VCU’s Iron Man Drill

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Link to video.

The 33-year-old coach participated in what VCU calls the “iron man drill,” stepping up to take a charge on 6-foot-7 Reco McCarter, diving to save a loose ball that was going out of bounds and then sprinting to the other end of the court to corral another loose ball. He punctuated the sequence by jumping around in the middle of all his players, getting them excited for Saturday’s game

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46 Responses to VCU’s Iron Man Drill

  1. tjfoose1 04/03/2011 at 12:32 PM #

    Per Miller, I’m with BJD. As for idiots, It looks like they began and ended with the first comment.

  2. BJD95 04/03/2011 at 12:32 PM #

    I feel good about our current positioning. The next 36 hours will be very telling. High stakes poker, let’s see how DY plays her hand.

  3. State Fan 04/03/2011 at 12:38 PM #

    I agree, Adventuroo. There certainly is something very Valvano-like about him.

  4. Lock 04/03/2011 at 1:17 PM #

    The only idiots I’ve seen are the ones gagging at what the man’s studied (oh no RACE RELATIONS we might have ourselves a librul boys), and those who refuse to give whoever our new hire is a chance.

    It’s hard not to be excited by Smart, and that’s half of what we need. The other half is experience…and while it would have been very nice to get someone with experience, it sounds like we at least gave it our best. And again, even before the tournament Smart’s name had been floating around out there. He’s from a nice coaching tree too, from what I remember hearing.

  5. albunde6 04/03/2011 at 1:37 PM #

    “Always with the negative waves Moriarty, always with the negative waves”. We are still in the game, the fat lady has not sung. This time next week, someone will be singing the blues about how we took their coach. They will be writing on their blogs about “how could someone leave hear for that red wearing bunch of dreamers”.

  6. Texpack 04/03/2011 at 1:41 PM #

    My issue with a Smart hire is that his particular style of play has typically had a ceiling around the middle of the pack of the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas being the exception to that with a couple of final fours under Richardson. Tom Penders and Mike Anderson are two coaches I’d throw into the same style category as Shaka. Oliver Purnell’s Clemson teams would be another comparison.

    I do think we could be in the second three of the ACC most years with Smart. If he is the hire I’d certainly be optimistic that we could improve on Herb, but I think this style has about the same ceiling as the weave and heave.

  7. wallacepark 04/03/2011 at 2:08 PM #

    We really need to land Shaka Smart. Of all the coaches we have a realistic chance of obtaining, he is by far the best option.

    It’s been so long since we’ve had that brand of up-tempo, fast break offense, with a trapping, thievish, full court press defense at State. That’s what the top programs play and what the top athletes want to be a part of, and Shaka would finally bring that style back to Raleigh.

  8. AppPack14 04/03/2011 at 2:30 PM #

    DY needs to make sure Shaka understands that Raleigh is largely considered one of the best places to live and start a family in the US…and he needs to relay that to his wife :). I’d be happy with a lot of the names mentioned, but I’m definitely in Shaka’s camp. That doesn’t mean I believe we have a good chance at landing him (loyalty counts for a lot in his book based on what I’ve read about him). I don’t believe he’ll chase the money especially since he’s already being offered a comfortable raise, but DY should definitely try to get him.

  9. Butane 04/03/2011 at 2:48 PM #

    This is my first post here, so forgive me for my inexperience. Been following you folks for a while now.
    I’m as excited as anyone one about this search. My senior year at NCSU was 1974, and in ’83 I watched the final at my house with a good friend UNC grad. When “the dunk” was made we both jumped up, gave each other a high ten and my wedding ring flew off my finger! Spent the next ten minutes looking for it to no avail; found it six months later on a book shelf. But I digress . . .
    I’ve always maintained that Duke and UNC-CHeat fans have NO emotional investment in their teams like we State fans do. Most of their fans have never faced a prolonged dry spell in the past 30 years (but boy, did the UNC fans scatter a few years back, didn’t they?) We stick with the Red-and-White in thick and thin, and its been mediocre-to-thin the past 20 years, with some flashes of hope thrown in to keep us salivating. Little wonder of all the angst.
    So, here we are again! Seems like Groundhog Day, I know, and we think that the ending will be the same. Eager anticipation followed by bitter disappointment. Like hoping for the Harley at Christmas and waking up to a Schwinn under the tree. It rides, but it’s notthe same level of ride and we can’t keep up with the big boys. I’m right there with ya, folks.
    I truly believe it will be different this time. Why? Lots of factors have changed. We start with the AD and Chancellor. Two pros who have the ability to listen to those that fund the university’s programs. Soem of the ghosts of the past who hated it when V was successful have moved on. The “mole” has finally been extracted fron the Athletic Department. And our AD understands winning and excellence, and she “refuses to accept the status quo.” What a breath of fresh air when I read that for the first time! Everything about her is classy, professional and focused. Thank God she doesn’t waste her time reading the blogs! She is doing her work. She is doing it well. She is not allowing the discordant background noise (talking heads, reporters, naysayers, us) to distract her from the task at hand.
    There are some strong voices of reason on this site. The web master counsels patience – always a good thing. Adventuroo brings an insider’s perspective, intelligence, experience and always an upbeat attitude. And he is a well-schooled student of NCSU BB history. I take my hat off to you, sir! Many other of you have learned to stand tall in the tornado as this process unfolds. Of course, there will always be the second-guessers, the catastrophizers (nice word, huh?), the negative Normans, the Henny Pennys – as there are on all blogs of any ilk. No matter who we hire some will be unhappy. So be it, and bless your little hearts (that’s Southern woman code for “they don’t have a clue and never will.)
    At this moment nearly everyone is in play. The only one who has recently mad a change that I thought could be a guy for us is Lon Kruger. I suspect that has been in the works for a while. And I really think that the only job Brad Stephens would leave Butler for is Indiana. He so much as said so on ESPN recently. For an established coach to make a move to NCSU, there are so many details unrelated to the game that have to be satisfied – equipment deals, incentives (how about this – a $50,000 bonus every time we beat Duke or UNC, double that is it’s on their home court), contract buyouts, selling a house, etc. For the up-and-comers on our short list, the season had to play out. I believe it has now done so.
    I am in no way qualified to project the new hire. Heck, if I was that good I’d be retired! But the “feeling” is very good this time. We’re in good hands; hands of people who know what they’re doing and who care about NC State. Be patient for a few more days. Think positive. Dream BIG! We will be rewarded.
    Remember – “the sun don’t shine on the same dog’s ass all the time.”
    Peace. Out.

  10. Rochester 04/03/2011 at 3:16 PM #

    My issue with a Smart hire is that his particular style of play has typically had a ceiling around the middle of the pack of the NCAA Tournament.

    He just made the Final Four, with middling talent. The Weave and Heave never made it beyond the Sweet 16. I’ll take Shaka Ball, thanks.

  11. Wulfpack 04/03/2011 at 3:42 PM #

    I went to some of the practices in Charlotte and Collins and Wojo run a very similar drill for Duke.

  12. MatSci94 04/03/2011 at 4:17 PM #

    The specifics of the drill aren’t important. The energy and enthusiasm he shows with the players (and how they respond to him). That and the fact that he got to the final four with mid-major talent.

    Did Collins and Wojo do the drill like Smart did? How badly did they flop?

  13. Wulfpack 04/03/2011 at 4:26 PM #

    Very similar.

  14. bmamba101 04/03/2011 at 4:28 PM #

    He looked pretty f**king stupid! Then he puts all the blame for losing on his players and the refs. Total lack of character!! And he lost 11 games in a juvenile conference and finished what, 4th? Let him stay in his VA cave and away from Raleigh!

  15. State Fan 04/03/2011 at 5:31 PM #

    Butane, love the incentive idea for wins over UNC/Duke. bmamba101, who’s your candidate? I like the intensity and don’t think it looked “stupid”.

  16. projectwentynine 04/03/2011 at 6:31 PM #

    “Give me attention.”

  17. packhammer 04/03/2011 at 6:52 PM #

    If Yow hires him she will have done the complete due diligence on him. She is not going for the long bomb. She knows she can’t stand the possibility of a real bomb. That is why I think she is very leery of Smart. High potential for disaster. Based on what she said, she wants someone with more of a track record. We have been wandering in the wilderness too long and she knows it.

  18. State Fan 04/03/2011 at 7:46 PM #

    We got Everett Case after 4 years of service in the Navy in WWII with no college coaching experience, just high school. If you want a guy with a proven Division 1 track record, Herb’s 88-73 at Arizona State, in spite of his 12-18 record this season. Coach K was 73-59 in 5 years at Army with just one NIT appearance before Duke took a chance on him. Duke’s program at the time was a lot like our program is now – a history of success with some recent years of frustration. Sometimes you just have to take a chance on a guy who shows promise.

  19. wolfonthehill 04/03/2011 at 7:50 PM #

    Leslie didn’t sprint downcourt once – all season… he’d be kicked out of the practice the first time he half-assed it through a drill like that.

    Not saying Smart’s the guy, but I’d pay to watch that…

  20. wolfonthehill 04/03/2011 at 7:53 PM #

    And projectwentynine reflects my initial thoughts… he’s on camera at the Final Four… I’d be floored if this was a typical practice… dude was in the limelight & he performed.

  21. Classof89 04/04/2011 at 8:51 AM #

    “No one knows anything . . . Shaka is one of MANY that are interested in the job.”

    LOL…now you can spot the logical disconnects in the SAME SENTENCE!

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