4* recruits in each of last six classes! Has Pitino turned the corner?

[Urbandale]

I don't particularly care much about conference finish if it's not first - second or tenth mean about the same to me. What I care about is making the Tournament. If I'm Mark Coyle - given the (lack of) Tournament appearances in his first six years, he has to (at minimum) make the Tournament this year for me to even consider retaining him.

Making the tournament is the ultimate prize, but the difference between second place and tenth place in the Big Ten season is on average 8-9 conference wins per year. I'm not aware of any fan who wouldn't enjoy second place more.