BleedGopher
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per Pat:
Well, Year 2 of the Richard Pitino era didn't exactly start out the way Gophers fans were hoping. Then again, it's not often when your second-year head coach kicks off the season with a game against his own father's top-10 squad. It's tough to read too much into that 81-68 loss to Louisville, although it did underscore a theme of the preseason - it showed that there are a lot more questions than answers on this Gophers team.
Will Andre Hollins bounce back with a healthy senior year? How will Deandre Mathieu respond now that he's not an unknown commodity? Will Mo Walker's progress continue? What contributions can Pitino expect from freshmen Nate Mason and Josh Martin? Will Carlos Morris make the leap from JUCO to Division-I with ease?
Answers to these questions are forthcoming, of course, and they'll help answer the most important question of all: How will Pitino fare in his second year in the Big Ten? Last year's club won 25 games, were competitive in the conference, and didn't let the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tourney keep them from winning the NIT.
What will they do for an encore? Let's take a look at recent history to see which Gophers basketball coaches had the best Year 2.
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...expect_from_Year_2_under_Richard_Pitino111714
Go Gophers!!
Well, Year 2 of the Richard Pitino era didn't exactly start out the way Gophers fans were hoping. Then again, it's not often when your second-year head coach kicks off the season with a game against his own father's top-10 squad. It's tough to read too much into that 81-68 loss to Louisville, although it did underscore a theme of the preseason - it showed that there are a lot more questions than answers on this Gophers team.
Will Andre Hollins bounce back with a healthy senior year? How will Deandre Mathieu respond now that he's not an unknown commodity? Will Mo Walker's progress continue? What contributions can Pitino expect from freshmen Nate Mason and Josh Martin? Will Carlos Morris make the leap from JUCO to Division-I with ease?
Answers to these questions are forthcoming, of course, and they'll help answer the most important question of all: How will Pitino fare in his second year in the Big Ten? Last year's club won 25 games, were competitive in the conference, and didn't let the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tourney keep them from winning the NIT.
What will they do for an encore? Let's take a look at recent history to see which Gophers basketball coaches had the best Year 2.
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...expect_from_Year_2_under_Richard_Pitino111714
Go Gophers!!