Richard talked about how this year is very different in terms of how do they handle the success of last year. In a sense, he said it is almost easier when expectations are not on your side. “At this point, do you run from the expectations? Do you say that we are going to be great? I’m not the type of guy that likes to beat my chest. When nobody expects you to win, you can have that ‘us against the world’ mantra. Now we don’t have that since everyone expects us to be good.”
Barreiro thinks that the team should finish top three in the Big Ten next year or else it is a disappointment. Pitino responded that they did win a lot of close games last year, and were able to finish four in the conference. However, when Coach went back to watch the tape he thought there were a lot of things they need to clean up. “Do I think we can compete for a Big Ten title? Absolutely I do. But it will be a challenge. The formula is similar: winning at home, and steal some on the road.”
The two chatted about Reggie Lynch, who can be so dominant but does make stupid fouls. Coach commented that he doesn’t foul a ton when trying to block shots, however the bad ones come on stupid fouls and bad fundamentals. Reggie only averaged 22 minutes/game last year. If he can up his efficiency to 28 minutes/game, imagine how dominant he can be.
The Gophers only are losing one starter from last year’s team. The one thing Pitino did say is that players will learn to have to play various positions due to having a lot of talent, and having to get them on the court. We’re still learning what we can get from Davonte Fitzgerald, Jamir Harris can fill the Akeem Springs role, and Washington is the wild card. However, Nate Mason can slide over and play the 2. The thing Richard did mention was, “For positions 1-3, I look at if they can take a ball screen. If they can, then they can play anywhere. If they can’t, then that is where we have to get creative with schemes.” Interesting tidbit.
Coach believes Isaiah Washington is as talented as any freshman in the Big Ten, based upon summer workouts/practices. “I believe he is a very talented player. If that is the case, we need to find him a spot.” He had an interesting story about a book he read from the coach of Magic Johnson in his first year in Los Angeles. Last year, the team just wanted to win. This year, now they have guys that won awards last year, so they can’t lose sight of what made them great last year, the selflessness they played with. Playing the right way was a large key to our success last year.
Talking about Amir Coffey improvements: learn to go right better, rebound better. Shot the ball better than I thought he would. Played the most minutes in the Big Ten total last year. He may have grown, looks to be 6’9”. Coach said he reminds him of Tayshaun Prince.
A little more pressing could happen this year due to more depth, if Isaiah (Washington) and Jamir (Harris) catch on.
On the lookout of the Big Ten over the course of the past few years, “I don’t think it has changed much. Michigan State will be top three in the nation probably. The Big Ten has great home courts. It’s very hard to win on the road. The way to be successful in this conference is to stay old.”
Richard noted that he is not jealous of the Fleck-envy from fans. The two are good friends, and Richard said that Fleck believes the publicity will benefit him and the program. He said he’s not into that stuff, however he thinks Fleck will win in time. Barreiro even had good things to say about Fleck!!
Pitino said that he does have Fleck speak to recruits. He said commented that the facilities now from when he walked in are night and day different. He also had great things to say about Mark Coyle, and thinks all coaches will stick around for a while.
Coach Pitino believes that the scholarship players do get a lot when they are on scholarship, however that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve more. Noted the new Paul George shoe looks like the “JellyFam” logo of Isaiah Washington, however Isaiah won’t receive any compensation.
The toughest part of dealing with parents is persuading them that the coaches want what is best for the kid. “It all starts in the recruiting process. If you’re truthful to the parents about what to expect from the child, then usually it all works out. I try to get them to see the big picture. Everyone moves at a different speed.”
Richard is a fan of the AAU circuit, however believes they need to fix the calendar (less games in a day, less traveling, smaller gyms) and that the AAU games will improve. “I actually think AAU games are really good. If we go to an AAU tournament, we can recruit 4, 5, 6 kids in a day.”
Barreiro thinks that the team should finish top three in the Big Ten next year or else it is a disappointment. Pitino responded that they did win a lot of close games last year, and were able to finish four in the conference. However, when Coach went back to watch the tape he thought there were a lot of things they need to clean up. “Do I think we can compete for a Big Ten title? Absolutely I do. But it will be a challenge. The formula is similar: winning at home, and steal some on the road.”
The two chatted about Reggie Lynch, who can be so dominant but does make stupid fouls. Coach commented that he doesn’t foul a ton when trying to block shots, however the bad ones come on stupid fouls and bad fundamentals. Reggie only averaged 22 minutes/game last year. If he can up his efficiency to 28 minutes/game, imagine how dominant he can be.
The Gophers only are losing one starter from last year’s team. The one thing Pitino did say is that players will learn to have to play various positions due to having a lot of talent, and having to get them on the court. We’re still learning what we can get from Davonte Fitzgerald, Jamir Harris can fill the Akeem Springs role, and Washington is the wild card. However, Nate Mason can slide over and play the 2. The thing Richard did mention was, “For positions 1-3, I look at if they can take a ball screen. If they can, then they can play anywhere. If they can’t, then that is where we have to get creative with schemes.” Interesting tidbit.
Coach believes Isaiah Washington is as talented as any freshman in the Big Ten, based upon summer workouts/practices. “I believe he is a very talented player. If that is the case, we need to find him a spot.” He had an interesting story about a book he read from the coach of Magic Johnson in his first year in Los Angeles. Last year, the team just wanted to win. This year, now they have guys that won awards last year, so they can’t lose sight of what made them great last year, the selflessness they played with. Playing the right way was a large key to our success last year.
Talking about Amir Coffey improvements: learn to go right better, rebound better. Shot the ball better than I thought he would. Played the most minutes in the Big Ten total last year. He may have grown, looks to be 6’9”. Coach said he reminds him of Tayshaun Prince.
A little more pressing could happen this year due to more depth, if Isaiah (Washington) and Jamir (Harris) catch on.
On the lookout of the Big Ten over the course of the past few years, “I don’t think it has changed much. Michigan State will be top three in the nation probably. The Big Ten has great home courts. It’s very hard to win on the road. The way to be successful in this conference is to stay old.”
Richard noted that he is not jealous of the Fleck-envy from fans. The two are good friends, and Richard said that Fleck believes the publicity will benefit him and the program. He said he’s not into that stuff, however he thinks Fleck will win in time. Barreiro even had good things to say about Fleck!!
Pitino said that he does have Fleck speak to recruits. He said commented that the facilities now from when he walked in are night and day different. He also had great things to say about Mark Coyle, and thinks all coaches will stick around for a while.
Coach Pitino believes that the scholarship players do get a lot when they are on scholarship, however that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve more. Noted the new Paul George shoe looks like the “JellyFam” logo of Isaiah Washington, however Isaiah won’t receive any compensation.
The toughest part of dealing with parents is persuading them that the coaches want what is best for the kid. “It all starts in the recruiting process. If you’re truthful to the parents about what to expect from the child, then usually it all works out. I try to get them to see the big picture. Everyone moves at a different speed.”
Richard is a fan of the AAU circuit, however believes they need to fix the calendar (less games in a day, less traveling, smaller gyms) and that the AAU games will improve. “I actually think AAU games are really good. If we go to an AAU tournament, we can recruit 4, 5, 6 kids in a day.”
