He obviously has the “it”. Loved…to paraphrase him…discussion of identity and culture. Looking back at reports when he was hired all pundits knew he was a tremendous hire. What makes him so special from a personal and basketball standpoint? Any comparisons to a men’s coach I could identify with for comparison?
That game last night was pure joy. It was great, pure fundamental basketball with poor SEC officiating peppered in as well.
Interesting how a few games can create such opinions. They had lost 8 or 9 prior to the SECT and searching for solutions.
It is a matter of Dundee getting hot late in the season and at SECT, just about everyone, Monk, Tollfree and Mason ar shooting lights out.
Reminds me of how Joe Johnson led Hogs got hot late and won the SECT.
There is no magic to it. Just like there is no magic to men’s team playing well starting with the Kentucky game. The men three point shooters are just hot. If the ball is going into the basket, everything looks good including the fundamentals you mention.
CMN said it best, we have our identity but our culture will take time lots of time. Referenced that slump losing 8 of 9 toward the end of season & working to figure it out. But never giving up. Getting hot and peaking at the right time the key.
Listening to him talk you can understand why the team trusts him and he trusts them & gets every ounce of hustle from them as well.
Watching these girls play is exciting and fun.
My opinion of him was not formulated over just the past few games.
He has a reputation as a tremendous recruiter, and motivator. And he is an analysis geek. You should read his bio online.
Anyone who’s watched games, including the losses, can see that he has the team a a whole different level than what we have had before.
They are tremendously out-sized right now but he is rectifying that in recruiting.
Well, Mike Neighbors has proven that he was what the Ladybacks needed. Congratulations to all the players and Mike and all the coaching staff. This clearly is a program on the rise.
Neighbors is a really good in-game coach. Even during the losing streak he had the team close in most games, against teams that have much more talent and/or experience.
I think his style works well in a tournament setting like this, similar to how Nolan’s did. A team that runs and is well conditioned holds up well and gets into the legs of the other team. Arkansas looked like the fresher team down the stretch tonight.
He told the his players in a late timeout that they were built for this and the other team isn’t! He instilled confidence and motivates his players. He did an outstanding job last year too! It didn’t result in as many wins. This season the ladies have fought hard and played hard.
For example at Missouri earlier in the season they were getting open shots but just couldn’t knock em down. They lost that game and other games like it! He doesn’t change no matter what the score is or who the opponent is he is constantly motivation and building his team up.
He can recruit and players want to play for him!
Win or lose tomorrow he has the hogs headed in a very positive direction.
I enjoy watching them play.
The magic is what you mentioned, fundamental basketball mixed with talent and desire will create wins. We will continue to get better through the years with coach Neighbors I do believe, sure like his approach. WPS