Dave Rice’s blueprint for SLCC shaded in BYU blue

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

As the co-architect of Jimmermania, Dave Rice is drawing up plans for Salt Lake Community College. The Bruins’ new head basketball coach has plenty of personal history to glean from, including a 159-46 record over his six years as Dave Rose’s offensive assistant at BYU.

“There is great basketball played across Utah and the high school coaching here is second to none,” Rice told the “Y’s Guys” podcast this week. “I think we can put a combination of Utah guys on the floor with national recruiting and I think we can have a roster that looks similar, in terms of how it’s made up, with what we did at BYU.”

Rice played for Jerry Tarkanian’s 1990 national championship squad at UNLV. His coaching journey has included stops with the Rebels, Nevada, Washington, Utah State and BYU, where the Cougars averaged 26.5 wins per season between 2006 and 2011.

He’s been there and done that, and brings the culmination of it all into the Bruins powerhouse program at the junior college level.

“We talk about showcasing great individual talent but doing it in a team concept and doing it in a fun atmosphere,” Rice said. “We are going to share the ball. We are going to play team basketball. You are going to have fun going to practice every day and we are going to get you the exposure you deserve and get you to the spot where you can play your best basketball.”

Rice will make his SLCC debut against Western Nebraska Nov. 1 at Snow College in Ephraim. He wants his program to be a launch pad for his players just as BYU launched Jimmer Fredette to National Player of the Year, an NBA lottery pick and now an Olympian for the United States.

Developing Jimmer

Unlike many of today’s college newcomers, Fredette spent his freshman season playing a limited role from off the bench. The diamond in the rough from Glens Falls, New York, remained patient while Rice polished him in the offense.

“Midway through his sophomore year we are playing at San Diego…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/dave-rice-blueprint-slcc-shaded-171500653.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-07-10 17:15:00

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