basketball story

January 13, 2014

How Jim Crutchfield created one of basketball’s most explosive offenses at West Liberty

There's no telling what coaches might give to learn the secrets behind West Liberty's high-octane offense, but none of it would matter. You can't have them. It's not that men's basketball coach Jim Crutchfield isn't willing to help his colleagues. T...


January 13, 2014

Getting on board with new technology in basketball programs

When Kyle Murphy began working at Hudl nearly seven years ago, it was led by no more than a handful of employees. The staff there today numbers more than 100, and Hudl has grown into one of the leaders in helping coaches analyze game film. That type...


January 13, 2014

Great ideas come from unexpected places

Great coaches are students. Period. I make that distinction because I've never met a first-rate coach that lived a bubble, burdened with tunnel vision toward the game. Sure, they're masters of their craft, but they've also come to appreciate the val...


January 13, 2014

Blueprint for improvement

Every year around this time, I get a ton of questions about what both teams and individuals should be doing to maximize improvement during the offseason. By this time of the year, you should be deep into offseason training or getting ready to jump in...


January 13, 2014

Ohio University dresses up arena with graphics

Ohio University's Convocation Center was built more than 45 years ago, but few would ever suspect it. Over the last decade the venue has been upgraded with everything from video boards to "television quality lighting, creating an atmosphere unlike an...


January 13, 2014

Signs add spirit to schools athletic wing

The walls in the athletic wing at Del Valle High School (Texas) were like that of an old hospital — dull, empty, forgettable. In a state that prides itself on athletic prowess, that was something that needed to change, helping to remind students of...


January 13, 2014

Transfer epidemic has no easy cure

Few things are more frustrating in the game of basketball right now than the transfer epidemic that has plagued the high school and college levels. It's hard to believe when you look at how troublesome it has become, but 15 years ago this wasn't even...


January 13, 2014

Hurricane watch

Miami was the only team to beat Duke last season and miss the NCAA Tournament, a fact that still haunts coach Jim Larrañaga. His Hurricanes manhandled college basketball's best team on its home floor, finishing with a winning record in arguably the ...