(‘Inside The Offseason’ is our newest column written by former Wolfpack manager Tyler White. Tyler attended NC State from 2009 to 2013 and worked with the basketball team as a student manager and as the head student manager his senior year under Coach Gottfried’s staff.)

It is 90 plus degrees outside and even hotter inside Reynolds Coliseum; however, you will still find members of the Men’s Basketball Team working hard in order to improve individually and as a team. Summer workouts are a key ingredient to any team that wishes to compete in the ultra competitive ACC. Each summer every program has high aspirations of hanging an ACC Championship Banner and making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

When Coach Gottfried and his staff arrived on campus they put a heavy emphasis on the summer. They were all one in purpose of creating a specific training program that highlighted learning and improving the requisite skills needed to operate in the UCLA High Post Offense. I was very impressed at how each drill consisted of specific shots and movements that were associated with Coach Gottfried’s offensive schemes.

I was learning everything first hand just as the players were that first summer after he took over for Sidney Lowe. As I learned the drills and showed how each drill later fit into the offense as the season approached I was again impressed. In the summer each player had a shooting series they had to go through.

The series consisted of 150 shots and 100 free throws with no breaks other than shooting foul shots. There would be coaches over seeing a player at each basket with a manager rebounding and passing. Each set of shots consisted of a different movement in the offense. For example shooting off of a pin down screen, shooting off of a flair screen, shooting a midrange jump shot off of a double screen, or shooting out of the high post. Players were watched carefully to make sure proper technique and footwork were employed. Constant reminders yelled throughout the gym, “Game Speed!”

In addition to the shooting drills, we focused on defense, a favorite of the players. Ok, I am being a little sarcastic. In the summer we used the shell drill to really emphasize movement on defense. For those of you not familiar with this drill, it is a simple defensive drill where four players are on the court and coaches pass the ball around the perimeter. The main focus for players is positioning and helping defense. As the drill progresses the passes start to move faster and some of the coaches will put the ball on the deck to test the players. This drill is important in teaching the basic building blocks needed in order to defend at a high level. I am a huge believer in doing the little things right!

After that it was typical to break up into guards and forwards where coaches would work on more position specific skills and techniques. The guards would practice ball handling and shooting. I was always impressed with the speed at which the coaches demanded the players play at. The guards would defend and pressure one another in ball handling drills, the competition brought out the best in each other. In these drill the focus is to cut with authority and use many different off ball movements in order to catch the ball in the operational area. This allows for the guards to catch the ball and have a better opportunity to attack versus catching the ball 35 feet from the basket. It is these little details that separate average teams from great teams!

As for the forwards, they would work on finishing and post moves. I absolutely love how Coach Gottfried utilizes his big guys! His offense requires big men to be well rounded. Think about how CJ and Rich were used. They were both comfortable catching with their backs to the basket as well as facing opposing big men up and beating them to the basket. That’s the beauty of his offense. He really allows the offense to cater to the strengths of his players.

For example we saw more face ups and drives from CJ and Rich opposed to this last season with Kyle, Lennard, BJ, and Jordan. This season we saw more passes out of the high post into the low post in order for the current group to catch the ball closer to the basket. We also saw more cross screens helping them to catch and turn to keep it simple. I think we will see more responsibilities placed on the big men this season as they have had a full season together and a full offseason to improve their skill sets. I think Kyle will be a prime candidate for some face up attacks out of the high post this season.

Throughout the summer the players are dedicated to their craft. Each one has a goal to get better and improve as a team. We have seen off season transformations in players throughout Gottfried’s tenure at State. Two off seasons ago we saw Richard Howell build up his new frame and become a do it all big man who dominated the paint and consistently out worked those around him. Last offseason we saw TJ Warren commit to the weight room and prepare his body for his extended role in the upcoming season. I think it is safe to say he thrived in this role on his way to capturing not only the scoring title, leading the ACC in FG%, and being named ACC Player of the Year!

There is no doubt in my mind that summer is where players are made and tournament tickets are ultimately punched. Who do you think will emerge as a breakout player in the upcoming season?