Sac State Basketball Starts 2-0, But Coach Bibby Demands More
Sacramento State’s men’s basketball team is off to a 2-0 start, with both games drawing sellout crowds at the new Hornet Pavilion. Despite the wins, first-year coach Mike Bibby remains unsatisfied with his team’s performance.
Coach Bibby’s High Standards
Bibby, known for his attention to fundamentals and detail during his playing days with the Sacramento Kings, is pushing his players to break “bad habits” and move away from “me, me, me” efforts. He praised individual achievements but was quick to offer blunt critiques after Saturday’s 86-76 victory over Division II Jessup University.
“Very disappointed. Just paying attention to detail. The kids are making the game so hard, harder than it needs to be. Then we come out here and look like we haven’t been doing anything.”
“Until we stop being ‘me, me, me,’ we’re not going to be a good team.”
Team Challenges and Potential
With 14 new players adjusting on the fly, Bibby acknowledges the difficulty of building chemistry. Still, he believes the team has the talent to make history if they improve ball movement and defensive effort.
Upcoming Games
- Host UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday night
- Visit UC Davis on Friday
These games offer the Hornets a chance to elevate their season.
Author’s Summary
Coach Bibby’s demanding approach reflects his belief that Sacramento State has the potential to achieve something special—if the team can overcome its early struggles and embrace teamwork.