camilo9292
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...ia-tech-preview-0227-20130226,0,4026046.story
CORAL GABLES — Just about 16 years ago, the phone rang in Jim Larranaga's office.
On the other end was an expert on biorhythms — not the first guy most coaches would entertain. But some solid advice was delivered. It continues to pay off today as his Miami basketball team comes through the most grueling part of its ACC schedule.
Playing three road games in 11 days caught up with the Hurricanes on Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C. They didn't have the same pep in the step and the 80-65 loss to Wake Forest delivered a message to Larranaga.
It's time to dial it back.
So nearly all the media interviews were slashed as the No. 5 Hurricanes (23-4, 13-1 ACC) enter the final two weeks of the regular season. It starts at 7 p.m. with a visit from Virginia Tech (12-15, 3-11 ACC) and the nation's leading scorer. Erick Green averages 25.1 points and scored 30 in a 73-64 UM win Jan. 30.
That, of course, is followed by a Saturday trip to No. 3 Duke. The strategy dates back to his talks with the biorhythms expert, who explained the importance of pacing the young athletes as they grind through school and basketball.
"Mentally, you're challenged," Larranaga said. "You've got your mind going in so many different places, so that when we start going over a scouting report, you're not quite as focused as you were when you didn't have all these other responsibilities."
Larranaga, who's been on a marathon media blitz himself, described a player who went from class to an interview to a test and then back to an interview. It reached overload status.
And it all came to a head against a Wake Forest team which entered with an 11-14 record.
Hurricanes guard Shane Larkin, one of 30 members of the Naismith Award watch list announced Monday, said UM may have overlooked Wake Forest. Larranaga said it was more a matter of his team being "not as focused as we had been," and the 15-point loss proved it.
So, instead of all the interviews, players got some individual film work in on Monday. Larkin, who is suddenly the focus of opponents' scouting reports, got extra time with assistant coach Eric Konkol to look at different options of attack. Sixth-year senior Julian Gamble also got some private film work in and came away from the workout feeling positive.
"Guys kinda seemed re-energized," said Gamble, the only UM player available for interviews since the Wake Forest game. "We're coming off a loss for the first time since Christmas, so to focus in and really get back to the basics that got us here is what's going to continue to have success."
And, in the spirit of biorhythms, practices are shorter to give players more time to recover for when it counts. Early season workouts ran as long as three hours. Now Larranaga said the physical side of practice can be as brief as 30 minutes, but the focus is designed for stability.
It's one of those issues you face with a team built for a run at a national title.
"I'm constantly asking the coaches how long can we go today?" Larranaga said. "Should we go a little longer today or a little shorter tomorrow? Should we scrimmage today or is that going to be fatiguing or do we need that kind of competitiveness and conditioning. It's a seesaw. You never know if you're doing the right thing."
Let's get it done boys
:stormwarning:
CORAL GABLES — Just about 16 years ago, the phone rang in Jim Larranaga's office.
On the other end was an expert on biorhythms — not the first guy most coaches would entertain. But some solid advice was delivered. It continues to pay off today as his Miami basketball team comes through the most grueling part of its ACC schedule.
Playing three road games in 11 days caught up with the Hurricanes on Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C. They didn't have the same pep in the step and the 80-65 loss to Wake Forest delivered a message to Larranaga.
It's time to dial it back.
So nearly all the media interviews were slashed as the No. 5 Hurricanes (23-4, 13-1 ACC) enter the final two weeks of the regular season. It starts at 7 p.m. with a visit from Virginia Tech (12-15, 3-11 ACC) and the nation's leading scorer. Erick Green averages 25.1 points and scored 30 in a 73-64 UM win Jan. 30.
That, of course, is followed by a Saturday trip to No. 3 Duke. The strategy dates back to his talks with the biorhythms expert, who explained the importance of pacing the young athletes as they grind through school and basketball.
"Mentally, you're challenged," Larranaga said. "You've got your mind going in so many different places, so that when we start going over a scouting report, you're not quite as focused as you were when you didn't have all these other responsibilities."
Larranaga, who's been on a marathon media blitz himself, described a player who went from class to an interview to a test and then back to an interview. It reached overload status.
And it all came to a head against a Wake Forest team which entered with an 11-14 record.
Hurricanes guard Shane Larkin, one of 30 members of the Naismith Award watch list announced Monday, said UM may have overlooked Wake Forest. Larranaga said it was more a matter of his team being "not as focused as we had been," and the 15-point loss proved it.
So, instead of all the interviews, players got some individual film work in on Monday. Larkin, who is suddenly the focus of opponents' scouting reports, got extra time with assistant coach Eric Konkol to look at different options of attack. Sixth-year senior Julian Gamble also got some private film work in and came away from the workout feeling positive.
"Guys kinda seemed re-energized," said Gamble, the only UM player available for interviews since the Wake Forest game. "We're coming off a loss for the first time since Christmas, so to focus in and really get back to the basics that got us here is what's going to continue to have success."
And, in the spirit of biorhythms, practices are shorter to give players more time to recover for when it counts. Early season workouts ran as long as three hours. Now Larranaga said the physical side of practice can be as brief as 30 minutes, but the focus is designed for stability.
It's one of those issues you face with a team built for a run at a national title.
"I'm constantly asking the coaches how long can we go today?" Larranaga said. "Should we go a little longer today or a little shorter tomorrow? Should we scrimmage today or is that going to be fatiguing or do we need that kind of competitiveness and conditioning. It's a seesaw. You never know if you're doing the right thing."
Let's get it done boys
:stormwarning:
