The Seattle Storm and Chinese National Team pose for pictures following a controlled scrimmage.
Continuing Ed: Bobcat Women’s Coaching Staff Soaks Up Storm
5/14/2018 2:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
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MSU women's coaching staff spends some time with the WNBA's Seattle Storm in preparation for summer workouts.
By: Tom Schulz
Last week was a quiet one for the Montana State women's basketball coaching staff.
Following a NCAA mandated recruiting shutdown from May 7-13 for all Division I programs and all communications with potential student-athletes deemed impermissible the Bobcat contingent took time to travel with friends, attend out-of-town concerts with siblings or watch the kids so their spouse could get things done.
It was a much needed time to recharge the batteries.
After a six-month season, followed by recruiting, a road-trip around the state with the Bobcat Club and graduation, head coach Tricia Binford looked forward to some down-time.
But before the Bobcats could enjoy time away from the office, Binford, along with assistant coaches Kati Mobley and Julian Assibey and Director of Basketball Operations Jason Alvine, made a quick trip to Seattle to watch and learn from the two-time WNBA champion Storm.
The Storm, coached by Dan Hughes, a former mentor of Binford when she played with the WNBA Cleveland Rockers, invited the group to the Emerald City to observe its opening of training camp.
"Dan is one of my mentors that I seek out along with June Daugherty, John Stockton and Raegan Pebley," Binford said. "I had the opportunity to do something like this a few years ago when Coach Hughes was with the San Antonio Silver Stars. We also had him out here (Bozeman) when I was first hired for a coaching clinic. I've always valued his opinion and input on how we're running things."
Binford and company took copious notes during two days of practices to bring back to the team.
"One of the big things I took away was on the first day when Dan (Hughes) had us sit-in on his prep session with staff," Binford said. "He brought in a player to also be a part of the preparation. He rotates a player every staff meeting. That way his players are hearing it, (the coaches are) being transparent and the players are picking up the message. After practice they have players reflect and give feedback and I think that's something we could implement from a communication standpoint."
Mobley, Assibey and Alvine also gleaned valuable insight in different aspects of the program. Mobley, who works with MSU's frontline, focused on the teaching points and how practices worked, while Assibey was locked-in on player development. As the Bobcats' DOBO, Alvine was able to see how the Storm did its filming and breakdowns of practices.
"It was great to see the high-level of athlete and the commitment that they have to the process," Mobley said. "They were there early everyday doing extra workouts. The practices were super competitive and focused on details. There were a couple of drills that we really liked in regards to making practice more competitive. It was also nice to get a little bit of reassurance that what we're doing is heading in the right direction. It was a cool experience to be involved in."
The Storm feature two of women's basketball's finest in Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. Bird, a 5-9 guard, is a ten-time WNBA all-star and just one of six players to ever win a NCAA title, a WNBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. Stewart, a 6-4 forward, is the only athlete, male or female, to win the Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor on four occasions. In addition, she's the only person to be a three-time Associated Press Player of the Year. She also won an Olympic gold medal.
"They're amazing athletes," Binford said. "It was fun to see their interaction with each other. They have tremendous chemistry. Everyone 'high-fives' or 'slaps a hand' after every possession to make sure everyone is engaged with each other.
Tricia Binford and top Seattle Storm
draft pick Jordin Canada of UCLA.
"Sue Bird is an absolute coach on the floor," Binford continued. "She's always communicating, whether good or bad or hard when necessary, but she's also real big in praising and just a tremendous leader."
The Montana State foursome was also privy to a little international competition as the Chinese National Team was in Seattle and practiced with the Storm.
"They had a controlled scrimmage and the intensity level was amazing," Binford said. "You're seeing some of the best players in the world and it was just a lot of fun to observe."
Binford and company plan to apply what they learned during MSU's upcoming workouts. The coaches will have six to eight weeks to work with the student-athletes over the summer. The Bobcats will use the time to help get everyone on the same page and identify potential leaders for next year's team.
"We've already started that process," Binford said. "We've talked about what leadership traits look like. We'll ask some kids to stretch themselves and we already have kids that other players respond too. We're identifying strengths in all of our players.
"As a staff, we'll be encouraging them to stay engaged with each other, have positive body language and good communication," Binford stated. "Competitiveness is also something we've been striving for in practice. We want to get kids out of there comfort zone and I think that will encourage some leadership. They'll have to make demands of each other and if they can handle that I think we'll have an exciting season."
