Basketball optimists are touting that Pitino will play freshmen more than he wants to...

[zipp]

But what does that statement also say? It might say that it's the same guy at the top who doesn't really want to play freshmen. That's a little closer to the reality I think we will experience--unless you have evidence of Pitino saying otherwise or having suffered a blow to the head during his '65' basketball tournament.

It doesn't say we have a guy who's changing his recruiting and coaching philosophy, or that he's embracing OAD kids. He could just as easily--more likely IMO--just be a coach who had a surprising, last-second shot at a OAD kid, and even more surprisingly was able to land him. Nothing more.

I don't like to temper optimism. I do like like to dispel delusions...

 

[SoulSr]

Why is everyone making this so complicated?

CRP will play the best players available which means a talented Freshman can get a starting job or a lot of playing time. He will have to Earn it in practice. It isn't easy especially learning all the defense schemes which is something the AAU stars spend zero time developing. Plus UofL has some good experienced players telling the new comers to "Bring it". Daily competition brings the cream to the top, so the returning players have to also EARN it in practice. That is the great thing about sports.

Go CARDS!

 

[zipp]

SS, the simple answer to your question is because it's fun to dream.

For reasons that escape me, some in our fanbase long to be in the recruiting derby with LPT for five star kids. And they know the only way for that to happen is for Pitino to change. He can't be the same defensive-oriented, break-the-kid-down-and-rebuild-him coach and get the attention of OAD kids.

So, the delusion and despite evidence to the contrary is that Pitino is somehow morphing. A small segment of our fanbase wants that to happen along with the results that come, more OAD kids...

 

[ULGrad09]

This year a great deal of team minutes will have to go to freshman. The most I can recall from a freshman class, even if none of the freshman end up being in the starting 5.

The backups will nearly all be freshman, leaving RP with the only option. Playing freshman.

Position Outlook:
Snider -> Perry (my favorite of the bunch)/McMahon
Adel -> Perry/Bowen
King -> Bowen/Nwora/Sutton
Ray -> Nwora/Williams/Thomas
Anas -> Williams/Thomas

The point is that this season will force RP to play freshman a significant amount, whereas in years past this has not been the case as we could play soph/juniors 2 deep in each position.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I can see both sides of the coin. I'm taking a wait and see approach.

I'm sure the people that assume Rick will play FR this year didn't think Rick would give Levitch King's minutes last year.

It's hard to imagine a guy at Pitino's age adjusting his philosophy.

Will the FR play? Sure. They will each get out there and feel the wrath of losing their man on the defensive end.

The team does look thin up front, but as others have pointed out there is a chance he uses Sutton as an undersized PF - and if he does, that could squeeze the FR bigs.

It is also possible that a FR or two could be ahead of the curve defensively and be staples in the rotation - we've seen it happen in the past. Perry has a D reputation.

Looking forward to it.

Maybe the FR will get to play lots while Rick is suspended and not so much while he isn't. You got to admit that would be funny!

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

SS, the simple answer to your question is because it's fun to dream.

For reasons that escape me, some in our fanbase long to be in the recruiting derby with LPT for five star kids. And they know the only way for that to happen is for Pitino to change. He can't be the same defensive-oriented, break-the-kid-down-and-rebuild-him coach and get the attention of OAD kids.

So, the delusion and despite evidence to the contrary is that Pitino is somehow morphing. A small segment of our fanbase wants that to happen along with the results that come, more OAD kids...

I think some of our posters fear the transfer.

You also have to keep in mind the loudest guys about all this are just nuts. The poster that created a Bowen is here thread! - He is the same guy that rips Rick for not taking local kids. And he's the same guy that rips Spalding, who is a local kid.

I think there is a lot of people that like being the "I told you so" types.... seeds are being planted when the inevitable losses come and the FR aren't playing.

 

[zipp]

...Will the FR play? Sure. They will each get out there and feel the wrath of losing their man on the defensive end...

And I agree... Freshmen will HAVE to play or be FORCED to play.

But that's a slight difference--simply with the same result--from Pitino WANTS to play them. And I would argue, NOT if that means they play like typical freshman in Pitino's program.

Sure, Pitino can try to change if he wants to. I'd like to hear him say that to believe it's happening. Simply assuming it is probably a fool's game...

 

[nccardfan]

I'm sorry but I am one who believes that CRP wants the best players he can possibly get. Unfortunately the kids who want to get to the NBA after one year of college don't believe that playing for Rick Pitino will make it happen ONLY because the past has told us that freshmen in his system don't play a lot. It's not that Rick says I don't want you because you're a one and done, it's I just don't believe you can learn everything I need to teach you to become a successful professional basketball player in one year. It only takes one player to change that mentality. Who knows maybe Bowen is that player and Romeo follows suite.

 

[Knucklehank1]

For a freshman to play, it comes down to 1) need and 2) toughness/defense. This year some freshmen will have to play out of need, but how much they play depends on their toughness/defense.