DDSCB25: Superstar

[Wayne23]

2/26: At 11-16, 8-8 Charleston. We won by 15 at home.

2/27: Early lead. Big lead. Up 17 after 10. 47-29 at the break. 12 for Newn, 9, 3 for Hill, 8 for Dard.

Their PF can play! Up 16 with 10 to go. We get it to 20 late.

93-78. 20, 2, 3 for Newn, 17, 7 for Wats, 13, 5, 2, 3 for Kosi, 12, 7 for Hill, 11, 3 for Hall, 10 for Dard. 10 fewer TOs.

Towson lost so we’ve clinched the CAA regular season title.

3/1: We end the regular season at home vs. 16-12, 10-7 Campbell. They beat us by 10 at their place. They have a very good C.

I don’t get into revenge wins but I’d like to beat these guys, they’re good.

3/2: They start fast. We come back. Up 2 after 10. Both teams are shooting poorly. They’re hanging with us. 36-36 at halftime. 8 and 4 for both Wats and Dard. Dard is playing a lot due to foul trouble.

He’s doing okay.

Stays close early. Up by only 3 with 10 to go.

85-82. They were tough! 18, 10 for Wats, 14, 4, 4 for Pabe, 12, 8 for Dard, 9, 11 for Hall. 6 TOs. Good win to end the regular season.

Bad news. Jhon Redd broke his wrist, He’s out for the season. Hall will start and Will Darden will be the first big off the bench. Tough time of the year for this.

We finish 24-7, 15-3, 2 up on Towson.

Wats leads in scoring with 14.3. He gets 7.1 RBs.

12.9 for Newn, 12.6, 5.8 for Hall, 11.5, 6.3 for Redd. 9.8 for Hill.

+7.2 PPG, #4 in scoring. +6.1 RBs, -4.5 TOs; 10.3.

[Wayne23]

3/5: No one declares for the draft.

“Dan Fran here with Coach Jess Wynn. Coach, about the worst thing that can happen is to lose a starter to injury at the beginning of the post season.”

“Injuries are part of the game. We don’t like the timing but what can we do.”

“What’s the plan?”

“We’re going to start Kyle Hall, and we won’t lose a thing when he’s in there. He’s a terrific player. But we now have a very short bench. First big guy off the bench is Will Dard. Will has done well for us but this is a step up for him. After Will comes Joe Wall who has never lived up to our expectations. He’s as senior so maybe this is his chance. We’ll also go with a 3 guard set from time to time.”

“Can you win the CAA Tourney?”

“It just got harder but we\re going to give it our best shot!”

3/7: We play #8 seed Charleston in the quarter finals. They’re 12-18, 8-10. We beat them by 23 and 14.

3/8: We can’t hit a shot early, 1-11. Down 9 after 10, shooting 23.8%. 34-33 at the half. We shot 30%. Pabe has 3 fouls. 10 each for Newn and Kosi.

Close early. Up 3 with 10 to go. 10 point lead with 7 left.

89-77. 17, 7 for Wats, 19, 5, 4 for Hill, 12, 10 for Kosi, 11, 5 for Newn, 10, 5 for Hall. +11 for our short bench. 13 fewer TOs. +20 in the paint. It took us awhile to get it together.

#12 seed NC-Wilmington, 12-21, 6-12, rode back to back upsets to the semifinals. We won by 14 at our place. We need to control their outside game.

3/9: Early lead. We get it to 11. Up 12 after 10. 48-25 at halftime. 16, 7 for Kosi, 11, 7, 5 for Pabe. Only 1 TO. +12 in the land.

We hold our lead early. Up 17 with 10 to go. Subs come in early.

84-69. 24, 15 for Kosi; huge game! 18, 12 for Wats, 13, 9, 7 for Pabe. 6 TOs. +12 RBs, +14 in the paint.

[Wayne23]

#2 seed Towson, 19-12, 13-5, for the title. They beat us by 1 at their place. They have a good outside game but they give up more points than they score.

3/10: Early lead. Up 14 after 10. 44-30 at the break. 10, 4 for Hall, 8 each for Wats and Kosi. 4 TOs.

“Keep doin’ what your doin’!”

Towson takes a run at us early. Up only 1 with 10 to go. Close late!

81-74. A very late run locks it up. We’re the champs!

18, 8 for Hall, 17,6 for Wats13, 3, 5 for Hill, 11, 4, 7 for newn, 10, 6 for Kosi. Only 8 TOs.

“Fred Greb, CSB, here with Coach Wynn. Great tourney, Coach.”

“I’m really proud of my guys. We had the misfortune of losing a player and we didn’t let it hurt us. I thought we played well throughout the tournament.”

“How far can you go in the NCAAs?”

“That’s always a great question. All I’ll say is that we’ll give it all we have.”

3/12: We’re hoping for a 6 seed. We’ll see.

#6 Midwest. We play # 11 Valparaiso, 21-11. The stat sheet gives us an edge, but it’s close.

3/16: Back and forth early. Down 6 after 10 but it’s been back and forth. We need to defend better. 49-45 at the break. 15, 3 for Wats, 9, 5 for Kosi.

“We need to stop the outside game. Get out there on those three point shots.”

It’s a battle early. Down 2 with 10 to play. It’s been close all the way. We’re in trouble late.

87-96. They hit 10 threes, we hit 2. 26, 10 for Wats, 14, 5 for Kosi, 11, 9, 3, 3 for Hall, 12 for Hill.

We could have used that one more body we didn’t have.

[Wayne23]

3/19: We sign the PG!!! He’s #10 overall in the country. HUGE!!!

4/3: #1 Kansas is the champ.

4/4: Awards: Dan Wats makes the CAA 1st team. Kyle Hall and Jay Kosi make 2nd team. I get COY.

4/9: Memphis is very interested. They’re a solid team with nearly everyone coming back. I’m flying down there to check things out.

4/12: It’s a great situation but it’s too damned hot down there and those accents drive me crazy. I’m staying.

4/23: I ask for a facilities upgrade.

D+ to C+!

We finish the season at 27-8, CAA champs. For three years I am84-23, .785. Not bad!

[Wayne23]

5/1: Recruiting class #7. Impressive. At first glance this new PG, Mal Oats, is a world beater. I’ll miss Dan Pabe, who did a great job for us for 3 seasons but Oats is on a whole other level.

Dan Wats is our only senior.

5/2: I met the new women’s basketball coach, Lyn Ray. She came on a little strong at first.

“Hi Jess. We share facilities so I hope we can figure it out to make it work for both of us.”

“Absolutely. Your predecessor and I had no problems with that.”

“Good. Some men’s coaches don’t respect the women’s program and want to give us the leftovers.”

“You don’t need to worry about that with me. I love women’s hoops. I was a good friend of the women’s coach at UConn when I was there.”

“Ah, the king of women’s hoops.”

“Let’s each make a list of times to use the practice gym that work best for us, compare lists, and go from there. Oh, feel free to drop into our practices any time and don’t be shy about making suggestions to me.”

“Thanks. Same goes for you.”

I guess I won her over at least a little.

5/22: Sam Cole and Will Dard both transfer out so we’re looking for a guard and a big man.

5/26: Lots of good players out there.

Coach Ray and I figured out gym schedules with very little difficulty.

5/29: We make 2 offers. Schwab, Green

6/2: No luck. We offer again. Running out of people we want.

6/5: No.

6/9: We make one offer. He’s the last guy we’re interested in.

Got him! Nat Swab. He’ll either start or be first big man off the bench.

6/25: We’re going to the East Coast Jam and the Big Apple Showcase.

6/26: We need one guard and one big.

7/17: We offer to an SG and a C.

Coach Ray and I have seen a lot of each other- strictly basketball related. She stops into my office to run some things by me or to ask questions. She’s still learning how things work here so that makes sense. Sometimes she joins me and my assistants at lunch and takes part in the discussion. She knows the game.

8/7: Mal Oats is #3 on the Norton list. Can’t wait to see him in action!

We feel like we’re making good progress with recruiting.

8/28: Everyone is coming back to campus for the start of the school year. My players have been here for most of the summer but they went home for two weeks, at least most of them did.

9/11: Recruiting is really heating up.

9/18: We get the SG, #76 overall.

A somewhat challenging pre-conf. schedule. Going to the NIT.

9/25: We lose the big guy. Looking at some others. We offer to a PF.

10/2: First day of practice. Oats is terrific! I like this team.

10/9: We get the big guy. #168 overall.

11/11: Here’s our lineup: At PG is freshman phenom Mal Oats. He has unlimited potential at this point.

Back at SG is junior Ted Newn. He’s solid all around.

First guard off the bench is junior Josh Hill who has done a great job for us over the past two seasons. #4 guard is frosh Jim Milt who isn’t ready yet.

Junior John Redd is back at SF. He’s healed from the broken arm and ready to go.

Soph Kyle Hall will start at PF. He was terrific for us last year.

Senior Dan Wats returns at C. He’s solid.

1st big guy off the bench is soph Nat Swab who has looked good in practice. Next is frosh Ban Lund who needs work but shows signs of being good. Finally there’s frosh Andy May who also shows great potential.

[Wayne23]

11/13: The season starts tomorrow at the NIT vs. #22 Marquette. They’re the #5 seed, we’re #12. We don’t know much about them at this early point.

11/14: Early lead. They come back. Down 8 after 10. Oats hasn’t found his rhythm yet. 41-36 at the half. We finished strong. 8, 6 for Wats, 7, 4, 3 for Redd, 9 for Newn, 9 for Swab from the bench. +18 in the paint.

We hold our lead early. Up 11 with 10 to play. Up 12 late.

88-75. It was never in doubt in the 2nd half. 20, 6, 5, 4 for Redd, 22, 1, 3 for Newn, 15, 6 for Swab, 12, 11 for Wats. Only 11 TOs but Oats had 6, which is not great. He also had 11 assists and 11 points.

+28 in the paint.

#4 seed, #1 ranked North Carolina in the quarter finals. How is the #1 ranked team only a 4 seed? They won by 20 in their opener, played good D and hit the boards hard. They’re very good, of course.

11/16: Close early. They go on a run. We come back. Down 2 after 10. 40-37 after a fierce 1st half. 12, 3 for Redd. Their PF is a superstar but Redd is hanging with him and has only 1 foul. 11 for Swab,
who has looked great in the early going. Only 4 TOs.

We start fast. They come back. Down 1 with 10 to go. They take a 10 point lead.

69-84. They played a very tough 2nd half. 21, 9, 3 for Oats, 17, 5 for Redd, 13, 5 for Swab.

“Dan Fran, EPSN here with Coach Wynn. Tough loss, Coach.”

“Hey they’re the #1 team in the country. I thought we did pretty well.”

“So you’re not discouraged?”

“If anything I’m encouraged. I think we’re gonna have a great season!”

[Wayne23]

11/20: Both of our recruits sign.

We’re at 1-1 Montana ST. We’re better.

Hall hurt his back at practice but he’ll start.

11/21: They start fast. We’re flat. We come back and it’s tied after 10. They’re tougher than expected early on. We go on a run. 44-36 at the break. 11, 2, 7 for Oats. Only 4 Tos. It’s close early. Up by only 2 with 10 to play.

87-79 but it was tied with a minute and a half to go. 20, 7, 10 for Oats who gets better with every game. 17, 6, 3 for Redd, 17, 3, 3, 3 for Newn, 13, 10 for Wats. Only 7 TOs.

“What do you think, Uncle Kip?”

“You have a shitload of talent but you haven’t jelled as a team yet. You could be really, really good when you do.”

2/24: Home opener vs. 2-0 East Tennessee ST. They rebound but they haven’t played anybody.

We’re sold out for the season again.

2/25: We’re sluggish early and they lead. We need to wake up! Down 7 after 10 and I am not happy! 27-36. We shot 28.2%. 13, 3 for hall but he got no help. Only 2 TOs.

“Wake the hell UP! This is embarrassing!”

We take the lead early. We’re still shooting poorly. Up 2 with 10 left. Still close late.

70-67. We stunk the place out. Only our superior talent let us win. 23, 6 for Hall, 17, 7, 7 for Oats. 8 TOs. -12 on the boards. Only +2 in the paint. +10 on fast breaks helped.

[Wayne23]

11/27: At 1-4 Texas A & M-CC. They give up 15 more than they score.

11/28: Close early. Up 5 after 10. We go on a run. 44-27 at halftime. 12, 3 for Wats, 8, 6 for Redd. 7 assists for Oats.

We’re holding our lead early. We get it to 20. Up 27 with 10 to go.

91-71. 27, 7 for Wats, 15, 6, 17 for Oats, 14, 5, 3 for Newn, 12, 11, 4 blocks for Redd. +19 RBs.

11/30: 2-1 South Florida is here. They play good D, but they haven’t played anybody.

12/1: We’re shooting poorly early. Down 3 after 10, shooting 35%. 37-44 at the half. We shot 33.3%. 10, 3, 3 for Newn, 9.3 for Wats.

“Make some shots!”

We come out hot and take the lead quickly. We get it to 10. Up 14 with 10 left. We get it to 20.

92-73. 21, 8 for Wats, 17, 5, 11, 3 for Oats who is scary good! 15, 5, 4 for Newn, 13, 5, 3 blocks for Hall. Only 7 TOs; they had 20.

“Ellie Vann, WNEU campus radio. Coach, you have quite the player in Mal Oats.”

“He amazes me every night. He leads us in scoring and assists, and he rebounds!”

[Wayne23]

12/4: At 0-4 Bowling Green ST. They only score 57.3 per.

12/5: Down early. Down 5 after 10. We’re playing like crap. Shooting less than 30%. 31-42 at halftime. Awful. 9 for Newn. Shooting 28.1%. Hall has 3 fouls. The refs aren’t helping, 24 free throws for
them, 9 for us.

They’re holding their lead early. Down 13 with 10 to go. We’re terrible. We’re coming back late.

77-81. Embarrassing loss. 13, 4, 10 for Oats, 16, 4 steals for Newn, 11, 7 for Wats, 11, 5 for Hill. We played lousy D letting them shoot 50%.

12/7: At 2-2 Manhattan. On paper we’re a lot better but not if we play like we did last game.

12/8: We’re shooting poorly again and the D is poor. We wakw up a little and are up 1 after 10. 32-27 at the half. Balanced scoring. Only 2 TOs. +8 for the bench. We’re playing well (for most of the
half) but shooting poorly, 33.3%.

Both teams shooting poorly early. Down 3 with 10 to play. Back and forth late. Mini-run, then a full run!

76-59. 19, 3 for Newn, 14, 7, 10, 4 for Oats, 12, 7 for Swab, 11, 5 for Redd. 13 fewer TOs. +28 in the paint.

[Wayne23]

12/11: 2-4 Ohio is here. They’re good inside but they give up a lot of points.

12/12: Shooting poorly early, again. Up 1 after 10. They’re shooting the lights out. We go on a run, up 10. 56-39 at halftime. 12, 2, 6, 3 doe Oats, 15, 4 for Wats, 10 for sub Al May. 2 TOs. +14 in the paint.

We get the lead to 20. Up 22 with 10 left. We’re dominating late.

88-72 but it wasn’t that close. 26, 12 for Wats, 20, 8, 8, 4 steals, 3 blocks for Oats, 15 for Newn.

Lyn Ray is doing a great job. The women are at 4-3. That may not sound great but Lyn inherited a team that has had 7 straight losing seasons.

“I had to change the mentality. They expected to lose. We brought three players in via the Portal and refocused everybody. The attitude is much more positive. Looks like we’re going to have a pretty good recruiting class, too.”

12/14: At 5-4 Southern Utah. They’re good outside. If we play our game we’re better.

12/15: Shooting poorly early, as usual. Down 15 after 10. They’re shooting .722. 39-47 at the break. Wats has 3 fouls. 10, 6 for Hall, 11, 2, 3 for Redd.

I don’t know why we play so poorly in the first half.

They’re holding their lead early. A run puts us down 3 with 10 to play. We take the lead late.

94-84. Life would be easier if we didn’t keep digging ourselves a hole in the first half.

26, 7, 11 for Oats, 25, 6, 4 for Redd, 10, 8 for Swab, 10, 7 for Hall.

I’ll take the road win.