Pfeifer insists on consistency
MOSCOW, Idaho – One of Idaho men’s basketball coach George Pfeifer’s favorite sayings is that he possesses an enormous amount of patience.
“Because I don’t use much of it,” Pfeifer cracked just before his Vandals took the floor for their first official practice Saturday at Memorial Gym. “There’s a lot of it stored up.”
As the practice approached the 2-hour mark, his players would probably insist that Pfeifer has a couple of other favorite sayings: “No, do it again,” and “You’re gone” (dismissed from a drill) perhaps topping the list.
Pfeifer was quick to address mistakes. In the first 10 seconds of the first drill, players were called back to the end line to restart. A series of defensive drills soon followed, with a 4-on-4 session rarely lasting 30 seconds before a player committed a miscue and was sent to the sideline to run down and back.
“Where our program is at we have to learn and teach and the players have to understand what we want them to do,” said Pfeifer, who was promoted to head coach after one season as a UI assistant. He replaced Leonard Perry, who was dismissed after last year’s 4-25 campaign.
“Once they understand it, it takes some time and repetition for it to become a habit,” Pfeifer said. “Once it’s a habit, we have to consistently execute it. Then you have to do it with effort, not just physically but mentally. The final stage is all the pieces need to be put in place so you can compete.”
Only four players return, including sophomore forward Aaron Smith, who is expected to redshirt. Guard Keoni Watson is the top returning scorer (10.4 ppg). Forwards/posts Mike Kale (4.6 rebounds, 6 ppg) and Desmond Nwoke (4.3 rpg, 3 ppg) also return.
“As a coaching staff, we’re still trying to learn who can do what,” Pfeifer said. “We have some concept and some theme, but we know that could be ever-changing as this group evolves.”
That obviously will take time, but Pfeifer’s patience only stretches so far.
“Reality tells us there’s a learning curve,” he said, “but the fact of the matter is people want to see success.”
Nine newcomers add much needed size and speed. Sebastien Taulbee, a 6-foot-10, 255-pound transfer from City College of San Francisco, is the biggest player on the roster. JC transfer Mario Mackey and true freshman O.J. Avworo bring quickness in the mold of Watson.
Junior college transfers Trevor Morris and Miles Webb are candidates at guard/wing. Michael Crowell, David Jackson and Clyde Johnson are slender forwards between 6-7 and 6-8.
Notes
Mitchell Johnson, who redshirted last year after being involved in a serious car accident, sat out practice as his recovery continues. … Ex-Lewiston High forward Andrew Madsen and former Colville High forward Thomas Preston are walk-ons. Madsen transferred from Edmonds CC and Preston is from Saint Martin’s University. … The team held a brief scrimmage and dunk- and 3-point contests Friday night. The 5-10 Watson and 6-7 Clyde Johnson made the finals, with Johnson winning the dunk competition. Morris edged Smith in the 3-point contest.