BleedGopher
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per Chip:
This time a year ago, a healthy percentage of the Twin Cities sporting public rooted for two outcomes: Richard Pitino to be fired and Chuck Fletcher to overhaul the Wild roster.
Pitino’s squad had suffered through 14 consecutive losses in what became the worst season in Gophers men’s basketball history. The Wild bottomed out and got coach Mike Yeo fired with a roster that looked incapable of accomplishing much beyond sneaking into the playoffs.
We now know differently. Robust turnarounds by both teams this season provide valuable lessons.
The Gophers have shown that talent matters. The Wild has shown that coaching matters. And both demonstrate that patience isn’t necessarily a cop-out to avoid tough decisions. Sometimes, it’s just the right choice.
Pitino knows what he’s doing as coach, and Fletcher’s roster looks good enough to contend for the Stanley Cup with Bruce Boudreau as coach.
The Gophers didn’t have legitimate Big Ten talent last season. Now they do, and they’ve won 20 games and appear destined to make the NCAA tournament. Pitino’s team could take another sizable step next season.
Patience matters. Doesn’t always guarantee positive outcomes, but sometimes a long view provides perspective when the current situation looks bleak.
http://www.startribune.com/as-pitino-and-fletcher-show-patience-can-be-underrated/414297703/
Go Gophers!!
This time a year ago, a healthy percentage of the Twin Cities sporting public rooted for two outcomes: Richard Pitino to be fired and Chuck Fletcher to overhaul the Wild roster.
Pitino’s squad had suffered through 14 consecutive losses in what became the worst season in Gophers men’s basketball history. The Wild bottomed out and got coach Mike Yeo fired with a roster that looked incapable of accomplishing much beyond sneaking into the playoffs.
We now know differently. Robust turnarounds by both teams this season provide valuable lessons.
The Gophers have shown that talent matters. The Wild has shown that coaching matters. And both demonstrate that patience isn’t necessarily a cop-out to avoid tough decisions. Sometimes, it’s just the right choice.
Pitino knows what he’s doing as coach, and Fletcher’s roster looks good enough to contend for the Stanley Cup with Bruce Boudreau as coach.
The Gophers didn’t have legitimate Big Ten talent last season. Now they do, and they’ve won 20 games and appear destined to make the NCAA tournament. Pitino’s team could take another sizable step next season.
Patience matters. Doesn’t always guarantee positive outcomes, but sometimes a long view provides perspective when the current situation looks bleak.
http://www.startribune.com/as-pitino-and-fletcher-show-patience-can-be-underrated/414297703/
Go Gophers!!