[quote="Class of 72" post=384096][quote="Monte" post=384004][quote="Class of 72" post=383995][quote="Monte" post=383977]As I said before, Pitino did not go to Iona to have Cluess type of success. His goal is to get Iona to be a top 25 team, and quickly. He’s off to a fast start.[/quote]
I stopped following anything IONA ever since Mrs. 72's nephew got expelled a few years ago. So, other than the name "Pitino", what makes you think that a MAAC school without 4 and 5 star players, playing a MAAC schedule could become a top 25 team by the time Slick Rick turns 70? Also, can anyone explain why or how he is off to a fast start? What impact player has he signed? The MSG experience can turn into a nationally televised embarrassment. Finally, forget his $10 million buyout. There is not another major Power conference that will employ him. He wanted to get back into the NY market with an eye on the ever revolving NY Knicks job that will pay him millions. I know Iona, their campus, their "gym". Pitino is not getting Kentucky talent there without major under the table deals that would destroy a fragile program like Iona. That said, they made their bed so let's see how many college basketball fans who are not Iona grads actually attend MSG games in the age of COVID-19.[/quote]
Pitino will only need Kentucky level talent if he’s hoping to have a Kentucky level program, and that ain’t what I said nor what is happening. I said that he didn’t come to Iona to have Cluess level success, he came to Iona to get them to be a top 25 level program. I don’t know much about the kids he’s gotten so far, but i think you’re gravely mistaken if you don’t think that he’s going to grab some really talented kids. I also think you’re mistaken if you don’t think he can get Iona to a top 25 level within a few years. Time will tell. FWIW I’m still happy we have CMA here.[/quote]
First of all you are making a long term prediction that Rick Pitino will still be at Iona once he hits his stride in the MAAC. He would be 70 after year two at Iona. Rick is a self serving conniving opportunist. Providence was a lifetime ago but he barely stayed there two seasons before jumping for a bigger paycheck. Louisville and Kentucky are bitter rivals but he had no problem leaving one for the other. Rick has always followed the money and I suspect, and this is just a conjecture on my part, is that given the New York Knicks history with coaches, that Rick Pitino will be in the conversation within the next couple of years if he has ANY level of success at Iona.
Finally, what makes you think that he can improve on the incredible record of success that coach Cluess has had???
Under Cluess Iona was in the MAAC tournament championship final in the past 7 years before being forced into retirement. Iona won the last 5 MAAC championships. SMH.
As for recruiting, Kentucky and Louisville, regardless of coach, attract 4 and 5 star talent every single season. That was the easiest part of his job at those schools. He certainly can, on reputation alone, attract 3 and 4 star talent but if he is lucky and stays, he can only replicate Cluess but that will not satisfy him long term.[/quote]
Just curious, what makes you think Rick is a self serving conniving opportunist?
