BleedGopher
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per Amelia:
But at least in this first matchup, the Gophers can look across the court and dream of what could be.
Iowa is built around veteran talent that coach Fran McCaffery has slowly grown through a lot of regional and in-state recruiting -- three of five starters are from Iowa.
The success that the Hawkeyes are enjoying this season has felt quick, but in reality it's been anything but. In 2010-11, McCaffery's first season in Iowa City, his team managed just four wins in league play. The next year, they went 8-10 and then in 2013, the Hawkeyes advanced to the title game of the NIT. In 2014, Iowa looked ready to take the next step -- but slumped to finish with seven losses in their final eight games, barely sneaking into the NCAA tournament and then losing in the first four to Tennessee.
Last year, finally, Iowa broke through. The Hawkeyes finished 12-6 and tied for third in the league. This year, they're among the class of the nation.
While Pitino's timeline so far is somewhat different from the start of McCaffery's reign at Iowa -- this year is truly ground zero -- the young Minnesota coach is hoping he can foster similar growth in a perennially tough league.
http://www.startribune.com/matchup-...s-but-also-dreams-of-what-could-be/368725131/
Go Gophers!!
But at least in this first matchup, the Gophers can look across the court and dream of what could be.
Iowa is built around veteran talent that coach Fran McCaffery has slowly grown through a lot of regional and in-state recruiting -- three of five starters are from Iowa.
The success that the Hawkeyes are enjoying this season has felt quick, but in reality it's been anything but. In 2010-11, McCaffery's first season in Iowa City, his team managed just four wins in league play. The next year, they went 8-10 and then in 2013, the Hawkeyes advanced to the title game of the NIT. In 2014, Iowa looked ready to take the next step -- but slumped to finish with seven losses in their final eight games, barely sneaking into the NCAA tournament and then losing in the first four to Tennessee.
Last year, finally, Iowa broke through. The Hawkeyes finished 12-6 and tied for third in the league. This year, they're among the class of the nation.
While Pitino's timeline so far is somewhat different from the start of McCaffery's reign at Iowa -- this year is truly ground zero -- the young Minnesota coach is hoping he can foster similar growth in a perennially tough league.
http://www.startribune.com/matchup-...s-but-also-dreams-of-what-could-be/368725131/
Go Gophers!!
