Pitino Gets First Big Ten Win
January 5, 2014
The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team presented coach Richard Pitino with his first Big Ten victory, a 82-79 win over Purdue, Sunday at Williams Arena.
Attendance was listed at 11,851, although the crowd was small enough to comfortably fit into Mariucci Arena next door. School was not in session and many elderly season ticket holders, in view of sub-zero temperatures, chose instead to watch the game from the comfort of their warm homes via the Big Ten Network.
The game became unnecessarily close with the Boilermakers having a chance to tie it at the final buzzer. The Gophers held seemingly firm leads in the second half only to squander their advantage. The game marked a sharp difference in coaching styles between the youthful Pitino and his wizened predecessor, Tubby Smith. As the game were down, Smith would have his players enter a phase known as the patented “Tubby stall” and protect the ball and the lead. Pitino would have none of that. He continued the free-form, let-it-all-fly style he has advocated all season, and it nearly cost him. After leading 70-58 with six-and-one-half minutes remaining, the Gophers were outscored 21-12 and were only a three-point basket away from overtime.
“For the first 35 minutes of the game, we played phenomenal basketball,” Pinino gushed after the game. “We rebounded. We played defense.”
So, what happened?
“We made mistakes” he said. “This is the Big Ten. You can’t beat yourself with communication breakdowns and taking shots we don’t allow in practice play.”
Purdue coach Matt Painter said his team was “out of rhythm” and taking quick shots for the majority of the game, until the final five minutes. “We found our rhythm then.” It was too late.
The Boilermakers did surpass their season-long scoring average of 77.7 points per game. Purdue also had held five of its last seven opponents to 42 percent shooting or lower. The Gophers ignored that and shot 52 percent from the field.
Prior to losing to Ohio State, the Boilers had posted a 10-3 nonconference mark. “Nonconference wins are fool’s gold,” grumbled Painter grumbled.
Austin Hollins led the Gophers with 18 points. “Austin is a great leader,” Pinino said. “We have great chemistry on this team. No egos.”
Purdue guard Tyrone Johnson also had 18 points. Painter spread court time between starters and six bench performers.
Andre Hollins had 17 points for Minnesota, including nine free throws. “If you continue to attack the basket, as he does, you’re going to get fouled,” the coach observed. Free throw accuracy is something Pitino emphasizes and, so far, has been successful. Tubby Smith’s teams frequently seemed unable to throw it in the ocean.
Minnesota led at the half, 42-35. A three-point basket by DeAndre Mathieu put the Gophers up 60-41 at the 11:55 mark of the second half. From there, the Boilermakers went storming back to finish within three points.
Purdue outrebounded Minnesota by 38 to 30.