Colorado University Athletics
CU's Boyle Values Input From Players, Assistants
February 17, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Saturday night's FS1 "All Access" broadcast of the Colorado-Oregon State game provided viewers with a rare inside look at college basketball.
Colorado coach Tad Boyle and his OSU counterpart, Wayne Tinkle, both wore live microphones throughout the game and viewers were able to hear what they were saying, as well as see into huddles during timeouts and in the halftime locker room thanks to live cameras (there were no commercials throughout the broadcast).
But along with providing some outstanding insight to what head coaches were saying and thinking during the game, the broadcast also showed what kind of input players and assistant coaches can have.
In the case of the Buffaloes, it is significant. Not only is Boyle not hesitant to allow his assistants and players to add their voices to the conversation, he encourages his leaders to contribute. Those contributions were evident throughout the broadcast.
"Our three core values in this program are trust, character and work ethic," Boyle said Monday. "When it comes to trust, you look at guys like McKinley Wright and Evan Battey, who are two of our most vocal players, and you see those guys talking in huddles. I trust those guys."
Wright, who has assumed the role of a team leader almost since the day he first stepped on campus, said he takes that role seriously when he does speak up.
"That's our job, to talk about what we see and what he wants us to do," Wright said. "We're upperclassmen, the veterans. He's always urged me to be that leader and talk about what I see. There's trust there between all of us — Coach Boyle, the guys, everybody."
Boyle said that trust is earned, and it comes with developing relationships throughout the team.
"I encourage that," he said. "I encourage that input. It's what I really like about this team. You'll notice that we'll come out of a timeout and McKinley will huddle the guys up on the court. That to me is a major step in the right direction because he's taking leadership, he's taking ownership. He has something to say and I know when he talks, they're going to listen."
Indeed, there are moments when that conversation between players may have the biggest impact — and it's why Boyle encourages those discussions.
"Sometimes their teammates will listen to them more than they listen to me," Boyle said. "I hate to admit that as a coach, but the fact of the matter is, sometimes they may get somebody's ear when they maybe turned a deaf ear to me. I have major confidence in both McKinley and Evan and others on our team as well, guys like D'Shawn Schwartz, who have earned it."
Wright said those conversations between players go both ways, and Boyle and the assistants encourage them.
"I have a relationship with guys, I can get on them and they won't be mad," Wright said. "They might be mad for a moment but after the game we're brothers. I've earned all of their respect to the point where they respect what I say, and vice versa. I listen to what they say and how to improve my game as well. It's all about the team and getting better."
Boyle's assistants — Mike Rohn, Bill Grier and Anthony Coleman — also have input.
But one thing Boyle has made clear to his coaches and players is that while the voice might be different, the message should always be the same.
"They don't have a mute button on them," Boyle said. "Now when they talk, I want their message to be concise, clear, and in conjunction with mine. If it's not, then I've got to call a timeout and have a visit with them. It's the same thing with players. If their message is not what my message is, we're going to have problems. But 99 times out of 100 that's not the case. What McKinley is saying is exactly what I would say — they just may say in a different way."
LATEST RANKINGS: The Buffs (20-6 overall, 9-4 Pac-12), who are tied with Oregon for the top spot in the Pac-12 standings, remained in the nation's top 20 in both polls released Monday, although they did drop a couple of spots after splitting a pair of road games last week.
CU was 18th in the latest Associated Press poll and 17th in the coaches' rankings. They were one of three Pac-12 teams in the top 25, with Oregon at No. 14 in the AP and 16 in the coaches while Arizona is 24th in the AP and 21st in the coaches.
The Buffs also stayed steady in the NET rankings, checking in at 11th on Monday. Arizona was eighth in the NET while Oregon was 22nd.
BIG WEEK AHEAD: The Buffs play their final two home games of the season this week at the CU Events Center, beginning with Thursday's 7 p.m. game against USC (ESPN2), followed by Saturday's 2 p.m. home finale against UCLA (CBS).
With 26 games under their belts, the Buffs are at the point of the season that keeping them sharp must be balanced with keeping them fresh for the home stretch, conference tournament and postseason.
It is, Boyle said, a fine line.
"I usually pick one day a week where it's what I call a 'player's day,'" Boyle said. "So whatever that player needs. McKinley may need rest. Evan may need to work on his free throws. Tyler Bey may need work on his jump hook, Lucas (Siewert) may need to work on his 3-point shooting. Everybody's got something different. So this is a player's day where each individual player can work on what they need to work on."
That can include more than just their game.
"Some guys will shoot for 15 or 20 minutes, some guys might shoot for 40 or 45 minutes," Boyle said. "I think you have to be really smart with your team in that some guys might need a little bit more cardio on a day like today and some guys need a rest and a cold tub or a hot tub or a massage — whatever the case may be to get their bodies rejuvenated."
Then, Boyle said, it will be back to the gym Tuesday for team workouts and preparation for this week's games.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
