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Wow: My Coach Pikiell Story From Today...

DirtyRU

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Nov 16, 2002
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So my 10 year-old son and I head up to the Indiana game today. At halftime it's 24-7 and my son looks at me and asks if we can leave, go throw the football around in the parking lot, and listen to the game on the radio on the way home. (He's sad that it looks like we're gonna get blown out again... little did we know). We had already tailgated for awhile and we live over an hour south of the stadium, so it's already been a long day. So I said cool, no problem bud, and we head off.

We parked at the RAC (I don't have football season tix anymore). So we're on the bus headed back to the RAC when I jokingly say to my son "When we get back, let's try to sneak into the arena, maybe see if any of the guys are shooting around (he's a huge RU hoops fan, too). He gets all excited. Meanwhile I'm thinking to myself OK yeah maybe we catch a glimpse of a player working out, I dunno, who knows if the doors are even unlocked, I don't know their practice schedule, bla bla bla. But I figured it was worth a try.

We hop off the bus and lo & behold, one door is unlocked. So we go in and sure enough, I see Caleb and Montez shooting around. So we get all excited and we head over to the handicapped area to watch. So we're sitting on the folding chairs in the handicap section and we notice more and more players are starting to filter onto the court. Looks like the start of a practice. What impeccable timing!!! But how long before we get booted? And sure enough, about 5 minutes into our stay, a security guard comes over and tells us we can hang until practice begins, but once it starts we're gonna have to leave. OK sure, I get it, no problem.

Flash forward 10 minutes later and out of nowhere, here comes Coach Pike walking right up to my son and I. In the handicapped section. I immediately stand up, smile at him and say "Hey coach, well this must be our cue." He smiles and says "Hi I'm Coach Pikiell, so why don't you two be my guests for the day. Come down courtside with me, I'll show you where to sit and you can stay as long as you want, stay the entire practice."

Wait, excuse me, are you serious?!?! Is this really happening? That's all my son and I could think of, even 2.5 hours later after practice was over! Yes they practiced for 2.5 hours straight, and yes we stayed the entire time. Pike noticed us from the court, walked ALL THE WAY up the stairs and over to the handicap section, escorted us to 118 and when we got down on the court, he said to my son "I want you to meet a couple of my friends", and he introduces us to Geo and Issa, who were all smiles and posed for pics with my son. In fact, ALL the players were nice. They all would turn, look at my son and I, and smile. Doorson chatted with us and fist-bumped us. A member of the coaching staff (Steve Hayn, Senior Advisor) came over to us and chatted with us for 10 minutes. Plus Pike and I BS'd together all the way down to the court, talking about the Indiana game (I told him we were losing, he sounded pissed, ha), and about how he had a recruit in the building today, etc. etc. I mean it was insane, totally unexpected and seriously one heck of a memorable experience.

Posting one pic below. Oh and side note, the one on one battles they do are INSANE. They call no fouls, pair 2 guys up, and they just go at it! It was wild! Overall just such a great experience, and since it wasn't a practice open to the public, (we were literally the only fans there) there was cussing, yelling, I mean it was definitely REAL, ha. So great.

Bottom line, we've got a good one folks. I know we already know that but man, we are blessed. This man is genuinely a great man. A lot of coaches have egos. This man has ZERO ego. And he doesn't know me from Adam, yet he treated my son and I like we were high-rolling booster alums. He thanked US for swinging by. I mean it was insane. I can't say enough about the man.

Photo from the practice:

20180929_160035-b.jpg
 
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What a great story. They better have the doors locked from now on. They are gonna have a lot more people wanting to come in and watch practice. It’s gonna get better attendance than the football games. Thanks for sharing the story. Can’t wait for the season to start so we can cheer this guy on and his players. I can’t wait to go to games and give him the biggest ovation when they announce the starting lineup.
 
Awesome story! I stopped in the RAC after the game today, too, and was pleasantly surprised to see practice going on. I thought someone might complain about me taking a few photos, but nobody did. I didn't try to go courtside.

Coach Pikiell, lead us to the promised land! I want to dance again!
 
How did they look?

Whoever likes Pike has to go to games as much as you can

Larger attendance will help the team and in recruiting.
My take on how they looked is prob. what a lot of people expect. Young but def. deeper. Caleb impressed me. I think he's a baller. The Texas transfer has a nice smooth way about him, plus he's a lefty, which is cool. Mathis, or as everyone calls him "Tez" didn't really stand out to me, but he also didn't do anything bad either. Same with Kiss. Kiss, as previously stated, can shoot the three. But so can Baker and Issa, so I think we have 3 legit deep threats. Harper does have a nice deep stroke as well, so maybe 4 if he gets PT. I was actually impressed with Shaq Carter, he's physical and I think he can give us some good minutes, get some boards and some buckets down low here and there. He's also VERY vocal and encouraging, so that was good to see. He was by far the most vocal of the newcomers. Duke looks bigger for sure and possibly improved. Doorson, as previously stated, looks to be in great shape and did some good things. Myles will def. get minutes at the 5, but Doorson will get more IMO as long as he stays out of foul trouble. And last but certainly not least is Eugene, who is just a lot of fun to watch. Crafty scorer, physical, VERY confident. At one point during a 3 on 3 drill (or maybe it was 4 on 4) they fed him in the corner and he stroked it from deep, so clearly he's been working on his shot.

What this all means for the season, who knows. But we're more athletic, deeper and we will share the rock more as we simply have more scoring options now. I also think Geo and Caleb will be fine sharing PG duties. Of course neither are your prototypical little jitterbug PG who will break ankles with their handle, blow by defenders and average 8 assists per night. But that's OK. I think they'll both be capable of running the offense. And of course we have others who can help handle the rock (Kiss, Mathis, Harper some).

Also, as is already known, Jay Young is intense!!!! And finally a guest- Deshawn Freeman showed up towards the end of practice. :)

One more thing- Issa seemed to be more physical and aggressive and driving to the lane more, which was great to see.
 
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Pikiell is the real deal. He’s very well respected in the basketball community. Thanks for posting
 
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Doesn’t get any better than that — great story and bonding moment for you and your son.
 
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Wonderful story, a made-for-Hollywood fan moment if ever there was one ! A nice glimpse into the character of Coach P, he relates to people in very important ways.
 
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After over a generation...it is great to know the MBB vector is a positive one...

I was a junior the last time we mattered...I’m 6 years past my 22 year military retirement!!!
 
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My take on how they looked is prob. what a lot of people expect. Young but def. deeper. Caleb impressed me. I think he's a baller. The Texas transfer has a nice smooth way about him, plus he's a lefty, which is cool. Mathis, or as everyone calls him "Tez" didn't really stand out to me, but he also didn't do anything bad either. Same with Kiss. Kiss, as previously stated, can shoot the three. But so can Baker and Issa, so I think we have 3 legit deep threats. Harper does have a nice deep stroke as well, so maybe 4 if he gets PT. I was actually impressed with Shaq Carter, he's physical and I think he can give us some good minutes, get some boards and some buckets down low here and there. He's also VERY vocal and encouraging, so that was good to see. He was by far the most vocal of the newcomers. Duke looks bigger for sure and possibly improved. Doorson, as previously stated, looks to be in great shape and did some good things. Myles will def. get minutes at the 5, but Doorson will get more IMO as long as he stays out of foul trouble. And last but certainly not least is Eugene, who is just a lot of fun to watch. Crafty scorer, physical, VERY confident. At one point during a 3 on 3 drill (or maybe it was 4 on 4) they fed him in the corner and he stroked it from deep, so clearly he's been working on his shot.

What this all means for the season, who knows. But we're more athletic, deeper and we will share the rock more as we simply have more scoring options now. I also think Geo and Caleb will be fine sharing PG duties. Of course neither are your prototypical little jitterbug PG who will break ankles with their handle, blow by defenders and average 8 assists per night. But that's OK. I think they'll both be capable of running the offense. And of course we have others who can help handle the rock (Kiss, Mathis, Harper some).

Also, as is already known, Jay Young is intense!!!! And finally a guest- Deshawn Freeman showed up towards the end of practice. :)

One more thing- Issa seemed to be more physical and aggressive and driving to the lane more, which was great to see.
I think what you said means a lot for the season in a positive way. Thanks for posting. I am happy you had a good Saturday on campus.
 
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Y'all,

Thanks for all the likes and responses! Here's a photo of my son watching practice. Funny that he was originally gonna wear his RU football jersey to the Indiana game but at the last minute switched to his Rock The RAC tee. It's like the day at the RAC was meant to be, ha. :)

P.S. That's Freeman in the gray sporting the 2-tone braids.

20180929_165304-b.jpg
 
You made that up LOL..He is a great guy and what really intrigues me is that the college hoops insiders love the guy .Sounds like a great day that you and your son will wear like a badge.
 
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My take on how they looked is prob. what a lot of people expect. Young but def. deeper. Caleb impressed me. I think he's a baller. The Texas transfer has a nice smooth way about him, plus he's a lefty, which is cool. Mathis, or as everyone calls him "Tez" didn't really stand out to me, but he also didn't do anything bad either. Same with Kiss. Kiss, as previously stated, can shoot the three. But so can Baker and Issa, so I think we have 3 legit deep threats. Harper does have a nice deep stroke as well, so maybe 4 if he gets PT. I was actually impressed with Shaq Carter, he's physical and I think he can give us some good minutes, get some boards and some buckets down low here and there. He's also VERY vocal and encouraging, so that was good to see. He was by far the most vocal of the newcomers. Duke looks bigger for sure and possibly improved. Doorson, as previously stated, looks to be in great shape and did some good things. Myles will def. get minutes at the 5, but Doorson will get more IMO as long as he stays out of foul trouble. And last but certainly not least is Eugene, who is just a lot of fun to watch. Crafty scorer, physical, VERY confident. At one point during a 3 on 3 drill (or maybe it was 4 on 4) they fed him in the corner and he stroked it from deep, so clearly he's been working on his shot.

What this all means for the season, who knows. But we're more athletic, deeper and we will share the rock more as we simply have more scoring options now. I also think Geo and Caleb will be fine sharing PG duties. Of course neither are your prototypical little jitterbug PG who will break ankles with their handle, blow by defenders and average 8 assists per night. But that's OK. I think they'll both be capable of running the offense. And of course we have others who can help handle the rock (Kiss, Mathis, Harper some).

Also, as is already known, Jay Young is intense!!!! And finally a guest- Deshawn Freeman showed up towards the end of practice. :)

One more thing- Issa seemed to be more physical and aggressive and driving to the lane more, which was great to see.
Great assessment, DirtyRU! Love the details!!
 
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