The big question is if Pitino will be able to recruit and/or keep his current recruits. A lot depends when the Penalty is started and finished. With basketball season might not even existing this year, a 15 month penalty could turn into a 2-3 year penalty.
Speaking of Iona recruiting, it appears that Pitino not only filled up the roster, he appears to be one over the limit. Yet it also appears he continues to send offers to players for the coming year. Looks like he has made an additional four offers just this week.
Has he gotten a waiver that he can have more than 13 players on scholarship?
Well guess what? He got ANOTHER 2020 commit today, a 6'7 German forward who played this past year in the U.S. Rated a three star by at least one recruiting site.
Speaking of Iona recruiting, it appears that Pitino not only filled up the roster, he appears to be one over the limit. Yet it also appears he continues to send offers to players for the coming year. Looks like he has made an additional four offers just this week.
Has he gotten a waiver that he can have more than 13 players on scholarship?
Well guess what? He got ANOTHER 2020 commit today, a 6'7 German forward who played this past year in the U.S. Rated a three star by at least one recruiting site.
Can someone explain to me the conclusion the Iona poster is coming to regarding not worrying about bigger schools rushing to take Pitino from them? Why is it not possible for Pitino to weather this for two years, then some other school without concern of Pitino's crooked past to lure him away for more exposure and money? Why would he certainly be there for at least three years?
I would guess, bigger schools taking Pitino away from Iona is always a possibility. However, by his own admission he signed a contract with Iona including an immense buy out penalty clause that could make his premature buyout financially impossible for him to swallow or for a suitor school to accept. He signed the contract because it is his intention to finish his career as the coach of the gaels making the buy out clause not significant. Well I do not buy that for nano second based on this guys history. Time will tell!
Well here's the thing. Pitino doesn't really need the money. He already has the fame. At his age, what is he concerned about. I would think his legacy.
Even after the NCAA removes the tainted wins from his record, I think he is 39th all time on the career coaching mark with 647 Wins. Three 20 win seasons at Iona would move him into the top 30 all-time. Its going to be easier to get recruits at Iona since the gaels will take anyone. It will be easier to win as the competition will be weak. I see Pitino staying for a while. For him its no longer about the money its about rolling up the wins, something he can do at Iona.
You'd think there is a bit of a redemption arc, too. If Pitino can get it done without violating the rules - it's a better last impression.
I don't think redemption would be winning 20+ games every year and winning the MAAC. I'm sure Rick believes he can do that with no effort at all.
Redemption will be taking down the big boys during the OOC and in the Big Dance. Can he do THAT without violating the rules?
Iona has been the king of the MAAC for many years, but has never really been any good at beating teams from major conferences. If Pitino wants to make his mark, he has to go beyond his predecessors.
If all Pitino does is win the MAAC, he's no better than Cluess. And you know Rick thinks he's better than everyone else. I can't imagine him feeling good riding off into the sunset just piling up wins against a league of small, private schools.
If all Pitino does is win the MAAC, he's no better than Cluess. And you know Rick thinks he's better than everyone else. I can't imagine him feeling good riding off into the sunset just piling up wins against a league of small, private schools....
Iona and MAAC basketball probably would still be better than coaching overseas or not being back in college basketball for Pitino?
Post by reindeerfan on May 10, 2020 15:24:05 GMT -5
Well we have had hundreds of threads this year, but outside of games of interest, I think this was the most responded to / talked about thread. So regardless of how we all feel the move has generated a lot of discussion and will draw a lot of attention to Iona and the conference.
Here's another thing about slick Rick - does anyone think he's already in Iona's ear about how they need to leave the MAAC for a better conference? Wouldn't shock me if he's trying to figure out how to convince the Atlantic 10 to dump Fordham and replace them with Iona instead.
the A10 has struggled with small catholic schools - LaSalle/Fordham - doubtful they'd look at another - -especially in today's environment.
Here's another thing about slick Rick - does anyone think he's already in Iona's ear about how they need to leave the MAAC for a better conference? Wouldn't shock me if he's trying to figure out how to convince the Atlantic 10 to dump Fordham and replace them with Iona instead.
the A10 has struggled with small catholic schools - LaSalle/Fordham - doubtful they'd look at another - -especially in today's environment.
The A-10 already has 14 schools. That is a lot of of schools. And probably Too many. 7 of those schools are Catholic
Dayton, St. Louis, St Bonnies, St Joes, Duquesne, Lasalle and Fordham.
I can see the A-10 splitting into 2 leagues...... The A-10 Catholic, and The A-10 Non-Catholic. Add 2-3 schools to the Catholic league and 2-3 to the Non Catholic.
the A10 has struggled with small catholic schools - LaSalle/Fordham - doubtful they'd look at another - -especially in today's environment.
The A-10 already has 14 schools. That is a lot of of schools. And probably Too many. 7 of those schools are Catholic
Dayton, St. Louis, St Bonnies, St Joes, Duquesne, Lasalle and Fordham.
I can see the A-10 splitting into 2 leagues...... The A-10 Catholic, and The A-10 Non-Catholic. Add 2-3 schools to the Catholic league and 2-3 to the Non Catholic.
Well Fairfield, Manhatten, Siena, Iona, Dayton, St. Louis, St Bonnies, St Joes, Duquesne, Lasalle and Fordham would be an interesting league to be a part of.
If you were establishing a new Catholic League and deciding what other schools you wanted to join with, would you really want to take in Iona? You already have NYC exposure with Manhattan and Fordham, two clean and well-traditioned programs. Iona wouldn't be bringing in guaranteed 5,000 or 10,000 crowds - they would be bringing in multiple NCAA berths via the lower standard student athlete and a scandal attracting coach.
If you were establishing a new Catholic League and deciding what other schools you wanted to join with, would you really want to take in Iona? You already have NYC exposure with Manhattan and Fordham, two clean and well-traditioned programs. Iona wouldn't be bringing in guaranteed 5,000 or 10,000 crowds - they would be bringing in multiple NCAA berths via the lower standard student athlete and a scandal attracting coach.
Well that's a valid point. But to a league new established winners probably are most important and in that regard Iona and Siena are more desirable than Fairfield and Manhattan.
If you were establishing a new Catholic League and deciding what other schools you wanted to join with, would you really want to take in Iona? You already have NYC exposure with Manhattan and Fordham, two clean and well-traditioned programs. Iona wouldn't be bringing in guaranteed 5,000 or 10,000 crowds - they would be bringing in multiple NCAA berths via the lower standard student athlete and a scandal attracting coach.
Well that's a valid point. But to a league new established winners probably are most important and in that regard Iona and Siena are more desirable than Fairfield and Manhattan.
As much as I intellectually agree with Doc, the reality is in line with Reindeer's comment. It's all about money and demonstrated success. Siena brings fans and a good winning tradition over the years and the big well attended arena. Iona has a proven winning success record and the desire and ability to "work the system". Unfortunately, that is the reality.