University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Pitino Blog: Cleveland State Pregame Predictions
11/5/2019 10:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Well Gopher fans, it's that time of year again. So much uncertainty surrounds this Gopher Men's Basketball team. So many new faces and an unfortunate injury to Eric Curry has changed the look of this team. Can the Gophers get back to the NCAA tournament for the third time in four years? Can they ride the momentum of so many key wins at the end of last season? Will the transfers be ready to step in and contribute right away? Below the blog will try to answer the most pressing questions about Richard Pitino and his seventh Gopher men's basketball team as the season tips off tonight at the Barn.
1. Will Richard Pitino continue the trend of not wearing a tie and sticking with the business casual look like he did in the exhibition game?
Sources say his wife Jill is indifferent and could care less what he wears as long as he stops asking her.
2. Will the trend continue of a Williams Arena employee demanding Coach Pitino show an ID when he walks in, even though he's going on year 7, because they don't know who he is?
Sources say very likely.
3. Rumor has it Ava and Jack Pitino will be making it to the opening game. Will Jack keep his shirt on for the whole contest?
Smart money says no chance.
4. Will Jill Pitino be unhappy with the refs? Will she yell at them from the stands and truly feel like she's affecting the game even though she isn't?
Our intel says that Jill claimed she has changed this year but the head coach has his reservations.
5. Will Gopher fans be unhappy with the free throw shooting?
You betcha.
6. Will Pitino get a tweet claiming that the cause of their poor defense is because they wore white at home instead of gold?
Highly likely.
7. Will the shot clock malfunction at any point during the game? Will Pitino yell at Jeff Keiser?
Sources say this is a virtual lock.
8. Will radio legend Mike Grimm be unhappy with the officials?
Our insiders think this will definitely happen.
9. Will athletic director Mark Coyle be wearing dark dress pants, a blue shirt, and a tie with no sport coat?
St. Paul scuttlebutt thinks this is all but a guarantee.
10. Will the Pitino's Barnyard Pizza giveaway come back for a seventh year? Will Pitino catch his freshmen, who haven't seen the graphic of Pitino with a chef's hat on, watching the Jumbotron instead of paying attention to the coach in the huddle?
The blog thinks this will definitely happen.
So many questions! So many unknowns with this Gopher group. The names on the jerseys may change but so many things will remain the same. Haha.
In all seriousness, Gopher fans, now is such a great time to be a part of all the special things that are happening in our athletic department under the terrific leadership of Mark Coyle and President Gabel.
We have the best facilities in the country. It's not even close. Gopher Football is off to a historic start and has a huge one Saturday. Women's basketball is ranked 23rd and eager to build off of a terrific first year under Lindsay Whalen. Volleyball is off to another great start and currently ranked sixth in the nation. Brad Frost has his women's hockey team back at number 1 in the polls. Bob Motzko is building something special with his young Gopher Hockey team.
We have an extremely challenging first few games. Probably the toughest we have had since I have been here! We are young but we are hungry. The new guys have to be ready right away. Cleveland State will provide a lot of challenges because they have a new, first year head coach and we have no film on them from this season. We have to be ready to adapt. This group has been a lot of fun to coach. The incredible journey starts now and I'm honored to be a part of it.
Go Gophers!
Richard Pitino
1. Will Richard Pitino continue the trend of not wearing a tie and sticking with the business casual look like he did in the exhibition game?
Sources say his wife Jill is indifferent and could care less what he wears as long as he stops asking her.
2. Will the trend continue of a Williams Arena employee demanding Coach Pitino show an ID when he walks in, even though he's going on year 7, because they don't know who he is?
Sources say very likely.
3. Rumor has it Ava and Jack Pitino will be making it to the opening game. Will Jack keep his shirt on for the whole contest?
Smart money says no chance.
4. Will Jill Pitino be unhappy with the refs? Will she yell at them from the stands and truly feel like she's affecting the game even though she isn't?
Our intel says that Jill claimed she has changed this year but the head coach has his reservations.
5. Will Gopher fans be unhappy with the free throw shooting?
You betcha.
6. Will Pitino get a tweet claiming that the cause of their poor defense is because they wore white at home instead of gold?
Highly likely.
7. Will the shot clock malfunction at any point during the game? Will Pitino yell at Jeff Keiser?
Sources say this is a virtual lock.
8. Will radio legend Mike Grimm be unhappy with the officials?
Our insiders think this will definitely happen.
9. Will athletic director Mark Coyle be wearing dark dress pants, a blue shirt, and a tie with no sport coat?
St. Paul scuttlebutt thinks this is all but a guarantee.
10. Will the Pitino's Barnyard Pizza giveaway come back for a seventh year? Will Pitino catch his freshmen, who haven't seen the graphic of Pitino with a chef's hat on, watching the Jumbotron instead of paying attention to the coach in the huddle?
The blog thinks this will definitely happen.
So many questions! So many unknowns with this Gopher group. The names on the jerseys may change but so many things will remain the same. Haha.
In all seriousness, Gopher fans, now is such a great time to be a part of all the special things that are happening in our athletic department under the terrific leadership of Mark Coyle and President Gabel.
We have the best facilities in the country. It's not even close. Gopher Football is off to a historic start and has a huge one Saturday. Women's basketball is ranked 23rd and eager to build off of a terrific first year under Lindsay Whalen. Volleyball is off to another great start and currently ranked sixth in the nation. Brad Frost has his women's hockey team back at number 1 in the polls. Bob Motzko is building something special with his young Gopher Hockey team.
We have an extremely challenging first few games. Probably the toughest we have had since I have been here! We are young but we are hungry. The new guys have to be ready right away. Cleveland State will provide a lot of challenges because they have a new, first year head coach and we have no film on them from this season. We have to be ready to adapt. This group has been a lot of fun to coach. The incredible journey starts now and I'm honored to be a part of it.
Go Gophers!
Richard Pitino
Follow Minnesota Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball Tickets
Experience the excitement and tradition connecting generations of Gopher fans! Create memories for a lifetime with your friends and family while you root for your Golden Gophers. Get Tickets
Support Men's Basketball
Support the University of Minnesota Men's Basketball program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
Cade Tyson's 38 Point Performance
Tuesday, December 16
Highlights: Gophers 89, TX Southern 53
Sunday, December 14
Highlights: Gophers 57, Purdue 85
Wednesday, December 10
Gopher Round Table: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, December 10