BleedGopher
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per Bleacher Report:
1. Richard Pitino, Minnesota
Age: 35
Record: 93-75
2017-18 Outlook: Final Four Potential
What a difference a year makes, right?
Last summer, it looked like Richard Pitino was on his last leg at Minnesota. It was nothing compared to the firestorms his father was dealing with at Louisville, but the younger Pitino had already endured his fair share of minor scandals. It was enough that we had him dead last among Big Ten coaches during that series of power rankings in May 2016.
Then he steered the Golden Gophers to their first NCAA tournament since 2013 and their highest seed (No. 5) since 1997. And this year's team should be the school's best in at least two decades. Just like that, Pitino went straight from sitting on the hot seat to being one of the hottest young coaches in the sport.
Expectations for Minnesota aren't quite as high as they were at the beginning of the offseason, as sophomore big man Eric Curry was lost for the season due to a devastating knee injury. The silver lining—if we can even call it that—is the Gophers have a fair amount of depth in the frontcourt and Curry wasn't projected to be a starter anyway.
If Dupree McBrayer can be a more assertive scorer, if Reggie Lynch can stay out of foul trouble and if Nate Mason can become a little more efficient with his shooting, Minnesota has a starting five capable of winning the Big Ten and competing for a national championship.
Where Pitino would even go from here is anyone's guess, but if things go according to plan for Minnesota this year, he would probably have the right of first refusal in the next ride on the coaching carousel.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ollege-basketball-coaches-to-watch-in-2017-18
Go Gophers!!
1. Richard Pitino, Minnesota
Age: 35
Record: 93-75
2017-18 Outlook: Final Four Potential
What a difference a year makes, right?
Last summer, it looked like Richard Pitino was on his last leg at Minnesota. It was nothing compared to the firestorms his father was dealing with at Louisville, but the younger Pitino had already endured his fair share of minor scandals. It was enough that we had him dead last among Big Ten coaches during that series of power rankings in May 2016.
Then he steered the Golden Gophers to their first NCAA tournament since 2013 and their highest seed (No. 5) since 1997. And this year's team should be the school's best in at least two decades. Just like that, Pitino went straight from sitting on the hot seat to being one of the hottest young coaches in the sport.
Expectations for Minnesota aren't quite as high as they were at the beginning of the offseason, as sophomore big man Eric Curry was lost for the season due to a devastating knee injury. The silver lining—if we can even call it that—is the Gophers have a fair amount of depth in the frontcourt and Curry wasn't projected to be a starter anyway.
If Dupree McBrayer can be a more assertive scorer, if Reggie Lynch can stay out of foul trouble and if Nate Mason can become a little more efficient with his shooting, Minnesota has a starting five capable of winning the Big Ten and competing for a national championship.
Where Pitino would even go from here is anyone's guess, but if things go according to plan for Minnesota this year, he would probably have the right of first refusal in the next ride on the coaching carousel.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ollege-basketball-coaches-to-watch-in-2017-18
Go Gophers!!