Miller vs Matta

[GuyFawkes38]

I've always assumed that Miller and Matta have similar coaching styles. But after watching the OSU/Butler game, I realized that's completely wrong.

Matta's style appears much softer than Miller's.

Matta's basketball philosophy relies less on defense, more on guard play, and more on perimeter shooting.

Matta also has a less confrontational teaching style with the players.

I'm not sure which style is better. Matta is a better offensive coach (which might help land better offensive players for Matta). Miller is a better defensive coach. Both styles are fun to watch.

[waggy]

Miller is the better coach.

No idea where you get the idea that Matta is a better offensive coach. I disagree.

Maybe Matta is the better defensive coach, but Miller has proven more flexible in trying different philosophies and the occassional zone. OSU is #1 in defensive efficiency according to Pomeroy.

Confrontational? Hmmm. Seems to me Miller is a players coach. Doesn't appear to have any issues with holding grudges or creating drama in the locker room - only helping individual players and the team improve. Not just in technique, but also mentally. I guess some people feel confronted when their mistakes are pointed out. My guess is Miller recognizes that it's simply part of the process of improving, which is the goal.

[GuyFawkes38]

Miller is the better coach.

No idea where you get the idea that Matta is a better offensive coach. I disagree.

Maybe Matta is the better defensive coach, but Miller has proven more flexible in trying different philosophies and the occassional zone. OSU is #1 in defensive efficiency according to Pomeroy.

Confrontational? Hmmm. Seems to me Miller is a players coach. Doesn't appear to have any issues with holding grudges or creating drama in the locker room - only helping individual players and the team improve. Not just in technique, but also mentally. I guess some people feel confronted when their mistakes are pointed out. My guess is Miller recognizes that it's simply part of the process of improving, which is the goal.


I guess it's debatable if Matta runs a better offense.

But without a doubt, Matta's offenses focuses much more on the perimeter. In fact, it often appeared like the OSU offense ran much more smoothly when Greg Oden was out of the game and the OSU guards could spread the court and nail 3's or drive to the hoop.

[waggy]

Matta has had some teams that were really effective at getting super clean looks from the perimeter. Possession after possession. I remember that Butler team that went into Madison and just smoked the Badgers. I think later that season the same team beat Florida in the tourney, but I might have my years mixed up and I didn't see that game. I don't recall that team needing much penetration to create open shots - they just passed around the perimeter. Conversely, when he coached Chalmers he wanted penetration. Take the shot, dish, or kick to the perimeter.

The past couple years Miller ran a lot of pick an roll and high ball screens, because it best served our talent. This year, not so much. This year it's based a lot more on moving the ball in and out of the post, and allowing the post player to decide if he has an advantage or if poor defensive positioning can be exploited. If not, it goes back out.

This all brings to mind when I watched X against Notre Dame in the tourney when Skip was head coach. Rafferty was doing color, and at some point in the telecast when it became clear that X was struggling on offense and likely going to lose, "They run some pretty stuff, but..." He didn't say any more. Ultimately what matters is if the ball goes thru the hoop. It's all beautiful when that happens.

Only one disappointment with Matta leaving - we never got to see what he would've done with Church.

[bobbiemcgee]

you mean this guy?
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/players/37853

[GuyFawkes38]

Matta has had some teams that were really effective at getting super clean looks from the perimeter. Possession after possession. I remember that Butler team that went into Madison and just smoked the Badgers. I think later that season the same team beat Florida in the tourney, but I might have my years mixed up and I didn't see that game. I don't recall that team needing much penetration to create open shots - they just passed around the perimeter. Conversely, when he coached Chalmers he wanted penetration. Take the shot, dish, or kick to the perimeter.

The past couple years Miller ran a lot of pick an roll and high ball screens, because it best served our talent. This year, not so much. This year it's based a lot more on moving the ball in and out of the post, and allowing the post player to decide if he has an advantage or if poor defensive positioning can be exploited. If not, it goes back out.


That all is very true.

It does seem that Miller's offensive teams are a little more deliberate than Matta's more frenetic half court offensive possessions.

But yeah, like you explained, a lot of it depends on where the team's talent lies.

[X-band '01]

Matta has had some teams that were really effective at getting super clean looks from the perimeter. Possession after possession. I remember that Butler team that went into Madison and just smoked the Badgers. I think later that season the same team beat Florida in the tourney, but I might have my years mixed up and I didn't see that game. I don't recall that team needing much penetration to create open shots - they just passed around the perimeter. Conversely, when he coached Chalmers he wanted penetration. Take the shot, dish, or kick to the perimeter.

The past couple years Miller ran a lot of pick an roll and high ball screens, because it best served our talent. This year, not so much. This year it's based a lot more on moving the ball in and out of the post, and allowing the post player to decide if he has an advantage or if poor defensive positioning can be exploited. If not, it goes back out.

This all brings to mind when I watched X against Notre Dame in the tourney when Skip was head coach. Rafferty was doing color, and at some point in the telecast when it became clear that X was struggling on offense and likely going to lose, "They run some pretty stuff, but..." He didn't say any more. Ultimately what matters is if the ball goes thru the hoop. It's all beautiful when that happens.

Only one disappointment with Matta leaving - we never got to see what he would've done with Church.

Butler beat Wake Forest in 2001 pretty handily - after that game Dave Odom would resign and begat the domino effect of Skip to Wake and Matta to Xavier. Butler actually lost a buzzer-beater to Florida one season before (in 2000, thus sparking a run by Florida to the NCAA Championship Game).