Reusse: Fans see Pitino's Gophers fall in another high-wire act

per Pat:

Richard Pitino, the Gophers’ ringmaster, had assured his players and the team’s followers that the NCAA train still was going strong, even with consecutive losses to Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

At last look, the Gophers remained in the Top 25 in the Ratings Percentage Index, getting much credit for victories at Purdue and Northwestern, and few demerits for the lone nonconference loss at Florida State.

The halftime view was that young Richard had called this shot — and this victory would only improve the Gophers’ résumé inside the mysterious computer that spits out RPI numbers.

Add it up and the Amazing Pitinos defied victory again. The RPI might still indicate NCAA, but the Big Ten standings — halfway home at 3-6 — say young Richard could be getting a shot at another NIT title.

http://www.startribune.com/fans-see-pitino-s-gophers-fall-in-another-high-wire-act/412064593/

Go Gophers!!

This is why playing for statistics is a bad idea. The stats will reflect in a couple of months the lack of team play and inability of the coach to create a team first mentality within the course of the game. By then, we will be upset that there will be no NCAA bid and the chorus of "stay the course" will rise up to make us happy with an NIT bid.

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