Commercial Appeal ‏@memphisnews @DickieV talks #Memphis, including praise for the job Josh Pastner has done. @Memphis_MBB http://memne.ws/1BFAgiz


...Loud. Enthusiastic. Funny. Charming. Vitale was all of that Sunday as he discussed a range of topics, including coach Josh Pastner’s six-year tenure at the University of Memphis...

...“Coach Pastner has been an energetic recruiter. The situation this year is he’s got some good young talent coming in,” Vitale said of a five-man freshman class that includes a McDonald’s All-American (power forward Dedric Lawson) and two other top-55 ranked prospects (small forward K.J. Lawson and center Nick Marshall).

“(Memphis) did not have a strong year last year. They didn’t get out of the gate strong and that set them back a little. But he’s a workaholic. I mean, you gotta like Josh. If you meet Josh, you just root for him. You root for him because he’s just a likable guy, and you’re just hoping and praying that everything works out.”...

...“He came in a tough situation with all the wins that were compiled here prior by John Calipari. It put a lot of pressure on a young guy like him,” Vitale said. “I think he’s handled himself well. I know he’s very proud to be here. I’m hoping the guy really gets it done because you want to root for good people and he’s a good, good guy...”

(06-21-2015 08:46 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  Commercial Appeal ‏@memphisnews @DickieV talks #Memphis, including praise for the job Josh Pastner has done. @Memphis_MBB http://memne.ws/1BFAgiz


...Loud. Enthusiastic. Funny. Charming. Vitale was all of that Sunday as he discussed a range of topics, including coach Josh Pastner’s six-year tenure at the University of Memphis...

...“Coach Pastner has been an energetic recruiter. The situation this year is he’s got some good young talent coming in,” Vitale said of a five-man freshman class that includes a McDonald’s All-American (power forward Dedric Lawson) and two other top-55 ranked prospects (small forward K.J. Lawson and center Nick Marshall).

“(Memphis) did not have a strong year last year. They didn’t get out of the gate strong and that set them back a little. But he’s a workaholic. I mean, you gotta like Josh. If you meet Josh, you just root for him. You root for him because he’s just a likable guy, and you’re just hoping and praying that everything works out.”...

...“He came in a tough situation with all the wins that were compiled here prior by John Calipari. It put a lot of pressure on a young guy like him,” Vitale said. “I think he’s handled himself well. I know he’s very proud to be here. I’m hoping the guy really gets it done because you want to root for good people and he’s a good, good guy...”

I am not much of a Vitale fan, but I like what he said. I think 2015/16 season will turn some heads. My hope anyway. But when I was reading it I could hear the Jaws theme in the background.

This is the breakout season. It took cal 8 years to break out at UMASS as a new coach. I sense an elite 8. GTG

I agree. Tired of vitale, but I agree

Clowns appreciate clowns

Well, at least we know Coach Pastner is a likeable guy

(06-21-2015 09:50 PM)OneShiningMoment Wrote:  Well, at least we know Coach Pastner is a likeable guy

Yep

(06-21-2015 09:45 PM)alcalde Wrote:  Clowns appreciate clowns

Clowns with more money than you could ever imagine

Like able...and has won quite a bit, a,though just short of elite level that we all want, he wants, and very well may get this season,

Shame on any of our own, er, fans that would refer to any of our coaches as clowns. Pitiful really.

Likely the same fans who get upset if you take a shot at utk or the like,

Buck up kids,

(06-21-2015 10:21 PM)Mimi Wrote:  Like able...and has won quite a bit, a,though just short of elite level that we all want, he wants, and very well may get this season,

Shame on any of our own, er, fans that would refer to any of our coaches as clowns. Pitiful really.

Likely the same fans who get upset if you take a shot at utk or the like,

Buck up kids,

Amen

(06-21-2015 09:45 PM)alcalde Wrote:  Clowns appreciate clowns

And we appreciate you to. :)

(06-21-2015 09:13 PM)TigerStreet Wrote:  This is the breakout season. It took cal 8 years to break out at UMASS as a new coach. I sense an elite 8. GTG

Try 4 years at UMass.

(06-21-2015 10:38 PM)bluebacker Wrote:  

(06-21-2015 09:13 PM)TigerStreet Wrote:  This is the breakout season. It took cal 8 years to break out at UMASS as a new coach. I sense an elite 8. GTG

Try 4 years at UMass.

Started coaching them 1988 didn't make an elite 8 till 1995

https://instagram.com/p/4Mj8PVgrZW/

Also talked about Justin Fuente.

(06-21-2015 09:45 PM)alcalde Wrote:  Clowns appreciate clowns

I have been thinking about trying the whole clown routine. I got me a red nose from Walgreens.

Now I need a pair of those big shoes.

Where did you get yours?

(06-21-2015 10:21 PM)Mimi Wrote:  Like able...and has won quite a bit, a,though just short of elite level that we all want, he wants, and very well may get this season,

Shame on any of our own, er, fans that would refer to any of our coaches as clowns. Pitiful really.

Likely the same fans who get upset if you take a shot at utk or the like,

Buck up kids,

I do find myself hoping for a breakout season not just for the sake of the program but now also for the coach. Something I couldn't say prior to Pastner's hire.

Everything Vitale says is true...

We will soon find out. The talent is there and if things go south, it's over.

(06-21-2015 11:02 PM)MemphisFan95 Wrote:  

(06-21-2015 10:38 PM)bluebacker Wrote:  

(06-21-2015 09:13 PM)TigerStreet Wrote:  This is the breakout season. It took cal 8 years to break out at UMASS as a new coach. I sense an elite 8. GTG

Try 4 years at UMass.

Started coaching them 1988 didn't make an elite 8 till 1995

in the words of Rainman, "definitely just 4 years"

took over a team that had a 10-17 record (finished 9th in conference) the year before he got there in 1987-1988. In his 4th year, UMASS ARRIVED and made a S16, and didn't have to backdoor it. (finished 1st in conference) and finished #14 in the AP Poll. We would call that arriving for Paz, as it was for Cal. Cal isn't Paz, Paz isn't Cal.

His winning record speaks for itself.
Vitale knows greatness when he sees it.