FT’s matta

[Scoop Snoop]

I have one gripe with TK, quit the whining to the refs and get back on defense. Other than that, he is the best player on a very good team and one of the best PG in the country. He has run one of the most beautiful offenses that I have ever seen at MU for 1.5 years and has made it look easy. When this offense is humming it is a true joy to watch, imo.

I was thinking last night, there definitely are a lot more fans watching the games closer, and everyone has an opinion. I do not know nearly enough to break down this team on every possession of every game, but do not enough to know that their good play is really, really good. I hope they continue to do exactly what they are doing and hopefully the shots start to fall on a more regular basis.

Agree, and you are spot on regarding bitching to the refs. Let's give SJ credit for their defense under and near the basket. How many of our shots there got blocked or tipped? And their double teaming a shooter, with one defender elevating early and the other a moment later, was brilliant.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

And, despite willie's desire to judge him based on his actions in an Italian restaurant, Pitino could always flat out coach. I'm sure St. John's will be making regular tournament appearances as long as he wants to be there.

[Dr. Blackheart]

And, despite willie's desire to judge him based on his actions in an Italian restaurant, Pitino could always flat out coach. I'm sure St. John's will be making regular tournament appearances as long as he wants to be there.

One not need look further than the SJU game when Pitino was out to this one.

[MU82]

Pitino:  'Stockton and Malone'.

Of course the bitter will say they never won anything.

Although losing the championship game would be frustrating, I have a feeling most MU fans would consider an appearance in the national title game to be a successful season for our Stockton and Malone.

[brewcity77]

Yeah this is one of those times where people are wearing rose colored glasses on what he did last year, and are disappointed when he isn't performing to THEIR expectations versus what he actually accomplished.

One other thing with Kolek, he wasn't the Big East Player of the Year at this point of last season. It was clearly Bryce Hopkins. Through the UConn game on January 15, Kolek was averaging just 9.0 ppg. He scored in single digits in 5/7 Big East games and reached double-digits in just 5 of the first 18 games. From mid-January on was when he went nuclear, scoring in double figures 19/20 games en route to the BEPOY and BETMOP. His All-American campaign was pretty much all based on what he did in the back half of the season. If he does anything close to that this year, he'll be back to BEPOY and first team AA by March, especially considering the massive improvement in assist rate he's had in conference play.

[rocket surgeon]

  the term "choke" is a tough description.  does that mean that because said person always/usually comes through, they should ALWAYS come through?  or is miss at a crucial time always a "choke"?  what about an unsung player missing a crucial shot?  does the shot have to be from a certain range?  free throw distance in, contested or uncontested? 

as for tk's missed free throws-i'm wondering if he's hurt?  his shooting has been off in general.  is that being extended to his free throws as well?  it seems he has a few more turnovers than last year.  throwing the ball away, errant passes etc.  not sure what's happening there.  thus all the ??

BUT, choke? 

the players need to see the ball go in the hole a little bit more.  and so do we for that matter, but did ya'll notice no one wanted to take an outside shot in the last 10 minutes of the first half?  their confidence was gone

choke is a term used for people who we expect to perform and succeed and when they don't, we need to vent-no disrespect judge, but i just thought i'd try to clarify from my pov anyway

[Goose]

Rick Pitino is the gold standard of coaching in my book. I am simply talking about his coaching abilities and nothing more. I would take him over every coach since I started watching basketball, with a possible exception of Bobby Knight.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

For this day and age he is well better than Knight.

[Goose]

Sultan

For today's game, no doubt. He is a special coach.

[WarriorFan]

Rick Pitino is the gold standard of coaching in my book. I am simply talking about his coaching abilities and nothing more. I would take him over every coach since I started watching basketball, with a possible exception of Bobby Knight.

Agree completely if you add the "in the game today".  The best combination of recruiter, motivator, game coach, etc.  He had very little time to pull together this roster and they are quite good.  By this time next year, I expect him to have NBA level talent and to pull them together exceptionally well. 

[Herman Cain]

Rick Pitino is the gold standard of coaching in my book. I am simply talking about his coaching abilities and nothing more. I would take him over every coach since I started watching basketball, with a possible exception of Bobby Knight.

Wining in The Garden ,against Pitino ,on Broadcast TV  and nail biter to the end is  an excellent achievement .

[MU82]

One other thing with Kolek, he wasn't the Big East Player of the Year at this point of last season. It was clearly Bryce Hopkins. Through the UConn game on January 15, Kolek was averaging just 9.0 ppg. He scored in single digits in 5/7 Big East games and reached double-digits in just 5 of the first 18 games. From mid-January on was when he went nuclear, scoring in double figures 19/20 games en route to the BEPOY and BETMOP. His All-American campaign was pretty much all based on what he did in the back half of the season. If he does anything close to that this year, he'll be back to BEPOY and first team AA by March, especially considering the massive improvement in assist rate he's had in conference play.

Superb point.