Here are the stats for last season. Note both the cumulative minutes and the per game average minutes.
The team had four players with too many cumulative minutes and with average minutes that were too high [note: not blaming staff, their hands were tied by the roster size]. Most college coaches will tell you that 1,000-1,050 is the max quality minutes that players have in them [even when reaching the Finals] in any given college season. Average minutes should range from 25-26 [high energy players] to 28ish. It is generally accepted that 30 mpg is too high.
But game minutes are only part of the formula. Even when using a men's practice team, reps on drills matter. 15 players means running every third rep. 10 [or less] players increases the rep load [with less recovery time]. Watching other reps is a learning experience. Choosing to run fewer reps due to smaller #s means less observation/teaching.
A depleted roster means playing minutes get too high. The natural reaction is to limit practice time to save legs. Less practice time means less development/growth. It often also means less intensive practices [which shows in game play].
Simply by getting the roster at a normal level [currently at 11, expecting 13-14] the impact on practice intensity & average game minutes should be noticeable during the season and VERY noticeable in the post-season. Fresh legs win games, dead legs lose games.
The team had four players with too many cumulative minutes and with average minutes that were too high [note: not blaming staff, their hands were tied by the roster size]. Most college coaches will tell you that 1,000-1,050 is the max quality minutes that players have in them [even when reaching the Finals] in any given college season. Average minutes should range from 25-26 [high energy players] to 28ish. It is generally accepted that 30 mpg is too high.
But game minutes are only part of the formula. Even when using a men's practice team, reps on drills matter. 15 players means running every third rep. 10 [or less] players increases the rep load [with less recovery time]. Watching other reps is a learning experience. Choosing to run fewer reps due to smaller #s means less observation/teaching.
A depleted roster means playing minutes get too high. The natural reaction is to limit practice time to save legs. Less practice time means less development/growth. It often also means less intensive practices [which shows in game play].
Simply by getting the roster at a normal level [currently at 11, expecting 13-14] the impact on practice intensity & average game minutes should be noticeable during the season and VERY noticeable in the post-season. Fresh legs win games, dead legs lose games.
