Raveling is unraveling coaching's mysteries

Sporting News, The, Oct 4, 1993 by Gene Wojciechowski

George Raveling wouldn't know a dull moment if it came up and tugged at one of his GQ-cover suits. The Southern California coach seems to be everywhere, doing everything. He is on the board of directors for the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the NCAA basketball rules committee, the NCAA two-year college committee, the NCAA recruiting committee, the NABC recruiting committee ...

You name it, Raveling has probably served on it.

Just recently he traveled to Colorado Springs as a guest speaker for a U.S. Olympic Committee coaching symposium at the Olympic Training Center. The topic: "Raising Standards in Coaching - the Pursuit of Excellence in America."

About 200 coaches attended the symposium. Raveling was inundated with requests for copies of his speech. Here's the short version, as explained by Raveling:

"A coach must be able to take criticism, to withstand adversity, to delegate authority. He must make difficult decisions, be free of prejudices, praise others, share credit and give credit when credit is due, concentrate under difficult situations, assume responsibility for mistakes, not avoid responsibility for the mistakes of others. And a coach must grow and learn."

Raveling learned the other day that 6-foot-1 guard Cameron Murray plans to commit to the Trojans in time for the 1994 season. Murray, who averaged 27.8 points last season, is the brother of former UCLA star Tracy Murray.

Raveling can't comment on the news of Murray's intentions because coaches are prohibited from doing so until an official letter of intent is signed. But Raveling can rest easy knowing that USC is recovering nicely from the early departure of Harold Miner to the NBA a year ago. Murry's oral commitment helps, as does the arrival of freshman center Avondre Jones the first true big man Raveling has signed since coming to USC in 1986.

If the season started tomorrow, the Trojans lineup would include Jones, Lorenzo Orr - Los Angeles summer league MVP for the second consecutive year - and Mark Boyd at forwards and Brandon Martin and Burt Harris at guards. Jones' arrival means a departure from Raveling's three-guard offense of the past few seasons. It also means USC could challenge for the Pacific 10 Conference title.

USC has depth and the comfort of knowing that the league isn't so top heavy this year. Arizona has a great backcourt, but question marks everywhere else. UCLA's Jim Harrick has recruited well and probably has the team to beat. Cal has Lamond Murray and Jason Kidd, but the loss of guard Jerod Haase to Kansas will hurt. Arizona State will go as far as Mario Bennett's tender knees allow.

And remember Burt Harris' name. Harris was a turnover machine for much of last season, but then committed only 12 in USC's last nine games. Harris was named to the all-tournament team at the Olympic Festival, in which he set a tournament record with 123-pointers. USC, which lost all three of its long-range shooters, needs that kind of accuracy.

A wider lane?

The NCAA rules committee, which reduced the shot clock from 45 to 35 seconds, might not be done with its tinkering.

Raveling says that the committee again will consider the pros and cons of widening the lane and moving the 3-point line back. The committee doesn't meet until the Final Four next March, so any changes will have to wait until the 1994 season.

A challenge to the NCAA

College basketball's African American head coaches are trying to become a collective pro-active voice.

In a historic session of sorts last month in Norfolk, Va., 46 of the coaches assembled to discuss, among other things, NCAA legislative matters, the plight of the African American athlete and future political strategy. Another meeting is scheduled for October 3 in Chicago, where 58 head coaches are expected to attend.

The meetings make perfect sense. Outside of coaches serving on committees, there are virtually no African Americans in NCAA decision-making positions. That could change, though, depending on the selection of a new NCAA executive director.

There are also rumors that the coaches coalition might put political pressure on members of Congress, possibly within the next six months. The objective: To loosen up a system that, at least in the eyes of some of the coaches, isn't interested in the future of African American athletes or coaches.

Boyce charges dropped

As hoped by University of Colorado officials, all charges against star guard Donnie Boyce were dropped last week by Boulder police.

Boyce was arrested September 5 and accused of obstructing justice during an alleged drug deal. Police later determined there wasn't evidence to link Boyce with the suspected drug activity.