Augsburg Practice 10-16-19

Made my way over to the campus of Augsburg University and Si Melby Hall on this Wednesday evening to take in one of the early season practices for Augsburg.  I arrived early and was able to get in to see Head Coach Ted Riverso and Assistant Coach Jackie Voigt in Riverso's office and talk about how things came to an unexpected and sudden halt last year when they were snubbed by the NCAA Tournament Committee and what to expect this season.  Both Riverso and Voigt were optimistic about the coming season - and rightfully so with pretty much everybody back from last year.

With the team assembled in the gym, Riverso has the squad start out with some different lay-up drills to keep those skills sharp.  After that, Voigt has the squad do a variety of stretching/movement exercises to prepare for the tasks ahead on this night.  After that is completed, Voigt has the squad broken down into six different groups where they work on "close-outs" for a bit to hone their defensive skills. 

Next, the team is split into two groups to do some one-on-one work.  The group led by Voigt works primarily on post-type situations down low with an emphasis on denying the pass to the post.  The group led by Riverso meanwhile works on perimeter play and breaking down the defense.  After a few minutes, these group trade places to hone their skills on each end.

Next, the team is back together as one group and Voigt conducts a 4-on-4 half-court drill and the emphasis here appears to be on setting proper screens on offense and also proper rotation on defense after the screens are set.  A bit later, Voigt modifies this drill that turns it into a full-court, fast-break situation which is something this Auggie team excels at.

Next, Riverso has the team work on free throws for a few minutes and then it's time for the squad to get on the line for a wonderful round of sprints.  Then a player gets to the line to shoot a free throw.  If she misses, another round of sprints ensue. 

Then Riverso has his squad do a full-court 5-on-0 "shell" drill that appears to work on fast-break situations.  Afterward, Riverso has the team work on some individual shooting followed by some more sprint work. 

After a well-deserved water break, Riverso then has the team do an interesting 3-on-2 half-court drill that looks like a full-court drill with two different defenders on each end.  After the drill, Riverso has the team shoot some more free throws followed by a complimentary round of sprints as well.

Then, Riverso and Voigt has the team in two different lines on one side of the court.  Two players on each line act as offensive players with one player setting a screen and the other player finishing with a lay-up, a jump shot and later, a "3".  After another well-deserved water break, Riverso then has the squad perform a 5-on-0 "shell" drill to work on half-court offensive sets.

Finally, it's time for the squad to do some anticipated 5-on-5 half-court work to try and put some of the previous drill's skills into action to see how everything works.  While certainly nothing is perfect in October, it's obvious this squad has a lot of talent.  After that, the squad does some more sprint work to finish off the evening.


Outtakes:  There's no doubt that things ended on a sour note for this squad last season when they were snubbed by the NCAA Tournament Committee and I got the sense that this coaching staff and particularly the seniors this season - Tamira McLemore, Ari Jones, K'aezha Wubben, Aiza Wilson, Camryn Speese and Abby Jordan have some unfinished business to take care of......Speaking of Jordan, she suffered an ACL injury last season but is on the last lap of recovery and was able to participate in a few activities on this night.  She told me that she hopes to be ready to go by the first part of December.......Speese was in civies on this night but Riverso told me that she should be back in action sometime this next week.......I think the only thing that changes for the Auggies this season is that they'll wear a larger target on their back this season by being one of the favorites to win the MIAC as opposed to last year when they were coming off a year where they missed the playoffs......After an exhibition game at Concordia St. Paul on October 29, the Auggies immediate early season schedule isn't that taxing although a trip up to the Twin Ports to take on UW-Superior on 11-11 is in the offing.  The real interesting test for this squad will be a trip out to the Pacific Northwest where they'll face two different NWC teams over the Thanksgiving Holiday - Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA on 11-30 and then Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR the next day on 12-1.  Interestingly, they'll make the run over to Schoenecker Arena on 12-11 to take on UST before laying off for the holiday break.