Rochester Post Bulletin: Different Pitino stresses in-state recruiting at Gopher Road

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per the Rochester Post Bulletin:

Pitino came to Rochester able to speak about a winning program this year, but it's a program without any in-state talent from the 2017 class. Although Pitino is happy with the two out-of-state recruits in the class, he said getting in-state talent is the key to success in the Big Ten.

"Every single program, Ohio State, Indiana — that has been what has catapulted them to the top every single year," Pitino said.

Getting a player like Matthew Hurt, a Rochester John Marshall forward who will be a junior this fall, could play a vital role in helping the Gophers take the next step. In addition to the Gophers, Hurt's offer list includes Kansas and North Carolina, among others.

It won't hurt to have Michael Hurt, Hurt's older brother, on the team. Hurt also has Hopkins grad Amir Coffey, a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, to look to as a local product succeeding at Minnesota.

"Kids recruit each other a lot more than we think they do," Pitino said. "When local kids see other local kids have success, and they see that barn packed, and they see their families in the building, that is as big of a sell as anything."

Pitino certainly has an easier sell after the Gophers made the NCAA tournament, but he knows it takes more than winning games to secure in-state players.

"You can't hide from local talent," Pitino said. "If you aren't doing well and you aren't running things the right way, you aren't going to get them."

http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/...cle_01e53e59-d2e7-5384-8e77-9f8ac0e6b622.html

Go Gophers!!
 




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