I'm not sure how often you read The Cavalier Daily or The Washington Post, so it's entirely possible you missed this completely. Monday afternoon, I was reading Paul Montana's column about the latest men's basketball debacle, another overtime loss to archrival Virginia Tech. Toward the end of the piece, there is a quote from Virginia freshman forward Mike Scott that actually made me say "wow" aloud as I read it.
After the game last Saturday, Scott told The Washington Post that "playing with [Virginia Tech coach] Seth Greenberg, he gives them a chance, a little more leeway when they make a mistake. They make a mistake, they just get through it, and they still stay on the court, whereas we don't have enough time to make a mistake. If we make a mistake, we're coming out."
He goes on to say that young Hokie players are "going to stay in through mistakes. That's what it's all about -- confidence. If somebody scores on me, just let me play through it. Don't take me out. That's what I would like to see."
Again, wow. I am not surprised he feels that way; I am just surprised he actually said it to a reporter on the record. Maybe he just slipped up in the heat of the moment, with the team having just blown a huge lead in regulation and fallen apart in the extra session. Maybe he really wanted to speak his mind and wanted the public to hear it. Either way, it's obvious that Scott is not happy with the way Virginia coach Dave Leitao has been making substitutions during the game.
I'm sure there are a number of other players who share that sentiment as well. Come to think of it, everybody but Sean Singletary probably has reason to feel that way. Leitao definitely has a short leash when it comes to making mistakes during games, especially during the conference schedule. From the JPJ stands you can see Leitao immediately turn to the Wahoo bench after a player has a miscue on the court. It seems there is always someone in the coach's doghouse, and his playing time reflects that dubious status.
Now Leitao doesn't seem like the kind to check out what the media are saying and much less care about their opinions. But I have a feeling he heard through the grapevine what Scott said, and I can't imagine he could have been very happy to hear it. And I would rather be the target of that madman in the "Saw" movies than have to face an angry Dave Leitao.
So, yeah, I'm surprised Scott said what he did. But from the lowest levels of sports, you're taught not to worry about making mistakes. You're human. Everybody makes them. And further, fans, other players and coaches know that you aren't trying to mess up. It just happens.
Major Division I college basketball is not exactly your local house league, but I think Scott has a point. It's incredibly difficult to stay focused when you're looking over your shoulder every time you step on the floor. It's better for players to feel comfortable out there and be able to shake off a bad play while they are still on the court and not sitting on the end of the bench wondering if they will even get another chance to get in.
You also have to remember that many of these guys are first-year or fairly inexperienced players. Scott plus sophomores Jerome Meyinsse and Jamil Tucker have been forced to help senior Ryan Pettinella make up for the hole in the middle caused by injuries to big men junior Lars Mikalauskas and senior Tunji Soroye. How can inexperienced players learn from their mistakes when they are taken out of the game every time they happen?
In the grander scheme of things, the fact that Scott feels strongly enough about this issue basically to call out his coach seems to give more credence to the notion that this team is in disarray. If the shaky play on both ends of the court and the inability for whatever reason to win close games wasn't enough, now you have players doubting their coach and failing to buy into his system.
I like Leitao a lot and thought he had the program heading in the right direction. But to take a step backward from last year is not what you want in your third year. He didn't have to win the ACC again (remember? We did that last year!), but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that a 1-6 record in the cellar of the league leaves something to be desired by the fans. And hearing that the players themselves are losing some faith in the coach is worse than the dismal conference record.
Leitao changed his approach before the Boston College contest, having a more relaxed atmosphere at practice and extending that attitude to the game. Since then, things appear to have reverted back to the usual stricter style. In the last two road games, Leitao has gone much deeper into his bench and given almost every player a chance to get some minutes. This is a good step, but it also can't be used to its fullest if he always takes out a player after he makes one mistake.
Last year, I wasn't able to go see the Hoos play in the NCAA Tournament. I was entirely under the impression that I would have another chance to go this year. Unless something drastic changes within this Virginia basketball program, it appears I may have made a mistake by missing that opportunity last March.
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