I think it was the setting that made Pike say it. He was feeling the moment. In years past, he told anyone within earshot that Team A was the best team ever.
From the way Pike has been talking about this team this offseason in the public interviews, I was wondering if secretly he knows this is his best team. I feel like he’s been less bold in the interviews, which tells me he’s actually trying to downplay the squad. Add in the fact that Pitino had some scouts say they think we look really good, it’s possible this could be a great year