I always enjoying listening to Richard. Here's a link to the interview: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/gophers-on-demand-28275888/
Richard said one of his goals of the non-conference schedule was to get bench players in-game experience that haven’t necessarily had that before.
There has been a sense of urgency to get the defense right. Coach feels the defense has much improved since the beginning part of the season.
“It’s clear at the beginning of the year I didn’t trust our bench necessarily, but I can’t play five guys 40 minutes a night. I’m much more comfortable now than I was at the beginning of the year.”
Dupree McBrayer is incredibly important from a defensive standpoint, and it was evident throughout the Miami game from a continuity standpoint having to play Washington at the point and Mason at the two.
Isaiah Washington got his first collegiate start against Harvard with Nate Mason sitting out. On Washington, “He’s got a long way to go in understanding where to get his shots. How to take his shots too. He has a couple shots that are ok, and then he creates a more difficult shot than what it needs to be. Isaiah is a better shooter than his stats show. People may be in a rush with him a bit, but I like where he’s at.” Richard also doesn’t believe it is a quick fix, but will come with more experience.
“I don’t want anyone on our team to feel handcuffed in any way. I want them to feel free. Isaiah is fearless, aggressive. I like being able to tone him down, but also teaching him when to pick his spots. He can go by anybody, but that doesn’t mean you should go by anybody all the time.”
Pitino talked at length in regard to Isaiah Washington’s “JellyFam” not necessarily being a reality. Washington models his game after Irving, who is known for making tough layups. However, Irving efficiency-wise, is not in the top 10 inside the arc. The highest-efficiency player at the rim in converting layups is Chris Paul. “It’s important for Isaiah to play his way, but also understand not too make things too difficult. Jump off two feet, use the glass.”
Interesting tidbit: Richard noted that watching NBA games may not necessarily be good for college players since college players don’t notice some of the little things that NBA players do. “Kevin Durant can make a transition three better than anyone. Just because he can do it, doesn’t mean you can too. Everyone watches Steph Curry jack up threes, but they don’t see what he does every day to get to that point.”
Our guards such as Michael Hurt, Amir Coffey, and Dupree McBrayer need to be better at rebounding since our bigs are very good at boxing out.
Justin Gaard asked about recruiting and the impact Minnesota’s weather makes. Richard responded that while it is a factor, he tries to highlight the positives that outweigh the negatives. When recruiting, it is important to find out what a player cares about. If he cares about warm weather, don’t recruit him. “If you can get players in your backyard and you can sell playing in front of your family/friend, that’s the biggest thing I think. We have a lot from a recruiting standpoint (facilities, conference, etc.). Every school I’ve been to (Louisville, Florida, Minnesota) all have their drawbacks. Once players get here, they love it.”
Jordan Murphy has had a double-double in every game this season. Coach said he doesn’t want players to be stat-focused, however in the rebounding category he can be selfish. Pitino believes that if he averages 12-13 rebounds a game, that usually a few will be offensive rebounds and points will come.
Richard said one of his goals of the non-conference schedule was to get bench players in-game experience that haven’t necessarily had that before.
There has been a sense of urgency to get the defense right. Coach feels the defense has much improved since the beginning part of the season.
“It’s clear at the beginning of the year I didn’t trust our bench necessarily, but I can’t play five guys 40 minutes a night. I’m much more comfortable now than I was at the beginning of the year.”
Dupree McBrayer is incredibly important from a defensive standpoint, and it was evident throughout the Miami game from a continuity standpoint having to play Washington at the point and Mason at the two.
Isaiah Washington got his first collegiate start against Harvard with Nate Mason sitting out. On Washington, “He’s got a long way to go in understanding where to get his shots. How to take his shots too. He has a couple shots that are ok, and then he creates a more difficult shot than what it needs to be. Isaiah is a better shooter than his stats show. People may be in a rush with him a bit, but I like where he’s at.” Richard also doesn’t believe it is a quick fix, but will come with more experience.
“I don’t want anyone on our team to feel handcuffed in any way. I want them to feel free. Isaiah is fearless, aggressive. I like being able to tone him down, but also teaching him when to pick his spots. He can go by anybody, but that doesn’t mean you should go by anybody all the time.”
Pitino talked at length in regard to Isaiah Washington’s “JellyFam” not necessarily being a reality. Washington models his game after Irving, who is known for making tough layups. However, Irving efficiency-wise, is not in the top 10 inside the arc. The highest-efficiency player at the rim in converting layups is Chris Paul. “It’s important for Isaiah to play his way, but also understand not too make things too difficult. Jump off two feet, use the glass.”
Interesting tidbit: Richard noted that watching NBA games may not necessarily be good for college players since college players don’t notice some of the little things that NBA players do. “Kevin Durant can make a transition three better than anyone. Just because he can do it, doesn’t mean you can too. Everyone watches Steph Curry jack up threes, but they don’t see what he does every day to get to that point.”
Our guards such as Michael Hurt, Amir Coffey, and Dupree McBrayer need to be better at rebounding since our bigs are very good at boxing out.
Justin Gaard asked about recruiting and the impact Minnesota’s weather makes. Richard responded that while it is a factor, he tries to highlight the positives that outweigh the negatives. When recruiting, it is important to find out what a player cares about. If he cares about warm weather, don’t recruit him. “If you can get players in your backyard and you can sell playing in front of your family/friend, that’s the biggest thing I think. We have a lot from a recruiting standpoint (facilities, conference, etc.). Every school I’ve been to (Louisville, Florida, Minnesota) all have their drawbacks. Once players get here, they love it.”
Jordan Murphy has had a double-double in every game this season. Coach said he doesn’t want players to be stat-focused, however in the rebounding category he can be selfish. Pitino believes that if he averages 12-13 rebounds a game, that usually a few will be offensive rebounds and points will come.
