Warming up baby!

As i sit here with the latest episode of Entourage playin n the back ground...i'm also thinkin of the comin season. As i always do, i'm starting to get into basketball mode. That means an unbelievable focus and middle of the night thoughts of how we can get better. Each year, each season brings something different and you have to find out which pieces or parts or players will be key. It's not always the obvious ones that are there for the naked eye to see. Those intangible guys that play a huge part in successful teams seasons. LOL...i love it! Let's get it N baby! Man...what is Vincent Chase doing? Turtle...handle ur business playa!

&%$#! Cancer! The troops r everywhere! WE GON BEAT it!

In Cali...attended the Harold Pump Foundation dinner the other night. It was a bigtime event and I'm proud of the Pumps! There's a lot said about those red head twins but when it comes to what they are doing for cancer....u can't deny the positive impact they are having! I can really relate to the devastation and loss that cancer can bring. Losing my Pop was the toughest thing that I've had to deal with EVER! They raise a lot of money and get all the celebrities to come out. It was funny cause i wanted stop Serena and ask for a picture. I didn't freeze up so don't trip! Brotha wasn't scared....are u kiddin me! Just was trying to respect her privacy, that's all. But DAMN! Later for her privacy next time! :)

I just got a call from Anthony Anderson this mornin too! Big Fella....that's what we call him. He called to inform me that he was officially Cancer Free! WOW! How bout that! God is Good! Keep praying ya'll! Prayer works 4 sho! Cancer took a big hit this weekend!! Yea BOY!

ABC....EZ as 1,2,3....I want u bac

Ok...so it Tuesday, July 27th and there is 4 days left in the 2010 summer recruiting. Whew, it's been a long hot month and I'm in sunny Southern California preparing to attend a big hoops tournament in Anaheim. There are teams from all over the country in attendance but I will pay particular interest in the teams from da DMV....that's the new age way folks refer to the D.C, Maryland & Virginia area. I know alot of folks are up on it but lots of different people read da blog. Chill! :)

It's important that we see as many recruits as possible. I try to go into areas where I've had success recruiting and areas where I had success with a player because this is a relationship business and if a kid has graduated or had an opportunity to graduate, then the you've held up your end of the deal that you promised when you were recruiting the youngman. Now, as far as the success on the basketball court....that's a whole nutha deal! Yes i said nutha....and it's a word in this case. :) Basketball success unfortunately is weighted differently. Some folks get it some don't. Some kids are good high school players and aren't good college players. Some peak too soon, others are late bloomers! Some pick the wrong systems to play in, others hit it just right. Some pick a coach that would never work or fit for them and others picks mentors and continue to develop and grow. Folks play the blame game and sometimes....i said sometimes, it's warranted. The parents play an important role, the coach does too but the athletes play a bigger role and have to accept responsibility for it. Wow...how did i get all the way there?

It's 4 days left in the recruiting period and I'm taking a minute to blog while i listen to a Jazzy Jeff mix of Michael Jackson cuts that's off the hook! I never can say goodbye......

There is hot...then...there's....HOT! Vi va Las Vegas

Hot is not a definitive enuff word to describe da Las Vegas heat! Whew!! Anyway, the 1st day here i attended Team USA practice and it was good to connect with the cats that i know from the NBA. There were also alot of college coaches there to observe practice as well. Tons of security so if you didn't have credentials....it was a problem.

It was also good seeing J Kidd (Jason Kidd), he's a consultant with Team USA's team this year. He has always had a great basketball IQ and will make a great coach or GM someday! We were suppose to play golf the next morning but at the last minute we had to cancel. It's funny when i see some the guys i recruited and had/have great relationships with, like Chauncey Billups and Lamar Odom. I recruited both of them and became very close to them. It's always good to see those cats! I'm proud of those dudes to see them reach their dreams and goals and become great leaders in the NBA.

As for the high school ballers....Lots of players and talent out here in Vegas! I've watch alot of basketball in the 2 days since the 2nd period started...and more to come. With all the people here it's hard to believe we r n a recession! Somebody is making $$$$$

Hey, ima get wit ya'll later....i need a slurpee! Super size that bad boy!

Time Out for da Grown Ups

Ok...so let me explain or ur cousins would say bac in da day....let me sssplain. The summer recruiting period has changed drastically over the years. In my previous life as Head Coach at Cal...the entire month of July was available or you were allowed to recruit or be on da road in "Coach speak", but now, You can go out July 6th (can travel the day b 4) until da 15th. The July 15th-21st is a dead period in which coaches can't be on da road evaluated prospects. Just to b clear, you can travel the day b 4 a period begins and da day after a period ends. Thus...i'm on a flight to Las Vegas to observe some 500 to 600 teams and that's not counting the 200 to 300 teams that will be in Orlando starting on Friday evening. Yes, there are tons of teams, players etc. on the circuit. So many sometimes it can be very difficult keeping track. So what most coaches do is follow the local teams from your area and occasionally follow players that you've discovered during a previous camp or tournament. There are also the leads that you get from folks from all walks of life.

Now obvious some schools are selecting while the rest of us recruit. Hey, it's part of the process....can't hate da player...and definitely don't want to hate the game. Aiight...enuff Blogging for tonight. Ima chill for the rest of the flight. Excuse me....can I get a diet coke.....pleaz

Day 6....Summer 2010 Recruiting

O.K...its day 6(seems like a month already) of the recruiting period and I'm in D.C or the D.C, Baltimore area checking out local talent before I head to the Peach Jam and Peach State tournaments in GA this week. The JUCO tournament in Tulsa was ok. it's the 3:45 am wake up calls that are killing me. Yes, i have to get up that early to catch the 6 am flights I've been getting on to get to these cities early to start grinding. I'll tell you what's interesting is that the NCAA Enforcement staff is everywhere! They have made a conscious effort to police the summer circuit this year. I think they are wasting their time because the summer circuit is not where the problem is. That's all I'm going to say on the topic for right now.

Let me grab some grub before I head out to check some hoops out. Going to hit the D.C Assault tournament today then get myself ready to travel tomorrow! I know this entry was pretty basic! Chill!

GET UR GRIND ON!

I know, I know...i gotta post more than once every couple of weeks! :) Ima get it together and get on a roll. I'm an Artist...and I'm sensitive about my s+*&! LOL Eryka Badu ya'll.....keep up! Well, it's the 1st day of the 2010 summer recruiting! I'm n my hotel room listenin to da Drake CD and Bloggin! Reflecting on the day...it was interesting. Seen and spoke to alot of my colleagues and it's cool seeing everybody! The summer scene is super busy. All the cell phones burnin up, side meetings, non verbal communication, eye bumpin, body bumpin....basically, it's ALOT! LOL

I watch about 7 or 8 games today and had to retreat to da room for a NAP! Yes a nap! What, a grown man can't take a nap? Well, I did and I do! Now, Im a high energy cat but i have to recharge every once n awhile. Folks that know me aren't buyn it right now but i do slow down and recharge sometimes. Anytee way....the young cats were playn hard today! I mainly watch the teams from the DMV. That's funny cuz i grow up n the D.C area and we didn't say that shyt! lol Whateva...I watch the teams from the area. B more, D.C and VA. It's enuff talent to go around but I will watch, recruit research any player or lead that i get. Basically, I'm getn my GRIND ON! GOTTA LOVE IT!

Nobody Makes every shot! So there will always B REBOUNDS!

Last week...Thursday to be exact...After my 6 am Yoga class, I went to my Internship and put some good work N! I gettn more and more comfortable with da radio thang! Well, after some time n the office, catchn up on paperwork, planning summer recruitn and checkn on the fellas that are in summer school I had an appointment to speak with a group of cats from Jericho Re-Entry program.

I remember going thru a real tough time during my dayz out of college coaching...there was alot of tough spots but I always prayed up and stayed positive. Well, I always promised GOD that once I made it thru...I would gladly share my story and be transparent tellin it. I hope the fellas got something out of my story. I condensed it for sake of time and definitely wasn't preachy. Everyone deserves a second chance and some folks even deserve a third chance and maybe even a fourth. C'mon Son....stop tripn, everybody hits a tough spots and how we respond determine your level of success or ability to rebound. LOL I was going to say reboundness but i know that's not a word. LOL I used it anyway huh?

Anyway...good luck fellas! One step at a time...and remember prayer works! I'm a classic example!

City of Angels Rock 2! No age limit on becoming ONE!

I attended the NBA Finals n L.A on Tuesday and I must say it was hyped in da Staples Center! Yes...i flew out to L.A to attend the game. I didn't get a ticket until Tuesday afternoon but hey...i was there. I was surprised the fans were as hyped as they were. It was exciting and electric in there. The first lady, Michele Obama was n attendance as well. They announced of both....lol! Yeah....right! I heard ya'll. The reason I say I was surprised is because when I was coaching at Cal and we played UCLA the crowd was always like an opera crowd. Meaning they sat on their hands, weren't very loud and at times seemed uninterested.

Well that wasn't the case n da Staples Center Tuesday! The Lakers started out with a load of energy and finished that way. It's always interesting to see the drastic swings teams make from one game to the next. It often happens between Home/Road games. Teams normally play with more energy at home but in some cases it'll work the other way. I ran into alot of folks I know in the industry, some i hadn't seen n awhile and that was cool too. There was even a guy who came up to me and said that he was at our NCAA tournament game in Buffalo this year. He attended the game before in Boston and flew to L.A for this game too. Talk about a basketball junkie! In hear you homeboy! I was going to stay in L.A til Friday but...I'm headed back east Thursday morning.

***R.I.P lil Andrea....17 beautiful years young lady! Sorry u left us so early...we'll miss u and we'll see u on the other side angel! U were/are one my baby gurl's favorites!

Yoga...Yoga! Yup!

I've taking Bikram Yoga classes lately! Whew....it's a beast i must say. I've going once a week and want to get up to twice a week before we hit the road recruiting in July. Just something else to ease the stress, protect da bones & joints and help facilitate weight loss! In case you are not aware of it...it's Yoga (27 positions) in 104 degree temperature. You feel great after you've finished the class and are into the rest of your day! It's actually helped my knee to the point where i was able to go for a run the other day and didn't have any pain afterwards! Yeah boy!!! I really love running and I'm looking forward to getting back to it soon.
Today...my children decided to join me and they actually completed the entire class! Way to go ya'll!! Let's see if they return for another class! :)

Returning from a 30 second timeout

Ok....that was a looong break. I understand! lol But I'm back on the blogging trail now. :) It's been 4 years now and I'm entering my 5th year (with 4 years left on my new contract) as the Head Coach at Morgan State. Every year that I've been here the talk is whether I will be back as coach, how long will i be here and i won't be here that much longer. Well, who knows what tomorrow will bring but I can only deal with today and each day after that. I love coaching, i love teaching, mentoring and watching young people mature and reach their dreams and goals. I know....ur going to say i didn't answer any of those questions....yes i did! Read it again. lol

Da Regular Season Ends Da Tourney B Gins!

I tell you what....there is nothing like a packed arena, gym, play ground or court during a basketball game! If that doesn't get your juices flowing you need a transplant! Well all that to say that our game at Coppin State last night was a great college basketball atmosphere! The place was packed, the band was jammin and the hecklers were in full force. As i was walking in the game, i didn't come over with the team, i was standing behind some fans who were ripping da bears up and saying that "yeah they beat us last year but we got them in the tournament"...yeah...i was right there but i didn't say anything and they didn't know who i was either. Funny huh? So needless to say I'm walking into the locker room grabbing my side from that body blow i got comin in. Jump ball baby! C'on...i hate the time before the game! That waitin around kills me...i wish we could walk into the arena and jump it up right off da muscle! That's a B more term ya'll chill wit the confused look! :) lol

It was a good game and we shot the blood out the ball in the first half. 51% from the field, 55% from the 3 pt line and 85% from the ft line! Then why were we only up 8? B.....cause we turned the ball over 10 times and that got lay ups on almost ever one of em. I was upset at half because...no disrespect intended but if you shoot the ball like that you should be participating in a game with a different score. We did manage to play well enough in the second half to win the last men's basketball game ever played at the Coppin Center. They will open a new arena next year and ironically we will be their first opponent on that court as well.

It was a good win for the program...we finished the regular season 13-3 and an overall record of 20-11. Back to back regular season champs, #1 seed and back to back 20 win seasons. Now gotta get right for the conference tournament...ima give them off today, refresh myself, attend some high school games, run some errands, workout and chill! Packed dayz always...but you gotta luv it baby...it's March Madness! Best time of the year! Hey...turn those lights out! :)

Da Morgan Big Three!

Senior night is always tough when you've developed, built, banged heads, nurtured, groomed, taught and learned a group of young folks. Senior night represents the last time the group of present senior will put on the home uniforms in front of the home crowd! They are greeted at center court...often times with their loved ones and sometimes in the case at "The Hill" (yeah I'm calling it that) on Saturday the whole team! Our seniors, Rogers Barnes, Jermaine "Itchy" Bolden and Marquise Kately are all unique, they all took different paths to Morgan and play a significant role on this year's squad. Rog is the energizer cat! He is always at full speed (not always for the positive :)...that's just for him if he's reading this) and joined the program as a walk-on before I arrived. He has always remained humble. When I first arrived at Morgan I had him try out all over again and from day one he has been 110%. He's a starter and a major reason why Da Bears are the #1 seed going into the MEAC tournament.

Itchy, is the bus driver! He really is the one that puts da "GO" in "Go Bears!" (I thought that was pretty cool ya'll...stop trippin) If he played at full speed...Wow...would he be off the charts (that again, is my version of a subliminal message..lol). Itchy came to Morgan from South Plains Community College via Douglas High School in West B-more! He is the most popular recruit that we've since we arrived on campus. When we announced that we signed Itchy Bolden...Whew! That's all I heard from folks when I went around town. He's won everywhere he's played and to his credit...he's adjusted his game to become a true Point Guard! He was a scorer in a PG's body and the coach at South Plains started him on the right path in terms of being a true PG (his high school coach had him do what he needed him to do and that was win ball games! State Title while at Douglas!). In AAU and high school hoops one can get away with being a 5-9 scorer but as you move up you have to adjust alittle which he did. He wasn't always reading from the same page I was but by the 5th or 6th game this year he made the switch. Last year Jerrell Greene ran the show so there was no pressure. Thanks Itchy for buying in! And driving da bus...that's without a CDL and telephone books to see over the dash! lol Lighten up folks...it's just a joke! Or suppose to be anyway!

Quise is the ultimate team mate! He takes alot off his team mates and really cover for them on defense like you wouldn't believe! If they could help him remember more plays he could help them more on offense. Oops thinkin out loud again...my bad! :) Na...we really try to run everything thru Quise and he can definitely handle it! He came to Morgan as a transfer from Cal. Yes that Cal! How many Cal's do you know of...:) He was a freshman starter and made the Pac-10 all rookie team but things didn't work out for him in da Bay and he came East (he actually attended Prep school back east as well) to play for a coach that things didn't work out for at Cal. Last year when we were playing at Saint Francis of PA...our offense was struggling a little like the year before and went to him 3 straight times and he delivered! Jerrell and I looked at each other at the same time and smiled...yeah boy! We got a go to cat now...watch out! We won the game and from that point on the teams confidence grew. He has been a lot of fun to coach and is our best player because of his basketball IQ and abilities! He is truly a great team mate too!

Aiight ya'll that's our version of da big three! They closed out their regular season home schedule with a "W" which brings their two year record in "Da Hill" to 22-2. i know it was different earlier...stop being petty! :) You guys also put up 2 banners for Back to back regular season championships!

Thanks fellas for your commitment, dedication, hard work, sacrifice, staying da course and puttin up wit Boze! Lord knows dat ain't EZ! :)

The Foundation has been Laid!

Sometimes as a coach you're talking to your team, trying to get them going...sometimes you speak alittle louder ( wink-wink), sometimes you challenge guys, sometimes you go at your best player(s) and still...sometimes they won't get going! Well Monday night in Hampton was one of those days/nights. I'm not sure if it was because it we played 5 games in 9 days, the hour between the time we spoke in the locker room and the start of the game (the women's game went into overtime, then they had a discrepancy on the score) or the 30 or so minute wait after the cheerleader hit her head (hope she is okay btw...we said a prayer for her on the sideline) or these cats could have just been out of it. Whatever it was, it was one of those days! You always get one or two of those games a year and hopefully this one and the Saint Francis games were our two! We were 9-17 from the free throw line, 0-8 from the 3 point line (first time in the 3 years we've been at Morgan) and we still had a chance to win or tie the game at the end. We drew up a play and one of the guys went to the wrong spot. But hey...Mama said it would be days like that!

With all that...we were still successful in clinching the regular season title for the second consecutive year. It's a big accomplishment and I'm extremely proud of the guys. It says alot of where we've come as a program and it's important to recognize Morgan State basketball as a program now. When a program can lose the Player of the Year, the Defensive Player of the Year and the starting point guard and come back and win the conference again...speaks volumes! We are going in the right direction. I'm proud of the guys and we owe a lot to guys like Ron Timus (came back to play his last year when he didn't have to), Boubacar Coley, Jamar Smith and Jerrel Greene for taking the first steps and laying the first bricks! Thanks again fellas!

That said...WE got work to do this Saturday (Senior night at Morgan vs Del State), next Thursday ( last regular season game and it's at Coppin) and the MEAC tournament March 10-14 where we will be the number 1 seed. We want to finish strong and the only reason I'm even discussing it wit ya'll is because we've clinched the regular season already. I'm just getting in from watching the Prince George's County 3A/ 4A championship game at Wise Sr. High School this evening and thought I'd share my thoughts....we have practice at 11 a.m so ima chill and start da shut down process...I'll Holla

Busters of da Bracket? Rodney Dangerfield or What?

The Bracketbuster is over for this year and I'm gonna share my thoughts on the topic from Morgan State's perspective anyway! Now don't get me wrong...we were definitely excited to participate in the bracketbuster and be the first HBCU (Historically Black College University) to ever participate but we were looking for a different opponent. No disrespect to Towson but we wanted to play one of the better teams in the CAA or another conference. I mean we are 18-10, first place in the MEAC and we've had some good win outside of our conference. I thought we earned the right to not have to play against a team in the bottom of another conference. It was kind of a slap in the face! As a competitor you always want the toughest competition you can get and on top of that...I heard that before the game we (Morgan State basketball program) was looked upon as part of a favorable schedule coming up for Towson!

Wow! I'm not one to put things out there and I definitely took the high road in the press conference but to be true to da folks dat Blog wit Boze...I have to speak on it alittle bit. Still taking the High road just made a slight left turn. :) The conference was just happy to participate and I understand to a certain degree but we could have made a legitimate argument to play a team with a better record. I mean the point of playing in the bracketbuster is to show where you are in regard to other teams around the country that are similar to yourselves. It's suppose to help towards the NCAA tournament selection and I know we are not in a position for an at-large bid but we still deserved the right to be matched against a team with a winning record. Sure...we lost some early games in conference to couple of teams with losing records but conference play is different. Conference teams know more about you etc. so it's a different game...hence Maryland defeating UNC even though UMD didn't have a winning record in conference play (don't start trippin folks, I'm not taking a shot at UMD...just making a point).

N T way...the fellas were ready to play and Itchy continued to impress with his leadership. He scored 14 points in the first half to carry us until the second half and the other cats got involved. He scored 2 points in the second half but in true PG fashion he scored when he needed to then got his team mates involved. He did finish with 9 assist also. We had five guys score in double figures and we'll continue to press for that day when everything clicks! But at this point in the season it's a good thing to be able to win some games eventhough we haven't hit on all cylinders yet. I'll take it baby...it could be worst huh?

We'll practice this morning before heading down to Hampton for our second conference ESPN game of the season. We'll have 2 more conference games left...one at home (Delaware State) and one on da road (Coppin State). Man...let me get out of here and get to practice....

Get N over da Hump on Hump Day!

The win versus Howard was a good one considering we've swept them every year we've been here and they had won 5 straight at home this year and also opened their season with a victory over Oregon State. We didn't p[lay great but it was good enough for a "W". Please don't misunderstand...believe me I won't rest on that but sometimes you have to just grind out wins and keep it moving. Itchy and Marquise carried us and they should being two of the three seniors. We are trying to establish a tradition in the program where the seniors carry/ lead the team and dictate alot.

Last nights game started our stretch of 4 games in 7 days. We'll give the guys fellas the day off today and get back at it Friday for our ESPN Bracketbuster game on Saturday at Towson. We are not playing at the level that we want to play yet but we are not playing at the level we were playing at before. We're gettin better that's for sure. Every division One win is a good win so we'll take it! I'm chillin da rest of the day ya'll! Peace

Depth has it's Advantages

Hey...last night was another grind and we learned that we can win games without our significant low post scorer rebounder playing a major role. Kevin didn't play alot, mainly because of foul trouble. Rodney Stokes had some good moments and continues to get better but Kevin Thompson is the main cat inside for us. The perimeter cats carried us thru and we survived. I thought we allowed Bethune Cookman (who by the way are well coached) to control the tempo in the first half. We probably played our worst half of the season...scoring only 19 points at half! We were able to get a lead and keep it for the rest of the half but it was a grind. Sometimes I think guys make things tougher at home because their people are in the stands and what not! They tend to get into their feelings more at home. For you folks that don't get that...gettin into feelings means...being sensitive or acting like a......lol Hey whatever you filled in the blank, you said it not me! :) Anyway, thank goodness for depth!

From Monday on we have 4 games in 7 days. We will practice today at 4 p.m and we play at Howard University on Wednesday, at Towson in the ESPN bracketbuster on Saturday at 4 p.m i think and then we travel Sunday to Hampton for an ESPN game Monday night. Matter of fact I need to be watching more tape...ima holla at ya'll soon. Peace

One Bad apple don't spoil da whole bunch! Or does it?

You know...folks always complain about officials and sometimes it justified and sometimes it's not. I do understand that they are human and will sometimes make mistakes. But do they? Huh man? During the game we played last night vs FAMU I was and still am actually as upset as I have been with an official. He was totally inappropriate, disrespectful and bad! Not only that...he officiates in the Washington, D.C area and I NO respects the guys! Now, I know you guys are saying Wow, Boze you're really going at this guys. I've always said that if anyone can affect the outcome of a game it's an official and until the Tim Donaghy incident not many people believed it. Well, I said, they are human, with feeling etc. and so are coaches and we take all kind of harassment from fans etc. There is always a line that shouldn't be crossed. Some cross it most don't. Well, I expect the officials to do a good job every night and I have never had a problem if an official talks to me. Coaches and officials should be able to communicate with other on the floor unless and coach is getting out of hand. If he or I do then Tech the cat and keep it moving. But if you miss a call or are wrong then admit it and keep it moving but correct it. Now this a*$ gave me a tech because I looked at him! First, it took me 10 seconds to get the officials attention because the shot clock hadn't started and when I did get his attention and he began to address the folks at the scorers table, one of them suggested that it should be set at 30 something and I interjected that it couldn't be (they eventually set the clock at 17 seconds)...well this dude shouts to me to "mind yo business!, This ain't yo business!" HUH? Obviously I reminded him that this is my business...he then walks towards me and says..."That's it don't want to hear anything else from you!"

Well, I've received 3 technical fouls in 3 years and whenever an official has told me basically to chill...I have. Well, against my better judgement :) , I walked away! As play continued the action swung to our end...I was standing on the sideline as the action passed by...God forbid...I looked at the dude posing as an official. Well, he gives me a tech! I didn't open my mouth, no one from the bench said a word and even one of the other officials came by and asked me what I said. When i told him nothing...he laughed. He knows the dude is awful as well! He didn't say it but you know what I mean! Needless to say I placed a call to the Supervisor of officials as I will do if I feel an injustice has occurred or want to discuss rules etc. This guys is BAD and shouldn't be a position to affect livelihoods. If that game was close and that tech factored into the game...dude is a clown...case closed!

Ok..I got that off my chest! Whew!! Aiight...hey it was a good team win and we will continue to grind! Hey sorry I gave the cat that much attention but da blog is about the life & times of a college coach! lol Just keeping it real ya'll! Keep rolling wit a brotha! It didn't spoil my Valentine's Day that's for sure!! :)

Causal Wednesdays....4 Minnesota Fatz!

Wednesday is the day that we give our guys off. The NCAA requires each team to have one day off per week and I know I've explained it before but we chose Wednesday, because we have a Saturday/ Monday schedule in the MEAC conference and I like to discuss, review, work out the kinks etc. while it's still fresh in their minds. So we practice Tuesday's, call it a mental practice, watch tape of the previous game, make adjustments if necessary, lift weights and keep it short and sweet! Once we are done with a game (the next day included) I like to move on...good or bad. That way Wednesday is a complete day off...no weights etc. just class and we are back on the grind Thursday going hard for two days gettin ready for the weekend games!

Wednesdays are also good to run errands, get da wig cut, take care of paperwork, see recruits, do the expense report and basically to chill! I typically like to really relax on Wednesday's and free my mind, recollect my thoughts, read, return lots of phone calls (I'm so zoned out during game days and in between) and reenergize! Hey...it works for me!

The NBA All-Star weekend is coming up and it's in Phoenix, Az. The last time it was there I was coaching at Cal and we just happen to be in town playing the Arizona schools. That's where I met David Justice, Kenny Lofton and some other major leaguers while we were all out shooting pool one night. Of course I won...what kind of question was that? I'm mean on pool table baby! It was poppin in Phx that weekend and I'm sure it'll be on again this weekend! I hope everyone has a safe weekend! Hey..how bout an Old Timers Dunk contest! Wow..did I just say that after wishing everyone a safe weekend! LOL

Da Formula! P+O=Success

Whew! Tough game vs South Carolina last night and I will say that we are growing as a team. It was a team win and Ameer Ali really came off the bench and gave us a big lift! He did a great job on their big...Jason Johnson (who is really good!), especially in the 2nd half. He also grabbed 14 rebounds! Quise also answered the call as well! It wasn't a pretty win but was a win none the less! Every win in division one is a good win...I've learned! I was proud of how they respond to the challenge!

I keep trying to impress upon these cats that everyone will get an opportunity to help the team at some point but you have to be ready when the opportunity comes! It's the same in life and you never know when that opportunity when come! Haters will call it luck but I don't believe it's luck. Success is Preparation and Opportunity meeting up! To be successful...you have to be prepared when the opportunity comes and when the opportunity comes...you have to be prepared! And know that the opportunity is never late...either you weren't really prepared or it wasn't the right opportunity! Keep grinding peoples! :) Da bus leave at 8...we got a long ride back to B More but it's alot easier ride after a "W"...huh man? :)