March
25
#SOL22 #25
Several days ago, I wrote about rooting for underdog St Peter’s in the NCAA basketball tournament. Ranked #15, they toppled #2 seed Kentucky. A day or two later, they won against #7 Murray State to enter the Sweet 16.
This evening, they played against #3 seed Purdue, and won! This is the first time in NCAA history that a team of such low ranking has won a spot in the Elite Eight. As I was perched on the edge of my seat, I intentionally sought to understand the attributes this team has that have led them to perform so well.
- They are not at all intimidated by the fact they are playing against teams that are considered “better” than they are. They keep their cool, play their game. Even the 7’4″ center they faced today did not unnerve them.
- They work as a team. Always. No drama, no hot dogging, just steady teamwork. They have each other’s backs, anticipate the next move, move into position to be of the most help.
- Their coach is totally unflappable. Also no drama, no shouting, no belittling his team members. (I categorically reject the idea that yelling at and berating players is an effective “building” behavior.)
I need to take a page from their playbook in my own coaching and team endeavors.
P.S. I’m already getting my pom poms ready to cheer them to victory in their next game, the day after tomorrow.
Nodding my head at each word— I agree with your analysis. I’ve seen teams depend on the hot-dogger and watched teams fall apart with players taking desperate shots— rather than keeping their cool as one team setting up the best play. And coaches. I’ve left games because of yelling and berating coaches; it ruins the game, and the players’ spirits. I wonder if the coach here spends time helping players get to know each other— not just play together— but learn to like each other and understand how each one’s skill supports the others. Sounds like a team that appreciates each other. Great analysis.
I would be willing to bet the coach spends a LOT of time in team building exercises on and off the court. Each of the players seems to be well aware of their strengths, and of the strengths of the other players, and they work in concert to maximize their effectiveness. That whole gestalt idea that the whole is more than the sum of the parts.
I love that each year, there is a possibility for a team like St Peter to arrive, unannounced and relatively unknown, and get our attention in March Madness.
Kevin
For sure, Kevin! Such inspiration.
Nice breakdown of this special team’s foundations. As a coach myself, I’m intrigued by and curious about the how: the conditions and process that cultivate the blend of fearlessness and teamwork you notice. The coach’s demeanor is one factor, as you show. I wonder what else might be contributing, from which I can learn.
How cool, Brian, adding to your own coaching arsenal by observing and putting into practice what other coaches do!