I firmly believe that the number one issue this year is that we essentially went into most games this year with 5 scholarships unable (for various reasons) to contribute at a Big Ten level. That is a HUGE hole to be in every single game, especially when the guys you can count are not all Big Ten type of players. Obviously Konate contributed some meaningful minutes late in the season, but up until then, we essentially went into every single game 5 scholarships down. Throw in the fact that Mathieu regressed most of the year, EE and Walker aren't complete players, Buggs is learning every game and Morris doesn't play D or pass.
It's OK to take a flyer on a Big, or knowingly nurture a freshman PF and even OK to take on a transfer who has to sit out...but to do it all at once, in a year when the firm pieces we do have aren't a perfect complement of parts, is not an ideal way to construct a roster.
Of course we didn't know McNeil's situation would play out the way it did, but our margin of error with the roster was already thin with the other decisions already made.
If we use Carlos Morris as the baseline - a good scorer at times, but hardly a solid all-around contributor. So if he's the baseline, we would hope that Pitino could recruit JUCO/HS players better than him. If he had just done that with Lofton's scholarship and one of the Big's, this season is entirely different. And I don't think over-recruiting Morris' level is too much to ask.
Go Gophers!!
I firmly believe that the number one issue this year is that we essentially went into most games this year with 5 scholarships unable (for various reasons) to contribute at a Big Ten level. That is a HUGE hole to be in every single game, especially when the guys you can count are not all Big Ten type of players. Obviously Konate contributed some meaningful minutes late in the season, but up until then, we essentially went into every single game 5 scholarships down. Throw in the fact that Mathieu regressed most of the year, EE and Walker aren't complete players, Buggs is learning every game and Morris doesn't play D or pass.
It's OK to take a flyer on a Big, or knowingly nurture a freshman PF and even OK to take on a transfer who has to sit out...but to do it all at once, in a year when the firm pieces we do have aren't a perfect complement of parts, is not an ideal way to construct a roster.
Of course we didn't know McNeil's situation would play out the way it did, but our margin of error with the roster was already thin with the other decisions already made.
If we use Carlos Morris as the baseline - a good scorer at times, but hardly a solid all-around contributor. So if he's the baseline, we would hope that Pitino could recruit JUCO/HS players better than him. If he had just done that with Lofton's scholarship and one of the Big's, this season is entirely different. And I don't think over-recruiting Morris' level is too much to ask.
Go Gophers!!
I firmly believe that the number one issue this year is that we essentially went into most games this year with 5 scholarships unable (for various reasons) to contribute at a Big Ten level. That is a HUGE hole to be in every single game, especially when the guys you can count are not all Big Ten type of players. Obviously Konate contributed some meaningful minutes late in the season, but up until then, we essentially went into every single game 5 scholarships down. Throw in the fact that Mathieu regressed most of the year, EE and Walker aren't complete players, Buggs is learning every game and Morris doesn't play D or pass.
It's OK to take a flyer on a Big, or knowingly nurture a freshman PF and even OK to take on a transfer who has to sit out...but to do it all at once, in a year when the firm pieces we do have aren't a perfect complement of parts, is not an ideal way to construct a roster.
Of course we didn't know McNeil's situation would play out the way it did, but our margin of error with the roster was already thin with the other decisions already made.
If we use Carlos Morris as the baseline - a good scorer at times, but hardly a solid all-around contributor. So if he's the baseline, we would hope that Pitino could recruit JUCO/HS players better than him. If he had just done that with Lofton's scholarship and one of the Big's, this season is entirely different. And I don't think over-recruiting Morris' level is too much to ask.
Go Gophers!!
So many say Mathieu regressed. I don't get that and season statistics seem to show this. TO's were cut in half from 102 to 54. Last year he went maybe 3 conference games without a turnover and this year at least 7. In his last 12 games last year he committed something like 28 TO's and this year 9. Steals were up over 20% per game, assists up marginally, and rebounds essentially the same. Only place he was down was points and free throws percentage, but he was only down 4% on FT and still above the league average. Down in points not shocking with many more shooters this year. Overall he had a decent year, not stellar but not regressing either. Certainly would have loved to see him take over more late in close games but I don't think that he was any different in late game play last year.I firmly believe that the number one issue this year is that we essentially went into most games this year with 5 scholarships unable (for various reasons) to contribute at a Big Ten level. That is a HUGE hole to be in every single game, especially when the guys you can count are not all Big Ten type of players. Obviously Konate contributed some meaningful minutes late in the season, but up until then, we essentially went into every single game 5 scholarships down. Throw in the fact that Mathieu regressed most of the year, EE and Walker aren't complete players, Buggs is learning every game and Morris doesn't play D or pass and one of the Big's, this season is entirely different. And I don't think over-recruiting Morris' level is too much to ask.
Go Gophers!!
Joey: I really like the kid. He is the epitome of doing a lot with a little. Not blessed with great skills or athleticism, but he works hard, plays smart, and gets the most out of what he's got. With him, I don't feel like we saw much improvement from his end of season form last year. I had hoped to see him take a big step forward with a year of experience in the B1G, and in hindsight maybe I should have recognized that he was at his ceiling. Not knocking on the guy, he is what he is and we get his best.
I actually feel this team played near its potential but was not tough enough and lacked that clear #1 guy to lean on in the tight games.
What was the foremost reason for the poor season this year? MacNeil's departure? Austin Hollins absence? Poor senior leadership? Pitino's lack of experience?
What was the foremost reason for the poor season this year? MacNeil's departure? Austin Hollins absence? Poor senior leadership? Pitino's lack of experience?
good points-- i noted this in another thread-- halfway through the year, Deandre was getting ripped for poor play, but he was really good statistically down the stretch (last 6 or 8 games) and the wins still didn't come.So many say Mathieu regressed. I don't get that and season statistics seem to show this. TO's were cut in half from 102 to 54. Last year he went maybe 3 conference games without a turnover and this year at least 7. In his last 12 games last year he committed something like 28 TO's and this year 9. Steals were up over 20% per game, assists up marginally, and rebounds essentially the same. Only place he was down was points and free throws percentage, but he was only down 4% on FT and still above the league average. Down in points not shocking with many more shooters this year. Overall he had a decent year, not stellar but not regressing either. Certainly would have loved to see him take over more late in close games but I don't think that he was any different in late game play last year.
Yes.
I think a symptom endemic of a team that was 3-7 in games decided by 5 points or less is they typically don't have the instinct necessary to close out games. It might be the lack of pure talent or it might be the lack of mental toughness and the refusal to lose (or both), but one thing was clear with this team...they had no remorseless assassin who would rip your guts out with a clutch shot, or a defender (or defenders) they could count on to lock down opponents' top offensive threats when it counted most. Largely their roster was a collection of JAGs (Just a Guy), with the most steady contribution from Mason, and brief flashes of brilliance by Hollins and Mo, but otherwise nothing that could carry them throughout a season.
It's OK to take a flyer on a Big, or knowingly nurture a freshman PF and even OK to take on a transfer who has to sit out...but to do it all at once, in a year when the firm pieces we do have aren't a perfect complement of parts, is not an ideal way to construct a roster.
Of course we didn't know McNeil's situation would play out the way it did, but our margin of error with the roster was already thin with the other decisions already made.
So many say Mathieu regressed. I don't get that and season statistics seem to show this. TO's were cut in half from 102 to 54. Last year he went maybe 3 conference games without a turnover and this year at least 7. In his last 12 games last year he committed something like 28 TO's and this year 9. Steals were up over 20% per game, assists up marginally, and rebounds essentially the same. Only place he was down was points and free throws percentage, but he was only down 4% on FT and still above the league average. Down in points not shocking with many more shooters this year. Overall he had a decent year, not stellar but not regressing either. Certainly would have loved to see him take over more late in close games but I don't think that he was any different in late game play last year.
I could not disagree more. What dre brought last year was what this team needed. I guess u were looking at stats instead of watching games.
Last year he played balls to the wall going a 150 mph up and down the court getting easy layups getting to the foul line or get very easy shots for a wing shooter or a post dish. We're there TO hell yes but the way he played there was going to be some but clearly made team better.
This wanted keep TO down not aggressive at all and was a pass first PG who didn't bring bulldog mentality to the game.
McNeil hurt this team the most. He was a tough as a son bitch player. He was our get in your face defensive stopper who was replacing Austins D and could score a little bit. Instead we got a better scorer with Morris but absolutely no D and lost toughness.
We were a soft team this year both dre soft Morris very very soft king tough for his size walker soft.
I thought buggs should of played more.
How would of gaston bee if he practiced 2 more months when freshman were learning everything.
The Gophers did not offer the job of locker room chaplain to tinyarch, he got pissed and cast damnation on the team.
It's all tinyarch's fault.