OT: Iona, 8 recruits, none have stepped foot on campus

[Mr_Twister]

How long will it be before Iona visits the RAC as an OOC opponent? I bet we fit them into the upcoming season’s schedule. We probably sell-out the building, and see a wide-open, entertaining game. Here’s an article on Pitino’s 8 Iona recruits, a couple are holdovers from Tim Cluess’s efforts.

https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/...iting-class-exceeded-expectations/5145017002/

 

[ecojew]

That's a very unusual situation. And IIRC, Iona is in New Rochelle, right? That was the first place in the metro region to go on lockdown.

A very interesting class: 2 Africans, one Swede, 3 Tejanos, and one guy from each Florida and Brooklyn. It will be quite an event when they all meet for the first time, with Pitino there.

In the article, he mentions beating out schools "like Rutgers" and others for players. Anyone know who we might have been recruiting?

This is shaping up to be the biggest thing that happened to Iona since Jimmy V. was coaching there prior to getting the NC State job. He took Iona to it greatest heights in memory and, IIRC, had a really good big man as the center. I believe that RU and Iona played in a double-header at one point during Jimmy V's time there.

 

[RU82]

There’s no doubt that Pitino will recruit above the level of that league.

 

[Knightmoves]

Pitino going to Iona reminds me of when Jerry Tarkanian left UNLV for Fresno State. It wasn’t long before Fresno State was getting Top 50 recruits and was ranked in the Top 25.

Iona sold their MBB soul to the devil many years ago. Pitino is perfect for them. No oversight and he can cut any deal he likes with street agents, coaches, etc. for recruits.

Will be interesting to see the talent he brings in this season. Winning the MAAC is guaranteed. How fast they move up from there is unknown. But it won’t take long.

 

[RUfanatic123]

The Center they got Shema was one of our backup plans for Cliff. Offer was never commitable.

 

[RUPete]

He mentioned us as one of the schools that Iona beat out for one of the recruits. Does anyone know who that may be?

 

[MV9000]

Kids wanna play for Pitino. They don’t give a **** about the Lville scandals. He’s an elite coach albeit a dirty one

 

[rutger80]

That's a very unusual situation. And IIRC, Iona is in New Rochelle, right? That was the first place in the metro region to go on lockdown.

A very interesting class: 2 Africans, one Swede, 3 Tejanos, and one guy from each Florida and Brooklyn. It will be quite an event when they all meet for the first time, with Pitino there.

In the article, he mentions beating out schools "like Rutgers" and others for players. Anyone know who we might have been recruiting?

This is shaping up to be the biggest thing that happened to Iona since Jimmy V. was coaching there prior to getting the NC State job. He took Iona to it greatest heights in memory and, IIRC, had a really good big man as the center. I believe that RU and Iona played in a double-header at one point during Jimmy V's time there.

Jeff Ruland.

 

[Pancho1939]

feel bad for Jay young.

 

[MV9000]

Kids wanna play for Pitino. They don’t give a **** about the Lville scandals. He’s an elite coach albeit a dirty one

 

[ecojew]

Jeff Ruland.

That's right. Thanks!

IIRC, they actually advanced in the NCAA tournament past the first round and, possibly, even to the Sweet 16 while he was there.

 

[RU_DIO]

Kids wanna play for Pitino. They don’t give a **** about the Lville scandals. He’s an elite coach albeit a dirty one

Where did I read this before?

 

[MV9000]

posting on my phone must of double posted. Had it in drafts on here thinking it didn’t initially post. My bad!
@RU_DIO

 

[superfan01]

I don’t want to play Iona. What’s the upside.

 

[jerzeyguy]

He's gonna create a monster over there. And it won't be long

 

[Knightmoves]

I don’t want to play Iona. What’s the upside.

Ricky sells out the RAC?

If we play them pls make sure it’s in 2020-01 and not later.

 

[Russ Wood]

I don’t want to play Iona. What’s the upside.

SOS. They can replace Caldwell on the schedule

 

[Mr_Twister]

I don’t want to play Iona. What’s the upside.

An entertaining game. Beating Pitino. A real opponent. You might even be able to unload your ticket & parking tag for money if you can’t make the contest.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Jeff Ruland.

Old enough to remember NBA Hall of Famer Richie Guerin. Great player.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Kids wanna play for Pitino. They don’t give a **** about the Lville scandals. He’s an elite coach albeit a dirty one

This. No one cares about a few hookers and some booze at UL. Hes kevin willards replacement after he becomes a media darling locally, hes too likable

 

[HeavenUniv.]

He's gonna create a monster over there. And it won't be long

until they get put on probation.

 

[S_Janowski]

Lol we would sell out the RAC because we’re a good program now not because Rick Pitino is in town coaching an Iona squad.

Kids may want to play for Pitino but fans aren’t going to flock to a game to watch him coach.

I see no upside to playing them because you know he’ll cheat and they’ll be good very quickly.

 

[Vegas pj]

SOS. They can replace Caldwell on the schedule

[roll][roll][roll][roll]

 

[Russ Wood]

until they get put on probation.

The NCAA has already rented office space in New Rochelle*

 

[fbc1866]

Better schedule them before the NCAA start their investigation.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Lol we would sell out the RAC because we’re a good program now not because Rick Pitino is in town coaching an Iona squad.

Kids may want to play for Pitino but fans aren’t going to flock to a game to watch him coach.

I see no upside to playing them because you know he’ll cheat and they’ll be good very quickly.

We will not sell out OOC games, even with a solid team.

 

[srru86]

NY Post
Rick Pitino’s Iona recruiting showing he ‘hasn’t lost his touch’
I think his "touch" looks something like this:

 

[Mr_Twister]

Winning games has something to do with it, too.

 

[Pancho1939]

The guy has won two national championships. Coached countless NBA players. Playing for a coach of that caliber is a dream for guys at any level never mind the MAAC. Even though I dislike him a lot, it is still a no brainer to play for him if he calls.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

The guy has won two national championships. Coached countless NBA players. Playing for a coach of that caliber is a dream for guys at any level never mind the MAAC. Even though I dislike him a lot, it is still a no brainer to play for him if he calls.

Just don’t let your girlfriend, sister, or Mom within 100 miles of him !

 

[Plum Street]

Lol we would sell out the RAC because we’re a good program now not because Rick Pitino is in town coaching an Iona squad.

Kids may want to play for Pitino but fans aren’t going to flock to a game to watch him coach.

I see no upside to playing them because you know he’ll cheat and they’ll be good very quickly.

He didn’t really cheat . i even forget why that Louisville title was vacated

 

[ScarletDave]

Did we sell out the RAC when we played him before in conference games?? Now we will magically when he’s at a MAAC school? Right ..

also, those who are afraid of playing a Pitino Iona at the RAC, I seem to remember some RAC games against the Ville that were pretty close including when they were something like #5 and it was tied 23-23 at halftime and this was under Jordan or Rice, not Pike

 

[BigEastPhil]

I remember us about 20 years ago playing Iona home and we lost. I vaguely recall a kid named jablonski or something like that killing us. Anyone remember that game?

 

[LotusAggressor]

Pitino's unique blend of grime may be unpalatable to many, but he has a proven system that wins college basketball games and National Championships. A spoonful of sugar will help Iona to choke down that particular medicine.

 

[Plum Street]

I remember us about 20 years ago playing Iona home and we lost. I vaguely recall a kid named jablonski or something like that killing us. Anyone remember that game?

Yeah I think it was bannon’s first year . Welsh was the Iona coach. They went to the tournament that year and lost to Syracuse in a close game

 

[toby83]

I remember that Championship Louisville team at the RAC in 2013. What a team, MontreZ Harrell, Blackshear, Peyton Silva, Russ Smith, Giorgi Dieng

 

[Plum Street]

I remember us beating Louisville under waters at the rac

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

SOS. They can replace Caldwell on the schedule

Should they have played Caldwell? No. But...
RUs sos was 47 overall and 95 non conf. . Nothing wrong with that.
Caldwell didn't even count.
What they need is decent winnable road games.

 

[Russ Wood]

Should they have played Caldwell? No. But...
RUs sos was 47 overall and 95 non conf. . Nothing wrong with that.
Caldwell didn't even count.
What they need is decent winnable road games.

This season playing Cladwell did not hurt, at the end of the season. But since you can't count on going 18-1 at home each and every season having a game against a team that's at least (or worse depending on your point of view) a Quad 3 opponent is better than playing Caldwell.

If you want a good road game, call Dayton and ask them for a home-and-home. An A10/Big Ten matchup has a nice ring to it.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Caldwell is the biggest winner. I assume they went home with a decent paycheck that helped to pay lots of their annual expenses. A dismal game for folks with a season ticket package. Was it a freebie for season ticket buyers?