By Mike Comparato
Indy Metros Coach
Going in thoughts
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This is the first time weâ�?��?�ve played in downtown Louisville at the Convention Center. The tournament has historically been at the Fairgrounds-Exposition Center.
It looks like a similar set up. I like it. All the courts are in one expo hall, so the kids can watch each other play, and the coaches are all in one place. That helps for exposure.
The kids seem relaxed and ready for the Kentucky Hoopfest. The Hoosier Shootout was a good learning experience for them. We���?�ll see what happens.
Pool play
* Game 1: Phenomenal game! We controlled the game from the outset and ended with a 21-point win. It amazes me how kids don���?�t want to play defense in the summer. Our five-out offense allows us to make them play defense or suffer the consequences. With outside shooters like Tyler Brand and Michael Teller, we can get great looks off of screens or dribble penetration. Mark Comparato and David Thacker can penetrate and either score or dish to the shooters.
The system allows us to be patient until the basket cut is there. It worked perfectly.
* Game 2: We went from playing small and quick to large and strong. Over the years, we���?�ve seen the Minnesota Glory team several times. They always have size and like to play an inside, half-court game. I told the kids before the game that we were going to run this team. They liked that.
The kids responded well again, winning by 27. We took them out of their flow and we actually ran the floor well. We scored both off of offensive and defensive transition play.
All of the kids played well. We���?�re now 2-0, playing Milwaukee for first place in the pool. They are also 2-0.
* Game 3: This Milwaukee team was athletic and quick, but undisciplined. They showed up, literally, at game time. They only had six players and didn���?�t like to play in any kind of structure. It was clear from the outset that we were going to control the game if the kids used the system to their advantage, and they did. By halftime, the opposing players were visibly upset with each other and their coach. They were frustrated by our screening and cutting away from the ball. After two or three ball reversals, they literally quit playing defense. It became a layup drill, and we won easily. I think the final point spread was around 13 or 18.
Winning the pool felt great and was well deserved. The team played very well to earn that.
Bracket play
Welcome to July! The team plays so well and works so hard to win the pool, then you run into a buzz saw again, just like at the Hoosier Shootout. It is frustrating to everyone because we want to play deep into these tournaments. Having great pool play success doesn���?�t mean a lot once you get knocked out early in bracket play, and that���?�s exactly what happened again.
We played a Cincinnati team (Cowboys) that had both size and athleticism. They were disciplined and well coached. I���?�m not sure we could have won the game, but we could have played better. Several of their players are being recruited at the major Division I level, and it showed.
One of our coaches told me that our two guards, Comparato and Brand, had 32 of our 51 points. That���?�s not very balanced.
Going home thoughts
I���?�m tired of going home early (have I said that before?). It���?�s difficult to write these pieces, quite frankly, when we are still emotional about the tournament outcome. The kids invest so much of themselves in this game, and in the process. I know what it means to them, and none of them are happy about losing this early.
But overall, they are doing very well. We���?�ve played eight games and are 5-3. The kids are playing in front of a lot of college coaches and being noticed. I know that they will be just fine. They are each showing the ability to play at the next level and getting better along the way.
Back to Indianapolis for the Best in the Midwest â�?�¦
Mike Comparato
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