Friday, November 29, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Jim Rome Tweet on Gauchos Victory over UNLV
UCSB 86, UNLV 65. Gauchos own the Rebels just like always, @GregAnthony50. #IslaVista. #FT2N. #DelPlaya. #Thunderdome. #SamsToGo.
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) November 13, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Top NBA Prospects in the Non-BCS Conferences, Part Two: (#6-10)
UCSB junior center Alan Williams is a budding NBA prospect.
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Top-NBA-Prospects-in-the-Non-BCS-Conferences-Part-Two-6-10--4366
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Top-NBA-Prospects-in-the-Non-BCS-Conferences-Part-Two-6-10--4366
Monday, November 4, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Interview with UCSB Women's Volleyball Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch
Gaucho
Hoops ("GH"): Thanks for taking this interview on such notice, Coach
Welch. Let's start with: why was the UCSB
women's volleyball coach a destination job for you? After all, the
University of Miami (FL) is a big time program in the ACC. You achieved
major success there. In fact, your team was fresh off an NCAA
tournament appearance and you were honored as ACC Coach of the Year.
Nicole Lantagne Welch ("NLW"): First off I'm a California native and always wanted to get back "home." Family is important to me. My parents were born and raised in Santa Barbara--they attended Santa Barbara High. I have aunts, uncles, cousins- many family members here in Santa Barbara that can now be a bigger part of our lives and my children are much closer to their grandparents.
GH: Where did you grow up and where did you play volleyball?
NLW: I was raised in Encinitas, CA and attended University of Maryland. But I came to Santa Barbara many times for holidays and any breaks from school. I love the place.
GH: Besides Santa Barbara, what other destination was ideal?
NLW: San Diego. But UCSB was a dream job because I knew it could be so successful. Again, its academics, location and history of the program- what Coach Kathy Gregory had established here.
GH: Speaking of Coach Gregory, how was the transition? What helped the team during this transition?
NLW: The returnees made it easy to transition to our way, our coaching. They bought in to everything we were trying to do and embraced the differences
GH: The win at the University of Hawaii was a major breakthrough for the Gauchos program. The win snapped a long UH home winning streak. How did your team accomplish that win?
NLW: We stuck to the game plan. Previously we played a tough out of conference schedule. We were in all our matches. We played USC tough, when they were ranked #1. By always being in matches, the team developed a belief that they could play with anybody. That belief in themselves carried them to finish out Hawaii. That win was huge for our confidence.
GH: How do you maintain the momentum of beating Hawaii?
NLW: We focus on our next opponent--our next weekend of opponents. We realize any opponent can win, so we focus on playing our best, one match at a time. We respect our opponents. For example, in our next match we were able to sweep CSUN, who was undefeated in conference at the time.
GH: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
NLW: We've finished the first half of conference 7 - 1. If anyone had asked me back in February if we'd take a 7 - 1 conference record into the second half of the season, I would have jumped on it. So we have exceeded my expectations so far because we have worked hard to improve and get better. But our goal is now to win the Big West regular season championship, because that gets us an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.
The NCAA tournament is somewhat similar to basketball: there are 32 automatic berths, and 32 at-large invitees. The winners of the Big West regular season get the automatic invite into the NCAA tournament.
GH: Longer term, what are your objectives for the program?
NLW: My job is to get the team to play at a higher level consistently. We've had some freshmen step up big this season: Ali Spindt, Allie Sullberg, and Phoebe Grunt. Our seniors have led the way: Leah Sully, Katey Thompson, and Kara Sherrard.
They all work hard and are intense. One area of improvement is our conditioning. Our first work out left them spent last spring.
GH: One area Coach Gregory emphasized was the vocal leadership of her teams, as she was vocal herself, so she wanted her players to display vocal leadership. Who is your leader in that aspect?
NLW: Katey is the most vocal--and very energetic. The team players better when Katey plays with energy. Her energy rubs off on her teammates, and they play with more focus. I would say that Leah Sully, Shauna Klein and Ali Santi also provide vocal leadership for the team.
GH: Has recruiting picked up with your recent success?
NLW: We hit the ground running since I arrived. We are able to recruit well because of the academics and location here at UCSB. We are developing a winning culture.
GH: Where do you envision your program a few years down the road?
NLW: We want to be competing for Big West championships year in and year out. We want to go to the NCAA tournament on a yearly basis. We want to be a top-25 program and then take things from there.
GH: Sounds awesome. Thanks again, Coach Welch and good luck the rest of the season.
Editor's note: Coach Welch is intense during practice, but her smile lit up the Thunderdome after practice. Her players respect her, she's demanding of them, and she is able to relate to them on a personal level.
Nicole Lantagne Welch ("NLW"): First off I'm a California native and always wanted to get back "home." Family is important to me. My parents were born and raised in Santa Barbara--they attended Santa Barbara High. I have aunts, uncles, cousins- many family members here in Santa Barbara that can now be a bigger part of our lives and my children are much closer to their grandparents.
GH: Where did you grow up and where did you play volleyball?
NLW: I was raised in Encinitas, CA and attended University of Maryland. But I came to Santa Barbara many times for holidays and any breaks from school. I love the place.
GH: Besides Santa Barbara, what other destination was ideal?
NLW: San Diego. But UCSB was a dream job because I knew it could be so successful. Again, its academics, location and history of the program- what Coach Kathy Gregory had established here.
GH: Speaking of Coach Gregory, how was the transition? What helped the team during this transition?
NLW: The returnees made it easy to transition to our way, our coaching. They bought in to everything we were trying to do and embraced the differences
GH: The win at the University of Hawaii was a major breakthrough for the Gauchos program. The win snapped a long UH home winning streak. How did your team accomplish that win?
NLW: We stuck to the game plan. Previously we played a tough out of conference schedule. We were in all our matches. We played USC tough, when they were ranked #1. By always being in matches, the team developed a belief that they could play with anybody. That belief in themselves carried them to finish out Hawaii. That win was huge for our confidence.
GH: How do you maintain the momentum of beating Hawaii?
NLW: We focus on our next opponent--our next weekend of opponents. We realize any opponent can win, so we focus on playing our best, one match at a time. We respect our opponents. For example, in our next match we were able to sweep CSUN, who was undefeated in conference at the time.
GH: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
NLW: We've finished the first half of conference 7 - 1. If anyone had asked me back in February if we'd take a 7 - 1 conference record into the second half of the season, I would have jumped on it. So we have exceeded my expectations so far because we have worked hard to improve and get better. But our goal is now to win the Big West regular season championship, because that gets us an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.
The NCAA tournament is somewhat similar to basketball: there are 32 automatic berths, and 32 at-large invitees. The winners of the Big West regular season get the automatic invite into the NCAA tournament.
GH: Longer term, what are your objectives for the program?
NLW: My job is to get the team to play at a higher level consistently. We've had some freshmen step up big this season: Ali Spindt, Allie Sullberg, and Phoebe Grunt. Our seniors have led the way: Leah Sully, Katey Thompson, and Kara Sherrard.
They all work hard and are intense. One area of improvement is our conditioning. Our first work out left them spent last spring.
GH: One area Coach Gregory emphasized was the vocal leadership of her teams, as she was vocal herself, so she wanted her players to display vocal leadership. Who is your leader in that aspect?
NLW: Katey is the most vocal--and very energetic. The team players better when Katey plays with energy. Her energy rubs off on her teammates, and they play with more focus. I would say that Leah Sully, Shauna Klein and Ali Santi also provide vocal leadership for the team.
GH: Has recruiting picked up with your recent success?
NLW: We hit the ground running since I arrived. We are able to recruit well because of the academics and location here at UCSB. We are developing a winning culture.
GH: Where do you envision your program a few years down the road?
NLW: We want to be competing for Big West championships year in and year out. We want to go to the NCAA tournament on a yearly basis. We want to be a top-25 program and then take things from there.
GH: Sounds awesome. Thanks again, Coach Welch and good luck the rest of the season.
Editor's note: Coach Welch is intense during practice, but her smile lit up the Thunderdome after practice. Her players respect her, she's demanding of them, and she is able to relate to them on a personal level.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Notes from October 31, 2013 preseason practice
Emphasis on 3 things in practice yesterday, after their scrimmage against USC:
1) be smart
2) be tough, be physical
3) do your job
4 x 4 drills emphasize spacing (without the 5, and on-ball screens).
Emphasize ball reversals (track possessions with 3 or more passes). Studies show ball reversals increase field goal percentage by X%. You'll have to ask Coach for that number (not sure I can reveal it).
Shooting drills: Bryson! Bos! Brown! Green! Hart!
Green hit 6 in a row from the right corner. Bryson hit 8 in a row from the right wing. Hart hit 9 in a row from the right corner. Check out what he did in casual 2-on-2 from the perimeter against Brown after practice. He probably has the best release on the team already. My opinion only.
Coach has in the past mentioned Nunnally and Somogyi had the best release on previous teams. Bos' shot is so effective the coaches decided to not mess with it. His guide hand is behind the ball, but his right wrist action is perfect.
Brown will be more aggressive on drives this year. Book it.
On ball reversals, the pass should be received above the shoulders so the recipient can make strong moves. There is more emphasis on fundamentals--the little things. One-handed passes are discouraged.
No team captains as of yet. Bos leads by example. Al is the voice of the team. Green will be once he gets court time. Zalmico has natural leadership instincts. Childress knows how to play, has a tight handle, sees the passing lanes, and had a better shot than I anticipated, altho it can be flat. He and Z are battling, getting better. They are competing on court, but best friends off the court. Z is helping Childress improve: junior mentor to true freshman.
Al was running a lot, keeping up his conditioning. Z has a bandaged right thumb (dislocated).
Coach is hard on the team when they have mental lapses. Veterans are singled out because they can take the tough coaching.
Yoga stretches are done after practice to prevent injuries.
1) be smart
2) be tough, be physical
3) do your job
4 x 4 drills emphasize spacing (without the 5, and on-ball screens).
Emphasize ball reversals (track possessions with 3 or more passes). Studies show ball reversals increase field goal percentage by X%. You'll have to ask Coach for that number (not sure I can reveal it).
Shooting drills: Bryson! Bos! Brown! Green! Hart!
Green hit 6 in a row from the right corner. Bryson hit 8 in a row from the right wing. Hart hit 9 in a row from the right corner. Check out what he did in casual 2-on-2 from the perimeter against Brown after practice. He probably has the best release on the team already. My opinion only.
Coach has in the past mentioned Nunnally and Somogyi had the best release on previous teams. Bos' shot is so effective the coaches decided to not mess with it. His guide hand is behind the ball, but his right wrist action is perfect.
Brown will be more aggressive on drives this year. Book it.
On ball reversals, the pass should be received above the shoulders so the recipient can make strong moves. There is more emphasis on fundamentals--the little things. One-handed passes are discouraged.
No team captains as of yet. Bos leads by example. Al is the voice of the team. Green will be once he gets court time. Zalmico has natural leadership instincts. Childress knows how to play, has a tight handle, sees the passing lanes, and had a better shot than I anticipated, altho it can be flat. He and Z are battling, getting better. They are competing on court, but best friends off the court. Z is helping Childress improve: junior mentor to true freshman.
Al was running a lot, keeping up his conditioning. Z has a bandaged right thumb (dislocated).
Coach is hard on the team when they have mental lapses. Veterans are singled out because they can take the tough coaching.
Yoga stretches are done after practice to prevent injuries.
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