Sandell: Richard Pitino brings focus on advanced statistics to Gophers

[BleedGopher]

per Sandell:

Since taking over at Minnesota, Pitino has promised to institute his up-tempo, press-heavy, defense-first style backed by an obvious layer of statistical consideration. What he hasn't promised is immediate, positive results.

In a calculated manner, he has tried to keep to the expectations of success next season limited. Pitino said, "it would probably be silly" to automatically assume the Gophers will be back in the NCAA tournament in 2014. Those expectations are likely to remain fluid as the year goes on.

But one thing is certain to be present when the Pitino era officially kicks off in November -- an extensive stat sheet offering a specific idea of what needs to be addressed to redirect the program in the fashion athletic director Norwood Teague hired the up-and-coming, but largely unproven Pitino.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...focus_on_advanced_statistics_to_Gophers041813

Go Gophers!!

 

[Jon]

PP; (Charley Walters )
What the Gophers men's basketball team under new coach Richard Pitino could end up missing most is a veteran schedule-maker.

Joe Esposito deftly put together the Gophers' schedule for six seasons under Smith and was skilled enough at it to get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament this year despite just 20 victories. Esposito scheduled nonconference opponents based on their previous season results and RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) and coupled them with strength of schedule.

It's a subtle and important talent and takes experience.

It's unclear what Pitino's first-season schedule at Minnesota will look like, but before the firing of Smith and his staff, Esposito had the Gophers set to

play in the Maui Invitational in Hawaii in November. Competition included Syracuse, Gonzaga and Arkansas.
Esposito also was close to getting the Gophers into ESPN's 24-hour Tip-off Marathon. Minnesota's opponent was to be Montana, which made this year's NCAA tournament and would have been a valuable strength-of-schedule opponent, the same as Florida Gulf Coast, which Esposito was working to sign.

New Mexico State also was a possibility for Minnesota under Smith's regime.

Meanwhile, Esposito, who was Smith's director of operations, has been interviewing for Division II head coaching jobs. Another Smith assistant, Vince Taylor, could end up back with Smith at Texas Tech.
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It looks like Alvin Ellis, the 6-3 Chicago DeLaSalle combo guard who decommitted when the Gophers fired Tubby Smith, could end up at Michigan State or Missouri. Ellis already has visited Michigan State.

It didn't help the Gophers' recruiting connections in Chicago that Alex Foster of Seton Academy, after committing to Minnesota, is no longer on Minnesota's list. Foster is expected to visit Texas Tech, Smith's new team.

Don't be surprised if Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg makes recruiting inroads with Cooper junior shooting guard Rashad Vaughn
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Grand Rapids' 6-9 Alex Illikainen has been named to the MaxPreps All-America sophomore basketball second team.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23052935/shooter-now-ex-gopher-mark-alt-makes-impact

 

[Gopher Warrior]

PP; (Charley Walters )
What the Gophers men's basketball team under new coach Richard Pitino could end up missing most is a veteran schedule-maker.

Joe Esposito deftly put together the Gophers' schedule for six seasons under Smith and was skilled enough at it to get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament this year despite just 20 victories. Esposito scheduled nonconference opponents based on their previous season results and RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) and coupled them with strength of schedule.

It's a subtle and important talent and takes experience.

Subtle talent that takes experience? Silly talk. The principles to adhere to are simple, plus the Gophers were fortunate in 2012-13 due to a few factors outside of the normal 'schedule planning'.

----------------
On Pitino & stats, it actually sounds like he's not that big of a stats guy (with respect to... data analysis) but is open to it and will evolve.

 

[MN1nAZ]

Originally Posted by Jon

"PP; (Charley Walters )
What the Gophers men's basketball team under new coach Richard Pitino could end up missing most is a veteran schedule-maker.

Joe Esposito deftly put together the Gophers' schedule for six seasons under Smith and was skilled enough at it to get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament this year despite just 20 victories. Esposito scheduled nonconference opponents based on their previous season results and RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) and coupled them with strength of schedule.

It's a subtle and important talent and takes experience. "

I suspect that w/in a year or two Rich will be able to add Louisville and Florida to our OOC schedule.

 

[Dr.Don]

Originally Posted by Jon

"PP; (Charley Walters )
What the Gophers men's basketball team under new coach Richard Pitino could end up missing most is a veteran schedule-maker.

Joe Esposito deftly put together the Gophers' schedule for six seasons under Smith and was skilled enough at it to get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament this year despite just 20 victories. Esposito scheduled nonconference opponents based on their previous season results and RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) and coupled them with strength of schedule.

It's a subtle and important talent and takes experience. "

I suspect that w/in a year or two Rich will be able to add Louisville and Florida to our OOC schedule.

And with that suspicion, I totally agree for it to happen. Jeez, can you imagine losing NDSU/SDSU on the schedule and have them replaced by Louisville and Florida. No one would like for that to become reality.

 

[gopherhoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Jon

"PP; (Charley Walters )
What the Gophers men's basketball team under new coach Richard Pitino could end up missing most is a veteran schedule-maker.

Joe Esposito deftly put together the Gophers' schedule for six seasons under Smith and was skilled enough at it to get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament this year despite just 20 victories. Esposito scheduled nonconference opponents based on their previous season results and RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) and coupled them with strength of schedule.

It's a subtle and important talent and takes experience. "

I suspect that w/in a year or two Rich will be able to add Louisville and Florida to our OOC schedule.

I think this can't not be talked about enough!! This is a huge deal.. look at Iowa last year who was playing as good as anyone.. did not make the tournament because there were not scheduling the right NC games. You need to find team from mid majors that are going to be right at the top of there leagues and yet be able to piss pound them when we play them.

 

[NateDawgUM]

If Joe Esposito can do it, I don't think it's terribly difficult.

 

[jamalo]

If Joe Esposito can do it, I don't think it's terribly difficult.

+1000. SMH; LOL!!

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

PP; (Charley Walters )
What the Gophers men's basketball team under new coach Richard Pitino could end up missing most is a veteran schedule-maker.

Joe Esposito deftly put together the Gophers' schedule for six seasons under Smith and was skilled enough at it to get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament this year despite just 20 victories. Esposito scheduled nonconference opponents based on their previous season results and RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) and coupled them with strength of schedule.

It's a subtle and important talent and takes experience.

It's unclear what Pitino's first-season schedule at Minnesota will look like, but before the firing of Smith and his staff, Esposito had the Gophers set to

play in the Maui Invitational in Hawaii in November. Competition included Syracuse, Gonzaga and Arkansas.
Esposito also was close to getting the Gophers into ESPN's 24-hour Tip-off Marathon. Minnesota's opponent was to be Montana, which made this year's NCAA tournament and would have been a valuable strength-of-schedule opponent, the same as Florida Gulf Coast, which Esposito was working to sign.

New Mexico State also was a possibility for Minnesota under Smith's regime.

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Remember, Steve Goodson came from the old staff as a special assistant to Tubby. That means helping out wherever. Maybe he learned a little RPI and strength of schedule stuff from Esposito.