Pitino doesn’t like Murphy at SF; Gilbert to get more minutes

[BleedGopher]

per Marcus:

After the Gophers’ worst loss all season by 25 points Saturday against Northwestern at home, Richard Pitino didn’t appear ready to make drastic changes to his rotation or starting lineup.

But Pitino said that he is looking at a few things to do differently heading into Tuesday’s game at Nebraska, especially when it comes to the small forward position.

Jordan Murphy has started on the wing for the last five games, but that will likely change moving forward. Fellow freshman Ahmad Gilbert Jr. and junior Charles Buggs could now fill that role, which was the case earlier in the season.

“I think Ahmad Gilbert is starting to play better,” Pitino said. “So he can play more minutes, because he’s a natural small forward. I think that Charles hopefully can continue to practice hard and he can give us more minutes. And then it will allow Jordan to play his natural position, which is (power forward).”

— King said the players had a team meeting after losing to Milwaukee. The senior captains and sophomore point guard Nate Mason decided the players should get together and talk about the season so far. The Gophers played better even in losses to Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State (for the first 34 minutes). But they might need to get together again after Saturday’s embarrassing loss at home.

http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers...ike-murphy-at-sf-gilbert-to-get-more-minutes/

Go Gophers!!

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

“I think Ahmad Gilbert is starting to play better,” Pitino said. “So he can play more minutes, because he’s a natural small forward. I think that Charles hopefully can continue to practice hard and he can give us more minutes. And then it will allow Jordan to play his natural position, which is (power forward).”

I'm hoping Gilbert gets more minutes.
Must be a practice thing with Buggs, as a few people have speculated.
Murphy will do better there. Please keep him happy.

 

[bga1]

So now- with Pitino saying that Murphy is going back to his natural 4 position- what happens with Joey King? King can't play center and he can't play the 3. Murphy has to be on the court 30 plus minutes every game - if he is not in foul trouble.

 

[howeda7]

So now- with Pitino saying that Murphy is going back to his natural 4 position- what happens with Joey King? King can't play center and he can't play the 3. Murphy has to be on the court 30 plus minutes every game - if he is not in foul trouble.

Murphy should be playing 5. Or Play Joey at SF and Buggs at 5. Richard needs to put the 5 best players on the floor and stop over-thinking it, IMO.

 

[bga1]

Murphy should be playing 5. Or Play Joey at SF and Buggs at 5. Richard needs to put the 5 best players on the floor and stop over-thinking it, IMO.

I'm not saying that you are wrong for this year. In fact you are right. However, I think the coach is probably going to be thinking of playing guys where they will be best long term and I think he is dead set on Konate playing a lot of minutes in preparation for next year. If Konate plays 25 minutes at the 5 and Murphy plays 30 at the 4, I guess that still leaves King 25 minutes between the two positions, assuming Pitino believes that Buggs is a 3 man (which I disagree with). I'm a little down on King, his lack of hustle last game, coming from an experienced senior leader, was appalling.

 

[howeda7]

I'm not saying that you are wrong for this year. In fact you are right. However, I think the coach is probably going to be thinking of playing guys where they will be best long term and I think he is dead set on Konate playing a lot of minutes in preparation for next year. If Konate plays 25 minutes at the 5 and Murphy plays 30 at the 4, I guess that still leaves King 25 minutes between the two positions, assuming Pitino believes that Buggs is a 3 man (which I disagree with). I'm a little down on King, his lack of hustle last game, coming from an experienced senior leader, was appalling.

I agree, that's probably his thinking. But Richard needs to focus on this year and win a freaking game or two. Otherwise it won't just be the fans disengaging. And it's not as though Konate won't play. He still will. And he'll be a reserve next year, so he may as well get used to it. If King's not one of the 5 best players, bench him. I think he still is despite his play lately. Personally, I'd go Dorsey, Mason, Morris, King and Murphy. If Buggs started over King that would be Ok too.