CBS Sports College Basketball Analyst Jon Rothstein just gave the college hoops world a full season preview of Gopher Men’s Basketball in the span of about three minutes.
Just hung up with @MNCoachPitino, who is entering his first year in the Big Ten.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
That was code for strap in, as Rothstein proceeded to pen his masterpiece in record time.
.@MNCoachPitino on Minnesota's style "We've got a way they we like to play but we have to understand that games are going to be slow too."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
.@MNCoachPitino on Andre Hollins "He's going to play 1, 2, and 3 for us."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
.@MNCoachPitino on Austin Hollins "He's been very good every single day. He's a model of consistency."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
.@MNCoachPitino on the PF spot if Joey King isn't cleared "We may go small with Austin Hollins there or play Wally Ellenson."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
.@MNCoachPitino on Maurice Walker "He showed a commitment to getting in shape. Now he has to understand the basketball aspect."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
.@MNCoachPitino on Dre Mathieu/Maverick Ahanmisi "Our PGs have to value the basketball. It's too important to turn over."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
.@MNCoachPitino on Malik Smith "Every shot he takes he thinks is going in."
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
Early prediction on Minnesota starting five — Andre Hollins, Malik Smith, Austin Hollins, Wally Ellenson, Elliott Eliason….
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 4, 2013
Wow. If you have the brain power to absorb all that information in that short of a period of time, congratulations, we’re still getting our minds around it.
We’ll try to summarize it, starting from the top.
Everyone knows Pitino and the Gophers will strive to get out and run, a style the Big Ten is not usually known for. He seems to know that it will take some on-the-fly adjustments to hurry up and wait in some of those conference games.
Sounds like Andre Hollins will be used in a very versatile role, while Pitino seems happy with shooting guard Austin Hollins as the second week of practice wraps up.
Sophomore forward Joey King played his freshman year at Drake, and is still waiting to hear from the NCAA on whether he is eligible this year. Pitino said Tuesday that King is a guy “that can make an impact right away.”
Sounds like Mo Walker, Mav Ahanmisi, and Dre Mathieu still have to fine tune the finer points of their game if they hope to be on the court much this year.
FIU transfer Malik Smith is a confident player, and the stats back up that fact, as he attempted over eight threes per game last year.
Then a projected lineup for us to chew on.
Jon Rothstein, you have outdone yourself.
