2008 Woodie Awards
Henderson brings new approach
Dan Kukla
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
Charlie Coles has been the head coach of Miami University's basketball team for 11 seasons. and hasn't missed a game in 10 years. So when the RedHawks took the court Saturday March 1 against Ohio University without their faithful leader, something just wasn't right.
Can basketball really exist on this campus without the charm of loveable coach Coles, who has been a staple in Miami's program for over a decade?
If Miami's performance last Saturday is any indicator, the answer is a resounding yes.
Jermaine Henderson, the RedHawks' current assistant head coach, filled in for the under-the-weather Coles in what should be considered a convincing audition for his selection as Charlie's successor.
Miami jumped out to a healthy margin over Ohio behind a masterful performance by junior guard Michael Bramos. The RedHawks took a more-than-comfortable 37-14 lead into the locker room at half time. Bramos scored 19 of those points, giving himself a five point edge over the entire Bobcat lineup.
Does any of this sound familiar? The RedHawks have been here before. Earlier this season against University of Dayton, playing here in Oxford, Miami held a 33-18 lead at the half. That first period that was strikingly similar to the one played this weekend against Ohio, and Bramos was again the star, scoring 25 points to out pace the entire Dayton lineup.
Saturday was déjà vu all over again. That is, until the second half rolled around.
In November's match up against the Flyers, Miami went on to blow their huge half-time lead, losing on a last second three-pointer. This weekend, the RedHawks were able to continue their first period dominance throughout the rest of the game, winning in convincing fashion by a score of 73-49.
What caused such a drastic difference in the outcomes? I think that it was Miami's distinctly different second half approaches.
The RedHawks have struggled all season with blowing leads late in games. Six times this season, the Red and White has lost after being up at half time; against Dayton and Wright State, the blown margin was in the double digits.
Can basketball really exist on this campus without the charm of loveable coach Coles, who has been a staple in Miami's program for over a decade?
If Miami's performance last Saturday is any indicator, the answer is a resounding yes.
Jermaine Henderson, the RedHawks' current assistant head coach, filled in for the under-the-weather Coles in what should be considered a convincing audition for his selection as Charlie's successor.
Miami jumped out to a healthy margin over Ohio behind a masterful performance by junior guard Michael Bramos. The RedHawks took a more-than-comfortable 37-14 lead into the locker room at half time. Bramos scored 19 of those points, giving himself a five point edge over the entire Bobcat lineup.
Does any of this sound familiar? The RedHawks have been here before. Earlier this season against University of Dayton, playing here in Oxford, Miami held a 33-18 lead at the half. That first period that was strikingly similar to the one played this weekend against Ohio, and Bramos was again the star, scoring 25 points to out pace the entire Dayton lineup.
Saturday was déjà vu all over again. That is, until the second half rolled around.
In November's match up against the Flyers, Miami went on to blow their huge half-time lead, losing on a last second three-pointer. This weekend, the RedHawks were able to continue their first period dominance throughout the rest of the game, winning in convincing fashion by a score of 73-49.
What caused such a drastic difference in the outcomes? I think that it was Miami's distinctly different second half approaches.
The RedHawks have struggled all season with blowing leads late in games. Six times this season, the Red and White has lost after being up at half time; against Dayton and Wright State, the blown margin was in the double digits.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
DevilGrad
posted 3/07/08 @ 11:00 AM EST
I'm looking forward to your equally trenchant analysis [sic] of the Kent game -- but not nearly as much as I am to seeing Charlie well enough to patrol the sidelines in Cleveland next week. (Continued…)
Hawk-a-holic
posted 3/24/08 @ 8:05 PM EST
Is Bobby Knight available?
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