Without question, it takes mastering on and off-the-court skills to win, not just a game of basketball, but to have a successful season as a team. This year, Tennessee State University Men's Basketball program is revising its playbook to evolve its winning performance. Men's Basketball assistant Russ Willemsen says this year he's got laser focus on the details.

During games, he makes sure the little things are addressed. On the sidelines, he talks to officials on the court and at the scorer's table. During free throws, he makes sure players know their assignments. This summer, he attended the Jay Bilas Coaches Leadership Program, held at Queens University, to further refine his skills.

Bilas, a former player at Duke University and current on-air talent for ESPN, has invited 12 college assistant coaches each year for the past three summers to the program. Five of the 24 coaches who came through the program the past two seasons are now head coaches. The details shared at the program involved both off-the-court development and on-the-court strategies, with an emphasis on becoming a better leader, person, and coach. Willemsen looks forward to showing growth in his off-the-court practices this season.

"Out of 13 presenters, only one talked X's and O's," said Willemsen. "Jay invited us twice to his house for dinner. His wife was very much a part of this as well. Learning how to balance family and our players off the court was stressed at the camp. I am already putting into play some of the things we learned. Out of my 17 years of coaching Division I, this was the best four days I have spent learning, growing and networking."

During the camp, the coaches learned methods of hiring staff and participated in mock interviews administered by athletic directors. Bilas invited former Duke basketball players Tommy Amaker, the current head coach at Harvard University, former Marquette University head coach Steve "Wojo" Wojciechowski, and others as presenters. They were also interviewed by investigative journalist Michelle Boudin, WCNC NBC Charlotte. Willemsen and the other 11 assistants received a lot of information to ingest. Something Willemsen said as a lesson most important to walk away with is evolving in accountability both on and off the court. This begins with knowing who you are and what you believe in.

"I already try to call or text one former player a day. Coach Wojo talked to us about balance and shutting out the white noise, putting the phone down, and spending time every day in deep thought. We as coaches think that running the best play or having the best scouting report are the keys to victory. Balancing your life properly is the key. Our coaches' job is to ensure that when we step on the court for practice or walk in the house to greet our family, our energy level and mindset must be at our best."