2013-14 season

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gopherhoopsguy

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Since practice has officially begun lets get some upcoming season talk going on besides just recruiting stuff. Any updates on the first 3 practices? How are things going?

So excited to watch the big change on both the offense and defense sides of the ball.. We will just have to worry about getting back on D after teams break the press instead of leaving guys wide open for 3's.

On offense no more running the clock down every possession under 10 and having a high pick and roll and chucking something up from the cheap seats.. This is going to be so refreshing to watch both sides of the ball.

I am so fired up!!
 

Agreed!!!

Pitino tweeted that their strengths are shooting and attitude. Still some things to work on though!

He previously mentioned turnovers as an issue (as we all remember from last year)

Should be a fun season though!
 

feel like this team is going to live and die by the Hollinses confidence in the non-con (which should be relatively easy). same with the B10 season with the ability of our bigs to give us quality minutes. if this team can shoot as well as i'm hearing, we could be a surprise team kind of like the Illini were last year. at least that's what my hope is.
 

upnorthkid said:
feel like this team is going to live and die by the Hollinses confidence in the non-con (which should be relatively easy). same with the B10 season with the ability of our bigs to give us quality minutes. if this team can shoot as well as i'm hearing, we could be a surprise team kind of like the Illini were last year. at least that's what my hope is.
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Don't sleep on Malik Smith. The dude nailed 96 (!) three pointers last year at a 36% clip and could very well be our second-most dangerous shooter. Depending on if Pitino runs out Dre Mathieu at the point then Smith could start at the 2. Obviously too early to tell on the starting five, but I really hope Smith makes a name for himself this year. He could really change some games.
 

zipsofakron said:
Don't sleep on Malik Smith. The dude nailed 96 (!) three pointers last year at a 36% clip and could very well be our second-most dangerous shooter. Depending on if Pitino runs out Dre Mathieu at the point then Smith could start at the 2. Obviously too early to tell on the starting five, but I really hope Smith makes a name for himself this year. He could really change some games.
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I would've laughed at my own comment a year ago, but don't sleep on Mav either. I think Pitino will know how to use Mav, i.e. not as a point guard but as a shooter off the ball. Pitino even hinted at starting Mav in his press conference today. He's a captain. The guy is going to play a lot. I'm really comfortable with our guard rotation of Hollins, Hollins, Smith, Mav, and Mathieu. I'd expect 3 of them to be on the court just about every minute of every game. Wally and McNeil will factor in as well.
 


I agree, I am really excited about our guards, and in the NCAA great veteran G play wins games (and tournament games). I'm sure we will have some frustrating games where we get outmuscled, but I also think we'll "steal" multiple big wins due to our backcourt
 

jaymil I also have that feeling about mav... I couldn't stand him under tubby playing the point... But I also think pitino will put him off the ball and let him knock down some shots.

Our bigs will have to stay healthy... I am sure we will have 3 guards on the floor at all times... its going to be fun to watch.
 

zipsofakron said:
Don't sleep on Malik Smith. The dude nailed 96 (!) three pointers last year at a 36% clip and could very well be our second-most dangerous shooter. Depending on if Pitino runs out Dre Mathieu at the point then Smith could start at the 2. Obviously too early to tell on the starting five, but I really hope Smith makes a name for himself this year. He could really change some games.
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don't disagree with what you're saying, but if dre or austin play poorly for a stretch of games, finding wins is going to be extremely difficult much as it was for the illini to win when paul was off last year
 

I really think our front court could surprise, specifically EE, Mo, and Buggs. That isn't a horrible trio to lean on now that Mo is in shape and Buggs has had time to put weight on and develop. But yeah, Hollinsx2 and Smith are going to be our big time leaders and threats on offense. Can't wait to see the new system and know we won't have to worry about Tubby's patented 2nd half collapse. Hopefully this team gets better as the year goes on, just like Pitino's FIU team.
 



upnorthkid said:
don't disagree with what you're saying, but if dre or austin play poorly for a stretch of games, finding wins is going to be extremely difficult much as it was for the illini to win when paul was off last year
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Completely agree, however, if you offered me last year's Illini season right now for us this year, I'd take it in a heartbeat
 

MadtownGopher said:
I really think our front court could surprise, specifically EE, Mo, and Buggs. That isn't a horrible trio to lean on now that Mo is in shape and Buggs has had time to put weight on and develop. But yeah, Hollinsx2 and Smith are going to be our big time leaders and threats on offense. Can't wait to see the new system and know we won't have to worry about Tubby's patented 2nd half collapse. Hopefully this team gets better as the year goes on, just like Pitino's FIU team.
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i hope so as well. i think it'll be interesting to see how the players adapt to the system as it goes on as i'm sure many of the ways to free up shooters on the move will be something these guys didn't do much under Tubby. should be fun to watch these guys grow together!
 

fryguy22 said:
Completely agree, however, if you offered me last year's Illini season right now for us this year, I'd take it in a heartbeat
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i will second that statement. i think this team will be just like the Illini in the way that the Illini could beat anyone on any given night, but also get beat by anyone. Let's hope its more of the former
 

Buggs, Otto, Wally, and Mo are the xfactors on this team. Get quality minutes out of them and we will be in good shape.
 



Will people finally learn how to spell Oto's name by the time he graduates?
 

MadtownGopher said:
I really think our front court could surprise, specifically EE, Mo, and Buggs. That isn't a horrible trio to lean on now that Mo is in shape and Buggs has had time to put weight on and develop. But yeah, Hollinsx2 and Smith are going to be our big time leaders and threats on offense. Can't wait to see the new system and know we won't have to worry about Tubby's patented 2nd half collapse. Hopefully this team gets better as the year goes on, just like Pitino's FIU team.
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I'm expecting a big year from EE. He has great size and seemingly has the right skill set to be an above average 5. I think Pitino will get him in better shape than we've seen, and do a lot of good for his confidence. If he can play in shape and without so much fear and hesitance, I really think he can be one of the better centers in the BIG.

I'm less confident about the rest of the front court.
 

All I want to see from EE is the ability to dunk when standing next to the hoop. Nothing baffles me more than a 7'1 center that can't dunk.
 

MadtownGopher said:
All I want to see from EE is the ability to dunk when standing next to the hoop. Nothing baffles me more than a 7'1 center that can't dunk.
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And the ability to successfully handle a lot more minutes than he has in the past. Same thing for L B Mo.

L B = Less Big
 

Gopherbbdude said:
Buggs, Otto, Wally, and Mo are the xfactors on this team. Get quality minutes out of them and we will be in good shape.
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I'd add King and the littler Dre to that list. Tons of unknowns- not to mention a new coach and system. Fun stuff.
 

bga1 said:
I'd add King and the littler Dre to that list. Tons of unknowns- not to mention a new coach and system. Fun stuff.
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I have to agree. It sure will be interesting. I am very concerned about the front court depth.

New coach and system should be enjoyable to watch.

Looks like our chances with the Big 3 of 14 are very slim. Having said that the 15 class will be watching closely at how the team performs this year.

Hope all goes well.
 

MadtownGopher said:
All I want to see from EE is the ability to dunk when standing next to the hoop. Nothing baffles me more than a 7'1 center that can't dunk.
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I thought he was more like 6'11", not that that changes much. And I feel like I've seen him dunk before, though I couldn't recall a specific instance.
 

I want to see EE not make so many stupid fouls, and when fouls are called, stop complaining so much. Also, hope he improves from the line. Really looking forward to a three guard offense. Run and run.
 

Gopherbbdude said:
Buggs, Otto, Wally, and Mo are the xfactors on this team. Get quality minutes out of them and we will be in good shape.
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Making sure not to pull all the starters before the first media timeout with a 10 point lead and putting all those guys in at once will put us in good shape.
 

Pitino did a phone interview with Jon Rothstein with CBS. Here are the tweets relating to what was said. Some interesting comments on the potential starting line up!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just hung up with <a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a>, who is entering his first year in the Big Ten.</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386153459633778689">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on Minnesota's style "We've got a way they we like to play but we have to understand that games are going to be slow too."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386153716207718400">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on Andre Hollins "He's going to play 1, 2, and 3 for us."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386153915709784065">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on Austin Hollins "He's been very good every single day. He's a model of consistency."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386154021603401728">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on the PF spot if Joey King isn't cleared "We may go small with Austin Hollins there or play Wally Ellenson."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386154162699763712">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on Maurice Walker "He showed a commitment to getting in shape. Now he has to understand the basketball aspect."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386154297357897729">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on Dre Mathieu/Maverick Ahanmisi "Our PGs have to value the basketball. It's too important to turn over."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386154486168694785">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MNCoachPitino">@MNCoachPitino</a> on Malik Smith "Every shot he takes he thinks is going in."</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386154592964059136">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Early prediction on Minnesota starting five -- Andre Hollins, Malik Smith, Austin Hollins, Wally Ellenson, Elliott Eliason....</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386154803333582848">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Going over Malik Smith's numbers from last year at FIU. Made 96 3's + shot 36% from deep. Key addition for Minnesota.</p>— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/statuses/386156042167406592">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

Wally!

I've always said, an athletic, active player in the 4 spot can be a substitute for beef and brawn. Elliott will have to put a body on people and play some help defense.
 

Bad Gopher said:
Wally!

I've always said, an athletic, active player in the 4 spot can be a substitute for beef and brawn. Elliott will have to put a body on people and play some help defense.
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As I said the other day- if Wally commits to rebounding he can carve out some nice playing time at the 3 or 4 this year. I like the creativity that Pitino is showing (or at least talking about)- not just slotting guys by size but instead trying to find ways to get the job done.
 

I had to do a double take when Pitino mentioned Mav with the PG's. Was hoping that he would just hang out behind the arc and shoot. We'll see...
 

Interesting that there was no mention of Buggs for that PF spot. Or maybe Pitino did mention him, but Rothstein only tweeted the most interesting/surprising parts.
 

I think this season is going to be a roller-coaster ride. There will be some surprising wins, and most likely, a few nights when the ball is not falling and the Gophs get thumped by bigger, more physical team.

If the game is a track meet, I think (hope) the Gophs are athletic enough to stay in the game - but I really worry about a slow-down, grind-it-out affair. EE and Mo have to have good season, or the Gophs are in trouble.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
I think this season is going to be a roller-coaster ride. There will be some surprising wins, and most likely, a few nights when the ball is not falling and the Gophs get thumped by bigger, more physical team.
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Totally agree...I think we will be ridiculously streaky. It will be entertaining for sure!
 

GophersOnTheRise said:
Interesting that there was no mention of Buggs for that PF spot. Or maybe Pitino did mention him, but Rothstein only tweeted the most interesting/surprising parts.
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I thought the same thing. If he is writing off Buggs and Oto already, we're in trouble.
 

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