I wish I could say that this was unexpected, but its not:
“Wally quit the team today,” Martin said. “He’s not happy. I kinda saw it coming because of some of his emotional situations. He just has not been enjoying it.”He told me today that he thinks it is time for a change.”
Judge, a former McDonald’s all-american, hasn’t had the smoothest career with the Wildcats. He never did find a rhythm as a freshman, averaging just 3.3 ppg and 3.0 rpg in only 11.7 mpg, and this season he has been in and out of the lineup. He started 11 of the 17 games he played in, but he also sat out three games in December. Then prior to Saturday’s game against Kansas, Judge was again benched for two games before playing a total of two minutes against Texas A&M and Baylor.
Judge is a talented player, there’s no question about that. And he’ll be an asset to whatever program he eventually transfers too. He just never seemed to mesh with Martin.
As you are all certainly well aware, Frank Martin is an extremely intense coach. He demands your best performance and effort 100% on the time. If you cannot give that to him, you won’t play. Some kids can handle that. Some kids can’t.
Moreover, this departure adds to what has already been an incredibly disappointing season for the Wildcats.
They’ve already lost Freddy Asprilla, who is now transferring to Canisius. Curtis Kelly has been suspended twice during the season and Jacob Pullen once. After struggling through non-conference play, the Wildcats have started Big XII play 2-5 and seem primed for a trip to the NIT.
That’s quite a fall from grace for a team that was almost universally considered a favorite to make the Final Four.
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.
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- bballerjones - Feb 1, 2011 at 8:30 AM
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Being an intense coach demanding 100 percent effort all the time rather it’s practice or in the game is just insane! No human can give 100 percent every time all the time. That’s where Frank Martin and his players differ. What Frank hasn’t realized is that he is coaching KIDS! And most of these kids are 18 and 19 years old. Heck, I found that out when I had my two kids at home. You just can’t expect kids to react positively everytime YOU want them to. I hope Martin will come to his senses and start to understand the human physic. YOU can yell, scream and cuss all you want. Some days it won’t work. Another thing, one hat does NOT fit all. Each player has different motivational points. Each kid is different. Some coaches can’t coach that way. That’s why they never rise to be a great coach! They just don’t have the STONES needed to be that kinds of coach. Frank Martin is one of them!!!
