Again as I have said before Orturo is the real deal and will much better that people think...
No team is a lock. Injuries, suspensions, and crazy things can happen to any team. And sometimes, teams just fall short of expectations for no apparent reason. On paper though, this team should be considered a tournament team. It's possible we will fall short for various reasons, but there is absolutely no reason to EXPECT us to miss the tournament. Makes no sense with the roster we have.
So if you're expecting the Gophers to make the Tournament - what happens to Pitino if they don't?
I'm expecting to make the tournament IF we don't have any major injuries or suspensions. If the roster stays intact and we miss the tournament, I'd say we should probably start looking for a new coach.
At what point is the coach no longer allowed to make excuses and actually own the results produced on the court?
When an unusual quantity of weird injuries don’t decimate the lineup.
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At some point he has to create a roster that is able to withstand an injury or two. At least to a point where they don’t completely fall off the face of the earth. The bandwidth for expectations can’t be that wide.
To your point, the depth has to be there to withstand a “normal” level of injuries, and we haven’t had that depth. What is normal? Not sure of that answer, but last year was not normal.
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Laughable. We haven’t had depth that could withstand losing more than one starter since Muss was coach (maybe the early Dutcher years). Or are people forgetting every coach we’ve had since has had seasons derailed by the loss of one or two players.
How some fans refuse to hold a coach accountable going into their 6th year for the lack of depth and problems with the roster is beyond me.
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2016-17. Perennial weak sister team jumps up and earns ncaa 5 seed with strong 7-man rotation. Fans very happy.
2017-18. 7-man rotation returns (minus AS, plus IW) for team weak sister. Expectations are high locally and nationally. Three injuries and a suspension derail season. Players 8-13 on roster aren't up to the task.
Coach answers disappointing season with 3 spring recruits who bring unanimous approval from fans.
What should be the key factor in Coyle's evaluation of coach for these last two seasons:
a) #5 ncaa seed in 2016-17
b) 4 injuries/suspension in 2017-18
c) inadequacy of players 8-13 on roster in 2017-18
d) strong spring recruiting class in 2018
Somehow, for a good many the answer seems to be (c). It overshadows all else that has happened over the past two years. Proportionality is not allowed.
I'm with s.o.n. on this one. After last season, seeing will be believing. The behavioral blindsiding that happens to this team is disastrously epic.maybe I'm a pessimist - or maybe I'm more realistic. but here's what I see when looking at the Gopher roster:
1 "sure thing" returning in Jordan Murphy.
3 players returning from serious injury issues - Curry, Coffey, McBrayer. Will they be 100%? Won't know till we see them play in a game. If all 3 are 100%, big plus for the team. If one or more is not 100%, could be problem.
Players with questions about their game: Washington, Hurt. Can Washington be "the man" at PG? won't know till we see him do it. Lots of potential, but by no means a finished product. and Hurt - can he provide something (anything) on offense, or is he just a body.
Transfers - Stull, Stockman. Stull moving up to a power conference - can he make the transition smoothly. Stockman has very little playing time in the past - can he show the ability to justify more playing time with the Gophers?
and three true Freshmen. How do they make the jump from HS to a major D1 conference?
Again - if all the questions are answered positively or favorably for the Gophers, yes, this roster has the potential to be a lot of fun.
But right now, that's all it is - potential. Depending on what happens, I could see this team make the NCAA tournament - wind up in the NIT - or wind up out of the tournament picture. Just too many variables now to know, until we see the team actually play a few games that matter.
maybe I'm a pessimist - or maybe I'm more realistic. but here's what I see when looking at the Gopher roster:
1 "sure thing" returning in Jordan Murphy.
3 players returning from serious injury issues - Curry, Coffey, McBrayer. Will they be 100%? Won't know till we see them play in a game. If all 3 are 100%, big plus for the team. If one or more is not 100%, could be problem.
Players with questions about their game: Washington, Hurt. Can Washington be "the man" at PG? won't know till we see him do it. Lots of potential, but by no means a finished product. and Hurt - can he provide something (anything) on offense, or is he just a body.
Transfers - Stull, Stockman. Stull moving up to a power conference - can he make the transition smoothly. Stockman has very little playing time in the past - can he show the ability to justify more playing time with the Gophers?
and three true Freshmen. How do they make the jump from HS to a major D1 conference?
Again - if all the questions are answered positively or favorably for the Gophers, yes, this roster has the potential to be a lot of fun.
But right now, that's all it is - potential. Depending on what happens, I could see this team make the NCAA tournament - wind up in the NIT - or wind up out of the tournament picture. Just too many variables now to know, until we see the team actually play a few games that matter.
maybe I'm a pessimist - or maybe I'm more realistic. but here's what I see when looking at the Gopher roster:
1 "sure thing" returning in Jordan Murphy.
3 players returning from serious injury issues - Curry, Coffey, McBrayer. Will they be 100%? Won't know till we see them play in a game. If all 3 are 100%, big plus for the team. If one or more is not 100%, could be problem.
Players with questions about their game: Washington, Hurt. Can Washington be "the man" at PG? won't know till we see him do it. Lots of potential, but by no means a finished product. and Hurt - can he provide something (anything) on offense, or is he just a body.
Transfers - Stull, Stockman. Stull moving up to a power conference - can he make the transition smoothly. Stockman has very little playing time in the past - can he show the ability to justify more playing time with the Gophers?
and three true Freshmen. How do they make the jump from HS to a major D1 conference?
Again - if all the questions are answered positively or favorably for the Gophers, yes, this roster has the potential to be a lot of fun.
But right now, that's all it is - potential. Depending on what happens, I could see this team make the NCAA tournament - wind up in the NIT - or wind up out of the tournament picture. Just too many variables now to know, until we see the team actually play a few games that matter.
Sorry SON, I have to vote pessimist. Like BorderGopher said, you could ask the same questions every year of every team anywhere. Sure it's reality that they could be bad. It's also reality that they could be a top four Big Ten team.
I feel confident they will get healthy. My "realistic" self does wonder if they will stay healthy (and eligible) based on history. If they do, we have the athletes and skill to achieve great things.
IW can't play that bad again, he's too talented.
McBrayer will conquer his health issues and play at the high level he has shown in streaks previously. Healthy is the key.
Coffey will be healthy and hungry....and in the running to be our best player.
Murphy will be consistent, lead by example and keep throwing up double doubles.
Curry will be much improved and he was valuable prior to the leap in ability we will see.
That's 5 guys that I'm not too sure what other teams can match that?
Stull has the experience, confidence, leadership and shot making ability we need.
Matz is going to be a step up from the post reserves on last years 14th ranked team.
Oturu and Omersa are probably the best athletes on the team. Just play with energy and they'll help defensively and on the boards.
That's nine guys...we have not had nine competent contributors any time recently. Guys who bring a skill or elite athleticism.
Hurt is likely what he is and there may not be minutes for him.
Gabe has the potential to contribute but may get stuck behind some other people.
If Carr wins his request to be immediately eligible we are absolutely better than the 14th ranked Gophers of last year.
We'd have 12 guys who actually could contribute effectively if given the chance at the D1 level. We would for the first time have an entire second team that could realistically beat out somebody for a starting spot.
You are a 100% right we won't know what we have until a half a dozen games in but if we are healthy and eligible we are gonna be good.
The new assistants will help, Richard has shown he can coach when he has available options. Brad Stevens and John Wooden couldn't win with some of the decimated crews we've trotted out there.
It's gonna be fun SON!!
Brad Stevens is almost certainly taking his team to the NBA Finals - with his two best players missing. Great coaches deal with imperfect situations and win anyway. It's not a solid example.
While I understand and somewhat agree with the sentiment that great coaches deal with imperfect situations...Brad Stevens is not a good example. He has two top 3 picks with Tatum and Brown along with an excellent supporting cast of Rozier, Smart and other role players. The Celtics have incredible depth behind Hayward and Irving, something the Gophers had zero of last year. While I agree that depth issues are ultimately on Pitino, the situations are certainly not apples to apples between the Gophers and Celtics.
While I understand and somewhat agree with the sentiment that great coaches deal with imperfect situations...Brad Stevens is not a good example. He has two top 3 picks with Tatum and Brown along with an excellent supporting cast of Rozier, Smart and other role players. The Celtics have incredible depth behind Hayward and Irving, something the Gophers had zero of last year. While I agree that depth issues are ultimately on Pitino, the situations are certainly not apples to apples between the Gophers and Celtics.
Sorry SON, I have to vote pessimist. Like BorderGopher said, you could ask the same questions every year of every team anywhere. Sure it's reality that they could be bad. It's also reality that they could be a top four Big Ten team.
I feel confident they will get healthy. My "realistic" self does wonder if they will stay healthy (and eligible) based on history. If they do, we have the athletes and skill to achieve great things.
IW can't play that bad again, he's too talented.
McBrayer will conquer his health issues and play at the high level he has shown in streaks previously. Healthy is the key.
Coffey will be healthy and hungry....and in the running to be our best player.
Murphy will be consistent, lead by example and keep throwing up double doubles.
Curry will be much improved and he was valuable prior to the leap in ability we will see.
That's 5 guys that I'm not too sure what other teams can match that?
Stull has the experience, confidence, leadership and shot making ability we need.
Matz is going to be a step up from the post reserves on last years 14th ranked team.
Oturu and Omersa are probably the best athletes on the team. Just play with energy and they'll help defensively and on the boards.
That's nine guys...we have not had nine competent contributors any time recently. Guys who bring a skill or elite athleticism.
Hurt is likely what he is and there may not be minutes for him.
Gabe has the potential to contribute but may get stuck behind some other people.
If Carr wins his request to be immediately eligible we are absolutely better than the 14th ranked Gophers of last year.
We'd have 12 guys who actually could contribute effectively if given the chance at the D1 level. We would for the first time have an entire second team that could realistically beat out somebody for a starting spot.
You are a 100% right we won't know what we have until a half a dozen games in but if we are healthy and eligible we are gonna be good.
The new assistants will help, Richard has shown he can coach when he has available options. Brad Stevens and John Wooden couldn't win with some of the decimated crews we've trotted out there.
It's gonna be fun SON!!
Brad Stevens is almost certainly taking his team to the NBA Finals - with his two best players missing. Great coaches deal with imperfect situations and win anyway. It's not a solid example.