One year later (Part II)

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I had the opportunity to speak with men's basketball coach Jerome Allen this morning before the team (minus those taking exams) started practice on the newly resurfaced Palestra floor and we talked briefly about the one year anniversary of him taking over as head coach:

(Sidenote: I learned that they actually resurface the hardwood twice a year, once during the final exams break, and once after the hoops season ends. They do it now because it is the only stretch during the athletic season when there is no action, and they do it again after the season in preparation for summer camps.)

See our short conversation after the jump.

So, coach Allen, what's it like a year after the fact?

The same excitement, the same sense of appreciation that I had then, I still have now. Nothing much has changed in terms of my approach except that it’s one year later. I’m still trying to make it about the kids, and their experience. I’m trying to get them to master the basics.

And if there's one fundamental difference between the team now and the team that you took over, what would it be?

To be quite honest I would say we put such a great emphasis on the defensive end of the game.

I won't say it was lacking [before I took over] in terms of them having a concept of it. I just think that some coaches' philosophy is different from others. I do know that this game is fickle. Some days the ball goes in, some days it doesn't. But the one constant is, if you defend, you will always give yourself an opportunity to win. You may not win, but you'll always give yourself an opportunity.