Ep. 333 Lessons from the NBA Finals

In this week’s episode, Brendan Suhr recaps the NBA Finals as he shares some of his thoughts and takeaways from the series.Throughout the episode, Suhr shares lessons for coaches at every level, including the importance of practicing special situations daily, teaching players to understand time and score, building offensive systems around your best players, and developing decision-makers.All that and more on Episode 333 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Coaching U Live 2026 is less than 1 month away and this year's speakers are incredible! We're sold out of VIP tickets and only have general admission seats remaining... Register now to save your seat!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this week’s episode, Brendan Suhr is joined by Dustin Kerns, head coach of the Appalachian State Mountaineers.Kerns reflects on his coaching journey from graduate assistant to Division I head coach, sharing lessons learned from mentors such as Larry Shyatt and Mike Young. He discusses the importance of mastering the “invisible” parts of coaching, building relationships across an institution, and why aspiring coaches must focus on excelling where they are rather than constantly chasing the next opportunity. Kerns also provides an overview of how he rebuilt programs at both Presbyterian and Appalachian State by changing the psychology of winning before focusing on tactics. He shares strategies for establishing accountability, creating alignment throughout your program, and building a culture centered on discipline, selflessness, and team-first habits. The conversation dives into Appalachian State’s defensive identity, rebounding philosophy, player development, and the challenges of maintaining consistency in the transfer portal era. All that and more on Episode 332 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Coaching U Live 2026 is just over 1 month away and this year's speakers are incredible! We're almost out of VIP tickets... Register now to save your seat!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this week’s episode, Brendan Suhr is joined by best-selling author and keynote speaker Jon Gordon to discuss his latest book, The Power of Positive Habits, and how simple daily habits can transform leadership, coaching, performance, and culture. Gordon shares why habits are truly the foundation of winning—whether in sports, business, or life—and explains how mindset, encouragement, gratitude, accountability, and purpose-driven leadership can help coaches bring out the best in themselves and their teams. Throughout the conversation, Suhr and Gordon connect the book directly to coaching, emphasizing the importance of culture in modern coaching, with stories and insights involving leaders like Sean McVay, Eric Spoelstra, Matt Ryan, and Sam Presti. Gordon shares practical ways coaches can implement these lessons with their teams immediately. This conversation is packed with takeaways for any coach, leader, teacher, or parent looking to create lasting impact through intentional habits and positive leadership.All that and more on Episode 331 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.For more information on Jon's book visit:https://powerofpositivehabitsbook.comNoah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Coaching U Live 2026 is less than 2 months away and this year's speakers are incredible! We're almost out of VIP tickets... Register now to save your seat!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more⁠⁠⁠🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this week’s episode, Brendan Suhr is joined by Josh Pastner, head coach of UNLV Runnin' Rebels, for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching, roster building, and adapting to the modern college basketball landscape. Pastner reflects on his journey from Memphis to Georgia Tech to UNLV, sharing how the game has changed—not just on the court, but through NIL, the transfer portal, and the realities of roster turnover. He offers a candid look at what it takes to build a program today, emphasizing adaptability, player development, and finding undervalued talent in an ever-changing system. The episode also dives deep into Pastner’s coaching philosophy, including how he wants his teams to play fast, compete at a high level physically, and develop elite conditioning through game-like reps and training methods. He and Coach Suhr explore defensive evolution, switching schemes, practice structure, and the importance of maximizing limited time with constantly changing rosters. All that and more on Episode 330 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more⁠⁠🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

This week Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by DJ Bakker, head coach of the 2025-26 G-League Champion Greensboro Swarm.In this episode Bakker shares insights into managing constant roster turnover and creating alignment between the Swarm and the Charlotte Hornets to ensure consistent development, terminology, and expectations across both levels. The conversation dives deep into offensive philosophy, including how Greensboro became one of the highest-scoring teams in G League history by prioritizing elite spacing, early-clock decision making, paint touches, and unselfish play. Bakker also details his approach to defensive principles, pick-and-roll coverage, practice structure, and the importance of over-communication and adaptability in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Regardless of what level you are coaching, this episode includes concepts on building identity, maximizing personnel, and developing players in today’s game.All that and more on Episode 329 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more⁠🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this week’s episode, Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by Noah Basketball CEO John Carter to break down the science of shooting and how data is transforming the way the perfect shot is taught and developed. Drawing on nearly a billion tracked shots, Carter explains the three critical variables that define great shooting—arc, depth, and left/right accuracy—and why most coaches have historically misunderstood them. The episode also dives into how the Noah system is being used across the NBA, college, and now high school levels to drive player development, inform decision-making, and eliminate bad habits through real-time feedback. Suhr and Carter discuss the evolution of shooting analytics, the accessibility of Noah’s backboard system, and how coaches can better develop players by focusing on what truly matters instead of simply getting up reps. This is a must-listen for any coach serious about understanding and teaching shooting the right way this offseason.All that and more on Episode 328 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this episode, Coach Brendan Suhr reflects on the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments, breaking down key takeaways from the Final Four —emphasizing how defensive pressure, execution, and style of play ultimately decide games in March. The focus then shifts to the offseason, where he challenges coaches to treat it as a “coaching laboratory”—installing systems, preparing for real-game situations, and building habits through five-on-five play, defense, and individualized player development. All that and more on episode 327 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

In this episode, Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by longtime basketball coach and analyst Fran Fraschilla for a deep dive into the NCAA tournament and the upcoming Final Four. Fran brings his unique insight & perspective as he reflects on everything from the strength of the Big 12 to how injuries reshaped the national landscape late in the season, and how the modern game—impacted by NIL and the transfer portal—has shifted the tournament, creating fewer Cinderella runs but often delivering higher-level matchups deeper into March. The two spend time breaking down key teams and coaches still standing, including the discipline of Kelvin Sampson’s Houston program, the offensive creativity of Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona team, and the evolution of coaches like Brad Underwood, and Dusty May. Fran highlights how today’s best programs blend NBA-level concepts with international influence, emphasizing spacing, skill, decision-making, and elite execution—something the best teams consistently do in high-pressure moments. Beyond the X’s and O’s, the episode turns into a masterclass on coaching growth as Fran and Brendan discuss how elite coaches study the game. All that and more on episode 326 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 March Madness Savings for Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/madness⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code MADNESS20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

In this episode, Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by the incomparable Debbie Antonelli to break down the first weekend of the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments. The two dive into the best games and biggest storylines from both brackets, from the dominance of the power programs on the women’s side to the depth, coaching, and competitiveness still alive in the men’s field. Along the way, Debbie shares sharp insight on teams like UConn, LSU, UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, St. John’s, Purdue, Michigan, and more—while also offering bigger-picture thoughts on how the college game is evolving.All that and more on episode 325 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 March Madness Savings for Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/madness⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code MADNESS20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

This week we revisit a conversation with Furman head coach Bob Richey. Richey reflects on his journey from a low-paid young assistant at Charleston Southern to becoming one of the most respected coaches in college basketball, and shares why intentional growth—not just ambition—has shaped his path. He explains the importance of knowing who you are as a coach, finding mentors that align with your philosophy, and going deep in your study instead of chasing surface-level ideas.Richey also opens up about the systems Furman has built beyond basketball, from leadership councils and mentorship programs to etiquette dinners, financial education, and guest speakers designed to prepare players for life after the game. He and Coach Suhr discuss messaging, conviction, player development through love instead of fear, and why culture is built by consistently growing people—not just chasing wins. All that and more on episode 324 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 March Madness Savings for Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/madnessNot a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code MADNESS20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more