Pitino presser notes: Captains lead by example, no midnight madness, Tubby's advice

[GopherLady]

Here are the notes from Pitino's 3rd press conference. As always, I type while he talks, so it's not verbatim. Enjoy...

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/294874?referrer_id=388419

• Pitino asked to make sure Sid's microphone was on, Sid confirmed.
• We practiced Friday - Sunday and took off Monday. They can practice 30 times in 42 days. The players voted on captains and choose Hollins, Hollins and Maverick. All 3 are leaders in different ways. They picked 3 good ones.
• I think the attitude has been great, they're all really good kids, they're not difficult to coach as far as showing up everyday and working hard. That's a testament to Coach Smith and the kind of players he brought in.
• Hopefully we'll hear about Joey King soon, it's in the NCAA's hands. They get so many waivers, it's just tough because they can't give you a certain time table, but I understand it.
• Maverick will have to have a bigger role, that doesn't have anything to do with him being captain, he has to play a lot. He always seems like he's having a good time, he's enjoying it, he's going to have to play a lot certainly.
• The new players - Malik Smith won't have much of an adjustment, he'll play a lot of 2, he has great knowledge of the system.
• McNeil can play about an hour or hour and a half due to injury. Joey King has been physically very much ready to play. He is they type of guy that can come in and make an impact.
• None of the captains are extremely vocal, that's not what they do, they lead by example more. Which is a good thing. These guys, I've relied on them every single day to do the right thing.
• I'd consider using a starting 5 that have all the captains in it. I don't know what the starting 5 would be right now. We've used Mav, Andre and Austin frequently
• On schedule - it's tough to open up Syracuse in the Maui classic, another game that will be tough is Richmond, they are picked up at the top of their conference, and Florida State at home, Lehigh, their coach is phenomenal.
• We're going to wait a little bit on it (playing Louisville). I want him (Rick Pitino) to have an impact on this program, I don't want to have to hide things.
• Everyone talked about how Louisville didn't have the caliber of players when I was there, not 5 stars, but a lot of 3 stars, we had a great attitude and chemistry for the team, and we have that ability here this year.
• Coach Smith brought in some great kids, and they've all been taught very well by him. The adjustment is not as big as I thought it would be.
• Conditioning wise - right on schedule physically. We can't go much more than an 1:45, they get too tired. They are giving great effort.
• I think you'll see that with the way that we play, all 5 guys touch the basketball, any of our guards can play the 1, 2, or 3. The only one too big is DeAndre.
• I like Andre on the court, don't know if it's 1 or 2. Not a whole lot of difference.
• I'd probably look at taking 1-2 walk-ons, we're only practicing with 13 guys right now, and they need a breather.
• If you can find 6'9 big guy, that would be great. I see them on campus, I've thought about stopping them.
• We're not going to have a midnight madness, we're thinking of creative ways. We'll release that soon. Something open to the public.

When I took the job, I spoke to Tubby, he was great. He's a family friend, he's always been a mentor to me. He's a family friend, he's always been a mentor to me. He only gave me advice on where to live, eat, etc.

 

[BarnBoy]

Thanks, Nadine. What do you think he meant by this?

We're going to wait a little bit on it (playing Louisville). I want him (Rick Pitino) to have an impact on this program, I don't want to have to hide things.

 

[Chadypu]

Rick doesn't want to hide strategic advantages or disadvantages about the Gophers that would be necessary to play a team like Louisville. I think he would rather leverage his father than compete with him until our program has more stable footing.

 

[GopherLady]

Thanks, Nadine. What do you think he meant by this?

Rick doesn't want to hide strategic advantages or disadvantages about the Gophers that would be necessary to play a team like Louisville. I think he would rather leverage his father than compete with him until our program has more stable footing.

Exactly what Chadypu said...to really use him as a mentor and help the Gophers, there can't be anything set up to play Louisville anytime in the near future. I like it.

A few other comments from the players:

Maverick: I like Coach's (Pitino) coaching style. We just trust him. #Gophers

Maverick: Practices are ridiculous with intensity, just flying up and down the floor. We warm up with a 5 man fast break. #Gophers

Austin Hollins: there is not a whole lot to learn, we're getting it really quick. Everyone is getting a lot of touches. #Gophers

Andre Hollins: I think we can be a surprise team, like IL, coming in with a new coach. #Gophers

 

[WanderingGopher]

Thanks, great notes! I will be particularly interested to see how 3 players are adjusting to the new staff and how they like it:
Andre Hollins - because he's the one potential superstar we have
Elliot Eliason - because we need him to be the most improved player (need him to be "the guy" inside)
Wally Ellenson - because if he doesn't do well this year, people are going to be questioning the track issue, and because of course his experience will bear on Henry

And this statement is concerning: "Maverick will have to have a bigger role, that doesn't have anything to do with him being captain, he has to play a lot."
Mav would have been fine as a 5-8 minute a game fill-in and spot-up shooter, but unless his ball handling is improved considerably, I shudder to think of him playing "a lot."

 

[WanderingGopher]

 

[march madness]

Agreed

I hope Andre has the green light constantly. Elliot either really steps up or we may hit the basement in the standings, he is that important.

On Mav. Great attitude, fierce competitor, decent 3 pt shooter. Not a great athelete, over penetrates a lot and it leads to turnovers or horrible shots. Not a great ball handler for a point. Trouble sticking with quick players.

Mav could be used at the off guard some. Needs to be taught to not penetrate too far. Good enough 3 pt shooter with a pt guard who could penetrate and kick. Would need him to guard the slower of the 2 guards on the opposing team. With an understanding of his role could play more I just wouldn't want him playing the point or penetrating, that is not his strengths.

Brothers don't pick the same school too often, I think that angle is over-rated with Wally. Yes if Wally is successful here it helps, but maybe in a 10% way. Kind of like top 20 guys staying at home. Not the case too often anymore.

Thanks, great notes! I will be particularly interested to see how 3 players are adjusting to the new staff and how they like it:
Andre Hollins - because he's the one potential superstar we have
Elliot Eliason - because we need him to be the most improved player (need him to be "the guy" inside)
Wally Ellenson - because if he doesn't do well this year, people are going to be questioning the track issue, and because of course his experience will bear on Henry

And this statement is concerning: "Maverick will have to have a bigger role, that doesn't have anything to do with him being captain, he has to play a lot."
Mav would have been fine as a 5-8 minute a game fill-in and spot-up shooter, but unless his ball handling is improved considerably, I shudder to think of him playing "a lot."

 

[AO54]

Brothers don't pick the same school too often, I think that angle is over-rated with Wally. Yes if Wally is successful here it helps, but maybe in a 10% way. Kind of like top 20 guys staying at home. Not the case too often anymore.

Brother's don't often have offers to the same school. It might be the most important thing for Henry to be able play with Wally or barely in the top ten. We'll see.

 

[Nate]

Brother's don't often have offers to the same school. It might be the most important thing for Henry to be able play with Wally or barely in the top ten. We'll see.

but...but... the Hollins twins!

 

[panolo]

I get the impression that the Ellenson family is pretty tight. I sure would assume that bodes well for us.

 

[BarnBoy]

I get the impression that the Ellenson family is pretty tight. I sure would assume that bodes well for us.

I imagine it would depend a lot on how Wally develops, how much playing time he gets, what the girl situation is like at the U, and other important things.

 

[Dr.Don]

I imagine it would depend a lot on how Wally develops, how much playing time he gets, what the girl situation is like at the U, and other important things like having Dr.Don root for you!!!.

Added bold for emphasizing one of the important thing, BarnBoy.

 

[4four4]

I imagine it would depend a lot on how Wally develops, how much playing time he gets, what the girl situation is like at the U, and other important things.

It comes down to how the waterboy is treated.

 

[bga1]

I hope Andre has the green light constantly. Elliot either really steps up or we may hit the basement in the standings, he is that important.

On Mav. Great attitude, fierce competitor, decent 3 pt shooter. Not a great athelete, over penetrates a lot and it leads to turnovers or horrible shots. Not a great ball handler for a point. Trouble sticking with quick players.

Mav could be used at the off guard some. Needs to be taught to not penetrate too far. Good enough 3 pt shooter with a pt guard who could penetrate and kick. Would need him to guard the slower of the 2 guards on the opposing team. With an understanding of his role could play more I just wouldn't want him playing the point or penetrating, that is not his strengths.

Brothers don't pick the same school too often, I think that angle is over-rated with Wally. Yes if Wally is successful here it helps, but maybe in a 10% way. Kind of like top 20 guys staying at home. Not the case too often anymore.

With our weakness being rebounding - Wally could find a niche if he is dedicated to going to the boards with his leaping ability. I could see us going to a bigger lineup in some situations in the Big 10 where the 2 Hollins are out there with Wally.

 

[burton34]

Rich Pitino is an incredibly captivating guy. I love hearing him speak.