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Message: [QUOTE="VaBeachOrFan, post: 125827, member: 1274"] I think what we're seeing here, but not recognizing, is a JB coaching innovation. Let's face it, there are only three ways to use bench players: 1) Sort out the starters from the backups in practice and play your best 7; that's that JB has done for years and for which he has been roundly criticized . 2) Start the starters and sprinkle in the reserves as game score and strategy dictate; that's the "traditional" way just about every coach uses. 3) Start one or two of the younger players and then bring in more experiences (and perhaps better) players off the bench to spark the team; that's what JB did with Triche early on, with Fab last year, and this year with Rak. He's been criticized for this from both ends -- for babying egos (Triche) and for bashing egos (Fab). But here are the added benefits: 1) As JB says, he gets to see how Rak is doing and what he's going to bring to the game tonight -- all this early on when any mistakes can be erased. 2) He also gets to see how the refs are going to call the game and, if they're calling it tight, it's Rak who picks up the early fouls. 3) He's not "embarassing" Rak by giving him the quick hook, he's just waiting for a teaching moment to occur. 4) He has "starting" firepower coming off the bench to pick up the energy just about time the other team is bringing in their reserves. 5) If the team buys into this scheme -- and the beauty of this year's team is that they have -- then the Cuse gives their opponents the impression that (a) you can't foul us out, (b) you can't wear us down, and (c) we have bench players better than your starters. Not a bad psychological weapon; at least it's worked for UNC, Duke, UK and KU over the years. Rather creative coaching by JB, I think.--VBOF [/QUOTE]

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