NCDS: Gregg Gottlieb, Asst. Coach - Cal

We have just reached the halfway point of our league schedule and a lot has changed in a short period of time. We had a freshman, Gary Franklin, transfer after the first league game in which he scored 15 points and had 4 assists.  He was actually one of three freshmen who have transferred at semester in the PAC Ten.  After our team got over the initial shock we have actually played better in his absence.  With less options roles have been well defined.  We are currently 6-4 in league play but have played 5 road games.  I am really proud of the group we are competing with.  We have an outstanding senior center Markhuri Sanders-Freisen who has become a consistent scorer in the post.  Our do everything Juniors Harper Kamp and Jorge Gutierrez are rock solid.  Our sophomore point guard Brandon Smith is playing with tremendous confidence.  He has done an excellent job of running the team and you have complete confidence with the ball in his hands. Our freshman wing Allen Crabbe has been sensational.  After struggling to score in the non-league he has emerged into a go to guy.  He is currently averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds in the league.  He continues to surprise us with things he does.  We have gotten good contribution from our two young posts as well.  Bak Bak and Richard Solomon have both made significant strides in the last month. 

A season is a lifetime and it's interesting to look back at what's evolved over the last 3 months.  We started out playing almost exclusive man-to-man defense and due to lack of man power we have switched to playing almost all zone.  This is the most zone I have played in my 16 years as a college coach.  It's proof that there are a lot of ways to win basketball games.

In our league that is very apparent.  We have several different styles of play.  Each week we have to game plan for a different scheme. Last week we played Oregon state and Oregon.  Oregon State plays a 1-3-1 half court trap and a 2-3 zone.  Oregon has several different presses designed to speed you up.  This week we play the Arizona schools, with one game behind us and one to go.  Arizona State, which we were able to defeat 66-62, plays a match up zone and Arizona will play physical half court man.  I'm not sure of there is a league that has more variety than the PAC Ten.  

Interesting to see how things shake out for our team.  At this point in the season some teams are ready to get the season over with.  This is not the case with our group.  They are eagerly waiting the next opportunity to compete.  That is what makes this team fun to coach!

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