Clint Lamb
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Kevin Willard has become the latest well-respected college basketball coach to disagree with Coach K’s comments about pausing the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Following Seton Hall’s 77-68 victory over St. John’s on Friday night, Willard was asked Coach K during the postgame press conference. His response was interesting, to say the least.
“I have a lot of thoughts,” Willard responded. “Just because someone thinks something doesn’t mean they’re right.”
The initial comments from Coach K has sparked a massive debate, and in some ways, it’s being carried out publicly.
First, it was Nate Oats. The Alabama coach questioned whether or not Coach K would’ve suggested reassessing the season had it not been for two non-conference losses to Michigan State and Illinois.
Then, Spartans coach Tom Izzo pointed to the importance of basketball for mental health.
Tom Izzo if NCAA should halt hoops season
"You talk about mental health. These kids were stuck at home for 5 months. Imagine being 20 years old and being at home with your parents.
The greatest mental health is when an athlete is in athletics."
— TikiAndTierney (@TikiAndTierney) December 10, 2020
This debate isn’t over. Far from it, actually.
Duke recently announced that the remainder of the non-conference games would not take place. The plan is for the Blue Devils to still play the conference schedule, but the criticism — and support from the other side — is mounting.
Stay tuned.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
“Following Seton Hall’s 77-68 victory over St. John’s on Friday night, Willard was asked Coach K during the postgame press conference.” Think this should be “…asked _about_ Coach K…”
Lol I am an Auburn fan and I agree with Nate Oats. Jim Boehim took a shot at Oats and he was wrong too.
Izzo nailed it. Mental health may be at an all time low in this country because of the draconian lockdowns. Those in their mid 20s and younger have about as much chance of dying from Covid as they do from falling down their stairs. Just because someone has won a lot of basketball games doesn’t mean he is smart or wise.
Came here to say the same.
Mr. Lamb, thank you for another timely, important article.
Respectfully, the debate IS over. Tom Izzo is 100% correct. The mental health issues caused by the tyranny of governments world-wide will be felt for decades to come. As you are a well-rounded reporter, whos job is to peruse and cull voluminous amounts data and reports, I won’t bore you with the 1,000’s of links to stories of lockdown-induced adult and youth mental health tragedies. Remove emotions and fear porn, and focus on the science, all of which is demonstrably on the opposite side of lockdowns and masks.
Glad to finally see Coach K receive the coverage he deserves; I.e., coverage critical of him and his opinions.