From the Chronicle
I don't know that the cause was social media and agents. Unless they have access to the players' phones I'd think social media and agents would have access to team members while on the road. Overall I think he is correct. Playing at home has many more distractions than playing on the road.
Quote:
For years, the University of Houston has owned one of the top home-court advantages in college basketball.
Two home losses in the same season the latest Sunday to unranked Temple may raise a few eyebrows, especially for a team that's 19-2 overall, No. 3 in the rankings and among the favorites to contend for the national championship.
College basketball is different today," Sampson said on a videoconference call with reporters in advance of Saturday's matinee against Cincinnati. "I remember in the not-so-distant past it was girls. I always thought that was the No. 1 distraction and maybe not necessarily in a good way. Now you think about all the distractions that college coaches, in any sport, have to go through.
Social media. Agents. The phone has become the most important thing in most of their lives and everything that goes on with the phone. Marketing (opportunities). NIL. Sometimes as coaches we have to ask where are we on the priority list? Where does basketball stack up?
A quick turnaround against UCF, in a tough road environment, was exactly what the Cougars needed after a 56-55 loss to Temple knocked them from the top spot in the rankings for the second time this season. After Saturday, the Cougars will hit the road again next week for games against Wichita State and Temple.
While teams welcome a chance to play at home in front of loud, sellout crowds, there's a certain calm and structure of road games that are treated like business trips.
When we are on the road, we almost have them secluded," Sampson said. "It's 24/7 (basketball) to us. Sometimes I think at home you're playing against some distractions where on the road you're focused more on shootaround, practice the night before.
Each trip is scripted from takeoff to touchdown, the only difference what city it happens to be. Once in town, the Cougars check into the team hotel, grab a meal, watch film and go over the scouting report. Next is practice, back to the hotel for another film session and eventually time for bed.
I don't know that the cause was social media and agents. Unless they have access to the players' phones I'd think social media and agents would have access to team members while on the road. Overall I think he is correct. Playing at home has many more distractions than playing on the road.