A nice column about Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson from Mike Waldner at the Daily Breeze. The following is an excerpt:
Olson put on a coaching clinic Saturday after UCLA expanded a 39-38 halftime lead to 47-42.
Just when the Bruins thought they were in control, he called a timeout and cleared the cobwebs in the heads of Channing Frye and Ivan Radenovic, his two big men, with more than a few choice words.
He wanted Frye, who is 6-foot-11, to remain inside on offense. He wanted 6-10 Radenovic to move his feet and help out on defense.
How clear the message was is seen in the manner in which Arizona immediately took charge.
“It wouldn’t stop,” a frustrated UCLA coach Ben Howland said following the game.
What would not stop was the 19-0 Arizona run to settle the game then and there.
Olson has 301 Pac 10 victories, second only to John Wooden with 304.
The respect Wooden has for Olson is demonstrated in a trip he plans to take to Tucson.
“Coach Wooden is coming out to practice at our place on the 22nd,” Olson said. “That’s going to be a great thrill for our guys.”
Don’t underestimate how much Olson is looking forward to the day with Wooden.
“I might have him put together the practice plan for the day and run the practice for us,” he said.
Link via College Basketball.
What a great game.