Washington Basketball head coach Hopkins opens up

Washington Basketball head coach Mike Hopkins takes time to open up to Huskies fans

Washington Basketball Head Coach Hopkins has been rather busy so far. You see, he’s taken over as the head coach of the Washington Basketball team.  And so, that means that te’s moved across the country. While busiiy implementing a new program, on top of that he’s had to reassess, review, rehire, and rebuild the coaching staff.

On one hand, he’s talked with the team’s players and shared his vision.  On the other hand, he’s had to look outwards, across the nation, and persuade new basketball recruits to believe in him, all the while he is busily persuading himself and the coaching staff to believe in the new recruits.

Time flies…

And that has all happened in less than a year.

So the opportunity to hear from the coach is a rare opportunity indeed.  And with the season beginning early, November 10, 2017, the time to mentally prepare is short indeed.

A new system debuts this season

The Washington Basketball team is debuting the 2-3 defense oriented scheme which continues to propel the Syracuse Oranges to post season competition. He has no hesitation about it. But don’t look for the same old, same old.

Coach Hopkins is very focused on that defense, and knows the numbers.  That will be a new tone for the team this season, and it’s a refreshing change.

Hopkins will push his team to play at angles. That means contact. He wants to play great screens, attack at angles (drive into the defender), and be agressive and attack. Coach Hopkins called out Matisse Thybulle as one player who seldom went to the foul line. Look for that to change significantly this season.

Quality already there, mentality is a new quality

This team is not about just throwing guys onto the court. It’s about looking at the strengths of the players, and coaching the players to play to their strengths.

In a radio interview, Coach Hopkins spoke freely about the new program. During the interview, he focused on Thybulle, talking about how to get him to the foul line.  Afterwards, he focused on David Crisp on better shot selection.  He believes that Crisp can be a 40 percent shooter from the three-point line. He even touched base on Noah Dickerson playing double-doubles in the last six games.

The basketball team is loaded with solid talent. I’m neither a groupie nor a member of the paparazzi. The interview is more than understanding who the new coach is. It’s reassuring to hear the perspective of a coach who is well spoken, and has a good perspective.

Next: Washington Basketball team lands commitment of PG Elijah Hardy

I am optimistic about the team this year. Certainly the team is pivoting, transitioning between what was and what will be. So there is bound to be some ups and downs early.  But when you hear the stories of how the staff accepted the trust of parents with the futures of their players.

Listen to the interview and decide for yourself. As for me, I find my confidence growing.