NCDS: Jim McCarthy, Asst. Coach - Northeastern
By: Jim McCarthy, Asst. Coach - Northeastern
We have a very unique squad breakdown this year - 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore and 7 freshmen. Most of the time there is more balance on your roster - you have a few guys in each class. The freshmen come in and learn from sophomores who have vivid memories of what it was like to be new to college. The sophomores learn from the juniors who are more experienced and have matured as players and people. Finally the juniors learn from the seniors who have a sense of urgency that reflects the realization that their time is coming to an end.
There are 3 ways that student-athletes adjust to college life - academically, socially, and athletically. How players are able to manage these aspects of their lives is essential in their development. We even talk about these 3 three areas in recruiting - Coach Coen likes to tell kids that you can only be good in 2 of these things, pick the right 2!
All students (not just athletes) have to adjust to the academic expectations of their respective institutions. Generally speaking, college work and course loads are more strenuous than high school. The amount of time and effort you put into an assignment in high school that got you an A or a B, could give you a C or a D in college! Kids get used to bigger class sizes, lecture style presentations, and tougher grading scales. Our players take 4 classes a semester, so the work can pile up in a hurry. Our Student-Athlete Academic Services office is tremendous and our guys utilize it on a daily basis. It helps ease that transition and gives the kids a strong support system on which to lean.
In addition to academic responsibilities, students have to adjust to the college social scene. Most people think of crazy college parties straight from "Animal House", but even the daily time management skills can be challenges for kids when they are on their own for the first time. Can you go to bed at a reasonable hour? Are you able to manage all your appointments - class, practices, tutors, weight room, study hall, meals! Can you say "no" to the dorm party when you have a test the next day? All those questions and scenarios can arise on a daily basis and how kids respond to them will affect their ability to succeed. It's hard to play well in practice if you didn't get enough sleep or aren't prepared for a test the next day!
Finally, there is no way to simulate the adjustment on the court. Everything is different - the players are bigger, faster, stronger, and better than most freshmen anticipate. The game itself is much quicker and more competitive than they are used to. There are some great high school coaches and programs, but it's hard for any 18 year old to play against a 22 year old who's been in college for 2 or 3 years. The screens are physical, you have less time to get a shot off, if you come out of your stance or don't contest a shot - it's 2 (or maybe even 3) points! Often times a kid is constantly being told he needs to get better in a variety of areas, and he may be hearing this for the first time. It is the ability to be "coached" that will ultimately determine the fate of all freshmen - if you can't be "coached" by your coaches, your teammates, your professors, and your academic advisors, then you won't get better. It's really that simple.
Like many programs, we are lucky to be able to bring our freshmen for a summer school session before their first year actually begins. They stay in the dorms, take 2 classes, lift weights, play pick-up and adjust to a new life and a new home. They get used to organizing these aspects of their lives and get used to being sore in muscles they didn't know they had!
We are very fortunate to have a great group of young players that are ready for that challenge. They want to be good players and they are good people. They work extremely hard and want to do the right thing. We are very excited for the coming season and future because of the attitude that they have on a daily basis.
Lastly, our upperclassmen have embraced the "big brother" responsibility that comes with the title of being a veteran. They have started a great tradition at Northeastern and are eager to pass it along to a new group. These veterans will be our leaders this season and have built a foundation of which they can be extremely proud.
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