Kevin Keatts’ Smart Move For State Basketball

A coaching transition is always interesting. You learn a lot about a guy early on.

We remember when Herb Sendek got to Raleigh. His first step was to call a players meeting - and lock the door when it started.

At least one player was late but that was fine. Sendek had sent a message.

Of course some of Sendek’s messages were a bit harder to follow but never mind. He had made a point.

Matt Doherty made a different sort of point when he fired long-time UNC staffers (and irritated many from Dean Smith on down).

So how is Kevin Keatts setting an early tone?

Well, he’s taking his team to Italy - and taking away their phones.

No texting, no social media. He wants them to have (for real) face time - and to have fun.

It’s both smart and intelligent. and no those are not the same things.

It’s intelligent because you want your team to spend time together to bond. And it’s smart because it’s a tonic for last year’s dysfunction.

Take your team to Europe, take away their technology and make them focus on each other.

That’s what these trips are for, but after last year’s train wreck, those guys need a do-over.