Photo by: Brad Rempel
Pitino Blog: Post Season
4/10/2019 2:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Good afternoon Gopher fans,
What a fun season. Boy was it emotional and filled with a lot of smiles and tears. Our guys were able to win our second NCAA tournament game since 1997. Purdue at home, Penn State and Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament, and Louisville were all must-wins and our guys stepped up! Making it to the tournament two out of the last three years has been something I am very proud of. Both NCAA tournament teams blocked out the noise and got it done. Winning at Wisconsin hasn't been done in a while. Two wins versus a terrific Purdue team at the end of the season was special. Who can forget Gabe's buzzer beater vs. Washington in Vancouver? Iowa at home may have been our most complete offensive performance in years. Beating Oklahoma State in U.S. Bank Stadium was fun for our guys and our fans. Making it to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament was a testament to our team's toughness. We beat two of the hottest teams in the country at the time in Penn State and Purdue. I will never forget the way our fans honored Jordan Murphy in the NCAA Tournament. That still brings a tear to my eye. Gopher faithful was amazing in Des Moines! That Louisville environment was one of the best NCAA Tournament crowds I have ever seen. I hate that we were three front court players down versus a very good Michigan State team. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game!
When evaluating past seasons one of the first things I look at is our schedule, especially our non-conference and make sure we are doing our part to put our program in position to fight for an NCAA tournament bid. By the numbers, our strength of schedule was 40th in the country. The NCAA came up with a new formula this season when picking the at-large bids. Only 19 percent of college basketball teams make the Big Dance each year. That's what makes it so difficult! It seems like the committee put a lot of stock in quad 1 and quad 2 wins. We were 5-10 vs. quad 1 and 7-2 vs. quad 2 opponents. Just remember, your overall NET ranking really wasn't a factor in seeding. All it turned out to be was a sorting formula for what makes a quad 1, 2,3, or 4. We definitely did our part in the non-conference as it pertains to challenging our guys. I plan on making the non-conference harder and harder moving forward. It's the smart thing to do and this program is ready for it.
The next thing that I evaluate is our style of play by the numbers. Everyone loves referencing KenPom. Our offensive efficiency was 51 and our defensive efficiency was 45. I remember being asked at the beginning of the year what I thought of our team. I always said we were solid across the board. I think that rang pretty true. We were very good at offensive rebounding and getting to the free throw line. Our 3-point shooting was abysmal! We ranked 301st in percentage of points from 3. Yuck. That's most certainly not the way I want to play. I never felt like we developed a great identity offensively this season. Our high-low offense evolved into a solid attack but I still feel like I could have done better. Defensively I though we really improved. Guys did a very good job of absorbing our game plan and scouting reports down the stretch. We had so many terrific wins but way too many blowout losses. Teams have to know that Minnesota will fight you for 40 minutes win, lose, or draw when they play us. Top 20 in offensive and defensive efficiency next season is the goal.
Below is a breakdown of each guy on our roster, as well as myself, and where we can improve. All of our seniors will go on to graduate. This group broke records for the best cumulative team GPA in school history. We still need to add some pieces in the spring. Recruiting never stops. Just remember, we signed Jordan Murphy on May 15th!
Richard Pitino - Too many offensive issues in the Big Ten. I have to do a better job of generating easier baskets for our guys. I still kick myself for our zone offense attack at Boston College and Maryland at home. I didn't have them well enough prepared. I hated the play I ran for Murph down the stretch out of a timeout at Nebraska. I put him in a bad spot. I loved what we did offensively vs. Iowa, Rutgers, Nebraska and Illinois at home. Liked how our bigs worked the high-lows with each other. I really thought I got our guys bought in to being well-rested and well-prepared down the stretch, especially in late February. I hated how we competed vs. Michigan and Michigan State down the stretch. I don't care if we were tired or injured. We have to be tougher and that's on me. That was too easy! People ask me what our offensive game plan was vs. Louisville because our guys obviously were ready to score. I'll fill you in on a little secret. Nothing changed! Sometimes it's a lot easier when the ball goes in the basket.
Marcus Carr - Really impressed with him during his sit out year. He should come in and make an immediate impact right away. Fierce competitor.
Payton Willis - Gym rat! Took advantage of his sit out year. He and Gabe often fight for being the last ones to leave the gym. Can play multiple positions. Skilled!
Jarvis Omersa - Leader!!! Such a great teammate. His role will increase next season. Only positive to that Michigan State game was Jarvis's play when Murph went down. Huge offseason ahead.
Michael Hurt - With Murph gone I am looking at adding more of a pick and pop dimension to our offense. Michael can step in and give us that. Terrific mover without the basketball. Very smart player. Also can provide great leadership next season!
Gabe Kalscheur - Terrific freshman season. Unsung hero in so many games. Foaming at the mouth to guard the other team's best player. Not just a shooter. Crazy work ethic. Focused!
Amir Coffey - I fully support his decision to test the NBA waters and go through the process of trying to get drafted. It's 100 percent the smart thing to do. Was remarkably durable down the stretch. Fought me when I wanted to take him out. I love that. Player of the year and first team all-conference are within his reach if he returns! He can do it!
Eric Curry - Obviously I feel for Eric. I know these injuries are a thing of the past and he will finish out the next two years stronger than ever. Smart player, plays the right way. Primed for a great year.
Daniel Oturu - Had a very good freshman year. Needs to add strength. Got valuable minutes in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball. Love his passion for the game and his pride for playing for the name on the front of the jersey.
Hunt Conroy - Want him to put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. All biceps and traps.
Brady Rudrud - Senior year! Needs to be a leader on this team next year.
Tre' Williams - Had a terrific senior year in high school! Shot up all the rankings (which do not matter but fans and media seem to like referencing them) to a four-star, top-100 guard. Love his confidence. Absolutely should play right away.
Thank you so much to our fans. I can't believe it's been six years here as the Gopher head coach. Keep in mind I have never lived anywhere longer than eight years when my family lived in Lexington, Kentucky. Minnesota is home. So proud to represent the Maroon and Gold every day. I try to explain to people all the time about Minnesota and they just can't quite get it. You have to experience it first hand to know it. This year was emotional. Dupree McBrayer needed your help when his mother passed and you were there for him. You honored our seniors the right way on senior night against Purdue. They will never forget that. You sent Jordan Murphy, an all-time great, off in remarkable fashion in Des Moines. You had a terrific presence in Canada for the Vancouver Showcase. You almost blew the roof off the Barn when we beat Nebraska and Iowa. Single-digit degree weather didn't keep you out of the Barn when we played Illinois either (That's right, single digits. Wink, wink). When we needed you in the NCAA Tournament you showed up in a big way! Let's build off this year. We can't do it alone!
Go Gophers,
Richard Pitino
What a fun season. Boy was it emotional and filled with a lot of smiles and tears. Our guys were able to win our second NCAA tournament game since 1997. Purdue at home, Penn State and Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament, and Louisville were all must-wins and our guys stepped up! Making it to the tournament two out of the last three years has been something I am very proud of. Both NCAA tournament teams blocked out the noise and got it done. Winning at Wisconsin hasn't been done in a while. Two wins versus a terrific Purdue team at the end of the season was special. Who can forget Gabe's buzzer beater vs. Washington in Vancouver? Iowa at home may have been our most complete offensive performance in years. Beating Oklahoma State in U.S. Bank Stadium was fun for our guys and our fans. Making it to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament was a testament to our team's toughness. We beat two of the hottest teams in the country at the time in Penn State and Purdue. I will never forget the way our fans honored Jordan Murphy in the NCAA Tournament. That still brings a tear to my eye. Gopher faithful was amazing in Des Moines! That Louisville environment was one of the best NCAA Tournament crowds I have ever seen. I hate that we were three front court players down versus a very good Michigan State team. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game!
When evaluating past seasons one of the first things I look at is our schedule, especially our non-conference and make sure we are doing our part to put our program in position to fight for an NCAA tournament bid. By the numbers, our strength of schedule was 40th in the country. The NCAA came up with a new formula this season when picking the at-large bids. Only 19 percent of college basketball teams make the Big Dance each year. That's what makes it so difficult! It seems like the committee put a lot of stock in quad 1 and quad 2 wins. We were 5-10 vs. quad 1 and 7-2 vs. quad 2 opponents. Just remember, your overall NET ranking really wasn't a factor in seeding. All it turned out to be was a sorting formula for what makes a quad 1, 2,3, or 4. We definitely did our part in the non-conference as it pertains to challenging our guys. I plan on making the non-conference harder and harder moving forward. It's the smart thing to do and this program is ready for it.
The next thing that I evaluate is our style of play by the numbers. Everyone loves referencing KenPom. Our offensive efficiency was 51 and our defensive efficiency was 45. I remember being asked at the beginning of the year what I thought of our team. I always said we were solid across the board. I think that rang pretty true. We were very good at offensive rebounding and getting to the free throw line. Our 3-point shooting was abysmal! We ranked 301st in percentage of points from 3. Yuck. That's most certainly not the way I want to play. I never felt like we developed a great identity offensively this season. Our high-low offense evolved into a solid attack but I still feel like I could have done better. Defensively I though we really improved. Guys did a very good job of absorbing our game plan and scouting reports down the stretch. We had so many terrific wins but way too many blowout losses. Teams have to know that Minnesota will fight you for 40 minutes win, lose, or draw when they play us. Top 20 in offensive and defensive efficiency next season is the goal.
Below is a breakdown of each guy on our roster, as well as myself, and where we can improve. All of our seniors will go on to graduate. This group broke records for the best cumulative team GPA in school history. We still need to add some pieces in the spring. Recruiting never stops. Just remember, we signed Jordan Murphy on May 15th!
Richard Pitino - Too many offensive issues in the Big Ten. I have to do a better job of generating easier baskets for our guys. I still kick myself for our zone offense attack at Boston College and Maryland at home. I didn't have them well enough prepared. I hated the play I ran for Murph down the stretch out of a timeout at Nebraska. I put him in a bad spot. I loved what we did offensively vs. Iowa, Rutgers, Nebraska and Illinois at home. Liked how our bigs worked the high-lows with each other. I really thought I got our guys bought in to being well-rested and well-prepared down the stretch, especially in late February. I hated how we competed vs. Michigan and Michigan State down the stretch. I don't care if we were tired or injured. We have to be tougher and that's on me. That was too easy! People ask me what our offensive game plan was vs. Louisville because our guys obviously were ready to score. I'll fill you in on a little secret. Nothing changed! Sometimes it's a lot easier when the ball goes in the basket.
Marcus Carr - Really impressed with him during his sit out year. He should come in and make an immediate impact right away. Fierce competitor.
Payton Willis - Gym rat! Took advantage of his sit out year. He and Gabe often fight for being the last ones to leave the gym. Can play multiple positions. Skilled!
Jarvis Omersa - Leader!!! Such a great teammate. His role will increase next season. Only positive to that Michigan State game was Jarvis's play when Murph went down. Huge offseason ahead.
Michael Hurt - With Murph gone I am looking at adding more of a pick and pop dimension to our offense. Michael can step in and give us that. Terrific mover without the basketball. Very smart player. Also can provide great leadership next season!
Gabe Kalscheur - Terrific freshman season. Unsung hero in so many games. Foaming at the mouth to guard the other team's best player. Not just a shooter. Crazy work ethic. Focused!
Amir Coffey - I fully support his decision to test the NBA waters and go through the process of trying to get drafted. It's 100 percent the smart thing to do. Was remarkably durable down the stretch. Fought me when I wanted to take him out. I love that. Player of the year and first team all-conference are within his reach if he returns! He can do it!
Eric Curry - Obviously I feel for Eric. I know these injuries are a thing of the past and he will finish out the next two years stronger than ever. Smart player, plays the right way. Primed for a great year.
Daniel Oturu - Had a very good freshman year. Needs to add strength. Got valuable minutes in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball. Love his passion for the game and his pride for playing for the name on the front of the jersey.
Hunt Conroy - Want him to put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. All biceps and traps.
Brady Rudrud - Senior year! Needs to be a leader on this team next year.
Tre' Williams - Had a terrific senior year in high school! Shot up all the rankings (which do not matter but fans and media seem to like referencing them) to a four-star, top-100 guard. Love his confidence. Absolutely should play right away.
Thank you so much to our fans. I can't believe it's been six years here as the Gopher head coach. Keep in mind I have never lived anywhere longer than eight years when my family lived in Lexington, Kentucky. Minnesota is home. So proud to represent the Maroon and Gold every day. I try to explain to people all the time about Minnesota and they just can't quite get it. You have to experience it first hand to know it. This year was emotional. Dupree McBrayer needed your help when his mother passed and you were there for him. You honored our seniors the right way on senior night against Purdue. They will never forget that. You sent Jordan Murphy, an all-time great, off in remarkable fashion in Des Moines. You had a terrific presence in Canada for the Vancouver Showcase. You almost blew the roof off the Barn when we beat Nebraska and Iowa. Single-digit degree weather didn't keep you out of the Barn when we played Illinois either (That's right, single digits. Wink, wink). When we needed you in the NCAA Tournament you showed up in a big way! Let's build off this year. We can't do it alone!
Go Gophers,
Richard Pitino