SEC Tournament Thread: Semis

[KentuckyWild2020]

I think everyone would believe Pitino would have built a Coach K type legacy at UK (assuming no Sypher+NCAA*2 type issues).

But he didn't. I don't think being fired by UofL should be waved aside either. Through his actions (or inactions if you're going that route) UofL is technically down a NC and FF.

So we're talking about raw "coaching ability" vs. "success" - I believe those have different meanings here.

He has both and it's elite

[KentuckyWild2020]

Meh, no one doubting he's a great coach. I'm just curious at the "greatest ever" and which/what metric(s).

Take the St. Johns argument - no disputing he's done great this year - but to tie it to St. Johns records the past 20 years is more of a knock on admins. inability to hire a decent coach. Also, lets see how he does in the tourney. FF and I might jump on the bandwagon.

To discount Coach Ks and Woodens accomplishments because they did it all at one school means we should discount Rupps accomplishments as well. Its a strange argument to me.

Wooden will always be tainted as pay to play

[justafan]

Wooden will always be tainted as pay to play

So, again, what metric are we using? Pitino will always be tainted by the vacated NC and FF.

Its super easy to pick and choose 1 or 2 things for or against a coach. Its harder to point to everything for one person.

[KentuckyWild2020]

We don’t even have the best coach in the SEC. Not even close. May not even have the best coach in the state.

BUT what you hope for as a Kentucky fan is that Pope goes through here, improves, gets great players…and we can look at things in 2035 and say we did have one of the sport’s best.

Pope is at the beginning of something here. Guys like Pitino are at the end.

Without a doubt.

Pitino is probably closer to being done for good who knows?

I can see him mentoring and counseling Pope on the side at Kentucky.

To me this is Pitino's middle finger in the air blank you tour to prove those who doubted and kicked him to the curve.

If you know anything about him, he's a fierce competitor, actually that's a under statement..

[KentuckyWild2020]

So, again, what metric are we using? Pitino will always be tainted by the vacated NC and FF.

Its super easy to pick and choose 1 or 2 things for or against a coach. Its harder to point to everything for one person.

For one, he innovated the game in the 90's.

Do you know how many teams tried to mimic Pitino's Kentucky style of play in the 90's and 2000's era?

Do you think Tubby Smith or Donavon wins titles without it?

Even before the UL scandal, just like at Kentucky, key injuries hurt him at UL.


It don't matter, St. Johns may lose in the 1st round, who knows?

All I know is if he's the coach of your team on the sidelines, you feel and believe you can beat anyone no matter what the odds are.

[justafan]

It’s close with Coach K but what he’s done this season with a program that has been in the college basketball wilderness for decades drives it home for me. Best ever.

It has been in the wilderness for decades, and Pitino has done a great job. I’m playing devils advocate here. The Big East is arguable down (not as much as the ACC) this year. Pitino got an infusion of NIL money, so he’s not playing with scraps.

St. John’s is a storied program, 9th in all-time wins.

What he did at UK and Providence is impressive.

It took him 11 years to win a NC at UofL, which was vacated. He left that program in shambles that only this year might start recovering.

Anyway, great coach, huge achievements, wins lots of games, but I think anyone on this site might have a bit of bias when it comes to labeling him GOAT.

[KentuckyWild2020]

It has been in the wilderness for decades, and Pitino has done a great job. I’m playing devils advocate here. The Big East is arguable down (not as much as the ACC) this year. Pitino got an infusion of NIL money, so he’s not playing with scraps.

St. John’s is a storied program, 9th in all-time wins.

What he did at UK and Providence is impressive.

It took him 11 years to win a NC at UofL, which was vacated. He left that program in shambles that only this year might start recovering.

Anyway, great coach, huge achievements, wins lots of games, but I think anyone on this site might have a bit of bias when it comes to labeling him GOAT.

I can respect that.

Funny you mention Devils advocate. Like the movie Devils Advocate with Al Pacino, Pitino is the one with his hand up Mona Lisa's dress 😆 🤣

Sorry not sorry but that line was funny if you ever saw the movie.

[Catsrock]

It has been in the wilderness for decades, and Pitino has done a great job. I’m playing devils advocate here. The Big East is arguable down (not as much as the ACC) this year. Pitino got an infusion of NIL money, so he’s not playing with scraps.

St. John’s is a storied program, 9th in all-time wins.

What he did at UK and Providence is impressive.

It took him 11 years to win a NC at UofL, which was vacated. He left that program in shambles that only this year might start recovering.

Anyway, great coach, huge achievements, wins lots of games, but I think anyone on this site might have a bit of bias when it comes to labeling him GOAT.

Just throwing this in—I noticed during the ACC championship game last night that in the eyes of the crew doing that game that the 2013 championship did indeed happen. Said UL had 3 titles and never mentioned any vacates. 🤣

[justafan]

Just throwing this in—I noticed during the ACC championship game last night that in the eyes of the crew doing that game that the 2013 championship did indeed happen. Said UL had 3 titles and never mentioned any vacates. 🤣

It seems half and half to me that I’ll hear it treated as counting. No one is afraid of the NCAA anymore.

In my eyes, as the coach, he gets credit for winning it, 100%. Unfortunately the school and the fans have to live with the *.

That’s part of his “GOAT” legacy and can not be ignored. “On paper/records” he had 1 FF in 16 years there.

As someone that grew up in Louisville, and roots for them when not playing UK, as a fan, he gets all the blame for what he did to that program. If it was still on the table (it’s not) UofL would’ve gotten the death penalty.

He still almost destroyed it and we’ll see if Kelsey 1) sticks around and 2) continues to build on success from this year.