Anyone think the reception we gave him at the beginning of the season had anything to do with him finding the fountain of youth this year?
Pitino's renaissance
- Thread starter FurdTerguson
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Not sure about that. Maybe. I'm glad to see it actually.
However, after taking the UofL job, if you told me that he would one day be greeted with a partial standing ovation at Rupp Arena, I would've laughed in your face. By going to Louisville, he did the the worst thing possible if you're a UK fan.
It's proof that time really can heal all wounds. But I'm not so easy to forgive. I suppose I need to work on that.
Sorry, didn't mean to hack the post.
However, after taking the UofL job, if you told me that he would one day be greeted with a partial standing ovation at Rupp Arena, I would've laughed in your face. By going to Louisville, he did the the worst thing possible if you're a UK fan.
It's proof that time really can heal all wounds. But I'm not so easy to forgive. I suppose I need to work on that.
Sorry, didn't mean to hack the post.
The thing is, Pitino never did anything bad to the program. It's been a loooong time now, and yeah, he coached for our hated rival. Still, he seems to honestly wish he had never left Kentucky and at least he didn't trash our program for 5 years just to feed his own ego, and he didn't take our entire team with him when he left. I hope Cal loses every game he coaches for the rest of his life.
No. It’s just Pitino doing what he does.
History shows that Pitino can’t be kept down. When it looked like his career was over and he was forced to go overseas, he ended up having smashing success there winning Greek championships. Just as he succeeded when forced to start over at an ill-funded little mid-major like Iona.
He was gonna make this St. John’s thing succeed no matter what. We didn’t have anything to do with it.
Coach Pitino is a serious candidate for National Coach of the year. I’ve seen several reporters mention this. Here’s an example.
His contemporaries couldn't adapt, so they retired. Pitino adapted and has St. John's in the top 10. Anybody that beats UConn in the Big East is a friend of mine.
Pitino brought most of the strife on himself, he was a real piece of work while he was here and it was like ky wasn’t good enough for him or his wife at the time. But then he took that one job you couldn’t, the tards…..I mean what did he think bbn would think, you really think K or dean would have taken unc or duke at any point in their career?? Not a chance but Pitino did knowing how much we hate them so yeah I’m glad he’s humbled himself but let’s not forget he brought almost all of it on himself.
Just of random thoughts on Pitino
He was way ahead of the game at Providence by embracing the 3-point shot. Delray Brooks and Billy D on the team. Staff had Stu Jackson, Herb Sendek, and Jeff Van Gundy.
What he did for UK fans while coaching here is close to a miracle. He immediately gave us a hustling team that was fun to watch, and the wins went up steeply from there.
Leaving us for the Celtics hurt, but it was understandable. I am sure there was some "ego" that he could turn the C's back into the 60s-70s C's
I got no clue how he didn't realize going to UL would burn all bridges with UK people. That bridge is being re-built on the hiring of Mark Pope. 12 months ago, Pitino was still an outcast on this board.
Pitino has an eye for talent that is rare. He sees things in players and how that would fit into his plan. His teams are also in incredible condition.
Pitino is never going to win Sainthood, Man of the year, Husband of the year etc. His mistakes are out there for all to see.
If I had to pick and coach to create a team and compete to win a championship.... I am not sure anyone coaching today would be higher on the list than him. (good, bad or ugly)
I honestly believe if Pitino had stayed at UK and kept his private life private, he would be the Nick Saben of college basketball and not Coach K. I think he knows this as well, and it eats at him.
He was way ahead of the game at Providence by embracing the 3-point shot. Delray Brooks and Billy D on the team. Staff had Stu Jackson, Herb Sendek, and Jeff Van Gundy.
What he did for UK fans while coaching here is close to a miracle. He immediately gave us a hustling team that was fun to watch, and the wins went up steeply from there.
Leaving us for the Celtics hurt, but it was understandable. I am sure there was some "ego" that he could turn the C's back into the 60s-70s C's
I got no clue how he didn't realize going to UL would burn all bridges with UK people. That bridge is being re-built on the hiring of Mark Pope. 12 months ago, Pitino was still an outcast on this board.
Pitino has an eye for talent that is rare. He sees things in players and how that would fit into his plan. His teams are also in incredible condition.
Pitino is never going to win Sainthood, Man of the year, Husband of the year etc. His mistakes are out there for all to see.
If I had to pick and coach to create a team and compete to win a championship.... I am not sure anyone coaching today would be higher on the list than him. (good, bad or ugly)
I honestly believe if Pitino had stayed at UK and kept his private life private, he would be the Nick Saben of college basketball and not Coach K. I think he knows this as well, and it eats at him.
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Watched the St Johns and UConn game and St Johns plays in your face defense
I like the National coach of the year for Pitino but Pope deserves it probably more... Pope put together a team from scratch didn't return anyone but a walk on and has beat more ranked teams in a season (7) than anyone ever has at UK ( and the season isn't even over yet). This is at a UK where we have had so many magnificent seasons which makes this feat that much more IMPRESSIVE!
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he at least started with a roster—mark pope started with zero—don’t know how he can’t be a top contender
Yep if he had stayed no doubt we would've passed UCLA in Championships and Pitino would've been the all time wins leaders amongst coaches!
Pitino is my favorite UK coach. His style of play fit UK. Loved the press, loved the 3-point shooting, Brought Kentucky back from its darkest moment very fast. Came off probation and went directly to the elite 8. Took the defending national champions on their way to a repeat to the utter brink in the most iconic game ever played in college basketball. Played in the greatest conference rivalry I've ever seen UK involved in with those games' vs Nolan Richardson and Arkansas. Those 2 teams by the way in a 5-year span won 3 National titles and 2 national runner ups. Put together the most talented UK team of all time in 1996 and was an overtime loss away from a 3-peat with the players he brought to UK 1996 thru 1998 even though Tubby coached 1998.
I really like Mark Pope and my hope is he can return UK to that kind of greatness.
I really like Mark Pope and my hope is he can return UK to that kind of greatness.
Simple explanation.
The UK fanbase collectively removed the curse when he showed up to welcome Pope.
The UK fanbase collectively removed the curse when he showed up to welcome Pope.
This. Throw in nil and it just accelerated what he does. They'll be a tough out. Dread when we probably have to play them.
