]

November 20

73-56 at Yale to start the season. A balanced effort; no one really stood out except PF Aron Witt, 12 and 12. Tapa fouled out in 25 minutes in his first start at guard.

71-64 at Lehigh. 23, 6, 3, 3 for Tapa, 13, 10 for Grik, 11, 9 for Witt. 13 TOs, 33 RBs. We fell behind by as many as 9 early. We played much better ball in the second half.

November 27

61-65 at #8 Oregon. 25 for Prou, 14 for nowk. They denied Tapa the ball and it worked. He only had 4 points.

70-40 in our home debut with Valparaiso. 4 starters in double figures. 9 TOs, 32 RBs.

Prek Panc hurt his shoulder. Day to day.

December 4

60-43 at Rhode Island. Great balance again. 13 TOs, 35 Rbs.

72-54 over California here. 25, 8 for Tapa, 13, 5, 6, 3 for Prou, 11, 6 for Nowk. 10 TOs, 36 RBs.

[Wayne23]

December 11

80-65 over UMass here. 23, 10 for Grik, good performances all around. 11 TOs.

68-62 at Iowa. 19 for Tapa, 13, 10 for Grik, 12, 3, 3 for Prou. We didn’t rebound well (-11) but did everything else well.

December 18

76-49 at UMBC. 27, 7, 2, 3 for Tapa, 16, 2, 2, 2 for Nowk. 10 TOs.

Vale Lebd hurt his knee. Out about a week.

75-77 in overtime at Georgia. It was close all the way. Tapa made a three point shot at the end of regulation to take the game to overtime but he missed at the end of overtime. We had 5 players in double figures.

December 25

74-44 over Ball ST here. 5 in double figures including sub guard Pavl Sujc. Sujc got the back up guard minutes and has responded with 2 double figure games in a row. 42 RBs, 12 TOs.

Albi Nowk hurt his hand. Day to day.

We end pre-conference play at 9-2. RPI #7. +14.6 PPG, +4.7 RBPG, +2.4 TOPG.

[Wayne23]

January 1, 2026

Note: I will suspend the “backstory” of Coach Nosarrian’s family. It didn’t take off.

77-71 at NC Central. 21, 6, 2 for Grik, 4 others in doubles.

70-65 at FL A & M. We fell behind by 12 early but cut it to 5 at the half. We then took over in the 2nd half. 16, 4, 7, 3, 2 for Tapa. +10 RBs.

Albi Nowk bruised a calf. Out about 2 weeks. We will shift Tapa to SF and start Sujc at guard.

January 8

67-39 over Morgan ST here. 36, 8 for Tapa, who seems to prefer SF to SG. 13, 6 for Grik. 6 TOs, 35 RBs.

It was a one game week.

We are alone in 1st place already.

January 15

67-50 over Howard here. 16, 8 for Grik, 12, 10 for Witt, 18, 3 for Tapa. +10 RBs.

65-48 at Hampton. 4 in double figures, 9 TOs, 30 RBs.

Nowk is back but we will continue to start Sujc. Nowk will get minutes though.

We break into the rankings at #23. RPI is #8. 14-2, 5-0.

January 22

67-60 at Delaware ST. 20 for Tapa, 11, 8, 4 for Grik.

70-52 over NC Central here. 26, 2, 2, 2 for Tapa, 18, 15, 3 for Grik. 35 RBs, 8 TOs.

January 29

71-51 over Savannah ST. 20 for Tapa, 4 others in doubles. 9 TOs.

79-55 over SC ST here. 20, 1, 8 for Prou, 19, 4, 5 for Tapa, 13, 2, 6 for Sujc. 10 TOs. 25 assists on 28 baskets.

Ranked #18, RPI #8.

Tapa is #10 on the Norton list.

[Wayne23]

February 5

65-61 at Bethune-Cookman. Solid play all around, and good defense late in the game. +8 RBs.

#14, RPI #8.

February 12

72-73 at Howard. We lost a 13 point lead. 19 TOs led to 13 fewer shots. 22 for Tapa. This is our first conference loss. We are still 1 game ahead.

71-58 over Norfolk ST here. 19, 5, 3 for Tapa, 14, 5 for Grik. 12 TOs (+16) but only 23 RBs (-9).

Tapa is #15 on the Norton list.

We are #15, RPI #13.

February 19

NC A & T has stayed close all season; they are 1 back. No one else is closer than 3 back. We play them later this week.

75-59 over Delaware ST here. 4 in double figures. 7 TOs (=16), but only 20 RBs (-5).

Next is the big one with NC A & T, just 1 game back. Their starting center and best rebounder broke his arm three games ago but they are 3-0 since and the game is there.

68-53 at NC A & T to clinch the regular season MEAC title and the right to host the tournament. We played solid, determined ball, leading all the way. They got it down to 5 at the end of the 1st half but we started the 2nd on a 14-2 run and it was never close after that. 22, 2, 4 for Prou, 16, 1, 3, 3 for Tapa, 12,
8 for Witt. 14 TOs (+7), 30 RBs (+10). It’s nice to play our best in a very big game.

February 26

98-60 at 3rd place MD Eastern Shore. 30, 6, 6 for Prou who si really hot right now. 18, 3, 8 for Sujc, 18, 7 for Nowk, 19, 5, 5, 3 for Tapa. 8 TOs.

73-52 over Bethune-Cookman here, to end the regular season. 17, 3, 3, 2 for Tapa, 18 for Prou, 12 and 12 for Grik. 11 TOs.

24-3, 15-1. #13, RPI #11. +15.2 PPG, +4.1 RBPG, +4.4 TOPG, +3.9 assists PG, +2.0 steals PG.

[Wayne23]

March 1

We host the MEAC tournament again.

#8 seed Delaware ST, 14-14, 7-9, won the play in. We beat them by 7 there and then 16 here.

March 2

66-57. We jumped out to a 20 point lead and then coasted. I was not happy with our energy. 10 TOs, 31 RBs, but we need to play the full 40 minutes if we expect to win the tournament.

#5 seed Morgan ST, 13-15, 8-8 won their game so we meet them in the semifinals. We won by 28 here in our only meeting.

March 3

65-33. This was a very solid performance. 16 TOs, but that was the only thing I can find to criticize.

#3 seed MD Eastern Shore, 20-9, 10-6, upset NC A & T. We play them for the title. We just beat them by 36 here.

March 4

75-60 for the title. They doubled Tapa all night and held him in check but we got the ball to the open player effectively. Good play all around. 16 TOs again, but everything else was good.

Albi Nowk sprains a finger. Out about 10days but he should be back for our 1st NCAA game.

March 5

27-3, 15-1, #10, RPI #11.

Tais Tapa is #9 on the Norton list.

March 12

Rank #11, RPI #10.

Not in the East.

Not in the Midwest.

Not in the South.

#5 West. We play 21-9 La Salle again this year. Strange. And again this year I felt we should have been higher, a 33, or at the very least a #4.

March 17

60-43 over La Salle. Solid play all around.

Next is #4 seed, #21 ranked Auburn, 22-9.

March 19

75-71 over #21 Auburn. They led by 14 after 9 minutes. My second time out halted their momentum and the changes I put in were effective but we were still down 7 at the half. We slowly chipped away during the 2nd half, then went on a 9-2 run with 3 minutes left to take an 8 point lead, which we held onto. They scored a 3 on their final possession to make the finals core close.

17, 7, 2 for Tapa, 13, 6 for Witt, 9, 12, 2 for Grik, 11, 1, 5 for Sujc. Prou was in foul trouble all night but Kapu and Nowk played well from the bench. 13 TOs,
37 Rbs, and we are back in the Sweet Sixteen!

We play unranked, Marquette, 23-10, who upset #1 seed Miami. Their starting center is out with a broken foot. We do not think he will be able to play at all.

March 24

58-54. We led by 12 at the final media time out with 3:07 left. They got it to 7 and then made a three on their last possession to make it appear closer than it was. 19, 9, 2 for Witt, and very good play, especially defensively, from everyone else. We are one game away from the Final Four.

We face #2 seed, #9 ranked Kentucky, 26-7. They have won their last 10; we have won our last 11. This is our first trip to the Elite Eight.

We sign Arne Roba, PG, #77.

March 26

Not tonight, 73-84. They led by as many as 28, and were clearly the better team. 18 for Prou in his last game, 16, 3, 3, 2 for Tapa in his last game, and 12, 5 for Grik in his last game. It will be difficult to replace these three.

April 4

If the right offer came along- an elite program- I would move. I spoke with several A. D>’s from major schools here at the Final Four.

We lost to the champions. #9 Kentucky beat #1 Michigan ST, 73-64.

Awards: Tapa made 2nd team All American again. He will be missed. In the MEAC he was once again POY and defensive POY, and 1st team, along with Rolf Grik. Aron Witt was freshman of the year, and 2nd team along with Brez Prou. I was again named COY.

April 9

We are moving. I want to see if a team with all foreign players can succeed in a major conference so we accepted an offer from Utah of the Pac 12. It will take about three years to get an all foreign team. This is a huge challenge; Utah was 5-24, 2-14 this year, last in the Pac 12. Still, they have a good budget. I will clear the roster as quickly as possible.

April 23

I have a new, and very good staff in place. We are ready for the new challenge!

My numbers: 30-4 this year. 153-40, .793 overall, but that will take a hit for the next couple of years. Off- 49, Def- 71, Recruit- 80, Scout- 63, Player Dev- 60, Reputation- 45.

[Wayne23]

May 1

We buy the international basic report.

June 5

We are looking at 2 transfers.

June 12

No transfers sign.

June 26

Tais was drafted #33 and Grik not at all. I am shocked!

We have 3 scholarships for now but will clear as much of our roster as possible in the spring. We are looking at 20 recruits.

July 4

Several recruits are showing interest. Some of them are highly rated.

August 7

For the first time in years I have no one on the Norton list.

August 21

We offer to 2 bigs and a PG.

September 18

We get 2: Ivic Supk, C, #43, and Rob Roy, PF, #38. Two very good ones!

Our schedule is somewhat soft but we are rebuilding.

September 25

We lose one.

October 2

PG Yao Feng, #310 commits.

We are picked to finish last in the Pac 12. It would not shock me.

Our goals are very challenging- 1. Top half of Pac 12, 2. Qualify for NCAA, 3. Finish above .500, and 4. Improve School Prestige.

First day of practice. We have lots of work to do.

October 16

We lose 2, get 2: Shy Atke, PF, #118 and ColeHust, PG, #431.

November 6

Here’s the lineup: Senior Art Catt and soph Ed Cony start at guard, supported by soph Jim Kacy and frosh Dan King. Junior Kyle Star starts at SF. Senior Brad Scot and junior Ross Farr start inside. Soph Jeff Hart backs up the 3 inside spots. We have these 8, and they are mostly marginal. Farr is probably our best. Hopefully others will develop.

[Wayne23]

November 20

69-62 over Winthrop at home. They are not a good team. 20, 5, 3, 2 for Star, 18 for Scot, 13, 3, 6, 4 for Catt, 12, 3, 2 for Cony. 8 TOs but only 21 RBs. Nothing from the bench offensively, and Farr was disappointing.

70-56 over Clemson here. A big win over a team that plays in an elite conference. 20, 3, 4, 2 for Star, 19, 2, 5, 3 for Cony, 13, 8,
2 for Scot, 10, 10, 2 for Farr. 6 TOs, 31 RBs. Again, very little from the bench.

Only three of our five recruits sign. That means 2, a big and a PG, will not hit our SAT score.

November 27

56-77 at Chattanooga. Poor defense, especially outside. We got good production from our bench but our starters didn’t do much.

Farr has now had 2 poor games in our first 3. We are not ready to make a change yet, but we are thinking about it.

74-59 over ODU here. 17 each for Star and Catt, 14 for Scot, 9, 7, 4, 4 for Farr. 11 TOs, but only 22 RBs.

67-70 to Air Force here. 15 each for Scot and Catt, 9, 9 for Star. 8 and 5 for Hart and 11, 2, 2 from Kacy, both of whom are subs.

This is a game we should have won.

Kacy is getting King’s minutes at guard.

67-61 over Alabama here. All five starters played good, steady games. +7 TOs but rebounding remains a problem. Unfortunately there’s no help from the bench so we’ll stay with our lineup.

Sub Dan King hurt his arm. Out about a week.

4-2, including 2 good wins and one loss that should not have happened. It’s early but we are doing better than I had expected. A 4 game road trip is next so that may change.

December 4

57-67 at The Citadel. This is a team we should have beaten. 17 for Star, 6, 9, 3, 2 for Farr. We let them shoot 52.9%.

77-58 at Cal ST- Fullerton. 29, 6, 3, 4 for Kyle Star, who has been just that. 13, 4, 3 for Catt. 11 for Kacy from the bench, and 7, 2 for Hart. +10 TOs, +5 RBs. We seem to play well every other game.

Sub Jeff Hart got a slight concussion. Day to day.

5-3 with 3 to play before Pac 12 play begins.

[Wayne23]

December 11

68-80 at Brigham Young. 18,7 for Star, 15, 7, 4 for Farr, 14, 4 for Scot. -11 TOs and too many fouls.

December 18

59-89 at Illinois. We were overmatched. 17, 4, 2 for Catt, 12, 5 for sub Jeff Hart. Farr played 11 minutes due to fouls. They shot 55.4%.

We must beat Miami (OH) at home to have a winning pre-conference season.

December 25

72-56 over Miami (OH). 20, 5, 3 for Star, 13, 4, 2, 3 for Catt, 12 for Kacy. 8 TOs, 33 RBs.

Ross Farr hurt his hand. Day to day.

We end pre-conference play 6-5. RPI #188. +0.1 PPG, -0.5 RBPG,+2.4 TOPG. We’re giving Cony and Kacy more time at PG and Catt more time at SG, since he seems to be more of a scorer than a ball handler.