Guest: Kyle Smith, Washington State Head Coach  Washington State head coach Kyle Smith joins the Basketball Podcast to share Nerdball analytics insights. In his first three seasons at Washington State, Smith has rebuilt the Cougars putting himself in rarified air at WSU as he has finished his first three seasons at .500 or better joining Tony Bennett as the only Cougars head coach to post .500 or better records in their first three seasons after taking over a sub-.500 club. In addition, he has posted back-to-back winning seasons, the first time in over a decade at WSU. 
 Smith began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater Hamilton College. He then moved to Division I as an assistant at Air Force, Saint Mary's, and San Diego. He got his first head coaching job at Columbia University in 2010, where he led the Lions to three postseason appearances and a 101-83 record in six seasons. 
 In 2016, Smith was hired as the head coach at the University of San Francisco, where he continued his success with three consecutive 20-win seasons and two postseason berths. He also implemented his signature "Nerdball" system, which uses analytics and data to evaluate players and opponents. 
 Breakdown 1:00 - Washington State Rebuild 5:00 - Nerdball System 9:00 - Data and Analytics 14:00 - Removing Biases 20:00 - Mindset Training 23:00 - Improvement 24:00 - 50 Categories 28:00 - Idea of Turning Threes 29:54 - 30:56 - Hoopsalytics Ad 3 34:00 - Watching the Process 37:00 - Isolation Efficiency 39:00 - Data 46:00 - Shooting Ball Handling 51:00 - Offensive Boards 56:00 - NBA 59:00 - Adopting the System 1:01:00 - Conclusion 
 Kyle Smith’s Bio: Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Smith_(basketball) Twitter: https://twitter.com/Coach_kylesmith 
 Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion 
 Immersion Videos: Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Episode 281: Kyle Smith, Nerdball Analytics Insights

This is the podcast where you will hear real basketball coaching conversations. Whether you are a new or experienced coach at any level of basketball these coaching conversations will give you practical ideas to stimulate your coaching and make what you do even better.

Sports

Basketball

Guest: Tim Martin, Player and Personal Development Coach In this week's coaching conversation, Tim Martin joins the Basketball Podcast to share a holistic approach to player and business development. Tim Martin is a basketball coach, motivational speaker, filmmaker, and industry expert. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected skills trainers in the basketball community is nothing short of remarkable. 
 Tim’s journey took a pivotal turn when he began training young athletes. His work ethic, second to none, caught the attention of rising NBA star Tyrese Maxey. Maxey, who has trained with Tim since his freshman year at South Garland High School, describes their relationship as family-oriented. 
 Tim Martin’s impact extends beyond the court. He has developed comprehensive training transformation programs for basketball players at all levels. His Virtual Training Academy, established in 2007, has helped produce 21 NBA Draft selections and assisted clients in earning over $550 million in NBA salary. Tim has worked with NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and Euro league champions, leaving an indelible mark on the basketball world. 
 Tim is not only a basketball trainer but also a motivational speaker, filmmaker, and industry expert. As the Director of Basketball Relations for the Dwyane Wade sneaker company, Way of Wade/Li Ning, he has cultivated relationships with premier names in sports entertainment and fashion. 
 Tim Martin’s journey from homelessness to world-renowned trainer exemplifies resilience, hard work, and the transformative power of basketball. His story inspires athletes and dreamers alike, reminding us that greatness can emerge from even the humblest beginnings. 
 
 Breakdown 1:00 - Holistic Player Development 7:00 - Building a Personal Brand 9:30 - Personal Growth and Curiosity 16:00 - Unconventional Methods 19:00 - Confidence Building 24:30 - Building Mental Toughness and Pressure 27:00 - Coaching Method in the NBA 33:00 - Mental Health 35:30 - Team Building 42:00 - Networking and Authenticity 46:00 - Conclusion 
 Tim Martin’s Bio: Bio/Website: https://timmartiniq.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/timmartin_tx 
 Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion 
 Immersion Videos: Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Tim Martin, Holistic Approach to Player and Business Development (EP322)

Guest: Yolett McPhee-McCuin, University of Mississippi Head Coach In this week's coaching conversation, University of Mississippi head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin joins The Basketball Podcast for a deep dive into defensive principles, offensive philosophy and sustaining success. Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has elevated Ole Miss women’s basketball back into the national spotlight throughout her six seasons in Oxford. McPhee-McCuin keeps building upon success each season at the helm of the Rebels, leading Ole Miss to a program record 12 SEC wins in 2023-24 as well as the school’s third straight NCAA Tournament appearance for its 20th overall.   Along with guiding the Rebels to a program best in conference wins, McPhee-McCuin picked up her 100th win at the helm of Ole Miss during the 2023-24 season to become the second coach in program history to achieve the feat. McPhee-McCuin spent the five seasons before Ole Miss transforming Jacksonville into a perennial power in the Atlantic Sun Conference. During her tenure as head coach, McPhee-McCuin led the Dolphins to a 94-63 record (50-24 in ASUN play) and postseason appearances in each of her last three seasons. 
 McPhee-McCuin, who has also served as the national team head coach for her native Bahamas, was an assistant at Clemson from 2011-13, where she was recognized as one of the top assistants in the nation by National Women's Basketball Insider. Before her stint at Clemson, McPhee-McCuin was on staff at Pittsburgh for two seasons in 2009 and 2010. Her coaching career also includes stops at Portland, Frank Phillips College, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 
 Breakdown 1:00 - Defense and Adaptability 8:00 - Defensive Strategies for 3 Point Shots 15:00 - Defensive Techniques 18:00 - Embracing Physicality 23:00 - Defending Ball Screens 28:30 - Freedom on Offense 34:00 - Exploit Defensive Weaknesses 36:30 - Data Analysis and Practice Management 43:00 - Maintaining Standards 48:00 - Mentorships in Women's Basketball 53:00 - Conclusion 
 Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s Bio: Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yolett_McPhee-McCuin Twitter: https://twitter.com/YolettMcCuin 
 Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion 
 Immersion Videos: Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Deep Dive with a Great Coach (EP 321)

Guest: Victor Lapena, Canadian Women’s National Basketball Team Coach Canadian Women's National Basketball Team Víctor Lapeña joins the Basketball Podcast to share his philosophy on international coaching, development, and principles of play. 
 Lapeña brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to his current role as Head Coach of the Canadian Women's National Basketball Team. 
 Prior to his appointment in 2021, Lapeña spent a remarkable 14 years within the Spanish Basketball Federation.  His impact is undeniable, having played a key role in Spain's dominance on the international stage. During this tenure, he contributed to an impressive collection of 14 medals, including two coveted EuroBasket golds (2013, 2017) and a silver medal at the prestigious 2016 Rio Olympics. 
 Lapeña's expertise extends beyond the national team level. He also boasts a distinguished club-level career in Spain, leading teams in both the second and first tiers of their national league. His strategic brilliance culminated in a championship title with CB Avenida in the 2012-13 season. Additionally, he achieved success on the international club scene by guiding Nadezhda Orenburg to the EuroCup Women title in 2019. 
 Breakdown 1:00 - Introduction 2:30 - Coaching Basketball in Canada 10:00 - Club Model vs Scholastic Model 16:00 - Basketball Development Model 22:00 - Coaching Principles and Strategies 26:00 - Player Development 32:00 - Coaching Strategies Learned in Soccer 37:00 - Defensive Strategies in Basketball 43:30 - Defensive Rebounding Strategies 47:00 - Conclusion 
 Victor Lapena’s Bio: Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%ADctor_Lape%C3%B1a 
 Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion 
 Immersion Videos: Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Episode 320: Victor Lapena, Driving Success Through Coaching

Guests: Carly Thibault Dudonis, Fairfield Head Coach In this week’s coaching conversation, Fairfield head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis joins the Basketball Podcast to share her insights on 5-Out and, team and basketball identity. 
 In just her second season at the helm, Thibault-DuDonis led the Stags to a program-record 31 wins as part of an historic 31-2 campaign, the second-highest winning percentage in the nation. That mark featured a conference-record 29 game winning streak culminating in a MAAC Championship, their fifth in program history. 
 Thibault-DuDonis was named the Maggie Dixon Coach of the Year, All-Met Coach of the year, the ECAC Coach of the Year, the College Insider Kay Yow Coach of the Year, and the MAAC Coach of the Year to celebrate Fairfield's historic season. The Stags also achieved the program's first-ever national ranking as they slotted No. 25 in the AP Top-25 poll and also received votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll. They finished the season ranked fourth in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. The Stags capped off their historic season with the MAAC Tournament and Regular Season Championship while punching their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. 
 In her first season with the Stags, she led the team to a top-5 finish in the conference, receiving a bye into the MAAC Championship Quarterfinals with an 11-9 conference mark. Carly most recently served as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Minnesota. Before joining Minnesota, Carly was an assistant coach at Mississippi State and Eastern Michigan. 
 Thibault-DuDonis' father Mike Thibault was a three-time WNBA Coach of the Year previously coaching the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics while also being an assistant coach in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Her brother Eric, is the current Head Coach of the Washington Mystics. 
 Breakdown 1:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Positive Team Environment 5:30 - Offensive Identity 9:00 - Coaching Strategies for Mid-Major Teams 12:00 - Creative Advantages in Offense 14:30 - Cutting and Spacing 18:00 - Basketball Analytics and Player Development 23:30 - Defensive Strategies 27:30 - Defensive Fundamentals 30:30 - Film Analysis abd Drills 34:00 - Workload Management 38:00 - Coaching Philosophy 41:00 - Skill Improvement 
 Carly Thibault Dudonis’s Bio: Bio: https://fairfieldstags.com/staff-directory/carly-thibault-dudonis/240 Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTbow 
 Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion 
 Immersion Videos: Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Episode 319: Carly Thibault Dudonis, Transforming Fairfield Basketball

Guests: Dave Love, NBA Shooting Coach, and Matt Robertson, Co-Host of The Coach Dave Love Podcast In this week's coaching conversation, Chris Oliver joins the Coach Dave Love Podcast to share insights on applying skill acquisition concepts to basketball shooting and player development. In this enlightening episode of The Coach Dave Love Podcast simulcast on the Basketball Podcast, hosts Matt Robertson and NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love are joined by Chris Oliver, the esteemed founder of Basketball Immersion.  
 Chris Oliver stands as a leading figure in integrating motor learning and skill acquisition principles into basketball training. With a track record of consulting for numerous NBA teams and National Federations globally, Chris brings a wealth of evidence-based coaching approaches to the table. 
 Throughout the episode, Chris and Dave dissect their top five Skill Acquisition concepts, providing invaluable insights for coaches looking to enhance their training methodologies. This episode serves as a beacon for those new to the realm of Motor Learning, offering a comprehensive starting point. Tune in as Chris and Dave delve into the nuances of skill acquisition, providing actionable strategies and practical advice that coaches can implement immediately.  
 Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to coaching, this episode promises to equip you with the foundational knowledge needed to elevate your coaching game and unlock the full potential of your players. If you're ready to take your coaching to the next level and optimize player development, this episode is a must-listen. 
 Breakdown 1:00 - Introduction 3:00 - Basketball Shooting Form and Practice Methods 8:00 - Improving Skill Acquisition 12:30 - Importance of Adaptability 17:00 - Internal vs External Cues 21:30 - Perception and Adaptability 26:00 - Skill Acquisition Strategies 30:30 - Reducing Instructions 37:00 - Focusing on Habits 40:00 - Teaching Cues 44:30 - Coaching Techniques 48:00 - Constraint-Led Approach 54:30 - Player Development 58:30 - Personalized Approach 
 Dave Love’s Bio: Website: https://www.coachdavelove.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-coach-dave-love-podcast/id1719926493 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCspHEavqXfrWe2YFps_4RiQ 
 Matt Robinson’s Bio: Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachmattyrob 
 Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion 
 Immersion Videos: Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: <a href="https://www.immersionvideos.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Episode 281: Kyle Smith, Nerdball Analytics Insights

Download our free app to listen on your phone