Robson: As everyone falls around him, Richard Pitino hopes to be the one to rise

BleedGopher

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per Britt:

To guide his players to better behavior, Pitino introduced a program called Gopher Pride. He brought in speakers like former players John Thomas and Walter Bond; human resources people from Target, advising about what makes a player employable after college; and a woman who counsels control over emotions, whom Pitino describes as “awesome.”

But it likely matters more that this year’s roster includes a pair of 4-star recruits in Hopkins native Amir Coffey and Eric Curry of Arkansas, plus 3-star player Michael Hurt of Rochester. Scouting services have pegged it the fifth best freshman class in the Big 10.

For 2017, Pitino has already received a commitment from 4-star point guard Isaiah Washington from the Bronx, and 3-star shooting guard Jamir Harris of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

As Pitino sees it, they are joining a decent core that went through fire last season. “You look at Jordan Murphy, he was an All-Freshman player [in the Big 10 last season], and he is only going to get better. Nate Mason played a lot the first two years. Dupree McBrayer is only going to get better.”

He lauds guard Akeem Springs, a transfer from Milwaukee, as a natural leader. Coffey, son of former Gopher forward Richard Coffey, checks the boxes of both local recruit and national-caliber talent.

And if it doesn’t work out? That’s when his beefed-up buyout comes in handy.

http://www.citypages.com/news/as-ev...-pitino-hopes-to-be-the-one-to-rise/401337986

Go Gophers!!
 

This is a long and comprehensive read about Pitino's tenure and standing. Highly recommended!
 

We are lucky that we have one of America's best basketball writers here in the Twin Cities.
 

Very well written. It tends to put everything Gopher Mens Basketball into perspective. Quite a bit also about Rick Pitino and issues at Louisville.
 

The NCAA doesn't even acknowledge losing in the second game you play in the NCAA tourney as "getting to the third round" but Tubby apologists always will.
 


The NCAA doesn't even acknowledge losing in the second game you play in the NCAA tourney as "getting to the third round" but Tubby apologists always will.

There is an "NCAA Tournament Third Round" banner hanging in the rafters at the Barn. "Round of 32" would probably be less confusing, but when the extra play-in games were added, they apparently became the new first round. I don't think the goal is to deceive anyone into thinking we made the Sweet Sixteen.
 





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