Lute Olson
Lute Olson
Robert Luther "Lute" Olsonis an American retired basketball coach. He was most recently head coach of the University of Arizona's men's team for 25 years. He was also head coach at the University of Iowa for nine years and California State University, Long Beach for one season. Olson was known for player development, and many of his former players have gone on to impressive careers in the NBA. On October 23, 2008, Olson announced his retirement from coaching...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth22 September 1934
biggest bit change court driving four guys intent obviously offense open spent spread three time utilize
The biggest adjustments obviously have been the change from three guys out to four guys out. We've spent a lot of time on the offense and the intent of that is to spread the court a little bit more and open driving lanes to utilize their quickness.
guys kick pat response
There are some guys you have to kick in the butt to get the response you want. There are some you need to pat on the back. He's one you need to pat on the back.
best challenge compliment guys program understand younger
I think that is something that probably some of our younger guys don't understand is that you're going to see everybody's best effort, and that is a compliment to the program but is also a challenge to our guys.
came pleased pressure
I was very, very pleased with Marcus Williams. I thought no one came in with more pressure on him than Marcus Williams.
afford approach guys home mental ready time top
Our mental approach will be solid. Our guys know what it is going to take to end up on top of the league. It is a long haul. You can't afford not to be ready to play every time out, home or away.
determined last league seems start statement top until
I said at the start of the year, from top to bottom, this is going to be the most competitive the league has been. I made the statement the league wouldn't be determined until the last weekend, and that's still the case. It seems like anything can happen.
anybody beat capable chance defending good teams winning
We are the defending champs, and I think we are capable of defending the championship. There are some very good teams that we are going to have to beat if we are going to do that. But I don't think there is anybody who has a better chance of winning it.
chris college degree earned noted
It should be noted that Chris has earned his college degree in 3 1/2 years.
bennett case coach gotten guys involved played since system three understand wants
They've played well ever since Dick Bennett has gotten there. It's been a case where guys have been involved (in the program) for two or three years. They understand the system and know they need to do the things coach wants them to do if they want to be successful.
hard learn work
It's work hard and try to learn from the things we didn't do well.
ball certain chance
The ball is in Chris' court. There are certain things he is going to have to do. If he does them, there is a chance he can come back.
gives guards tough
That gives you an idea how tough our guards were on their perimeter guys.
certainly developing game inside point
The inside game is certainly developing to the point where we have an inside game.
absolutely best boards courage following game hammered heart michigan overtime seen state sustain team
We just got absolutely hammered on the boards but Michigan State does that to a lot of people. I want to acknowledge the courage and the heart of that team following what I thought was the best preseason game I've ever seen to go to another overtime and be able to sustain that effort.