Dick Bennett Basketball Quotations

We played miserable basketball in the first half. We looked like a team trying to prove it could be a 94-foot (end-to-end) team -- throwing one-handed passes, shooting on the fly.

We earned last place. The team slowly eroded, and we played our worst basketball at the end of the season. The game meant something to Arizona State. They wanted it, and we didn't. We don't have the toughness to play 40 minutes, and Arizona State could have beaten us by 40.

We cannot accept in victory what we would not accept in defeat.

Practice to beat the best.

I concluded some time ago that a major part of success of a team, or of an individual, has a great deal to do with the intangible qualities possessed. The real key is in how a person see himself (humility), how he feels about what he does (passion), how he works with others (unity), how he makes others better (servanthood), and how he deals with frustration and success, truly learning from each situations (thankfulness). I believe those concepts are the essence of a good player, team, coach, or individual in any capacity in life.

Most of my learning and philosophy regarding coaching basketball was developed after great frustration.

Players who are committed to the team first will find a way to help when things are going bad, they will do whatever it takes. Kids that are more into themselves will not do that. They will take care of themselves and get more individual when things are tough.

For us to be successful on defense, we must get back and stop the basketball, eliminate easy baskets, keep the ball out of the lane, and bother the shooters.

We teach offense 5-0/5-5 (whole method) and defense by part (1-1/3-3).

What you specifically teach is what your players will do best.

What does this program/team need this week?

I love good basketball and I haven't been seeing it in my team. If I am to end it this year, I just want my team to go out playing good ball.