Coach’s Corner at the NIT Final Four
by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK – The Final Four of the National Invitation Tournament gives us an interesting group of coaches.
Dave Odom of South Carolina has had a near monopoly on this event since the millennium began. In 2000 Odom led Wake Forest to the title. In 2002 he guided South Carolina to the final, and last season his Gamecocks cut down the nets after defeating St. Joe’s in a thrilling final.
Tommy Amaker played for and later coached under Coach K at Duke. Amaker then went to Seton Hall and led them into the 2000 NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Ann Arbor and guided Michigan to the 2004 NIT championship.
Rick Pitino needs little introduction. Suffice to say Pitino has made his mark in the collegiate and NBA game. He guided Kentucky to the national championship a decade ago. Last season Pitino brought Louisville to the NCAA Final Four. Faced with youth and an inordinate amount of injuries, Pitino’s Cardinals salvaged their season to get to New York.
The final member of the group is Blaine Taylor of Old Dominion. If you are wondering about Taylor, his track record, accomplishments, etc. don’t feel bad. Taylor epitomizes the Colonial Athletic Association, where Old Dominion competes. A tough, competitive league that has been short on recognition, and now is suddenly being “discovered” and afforded much-deserved attention due to the exploits of several of its members over the past few weeks. Make no mistake about it: Taylor and his ODU team are no party crashers here. They belong.
Taylor is in his fifth season at ODU. He took over a struggling program, but by his third year the Monarchs finished 17-12. That 2004 campaign was highlighted with victories over George Washington and Virginia Tech. In addition, ODU took a nationally ranked and powerful St. Joe’s to the final possession before losing. Last season ODU set a school record with 28 wins, captured the CAA title and gave eventual Final Four representative Michigan State fits before dropping an opening round NCAA contest.
Prior to ODU, Taylor enjoyed seven successful seasons directing Montana. During that time (1992 through 1998) the Grizzlies appeared in two NCAAs and one NIT. Following the ’98 campaign Taylor joined his old college coach, Mike Montgomery, and assisted him three years at Stanford prior to coming to ODU. It’s quite obvious Taylor has been around the game and has proven he can X and O with some of the best.
The current ODU squad, which owns a split with Final Four bound George Mason, enters the Garden 24-9 following the thrilling quarterfinal win at Hofstra last week. In that contest ODU trailed by eight early in the second half with the home crowd pumped up and sensing a trip to New York. Taylor never lost his cool in a tough situation.
“That calmness and focus,” said ODU Sports Information Director Carol Hudson Jr., “rubs off on the players.” Speak with those players in the program and you capture the essence of Taylor’s success.
“He (Taylor) makes us get the most of our talent,” junior point guard Drew Williamson noted. “He defines our roles and just explains them so well.”
“He has an excellent inside/outside style,” added senior guard Isaiah Hunter. “Coach is great with the Xs and Os but he’s also a great motivator.”
Fans and media that get to know Taylor will find a successful confident coach without a pretentious attitude. Talking basketball with him is like discussing the game with a good friend over a cold Killians. Taylor is quick with the wit also.
At the NIT Final Four press conference at the Marriott Marquis, Taylor lightly noted, “I sat next to Rick Pitino and said ‘do you know who I am?’ Pitino answered, ‘yes sir get me more water and coffee’.” After talking with Tommy Amaker, Taylor jokingly notes, “Amaker wants tickets for his cousin who attends ODU. I told him I’ll trade my tickets for your theater tickets.” The sense of humor, though, shouldn’t mislead.
“He’s tough,” Williamson said. “He pushed us to the limit. On a day off he expects us in the weight room on our own.” Taylor is also compassionate as Hunter added, “when my dad died (about a year ago) coach was right there. He spent a lot of time with me and cares about all of us as people not just players.”
Taylor has been, not really unheard of but unheralded. Those days of anonymity are numbered. “After what the CAA teams have done these past weeks,” Hunter said, “a lot of attention will be focused on the league’s teams and coaches.” Especially one Blaine Taylor.
ODU faces Michigan and South Carolina takes on Louisville in the semifinals. The championship is Thursday.
All the coaches naturally express joy in extending their season and getting to the Garden but Pitino took it further. “Out of the four,” he said, “we are the only ones who couldn’t make a case for the NCAAs. The others three schools here all had a shot.” Pitino also added, “the NIT is a tremendous springboard for our program with seven new players.”
Parity. As noted Old Dominion owns a victory over an NCAA Final Four club as they split with George Mason this season. South Carolina has two wins as they swept Florida in the regular season before dropping a tough one in the SEC final.
Two players who impacted the most recent NITs are playing in New York. Daniel Horton, a Michigan senior, captured the MVP award when the Wolverines captured the 2004 title. Tarence Kinsey of South Carolina hit the last-second shot to defeat St. Joe’s last March. Kinsey is the Gamecocks’ leading scorer this time around.
