2023: 3s and Put Backs

[Wayne23]

3/17: We’re #1 in the West. I actually thought we might be #1 overall but this is fine. Our 1st round opponent is #16 seed New Hampshire, 14-19. They got hot and shocked everyone in their conference tournament.

Turn is back, which helps us inside. This is a team we should beat easily.

3/17: Big early lead. They close the gap. Up only 2 after 10 and I am steaming! A big run puts us up 55-31 at the half. 3 fouls for Hart. Balanced scoring, but poor three point shooting, 6-24. They shot
28%, so good D. Good inside play.

“Okay, good half but you’re going to have to start stringer when we get to the really good teams. Keep doing what you did for the last 10 minutes!”

We’re holding the lead. Up 27 with 10 left. Subs in early.

100-63. A real laugher. 18, 4 for Kitt, 20 for Hart, 12, 3, 6 for Ture. Great D, 29.6%. We dominated inside.
It’s #9 seed Texas, 21-13, in the 2nd round. They can score and they dish it well. Better outside than in. Their SF is very good.

3/19: Early lead. Up 13 after 10. 49-32 at the half. 22 for Toma with 6 threes. Solid D.

“Happy to see the fast start! Keep it up!”

Up 30 with 10 to go. This is a wrap. Subs will be in early.

102-65. We looked really good tonight! 30, 2, 3, 3, 3 for Toma with 8 threes. 16, 7, 5 for Lear, 11, 2, 7 for Ture. Kjel had 8 in 7 minutes. Our guards were unstoppable. 22 threes. We were good inside as well.

On to the Sweet Sixteen where we play #4 seed, #11 ranked Vanderbilt, 27-9. They can play! They have a very good PG and a solid outside game. We think we’re better inside and we’ll face anybody outside.

[Wayne23]

3/24: They take an early lead. Bad call on Toma! We catch up. Down 7 after 10. 57-47 after a back and forth half. 12 for Hartr. 3 fouls for Aren. We’re winning inside but this is far from over.

“Keep playing hard. These guys won’t quit!”

Fast start to the 2nd half and we’re up by 20 quickly. Up 26 with 10 to play. Looking good!

117-87. We looked really good in the 2nd half. 29, 3, 8, 4 for Toma, 25, 1, 8 for Ture who owned their very good PG; turned him over 10 times and had only 3 TOs. 22 for Hart, 12, 4, 4, 3 for Lear. Big edge inside and 23 threes.

#10 seed Rutgers, 24-10, has had quite a run to make it to the Western final. We beat them by 51, 8, and 21. They’re good outside which never scares us. We’re much better inside.

It’s a break to play them in that there’s only one day to prep for the elite Eight game. We know this team VERY well. Of course they know us equally well.

3/26: They score the first 9. Down 11 after 10 minutes. 36-41. They led by as many as 15. We’re not shooting well, especially threes. Toma has 3 fouls as does their PG.

“There’s no tomorrow, guys. It’s the Final Four or a trip back home!”

We take the lead quickly but it’s back and forth. Up 1 with 10 left. Hell of a game! Late run!

80-71. The late run did it. It was a competitive3 game until the last 2 minutes! 23, 1, 3 for Ture, 14, 3, 6 for Lear, 15, 4 for Hart, 11, 4 for Kitt. 17 threes. We had an edge inside but we won it outside.

Final Four is a dream, but I’m awake!

4 #1 seeds in the Final Four. We play #3 ranked, #3 NET Arizona, 33-6. They’re favored. They’re going to be a handful inside. We think we’re a lot better outside so we’ll try to play the game there, as we always do.

[Wayne23]

4/1: “This is what we play for and we’re here. I hope you guys don’t think we’ve reached our goal. Let’s get to the title game!”

Back and forth. Neither team looks nervous. Up 3 after 10. 48-45 after a very competitive first half. The calls went against us somewhat, 4 starters with 2 each to their 2. 14, 1, 5 for Ture and our guards are beating theirs; 10, 4 for Turn. 8 threes to their 4. -5 at the line. They have the edge inside but it’s not a big edge.

“This will be a battle to the end so stay focused and no dumb fouls.”

Back and forth. Tied with 10 to go. Late mini-run!

94-82 and we’re in the title game! 25, 3, 8 for Ture, 20, 4, 6, 3 for Toma, 15, 3 for Lear; our guards were terrific! 12, 7 for Turn. 16 threes and we made only 1 less free throw. We held our own inside.
Mostly we hung tough!

It’s #1 ranked, #2 NET Kansas, 38-2, for the title. Their favored and they are #1 in RBs and play excellent D. Our big guys will need to step up and our outside game and our bench will have to be at their best. We’ll give it our best shot!

4/3: Big early lead! Up 15 after 10.55-36 at the half! Balanced scoring, no serious foul trouble, 9 threes. Shooting 51.2% to their 30.6%. We’re winning big inside! +23 for the bench.

“Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t let up!

I expect them to make a run at us but not early on so far. Up 17 with 10 to go! Here comes their run. They got it to 2 then we came back!

92-82 and the national championship! 18, 4, 6 for Toma, 15, 11 for Hart, 11, 11 for Aren, 11, 2, 4 for Ture, 12, 2, 3 for Lear. +25 for the bench. The guards and the bench did it but the big guys held their own inside. 17 threes.

Unbelievably exciting in the locker room after the game.

“Spike Jones in the Akron winning locker room with Coach Loes. Coach, congratulations. What was the key?”

“As always, our guards led the way but how about our big guys. They faced the toughest front line in the country and matched them. And the best bench in the country, our5s, did what it always does. So it was really a little bit of everything.”

“The national guys are pushing me out of the way but great job, Coach!”

“Thanks Spike.”

[Wayne23]

4/4: Awards: Marc Toma is NCAA Finals MOP. I get National COY.

In conference, Toma and Hart make the 2nd team. I can’t believe Ture didn’t! I am Conf. COY.

4/9: I proved what I set out to prove at Akron. Time to move on.

I’m going to Bellarmine in the Atlantic Sun. They had a good season, 21-10, 13-5. I want to see if my approach will work at a small, low prestige (23) school.

4/23: I ask for a facilities upgrade.

Yes! C- to B-. That’s great!

39-1, national champs. Hell of a season. Overall, for 15 seasons, I’m 400-86, .823.

I’ll miss Akron. Great people a great organization. Let’s see what we can do at this small school in Louisville!

[Wayne23]

5/1: #2430 recruiting class but they’ll be better than that. Not sure how much!

We can’t afford to meet Expected Spending. We spend $30000 instead of the $40000 expected.

5/29: We lose a C who would not have played much. Looking for a big man.

Getting used to my new home. I don’t like the heat or the politics here in Kentucky but people have been nice to me.

6/2: We look at a lot of big guys, offer to one.

6/5: No luck. We try another guy.

6/9: Still no luck.

6/12: We get a C. He’ll start even though he’s rated as a D, he’s a decent defender and rebounder, and he can shoot inside.

6/25: We’re going to the Memphis camp.

6/26: 2 scholarships. We need a guard and a big.

7/11: We offer to a PG and a C. They may both be too good to come here. We’ll see.

It is HOT here at this time of year. I’m running on the treadmill most days.

7/31: Both guys we’ve offered to have some interest.

8/21: The heat! I won’t stay here long. The heat is too much. I’ve never liked hot weather.

9/18: I’m the best damned recruiter in the country! We get our C. #38, and out PG, #68. Fantastic!

I told my A. D. I wanted some challenges, especially at home. We got some but we also got 3 ranked teams on the road. We’ll see what happens.

10/2: 1st day of practice. Looks like three spots are pretty well set and the other two, PG and SF, are up for grabs.

We release a guard who clearly was never going to play. He now has a hardship scholarship. I red shirt a couple guys.

I offer to another guard.

10/9: We lose the PG and offer to a PG.

11/13: Here’s the lineup:

Frosh Alan Days starts at PG but soph Chap Nabo will get equal time. Nabo started last year. We’re hoping one of the two will step up and claim the position full time.

Senior Brin Wilt is starting at SG, which he has done since he got here as a frosh. He’s a scorer and our best defensive guard.

Our other guard is junior Art Huck who won’t play much unless we have injuries.

Soph Dan Lead starts at SF, as he did last year. He’s a good rebounder and a scorer. Battling him for minutes is senior Del Robb, who started for the last two years. He wants his job back! He also back up inside.

Junior Laz Brad is a three year starter. He’s our best defender and a very good rebounder. He may be our best player as he can also score.

Soph Jay Hart, a transfer from Mercer, is at Center. He’s a scorer and plays a good game all around.

Junior Mal Gayn is a good rebounder but a weak defender. Frosh Joe Cham isn’t ready yet.

Unless we get hit by a lot of injuries I think we’re going to be pretty good!

[Wayne23]

11/15: We start off at East Carolina. Let’s see how good we are!

It’s close early. Up 5 after 10. Then a run. 73-55 in a real shootout. 13-21 on threes. 15 for PG Alan Days, 1, 1, 6 for SG Brin Wilt, 14 for SF Dan Lead, 12 for sub SF Del Robb. 3 fouls for Brad.

The threes are falling! 102-77 with 10 to play. We’re a scoring machine!

144-108, the most points any of my teams has ever scored. 32, 0, 5 for Days, 26, 3, 9 for Wilt, 23 for Lead, 21, 5 for Robb. +26 for the bench. +14 RBs.

At 0-1 Buffalo next. I don’t think they can score enough to stay with us.

11/18: Tight early. Up 8 after 10. 52-44 at the half. Brad has 3 fouls. 14, 0, 6, 3 for Wilt. The D is not doing its job, 53.6%.

We go on an early run. Up 16 with 10 left.

114-94. We’re playing terrible D but we’re scoring so many points it doesn’t matter. 24 threes. 24, 9 for Hart, 22, 6 for Lead, 18, 3, 13, 5 for Wilt, 17, 0, 3, 3 for Days. They beat us inside. Brad can’t stay on the floor. He’s fouled out of both games. Only played 8 minutes tonight. He needs to fix this or he will lose his starting spot. He’s a big disappointment so far.

At 1-1 Arkansas ST next. The challenges come later on. The early part of the season we’re facing cupcakes.

11/22: Close early. Up 7 after 10. 54-46. Poor D again. No fouls for Brad! He has 9 and 3. 11 for Del Robb. 9 threes.

They’re staying close. Then a run. Up 14 with 10 to play. 108-85. 7 players with 11 or more led by Del Robb’s 19 and 3. 13, 7 for Brad, 12, 2, 8, 5 for Wilt, who has been great so far.

Our next 4 are at home starting with 0-2 UAB. Their SG is out with a broken finger which is why they’re winless.

11/25: Back and forth for awhile. Then we go on a run. Up 20 after 10. 58-41 at halftime. 17, 5 for Lead. +10 for the bench. 12 threes. Good inside play.

Up 17 with 10 to go.

122-89. 29, 9 for Lead, 19, 13 for Brad, 15, 6, 9 for Wilt, 14, 1, 7 for Nabo, 11, 7 for Robb. 21 threes.

The staff and I look at the stats and some video and decide that Alan Days has earned the big minutes at PG, and Dan Lead has done the same at SF.

It’s been at least 8 or 9 years since I’ve played a game to a non-sold out house. Love it! That’s what winning does.

3-1 TCU is here next.

[Wayne23]

11/29: They look good early. Up 4 after 10. 46-46. Their guards are hot. And only our #3 guard is scoring, 11. 10, 3 for Brad, 9, 5 for Lead. Hart has 3 fouls, as does Robb. We need to play better D.

They’re staying with us early on. A big run puts us up 18 with 10 left.

105-82. Great 2nd half, 59-36. 20 threes. 21, 8 for Brad, 20, 7 for Lead, 20, 3, 4 for Nabo, 9, 2, 15, 3 for Wilt. +16 for the bench. Big edge inside.

1-4 New Mexico ST is here. They were supposed to be good this year but they sure haven’t been!

12/2: They’re looking better than we expected. Down 1 after 10. 63-57 at halftime. Lousy D again, 55.3%. We have 12 threes but they have 8. Wilt has 3 fouls. 12, 1, 4 for Nabo who has been on fire since we took minutes away from him. 10, 6 for Brad. +9 for the bench.

“Play some damn D!”

Up only 6 with 10 to play.

123-106. We hit our last 8 shots and 3 of them were threes. They hit 4 hoops during that span. 24, 5 for Lead, 19, 5 for Robb, 17, 3, 7 for Wilt. 4 others with 12 or more. The D wasn’t much better but we win by scoring baskets, more baskets than anyone else in the country, including Akron! #4 in three point pct. #2 in Assists.

4-2 Louisiana Tech is here next. They play good D. They have a very good C. Hart hasn’t lived up to our expectations in the middle. This may be the challenge he needs.

12/6: Slow start, as usual. Down 3 after 10. 34-30 at the half. Very low score for us. We’re shooting 32.6%, 16.7% on threes. We knew they could play D and they’re doing just that. We make some adjustments. Wilt has 3 fouls. Robb has 8 and 5 but no one else is doing much.

Good start to the 2nd. Up 13 with 10 to go.

78-68. Great D, weak O. 21, 11 for Hart, his best game so far, and against his toughest opponent. We’ll use this as a motivator. 12, 3, 8 for Wilt, 12, 7 for Robb, 14, 3, 4, 3 for Days. Our forwards were outplayed.

My Akron team is 8-0. Happy for them.

On the road with #9 West Virginia, 7-1. This will be our first real test. They play good D and they rebound. World class PF.

12/9: Close early. Up 3 after 10. 37-36 after a very hard fought first half. Balanced scoring but poor shooting, 31.6% to their 37.5%. It’s about even inside. We need more from our bench and we need to make shots.

Down 5 with 10 to play. We’re not hitting shots.

82-75. It was tied at 73 then we finished strong. 14, 5, 6, 3 for Wilt, 17, 9 for Lead, 13, 13 for Hart. We had a slight edge inside but our starting guards won this one.

12/10: 8-0, NET #18. We’re close to being ranked.

Still chasing that guard. He’s waiting to see if anyone else will offer to him. So far no one has.

At 3-3 Colorado next. Their SF tore his MCL and that has had a lot to do with their problems. But they can play.

[Wayne23]

12/13: Slow start and we fall way behind. Down 19 after 10. 32-49. They’re shooting 63.3%. We’re shooting 30.6%, 21.1% on threes. We’re doing okay inside but their guards and their bench are beating ours. This is a deep hole to dig out of.

Not happening early on. Down 21 with 10 to go. Nope. Not tonight.

77-90. We never threatened them. 31 for Lead, 16, 11 for Brad, 8, 9 for Hart but our guards and bench were out played. Poor shooting, worse D.

I didn’t expect to go undefeated, but I didn’t expect this kind of butt kicking. Oh well, work harder.
It doesn’t get easier. We’re at 7-3 Maryland next. We have a week to prepare, thankfully. Their PG has a sore wrist but he’ll play. They’re solid inside and have a very good C.

12/20: They take the lead early. Down 6 after 10. They go on a run. 41-59 at halftime. 3 fouls each for Lead and Hart. No one with more than 8 points or 3 RBs. They’re shooting 63.3%. Down 19 with 10 left.

88-104. We were better in the 2nd half but never came close. 21, 2, 4 for Wilt, 14, 5 for lead, 16, 2, 3 for Nabo, 15, 1, 3 for Days.

We were clearly too ambitious in our scheduling but these games will hopefully make us stronger.

One more pre-conf. game and it’s at #7 Southern Cal. They’re 10-2. They play tough D. They are very good outside and their C is a glass eater.

12/27: Good start. Up 10 after 10. 46-32. That’s more like it! 15 for Lead. Good inside play. Very good D, 33.3%. But both Brad and Hart have 3 fouls.

We’re playing good ball! Up only 6 with 10 to go. They catch us.

92-93. Nabo missed a 20 footer at the buzzer. We wanted an inside shot but couldn’t get one. 18, 4, 4 blocks for Lead, 17, 6 for Robb, 14, 6 for Hart but his man had 30 and 12. 11, 11, 6, 3 for Wilt. 11, 2, 9 for Nabo. They shot better and they took 15 more threes.

We end pre-conf. play at 8-3, losing our last 3. The Atlantic Sun should be a cakewalk though.

NET #21. #1 in PPG with 103.0, but dead last in PPG Allowed. Still, +12.4. Up 2.5 RBs. -4.6 TOs, a very good 8.9.

Dan Lead gets 19.6 per game. 15.0, 8.1 assists for Brin Wilt, who has been playing more PG than SG and will continue to do so.

14.5 for guard Alan Days.

11.8, 5.5 for sub forward Del Robb. 11.6, a leading 7.3 RBs for C Jay Hart. 11.0 for #3 guard Chap Nabo. 10.0, 7.1 RBs for Laz Brad.

[Wayne23]

1/2/2026: We start conf. play tomorrow with 5-6 Kennesaw ST here.

1/3: Time to get back on track!

Good start. Up only 5 after 10. 47-41 at halftime. We’re shooting poorly and the threes aren’t dropping. 3 fouls for Hart. 15, 8 for Brad. We’re getting nothing from our guards. I try to wake the team up in the locker room.

Big early run! Up 26 with 10 left.

109-87. Solid 2nd half. 26 for Lead, 19, 13 for Brad, 11, 4, 11 for Wilt, 11, 10 for Robb. Very good inside play and the guards were much better in the 2nd half. 18 threes.

At 6-6, 1-0, Central Arkansas.

1/6: We fall behind. Down 10 after 10.46-53 at the break. Poor D, 58.1% to our 34.1%, 25% on threes. 3 fouls for Hart. 16 for Lead, 10 for Robb.

“Play some D!”

We’re staying close but not catching them. Down 4 with 10 to play. We take the lead with 6 left.

98-100. They hit a 35 foot prayer at the buzzer. Lousy D and poor guard play beat us. 25, 4 for Lead, 22, 8, 3, 5 for Robb, 13, 6 for Hart. +26 for our bench but it wasn’t enough. We took 19 more
shots and made the same # of them that they did. Frustrating game.

2-11, 1-1 Loserty is here. They’re not very good.

We get the PG, #210.

1/10: Early lead but it’s close. Up 2 after 10. Then a run. 46-38. Poor shooting, poor D. 14, 6 for Hart. 3 fouls for Brad.

Not sure what happened to this team but they aren’t the same as they were early in the season. We’re working to fix things but not a lot of luck so far.

Up only 7 with 10 to go.

OT! 89-85. We escaped in a home game with a team that has 2 wins in 14 games. Unbelievable! 17, 2, 11 for Wilt, 16, 12 for Hart, 14, 5 for Days.

I am really frustrated.

At 3-11, 1-2 Jacksonville next. They’re better outside than in.

1/13: Good start. Up 10 after 10. 48-35 at halftime. 12 for Days, 8 and 8 for Brad. Shooting better than we have been.

Lead has 3 fouls. Looking good early. Up 11 with 10 to play.

87-80 but that’s as close as they got. 14, 11 for Brad, 17, 4 for Days, 12, 7 for Hart, 11, 9 for Robb. Solid inside play. +18 for the bench. More like our old selves for awhile and then we slowed down.

5-11, 2-2 North Alabama is here next. Their PG is out with a torn ACL.

[Wayne23]

1/17: We fall behind early. Tied after 10. 49-43 at the break. We scored the last 7. 15 for Lead. 3 fouls for Brad. -8 at the line.

Up 17 with 10 to play after a run. Then we take total control.

109-72. 41, 5 for Lead, great game! 15, 11 for Robb. Hart fouled out. 21 threes, 12 by Lead. Tonight we played much closer to how I want us to play.

At 7-9, 2-3 Eastern KY next.

1/20: We start fast and take a big lead. Up 23 after 10. 51-29 at halftime. 12, 3, 5 for Wilt, 11 each for Lead and Hart. Lead has 3 fouls. Bug edge inside. We’re shooting 52.6% to 25.8%.

Big lead. Up 26 with 10 to go. This one is over early.

97-75. 24, 13 for Hart, 14, 4, 9 for Wilt, 16, 8 for Days, 17, 3, 1, 3, 4 for Lead. +21 RBs, +32 in the paint.

In a 3 way tie for 1st in the conf.

Next game is with Jacksonville ST, 13-4, 5-1, tied for 1st.

1/24: Early lead. Then a BIG run. Up 14 after 10.

50-31 at the break. 12, 4 for Lead, 11, 5 for Hart. We own the paint.

We extend the lead. Up 41 with 10 to go. The subs are in early.

113-63. Major blowout! 27, 1, 13 for Wilt, 21, 6 for Lead, 15, 6, 3 for Hart. 23 threes.

Laz Brad got a concussion. Out about a week. Del Robb will start.

At 4-14, 2-5 Stetson next.

1/27: Close early then a run. Up 15 after 10. 57-43 at the half. 19 for Days. We’re getting beaten badly inside but winning big outside.

Up 26 with 10 to play. Another one that’s over early.

98-81. 19, 3, 12 for Wilt, 19, 7 for Days, 17, 8, 3 for Robb, 17 with 4 blocks for Lead. We did better inside in the 2nd half. 19 threes.

Rematch with 8-11, 3-5 Central Arkansas here. They beat us by 2 there. They won because we played poor D and fouled too often.

Brad is still out. Robb did great filling in.