University of Minnesota Athletics
Pitino Blog: April Update
4/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 6, 2016
Good morning Gopher fans!
It has been a while since my last blog. I apologize for the hiatus. I look forward to updating our fans more this offseason. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Mike Lukashewich and Joey King on earning academic All-Big Ten honors. They are both the epitome of what a student athlete is all about. We are currently trying to get Joey an overseas contract. I know he would be a valuable asset for any team. I tried to convince him to stay and be a graduate assistant but he thinks we need a break! Haha.
Last season is certainly one that we would like to learn from and move past. We took a step backwards and that can't happen again. I felt like we would end the season strong after the Maryland game. We were starting to play well and finally broke through. Unfortunately, we had to make some tough program decisions and it was just too challenging to compete with a limited roster. All of our guys will learn from this and get better from it. They made mistakes and paid the price. It's time to move forward. Our culture is the most important thing we have in this program!
On the court a lot of our young guys got valuable minutes in pressure situations that most freshman and sophomores don't get early in their careers. Much like the Timberwolves, I think our guys will take a major step forward next season.
Thank you to all the Gopher fans who have continued to stay loyal and support us. I know this season wasn't easy on any of us. We don't take your support lightly. Everyone in our program knows there are much brighter days ahead but talk is cheap. We have to show it on the court.
We are currently working on completing our nonconference schedule for next year. We believe we will be on the road for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and playing in the Gavitt Games against a Big East team. We have a verbal agreement from another Power 5 team to start a series at our place. We will announce that very soon when it's official.
Next year's roster should be our deepest, most talented team since we have been here. We will make a HUGE jump. The biggest difference will be our length. We could potentially have lineups on the court that consist of 6'2, 6'7, 6'8, 6'8, and 6'10. That is the type of size you need to compete in the Big Ten. Obviously that will help improve our defense and rebounding. Below I will introduce our incoming freshman as well as break down what I feel our returning players need to work on in the offseason.
Michael Hurt - Had a very good senior year. Was a finalist for Mr. Basketball. He is extremely skilled and has a versatile skill set. Knows how to play and creates matchup problems. He could separate himself as one of the better perimeter shooters on the team. Would love to see him put on 10 pounds this summer. I have zero doubt about his work ethic. Very excited about what he can bring and become.
Eric Curry - Versatile forward who was out for the end of the season with an injury. He's healthy now and his future is bright! Love his size and skill level. Much like Murph this year, Eric has outstanding potential. Love his ability to impact the game on both ends. I can't wait for him to be a Gopher.
Amir Coffey - Phenomenal passer at 6'7. I am very excited about running offense with him on the court because he can see over the defense. I would also like to see him put on some weight in the offseason. Congrats to Amir on winning the state title as well as Mr. Basketball and being selected for the Jordan game. All great accomplishments!
Charles Buggs - Has been out of post season workouts with an injury to his arm. We don't believe it's anything serious. Big offseason for Charles. Has to live in the gym and learn to love the game. Can become a very good leader.
Reggie Lynch - Is out of the sling after shoulder surgery. He has been doing some workouts on the court with Ben Felz with his left hand. I expect him to be a difference maker. Was first team all-conference in a very good league his sophomore year. Only playing 21 minutes per game at Illinois State concerns me. We have to make sure we address his conditioning and foul trouble early so that he can be on the court. He has great hands and can block shots. If he wants to play at the next level he has to get double digit rebounds. Reggie is in the right conference to prove he can do it!
Davonte Fitzgerald - The biggest gym rat on the team. Comes in every night and gets shots up. Was on his way to a very promising sophomore season at Texas A&M but unfortunately his injury slowed him down a bit. He's healthy and looks great. Davonte is the ultimate wild card on our team in my opinion. He does a lot of things that can wow you. He has to work on his shot selection and passing. He can play both the 3 and the 4 for us next season. Tremendous kid! Can also be a great leader.
Nate Mason - Had a solid sophomore campaign. Need him to become elite his junior year. He has the respect of everyone in our league. My hope is he becomes a knockdown shooter. He has to live in the gym this summer. Would like him to lose at least 5 pounds to improve his quickness. Huge offseason for Nate!
Bakary Konaté - Has to take the next step this summer. We will continue to work with his hands as well as lower body strength. He tends to get knocked off balance on the block. I would love to see him block more shots. A lot of that has to do with timing. BK is a special kid. He wants to be great!
Gaston Diedhiou - Hard worker! Just needs more consistent reps on the court. Has to improve his left hand around the basket.
Dupree McBrayer - If there is one guy on our team that I feel is extremely serious about taking a huge next step his sophomore year it's Dupree. He has that look in his eye. Has put on ten pounds and has been living in the gym. I have always felt Dupree has great potential. He has to become a knockdown shooter. He weighs 181, needs to get to 190.
Ahmad Gilbert - JR needs to continue to work on his speed in the offseason as well as improve his outside shooting. I love the enthusiasm and spirit he played with this year. He has a high release on his shot so that can be tough to guard. Needs to shoot less of a set shot.
Jordan Murphy - Obviously had a very good freshman season. What excites me about Jordan is that he's just scratching the surface! Would love to see him work on his perimeter jump shot as well as improve his low post moves. He has to be quicker with his moves and tighter with his dribble so that he can't be trapped. We will miss the pick and pop dimension with Joey gone. Need Murph to develop that. I expect him to have a huge sophomore season. Has all the intangibles on and off the court. Special player and special kid. He wants to be great at every facet of life. Leader!
Stephon Sharp - If there was anything positive to take out of the end of the year it was Steph. I love seeing guys who jump at an opportunity and take advantage of it. He will have plenty of opportunities next season to get minutes. Has to improve his three point shot. Love his desire and will.
Darin Haugh - Got good experience at the end of the year. Needs to improve his perimeter shooting. Awesome kid. I value his opinion.
Mike Lukashewich - Also needs to improve his perimeter shooting and ballhandling. Phenomenal kid and obviously a great student.
I know it seems like we are going through difficult times. We are a lot closer than people think. We will break through very soon. We have to stay positive and stick together. It was just a few years ago Villanova endured a tough season and look at them now. People will doubt us and say we can't win. They will be extremely critical of me. It's quite alright. I deserve it. It's my responsibility to turn this around. Nobody else. The only way to get to where we are going is to do it together. It takes everyone being on board to win the way we all want to win. The support of everyone in this state is what drives us. We want to make our fans proud. Our players and coaching staff want this bad. We will get there!
Go Gophers!
Richard Pitino
Follow Coach Pitino on Twitter (@MNCoachPitino)
