Keating could use a veteran

By Tom Schreier

As an intern for Bleacher Report, a startup website out of San Francisco, I have started attending San Jose Sharks practices as a part of Bleacher Report's credential program. At practice on Friday I met Mark Purdy, a sportswriter for the San Jose Mercury News.

After I told him that I attended Santa Clara University, Purdy, who occasionally teaches a Communications course on Mission Campus, inquired about the state of Santa Clara basketball.

I was honest with him.

I explained that I feel that coach Kerry Keating has delivered as a recruiter, the former assistant at Tennessee and UCLA has brought in talented players from all over the United States, Canada and from overseas, but has yet to create a culture of winning.

Purdy suggested that Keating should add an older coach to his staff.

Santa Clara needs a specialist who knows the Xs and Os and can effectively articulate his game plan to his players. It would need to be someone who could offer perspective to a young team and complement a young coaching staff.

Keating's teams typically play well against difficult opponents, only to lose in the waning minutes of the contest. Having an assistant coach on his staff to turn to late in close games would be a great asset to coach Keating and the team.

In my three years here I have frequently seen Santa Clara get a lead in big games only to relinquish it late in the game.

In the 2008 season the Broncos were defeated 55-50 by a University of San Diego team that would go on to beat Gonzaga in the WCC Championship game

Later that year Santa Clara had a chance to defeat the rival Bulldogs, only to have their own fans turn on them. Two objects were thrown on the court, which led to devastating technical fouls late in the game.

In the 2009 season the Broncos led No. 21 UNLV 39-31 at halftime and remained in contention throughout the game only to blow the lead and lose 66-63.

When No. 8 Gonzaga came to visit that year Santa Clara was up 38-31 after 20 minutes, only to have the game unravel in the last five minutes and lose the game 71-64.

The trend has continued this year.

Over break the Broncos took Washington State (13-5) to overtime, but lost 85-79. During that game they led 35-29 at half.

Keating has the potential to turn Santa Clara into a nationally-recognized mid-major program; he's a great recruiter and willing to schedule big-name programs.

However, with No. 21 Saint Mary's on the rise and No. 9 BYU joining the WCC next year, it is going to take more than talent to win this conference.

Keating would benefit from having a basketball sage on his bench.