University of Minnesota Athletics
Pitino Blog: Post-Season
4/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Good evening Gopher Fans,
First off I would like to say thank you for your tremendous support this season. We couldn't have done some of the unbelievable things we did without you. It truly was a terrific season and one to be proud of. Next year should be a special one so make sure you buy your season tickets now! Let's continue to make the Barn one of the toughest places to play in the country.
I always felt like going into the season last year that we would turn the corner but didn't dream that it would be that good. In today's sports climate, especially in college athletics, it's very hard to predict how young people will respond to difficult situations. No matter how negative and bleak it looked before the season, the guys in our locker room took ownership and believed. This was probably what I am most proud of as a coach. There weren't a bunch of transfers or a big staff shakeup. It was all about everyone staying the course and believing it would all work out. Nobody ran away from the challenge. We accepted it and fought through it together. Trust me - that was easier said than done!
We were dealt some more adversity when Davonte Fitzgerald went down with a torn ACL at the beginning of the season. With five new faces it was vital that all of the returners made an impact on the court and in the locker room. They certainly did that! Below I will evaluate where I think each guy can improve this offseason. This is an extremely fun time to be a Gopher fan. Beautiful, state of the art facilities are popping up right in front of our eyes. These will impact our basketball program tremendously on a daily basis as well as in recruiting. Expectations will be sky high going into next season. That's a great thing! We will embrace the terrific opportunity and continue to stay humble in the process.
• Eric Curry - Had a good freshman campaign with some terrific moments. He can make a huge jump. Has to live in the gym this summer. Has a chance to be a special one!
• Michael Hurt - Played spot minutes and that can always be difficult. Huge offseason for Michael. I know he will put in the work on the court and in the weight room. Smart player, great attitude!
• Amir Coffey - Obviously had a terrific freshman year and what excites me is how much room he has to grow. Have to work on his right hand as well as shooting more of a jump shot then a set shot. I want him to start dreaming big because he's a special talent.
• Brady Rudrud - Better player than people realize. Need to find some minutes for Brady because he's a good player. Can play the 1 and 2.
• Jordan Murphy - Obviously had a monstrous end of the season and was a huge reason why we won 8 league games in a row. Has to ride that momentum into a huge offseason. I know he's excited to get to work to continue to develop his all-around game. When his mentality is right, look out. Sometimes forget he's only a sophomore! He showed terrific leadership this season. On the verge of becoming a special player.
• Dupree McBrayer - Really improved from year 1 to year 2. If he gets to 200 pounds he could be a legit force in this league. Has to live in the weight room! He was more consistent with his jumper and really good at getting to the rim. Still a young sophomore but his stock is rising big time.
• Ahmad Gilbert - Still working out with our guys. Have to find him the right spot to be successful. Great kid!
• Nate Mason - Had a good chat with Nate today about where he can take the next step. He had a terrific junior year and was a huge reason for our success. He still hasn't been able to work out since his injury in the Middle Tennessee game. Has to develop a consistent catch and shoot jumper as well as slim down which will help his foot speed. I'm proud of Nate. I know he's ready to get back on the court.
• Bakary Konaté - Big offseason for BK. Has to improve his balance as well as his offensive game. I know he will live in the gym.
• Davonte Fitzgerald - When healthy he shows flashes of being our best player. There were times last year that he blocked just as many shots as Reggie. He's getting healthy and working hard in his rehab. Will look at him at the 3 and the 4 next season. Great versatility!
• Gaston Diedhiou - Obviously didn't see a lot of time last season. I really appreciate his attitude. Has to work on his offensive game and his left hand.
• Reggie Lynch - Huge offseason for Reggie! Has to be committed to living in the gym and working on his offensive game down low. His shot blocking ability may be the best in the country. Has to get better at defending without fouling. Really productive when he's on the court.
• Stephon Sharp - Great teammate and member of the program. Needs to develop a more consistent perimeter jumper. Love his ability to get to the rim.
• Akeem Springs - Him getting hurt in the Michigan State game was a huge blow to our team. You hate making excuses but we were a much different basketball team when he went down. I am working on keeping him around this season. He would be a valuable asset to our team and especially in our locker room. His leadership was infectious.
• Darin Haugh - Spoke with Darin recently about what he wants to do in the real world. Want to make sure he ends up at a great spot!
• Jarvis Johnson - Although Jarvis doesn't play he still remains a vital membership of our team and I am grateful he is a part of our program.
Hope that was helpful Gopher fans. We did some great things with one of the youngest teams in the country last season. We are proud of all the accomplishments but we close the chapter to that book and look forward to what lies ahead. Jamir Harris, Isaiah Washington, and Davonte Fitzgerald will all be great additions. Thanks again for being a part of such a special season. Although we came up short in the NCAA tournament we must remember all the great things we did as well. Eight Big Ten wins in a row, a top-four conference finish, a double-bye in the conference tournament, five Big Ten road wins, a 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, and 23 regular season wins are all pretty impressive!
I told our guys after the season that our mentality has to be the same going into next season. People will pick us high in the Big Ten. That is no different than being picked 13th like most had us this year. None of it matters! Our play is what will do the talking. If we continue to stay humble and hungry this group can be special. See you guys in the Barn soon!
Go Gophers!
Richard Pitino
