TSR 2/16/20 CBB Picks w/ Guest Picker Ken George
Q&A w/ Ken George
1. Can you walk us through your career path in basketball?
I played at Farmington Hills Harrison near Detroit and then started for four years at Albion College in the late 1980s - I still hold a couple of shooting records there (Career 3PT% at .458, as well as Single Season Free Throw% at .871). After graduating from Albion, I worked in public relations in Detroit for a couple of years before deciding to go back for my teaching certificate. I was an assistant coach at Albion College for two years while earning my teaching degree and then was hired at FHC as the varsity coach in 1994. I coached for 24 years (finishing with a record of 341-192) before resigning in 2018. Now, I run coaching clinics, youth camps, and write basketball coaching books -- along with helping coaches across the country through my Twitter and YouTube videos.
2. You had some fantastic teams in your 24 years at FHC. Which do you think was the best?
Three teams stand out to me - 2001-02, 2014-15, and my last season. But, along the way, we won 8 league championships, four district, and three regional championships. It was such an honor to coach so many talented players and teams.
3. Was there a game during your career that you thought was most memorable?
Too many to cover them all, but my son Jordan scored 22 points in my 300th win, so that's a special game. My other son, Tyler, scored 41 points in one game his senior year, so that's one that I'll never forget. But, the breakthrough win was in 2002 when we finally beat Rockford to win a district championship. It was played at Greenville High School during a terrible snowstorm, but they had to put the overflow crowd into the auditorium to watch the game on video. We also played at CMU in a Regional Final against Saginaw, and I still remember my players' reactions when we pulled up in the bus and there was a traffic jam getting into the game because so many people were showing up.
4. Is there one particular game that you wish you could coach over again?
A very tough loss in the district final to Rockford in 2003. They went on to win the State Championship. We were ahead by double digits with 4 minutes to play. I blew that game and it still haunts me.
5. Did you have a coaching rival, or someone that you always strived to be better than?
Coach Majerle at Rockford taught me a lot about winning because he beat our teams repeatedly when I was a younger coach.
6. How was the experience of getting to coach your sons, Jordan and Tyler?
It is what makes me the proudest and the most emotional. Jordan and Ty worked so hard to become good enough to make an impact on the program, and they are both Rangerball record-holders, all-league players, and fine young men.
7. You have now started officiating since you stepped away from FHC. Knowing what you now know about the pressures that an official faces each game, would you have approached your relationship towards officials different as a coach?
Officiating is impossible. Seriously. You can't get them all right. I'm sure I would have been a bit more forgiving if I had officiated before coaching. But, I like to think that I still treated the officials with respect. I was never kicked out of a game and only had a handful of technicals in my coaching career.
8. Who was the best player that you ever coached?
Most physically gifted player was James Telman. Most athletic and smooth player was Derek Dennis. Most dominating players were Kevin Murphy, Xavier Tillman, Mark Lettinga, and Kyle Visser.
9. Besides officiating, how are you remaining involved in basketball?
I've written a book that is out on Amazon - The 10 Commandments of Coaching Basketball. I run youth camps, coaching clinics, and college leagues. I'm in the gym pretty much every night still, but it's in a much different capacity.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
1. Minnesota vs Iowa (1:00, FS1)
Ken: Iowa- Luka Garza is just too much, and Minnesota is so up and down this season. It’s hard to pick the road team here, but I think Iowa is just better.
Nick: Iowa- I’m with Coach, the Big Ten is a tough league to pick a road team to win a game. But Luka Garza is a truly elite player, and he will be able to win the battle against Daniel Oturu to earn the victory.
Sam: Minnesota-- Unsure if CJ Frederick is healthy or not for Iowa, it’s hard to go against the Gophers. Pair that with the poor showing for the Hawkeyes on the road at IU, Minny gets a much needed win.
Zach: Minnesota- Combine The Barn and Daniel Oturu matching you with Luka Garza, I like the Gophers with the upset. Minnesota also needs this win more than Iowa
2. Michigan vs Indiana (1:00, CBS)
Ken: Michigan- The victory over Michigan State has given the Wolverines some much-needed momentum, and the return of Isaiah Livers seems to have bolstered them offensively. It will be their first three-game winning streak since they won their first seven games.
Nick: Michigan- This team is playing their best basketball as of late, and that’s bad news for the rest of the Big Ten. This is an NCAA Tournament team if they can stay healthy, though it’s a question as to if that’ll happen.
Sam: Michigan-- It’s almost like teams play better when their best player is actually healthy.
Zach: Michigan- This team is completely different with Livers on the court, and that’s why they will win this game and many more after
3. Temple vs Villanova (1:00, ESPN)
Ken: Villanova- Again, it’s hard to pick the road team, but Villanova in bounce back mode after a tough three-game losing streak. I give the advantage to Jay Wright here.
Nick: Villanova- I think that the Big 5 is an awesome concept, putting the city of Philadelphia’s best against each other. Jay Wright has tremendous success in this series, and the two-time National Champ gets another victory.
Sam: Villanova-- Big 5 games continue to lack the juice the once did
Zach: Villanova- Big 5 matchups would be really cool if it wasn’t actually the Big 1 and Small 4
4. Wichita State vs Tulane (2:00, CBSSN)
Ken: Wichita State- It’s been a tough season for the Shockers, but they beat the Green Wave at home.
Nick: Wichita State- The Shockers have to be lucky that they are facing the last place team in the AAC at this time in the season. A bounce back game against the Green Wave may be exactly what they need to turn this around, before it’s too late.
Sam: Wichita State-- Ron Hunter. Walking on water.
Zach: Wichita State- Blowout
5. UCONN vs Memphis (3:00, ESPN)
Ken: Memphis- It appears based on a quick Google search that Memphis is a better basketball team this season.
Nick: Memphis- How do I choose between two of my least favorite coaches in Danny Hurley and Penny Hardaway? I might as well go with the team that has elite players such as Lester Quinones, not to mention a winning conference record.
Sam: UCONN-- Memphis has really struggled lately and Uconn had themselves a massive win over Cincy last Sunday. Make it two straight
Zach: UCONN- Christian Vital is a player and the Huskies get a much needed win at home
6. East Carolina vs Cincinnati (12:00, CBSSN)
Ken: Cincinnati
Nick: Cincinnati- The Bearcats have done great under first year coach John Brannen, as they are just one game back in the AAC standings. They continue their pursuit of an NCAA Tournament bid for the tenth straight season.
Sam: Cincinnati
Zach: Cincinnati- I remember watching Jayden Gardner as a freshman last year for ECU at the AAC tournament, and he is going to be a force in this league for years to come. Unfortunately, the rest of the team is not good whatsoever and Cincinnati wins handily
7. Boston College vs NC State (6:00, ACC)
Ken: Boston College- I’m going with the home team in this matchup between average teams.
Nick: NC State- I will take the Wolfpack, who have won two straight games, both away from home.
Sam: NC State-- One of just 5 teams with a shot at the big dance in the ACC
Zach: NC State
8. California vs Arizona State (6:00, ESPNU)
Ken: Arizona State- California still has a basketball team? They just can’t score.
Nick: Arizona State- The Pac 12 is a woeful league, and Cal is an example of that. This Hurley brother gets a victory, in large part to his horrible opposition.
Sam: Arizona State
Zach: Arizona State- Remy Martin and the Sun Devils walk all over the Bears
9. Oregon vs Utah (9:00, FS1)
Ken: Oregon- Great uniforms for the Ducks.
Nick: Oregon- The Ducks are the best team in the Pac 12, and Payton Pritchard is one of the best guards in America. This team will make a deep March Madness run, all based on his stellar play.
Sam: Oregon
Zach: Oregon
10. Boise State vs San Diego State (4:00, CBSSN)
Ken: San Diego State- The Aztecs are undefeated, which I didn’t even know. Their schedule has been easy, but Boise State is part of that easy schedule.
Nick: San Diego State- Let’s make it 26 straight games for the Aztecs. This team is a legitimate contender for a deep tournament run, as they won’t see much of a challenge before the NCAA Tournament. Could they be UNLV Runnin’ Rebels that run the table deep into the dance?
Sam: SDSU
Zach: San Diego State
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