Judd Zulgad: In a lost season, Richard Pitino left searching for answers

[BleedGopher]

per Judd:

Pitino must take some responsibility for why his team's confidence seems to be such a fragile thing. Coaching plays a role in that.

Six of the Gophers' seven Big Ten losses have been by five points or fewer. Mentally tough teams find a way to win games late. The Gophers have done the opposite.

As much as you might not want to hear or read it, this also is a learning experience for Pitino and that's easy to forget. Pitino can call his father all he wants for advice but he remains only 32 years old and this is only his third season as a head coach at the Division I level.

It might be the first season that Pitino actually has had to search for answers when he's the guy in charge. "I've got to get these guys to play looser, freer, with less expectations," Pitino told reporters Friday. "I've got to do a better job of that."

Unfortunately for Pitino, even if he finds the answer, it's almost certainly too late for this season. The hope has to be that the young head coach, and his returning players, will be able to learn some valuable lessons from this.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...chard_Pitino_left_searching_for_answers013115

Go Gophers!!

 

[Dano564]

I don't read a lot into what Judd says about things.

What he complains about is always so subjective. They lose a few games because of a few missed shots or turnovers, and Judd makes it sound like it's a "mental toughness" issue.

Make the shots, and then he'd probably be talking about how clutch the players are. All because a couple other shots roll in instead of rolling out.

We're in a society where people spend too much time analyzing and coming up with subjective crap as "mental toughness".
I have yet to see any game stop because of urine on the floor.

 

[station19]

Judd should keep searching himself.

 

[GopherInPittsburgh]

I don't read a lot into what Judd says about things.

What he complains about is always so subjective. They lose a few games because of a few missed shots or turnovers, and Judd makes it sound like it's a "mental toughness" issue.

Make the shots, and then he'd probably be talking about how clutch the players are. All because a couple other shots roll in instead of rolling out.

We're in a society where people spend too much time analyzing and coming up with subjective crap as "mental toughness".
I have yet to see any game stop because of urine on the floor.

I agree. I think the whole "mental toughness" bit is overplayed. In 2012, Michigan State lost 5 Big Ten football games by a combined 13 points. I have a hard time believing that team lacked mental toughness. Sometimes it just isn't your year.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

Other than Hollins when he is on, they don't have a crunch time player. Last year we had Austin to help; and when he lagged on offense he really was an outstanding defensive player and rebounder.
Also Oto gave us a solid 15 minutes a game. Add Little Dre craping the bed this season and this is why our record is.what it is.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I'm not going to read this.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Other than Hollins when he is on, they don't have a crunch time player. Last year we had Austin to help; and when he lagged on offense he really was an outstanding defensive player and rebounder.
Also Oto gave us a solid 15 minutes a game. Add Little Dre craping the bed this season and this is why our record is.what it is.

I appreciated Austin Hollins as much as the next guy. However, my memory isn't quite that short. Austin was not an outstanding rebounder. Last ten games as a Gopher, 4, 3, 1, 3, 2, 1, 5, 1, 1, 0 as an example.

 

[maxwellsmart]

I appreciated Austin Hollins as much as the next guy. However, my memory isn't quite that short. Austin was not an outstanding rebounder. Last ten games as a Gopher, 4, 3, 1, 3, 2, 1, 5, 1, 1, 0 as an example.

Yeah, I'm with you. Lot of selective memory on here. I also remember a lengthy streak last year when the guy was struggling.

 

[tinyarch]

I don't read a lot into what Judd says about things.

What he complains about is always so subjective. They lose a few games because of a few missed shots or turnovers, and Judd makes it sound like it's a "mental toughness" issue.

Make the shots, and then he'd probably be talking about how clutch the players are. All because a couple other shots roll in instead of rolling out.

We're in a society where people spend too much time analyzing and coming up with subjective crap as "mental toughness".
I have yet to see any game stop because of urine on the floor.

This team hasn't been tremendously disciplined with the ball. They have lacked a sense of valuing each possession. Is that mental toughness? Perhaps. In either case, they haven't lost many games because they have been physically out-played. That would lend a person to surmise that the issue lies on the cognitive side of the game.

 

[Bad Gopher]

A little too much knee-jerk hate for Judd. I think he has some good insights, particularly about Pitino searching for elusive answers.

 

[EG#9]

I don't know how anyone can argue that this team doesn't have issues with performing under pressure. Ruppert mentioned Hollins as a crunch time player, but his failing in such situations are the most notable on the team. I don't think we can know how much of this is on Pitino and the right/wrong buttons he pushes until we've seen another teams of his choke consistently. It could be that this group of players just can't perform under pressure. If this continues, like it did under Tubby, then when we have to start asking questions about why the players always seem to be tight and/or scared down the stretch in games.

 

[Mulligan]

A little too much knee-jerk hate for Judd. I think he has some good insights, particularly about Pitino searching for elusive answers.

So do a lot of GH'ers. Doesn't take any astuteness. Just paying attention.

 

[Dr.Don]

Judd did not have use the media to send his message. He could have sent an e-mail to Coach telling him, "If ya need help, go to GopherHole.com."