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Final Four: Thoughts and Analysis with Coach Randy Sherman

By Chris Godfrey

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Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Me: Michigan State came out on fire in the opening minutes. What was the change that allowed them to immediately shutdown the Spartans and dominate the rest of the game?

Coach: Duke extended the pickup point of their defense, and really extended into the passing lanes. They were chasing shooters off the (3-point) line. Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine had to make catches with their back to the basket. This took away Michigan State’s rhythm threes by disrupting the timing and spacing of (Michigan State head coach) Tom Izzo’s sets.

Me: It’s clear that the entire Duke offense runs through Jahlil Okafor. What does Coach K due to utilize him so effectively? Also, I know you often remind us that you’re not an NBA Draft expert, but what makes Jahlil Okafor such a special prospect for the next level? Does he remind you of a specific NBA player?

Coach: Okafor reminds me a bit of Tim Duncan with his footwork and his usage of angles and leverage to score. He also uses the glass, which is Duncan-esque. He reminds me of Chris Webber with his passing and his “one hand game.” Webber was good at that. Okafor palms the ball and extends to create separation just like Webber did.

(for reference) 

NOTE: This was also the pic that inspired Twitter to start commenting on Okafor’s desperate need for some type of hand moisturizer. Big Jah’s first sponsorship could be coming from either Jergen’s or Dove Men+Care. 

Me: Wow. That’s high praise. Duncan’s (in my opinion) the best power forward ever. Webber is one of the best ever passing big men. What are you trying to say about this kid’s ceiling? Is he a potential all-time great?

Coach: Not an all-time great. Just good. He will be a great fit in the triangle offense if he ends up in New York.

Me: Cue the collective hyperventilation from the entire New York Knicks fan base… 

NOTE: Knicks fans on my Twitter timeline spent the entire Final Four arguing over who they should draft — Towns or Okafor. The Knicks’ folly has turned their fanbase into die-hard college basketball fans. By the way, the Knicks fans would rather have D’Angelo Russell than either of these guys. Silly Knicks fans. 

Coach: Two things I like that Coach K does for him (Okafor):

  • He posts him at the elbow, which makes it harder for teams to double him. Duke killed Gonzaga with that.
  • He dives him low out of “horns” sets and feeds him using a “high/low” action. Here he can use pressure from defenders fronting him to roll off of them. It’s a great technique for a “leverage player” like Okafor.

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Me: By leverage player…you mean a massive player without incredible footwork?

Coach: Not necessarily. I mean a guy that likes for defenders to lean on him so he can use that pressure against them. Okafor’s defender will often lean on one side of his body, and he’ll use good footwork to pin, seal, or get the defender off balance.

NOTE: This is essentially exactly what I was talking about it, but as usual, Coach Sherm explains it better.

Me: Do you have any thoughts on the officiating in the Duke/MSU game? The refs really seemed to favor Duke at times. I understand that Duke is a driving team, and MSU is a jump shooting team, but the whistle didn’t seem even during any of the game’s 50/50 situations.

Coach: When I am on my deathbed, I will wish to have back every moment that I ever spent worrying about, commenting on, or paying any attention to officiting. I’m not saying it doesnt come into play at times, but it’s more of a “fan” thing to me.

Me: Would you have said that to your staff if you were “Coach Randy Sherman” on the Michigan State sideline tonight? You don’t strike me as the mild mannered type on the sideline. There would have been no technical fouls from you if you were coaching tonight?

Coach: It wasn’t always my philosophy, but after a few years of coaching experience, I thought my time, energy, and words were better served by coaching my team more and worrying about officials less. I also believe that if your players see you crying to refs, they’ll do it too, which can be harmful. Crying to refs models a built in excuse as to why you lost. I want my team to feel 100% accountable for an outcome. If we win, it’s because we did the things that we practiced well. If we lose, it’s because we didn’t. End of story.

Me: Slow clap.

Coach: Every coach is different, but my philosophy evolved. If you notice, I never tweet about fouls or bad calls. I just don’t pay attention to it. Blaming someone else helps people feel better about their own shortcomings. It’s a societal problem that we have.

Me: Coach Sherm, modern philosopher and sociologist. I like this. I’m getting more out of you than usual. 

Coach: Beer.

Me: It makes everything better, doesn’t it?

Coach: Yes it does.

Me: Anyways, in my best Bill Belichick voice…we’re on to Kentucky/Wisconsin.

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