BleedGopher
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per Souhan:
Could Richard Pitino, in his own way, be devising a strategy that could allow Minnesota to compete with better Big Ten programs?
Pitino, like Beard, isn’t going to outrecruit the best programs in the country. He, like Beard, might be able to keep certain local players at home — Beard kept Jarrett Culver in Lubbock, and Pitino kept Daniel Oturu in Minnesota — but can’t bank on recruiting talent superior to Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana, among others.
What Pitino may be able to do is offer an ideal landing spot for veteran transfers, players who will enable him to field an experienced team that could give him an advantage over, or at least a fighting chance against, teams relying on talented youngsters.
Here’s his problem: Pitino is dependent on the NCAA making a decision that benefits student-athletes. That rarely happens without lengthy litigation.
On Thursday, the NCAA board of governors recommended delaying a change to the transfer waiver process that would permit all athletes to switch schools once without sitting out a season.
If all transfers were allowed, it’s possible the next time the Gophers take the court, their starting lineup would include Marcus Carr, Drew Peterson, Liam Robbins and Brandon Johnson. All four transferred from other colleges. The fifth presumed starter would be Gabe Kalscheur of DeLaSalle.
Add to the rotation Eric Curry, Isaiah Ihnen, Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Jarvis Omersa, and the Gophers would have a deep and promising rotation.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Could Richard Pitino, in his own way, be devising a strategy that could allow Minnesota to compete with better Big Ten programs?
Pitino, like Beard, isn’t going to outrecruit the best programs in the country. He, like Beard, might be able to keep certain local players at home — Beard kept Jarrett Culver in Lubbock, and Pitino kept Daniel Oturu in Minnesota — but can’t bank on recruiting talent superior to Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana, among others.
What Pitino may be able to do is offer an ideal landing spot for veteran transfers, players who will enable him to field an experienced team that could give him an advantage over, or at least a fighting chance against, teams relying on talented youngsters.
Here’s his problem: Pitino is dependent on the NCAA making a decision that benefits student-athletes. That rarely happens without lengthy litigation.
On Thursday, the NCAA board of governors recommended delaying a change to the transfer waiver process that would permit all athletes to switch schools once without sitting out a season.
If all transfers were allowed, it’s possible the next time the Gophers take the court, their starting lineup would include Marcus Carr, Drew Peterson, Liam Robbins and Brandon Johnson. All four transferred from other colleges. The fifth presumed starter would be Gabe Kalscheur of DeLaSalle.
Add to the rotation Eric Curry, Isaiah Ihnen, Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Jarvis Omersa, and the Gophers would have a deep and promising rotation.
Building program with transfers has merit for Gophers coach Richard Pitino
While not getting the state's best high school players, Richard Pitino could be devising a strategy that could allow the Gophers to compete with better Big Ten programs.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
