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By demonizing pleasure, we set ourselves up for unfulfilling sex lives.
Opinion: Let’s talk about sex
Published March 27, 2024

Richard Pitino joins the blogosphere

Richard Pitino is officially a blogger.

The Gophers basketball coach released his first blog post since becoming head coach in April Tuesday.

Pitino answered a few of the questions he seems to be asked everywhere he goes, such as what's surprised him most since taking the job, if it's possible to play fast in the Big Ten and the best piece of advice he received while working under his father, Rick Pitino, and Billy Donovan.

But perhaps the more interesting part of the post was after the mini Q and A section, where Pitino wrote his "personnel update", where he talked about what he's seen from every player on the roster through four team practices.

Here are just a few interesting tidbits I took out of it:

-Pitino said Maverick Ahanmisi, who averaged just 3.3 points per game in 10.5 minutes last season, "Has the potential to be our leader." Pitino said Ahanmisi has the ability to make shots [evidenced by his 39% shooting from beyond the arc last season] and play multiple positions for the Gophers.

-Pitino said transfer Malik Smith, who played for him last season at Florida International, is playing "arguably the best basketball on the team right now," which says a lot, considering all-conference guard Andre Hollins is still around.

-Pitino said transfer Joey King "truly believes he is the best player on the court." He also said King raises the intensity in practice.

-Pitino said redshirt freshman Charles Buggs has the most potential to grow and added that Buggs will be effective in the press because of his length and athleticism, which could earn Buggs ample playing time as Pitino tries to up the Gophers' tempo.

-Pitino said Wally Ellenson reminds him of former Louisville guard/forward Kyle Kuric and says Ellenson have to continue to develop his three-point shot.

Other takeaways:

-King and Smith have filed for NCAA waivers to be eligible this season.

-Dre Mathieu is still in summer school at home and isn't practicing with the team.

-Mo Walker has now lost 45 pounds this summer.

Pitino said he wanted to share updates and his thoughts on the program "periodically," so it's fair to assume there will be a few more blogs to come.

 

 

 

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