Today is the first day of orientation and the official "move in" day for freshmen in the dorms.
What's cool about MSU is that faculty and staff take this day out of the office to help the new students transfer their belongings from their car to dorm room.
I think the highlight of the "move in" day is seeing the variety of personalities. For example, you have the "high maintenance" student that has four car loads of clothing, the "Costco" student that has ample supply of munchies, appliances, etc, the "outback" student that has brought a sleeping bag and just enough gear to get by, and the "space cadet" that gets to their room before remembering four things they forgot to bring.
Needless to say, "move in" day is exciting time as we prepare for the first days of school. It's a good week for the economy with all the Kleenex bought by the parents. I imagine I will be in their shoes in a few years, but for now I get to be the one running their child into basketball shape.
That begins NEXT WEEK!
Go Cats
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
USA WBB WIN'S GOLD
Congrats to the USA Women's Basketball Team winning the Gold Medal.
The US averaged victories of 37+ points per game. Playing in the championship game against the talented Opals of Australia, the US was able to hold Australia under 25% shooting from the field.
This is no easy task when you seeing how talented Australia is at every position. I had the opportunity to compete against many of the Aussies, from the WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson to the feisty Kristi Harrower. Although my patriotism is 100% with the US I did cheer for Penny Taylor to have a great game as she is a former teammate and friend of mine from the Cleveland Rockers. I miss our sushi luncheons.
This group put together posed the greatest challenge to the US but could not find a rhythm throughout the game because of our defensive pressure. We controlled the game from the opening tip despite foul trouble to key players and brought home the Gold once again.
As a coach, a US citizen, and a parent I want to thank our Olympians for representing us well on both ends of the court, on the sidelines, and back home in the US.
GO USA!
Coach Bin
The US averaged victories of 37+ points per game. Playing in the championship game against the talented Opals of Australia, the US was able to hold Australia under 25% shooting from the field.
This is no easy task when you seeing how talented Australia is at every position. I had the opportunity to compete against many of the Aussies, from the WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson to the feisty Kristi Harrower. Although my patriotism is 100% with the US I did cheer for Penny Taylor to have a great game as she is a former teammate and friend of mine from the Cleveland Rockers. I miss our sushi luncheons.
This group put together posed the greatest challenge to the US but could not find a rhythm throughout the game because of our defensive pressure. We controlled the game from the opening tip despite foul trouble to key players and brought home the Gold once again.
As a coach, a US citizen, and a parent I want to thank our Olympians for representing us well on both ends of the court, on the sidelines, and back home in the US.
GO USA!
Coach Bin
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
PERFORMANCE
Performance seems to be the word of the Olympics. Whether you are the world record holder or a mere underdog, it all comes down to performance on the day your event.
My heart ached for Lolo Jones last night when she ran the 100 meter hurdles. She had dominated in the qualifying heats and had the gold in her grasp with two hurdles out and then clipped the hurdle before falling at the finish line without placing. She later told the commentators she hits a hurdle probably twice in a given year and it unfortunately had to be the most important race of all.
You have to hand it to Lolo and the Olympic athletes to put that much dedication into their sport for one opportunity, hoping for that perfect performance. The most important ingredient I demand of our student athletes is their willingness to take these risks and put themselves out there. It is the most challenging request I ask for as there is no guarantee as Lolo can attest.
However, the athlete who is willing to be vulnerable to failure can also have the greatest rewards of all. Just look at Shawn Johnson who had won three silver medals in gymnastics before finishing off her last event on the beam with her deserving GOLD. She made the most of her opportunity, and her smile shows the work was all worth it.
In two weeks our team will go through their own performance challenges of conditioning and strength testing.They will begin workouts with our staff and have their opportunity to show what they have done over the summer. My hope is to see that same great "SMILE" on every player's face. However, if some "clip" so to speak, I guarantee they will get back up and finish the race just as Lolo did.
Coach Bin
My heart ached for Lolo Jones last night when she ran the 100 meter hurdles. She had dominated in the qualifying heats and had the gold in her grasp with two hurdles out and then clipped the hurdle before falling at the finish line without placing. She later told the commentators she hits a hurdle probably twice in a given year and it unfortunately had to be the most important race of all.
You have to hand it to Lolo and the Olympic athletes to put that much dedication into their sport for one opportunity, hoping for that perfect performance. The most important ingredient I demand of our student athletes is their willingness to take these risks and put themselves out there. It is the most challenging request I ask for as there is no guarantee as Lolo can attest.
However, the athlete who is willing to be vulnerable to failure can also have the greatest rewards of all. Just look at Shawn Johnson who had won three silver medals in gymnastics before finishing off her last event on the beam with her deserving GOLD. She made the most of her opportunity, and her smile shows the work was all worth it.
In two weeks our team will go through their own performance challenges of conditioning and strength testing.They will begin workouts with our staff and have their opportunity to show what they have done over the summer. My hope is to see that same great "SMILE" on every player's face. However, if some "clip" so to speak, I guarantee they will get back up and finish the race just as Lolo did.
Coach Bin
Friday, August 15, 2008
Olympics
I apologize for the delay on my latest blog. I am not one to come up with excuses, but I will say our newest addition to the family has taken precedent this past week.
My family has been blessed with a healthy girl, and as far as recruiting goes, I am already receiving messages from other coaches that they will be sending her a questionnaire.
Sorry coaches, Brooklyn Binford is ALL BOBCAT! Whether that is as a trackster, basketball player, or even a piano player is entirely up to her.
I will also say we had pretty good timing delivering right before the start of this year's Olympics. The 3:00am feedings don't seem to be so hard to get through when there is something exciting to watch on t.v.. Brooklyn and I have already started learning the game of basketball watching our women's team take on Spain this morning (just in case she chooses that sport).
We are looking forward to track starting today as that is my son's favorite sport. Just ask my team. Every road trip he creates his own track. Whether it's in the airport, gym, or hotel room, he loves to run.
Enjoy the rest of the Olympic Games. It has been an exciting summer with Michael Phelps historic quest, our gymnasts taking the Gold and Silver, and beach volleyball's duo of Misty May Treanor and Kerry Walsh protecting their gold.
I know we will be watching. Who needs sleep anyway.
GO CATS!
My family has been blessed with a healthy girl, and as far as recruiting goes, I am already receiving messages from other coaches that they will be sending her a questionnaire.
Sorry coaches, Brooklyn Binford is ALL BOBCAT! Whether that is as a trackster, basketball player, or even a piano player is entirely up to her.
I will also say we had pretty good timing delivering right before the start of this year's Olympics. The 3:00am feedings don't seem to be so hard to get through when there is something exciting to watch on t.v.. Brooklyn and I have already started learning the game of basketball watching our women's team take on Spain this morning (just in case she chooses that sport).
We are looking forward to track starting today as that is my son's favorite sport. Just ask my team. Every road trip he creates his own track. Whether it's in the airport, gym, or hotel room, he loves to run.
Enjoy the rest of the Olympic Games. It has been an exciting summer with Michael Phelps historic quest, our gymnasts taking the Gold and Silver, and beach volleyball's duo of Misty May Treanor and Kerry Walsh protecting their gold.
I know we will be watching. Who needs sleep anyway.
GO CATS!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Brooklyn Taylor Binford
Brooklyn Taylor Binford was born this afternoon (8/4/08) at 1:48 pm. She is 6 pounds, 13 ounces, 19 inches tall and long fingers for ball handling!
THANKS
Coach Scanson
THANKS
Coach Scanson
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Special Delivery
The count down has begun to the big day, and I am not talking about the first day of school, first day of practice, or even the first game of the 2008-09 season. I am talking about delivering my second child!
I just came back from my last doctor's appointment before I am scheduled to be induced this Monday, August 4th. Yes, FOUR MORE DAYS. I walked away with some good news and bad news, and should always start with the good news.
The good news is that I get to call recruits tomorrow as the July evaluation period has now concluded. My entire staff has been working diligently this month travelling all over the northwest, sitting in gyms all day, and evaluating such incredible talent.
As a coach, one of my favorite times of the year is that first phone call in August. You almost feel like a proud parent getting a chance to talk about their incredible game, how they helped their team come from behind, or got the defensive stop to seal the victory. It's our chance to reconnect and now take the next step toward getting them on campus.
The bad news, however, is that I GET to call my recruits tomorrow as my doctor was hoping I'd be further along and possibly be delivering right now and no longer having to do the countdown. You can only hear "You still haven't had that baby yet" so much.
So you will all have to wait a few more days before the newborn picture is up and the name is released. However, I will guarantee this. When picking our daughter's name, my husband and I made sure it has a good "ring" to it just in case she's interested in sports. This name sounds good over the radio or in the Fiedlhouse.
Unless she comes out a boy....
Coach Bin
I just came back from my last doctor's appointment before I am scheduled to be induced this Monday, August 4th. Yes, FOUR MORE DAYS. I walked away with some good news and bad news, and should always start with the good news.
The good news is that I get to call recruits tomorrow as the July evaluation period has now concluded. My entire staff has been working diligently this month travelling all over the northwest, sitting in gyms all day, and evaluating such incredible talent.
As a coach, one of my favorite times of the year is that first phone call in August. You almost feel like a proud parent getting a chance to talk about their incredible game, how they helped their team come from behind, or got the defensive stop to seal the victory. It's our chance to reconnect and now take the next step toward getting them on campus.
The bad news, however, is that I GET to call my recruits tomorrow as my doctor was hoping I'd be further along and possibly be delivering right now and no longer having to do the countdown. You can only hear "You still haven't had that baby yet" so much.
So you will all have to wait a few more days before the newborn picture is up and the name is released. However, I will guarantee this. When picking our daughter's name, my husband and I made sure it has a good "ring" to it just in case she's interested in sports. This name sounds good over the radio or in the Fiedlhouse.
Unless she comes out a boy....
Coach Bin
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Defensive Tidbits
This past year our team averaged over 76 points per game. Most coaches would be raving over that statistic. However, being known as a defensive specialist during my high school, college, and professional careers, the only statistic I am focused on this upcoming season is our team's 71 points allowed per game.
I know we've all heard that "defense wins championships" so why is it that most basketball players enjoy playing offense rather than defense? The simple answer is that it's just plain hard, and you have to be mentally and physically tough to do it! That is my type of athlete.
Here are a couple of tidbits to help basketball players take the next step to becoming a better defender.
1) Strengthen your lower body-quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, core you name it. My team just loves hearing me say that our best defenders on our team are the ones that can squat the most in the weight room. Think about it. Great defenders are in a constant stance, anticipating the next move, and able to move laterally and vertically in an instant.
Next time you play in a pick up game force yourself to stay in your stance on the balls of your feet every defensive possession.
2) Focus on getting deflections-whether you're guarding the ball or playing off, the best defenders know how to read the play before it develops. Great defenders anticipate rather than react.
Next time you guard the ball handler anticipate when they are going to make a pass and tip the bottom of the hand upward as they pass. You may not come up with the steal but you forced an errant pass.
3) Maintain vision of the ball and player at all times-the best defenders either lead teams in steals, charges, or rebounds. Each one of these categories began with the defender anticipating the offensive possession.
Make a goal for yourself in your next pickup game to come up with a realistic amount of offensive and defensive rebounds. Know the angles the ball typically bounces off and get there first!
If you enjoy the noise in the arena, defense excites the crowd more than anything else. Whether it's a 30 second violation, a steal in the back court, or a charge to win the game, defense not only wins championships but sparks any great offensive team!
Coach Bin
I know we've all heard that "defense wins championships" so why is it that most basketball players enjoy playing offense rather than defense? The simple answer is that it's just plain hard, and you have to be mentally and physically tough to do it! That is my type of athlete.
Here are a couple of tidbits to help basketball players take the next step to becoming a better defender.
1) Strengthen your lower body-quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, core you name it. My team just loves hearing me say that our best defenders on our team are the ones that can squat the most in the weight room. Think about it. Great defenders are in a constant stance, anticipating the next move, and able to move laterally and vertically in an instant.
Next time you play in a pick up game force yourself to stay in your stance on the balls of your feet every defensive possession.
2) Focus on getting deflections-whether you're guarding the ball or playing off, the best defenders know how to read the play before it develops. Great defenders anticipate rather than react.
Next time you guard the ball handler anticipate when they are going to make a pass and tip the bottom of the hand upward as they pass. You may not come up with the steal but you forced an errant pass.
3) Maintain vision of the ball and player at all times-the best defenders either lead teams in steals, charges, or rebounds. Each one of these categories began with the defender anticipating the offensive possession.
Make a goal for yourself in your next pickup game to come up with a realistic amount of offensive and defensive rebounds. Know the angles the ball typically bounces off and get there first!
If you enjoy the noise in the arena, defense excites the crowd more than anything else. Whether it's a 30 second violation, a steal in the back court, or a charge to win the game, defense not only wins championships but sparks any great offensive team!
Coach Bin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)