Can't watch the game in real time tomorrow but I will be scoreboard watching and I'll watch the DVR version when I get home.
@Xavier, Wed., Jan. 31, 6:30p, FS-1
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
I understand you saying it but I think your tune will change on that after next few weeks after win after win.
I am pretty sure Ledlum who graduated from Harvard is checking the analytics at least occasionally and I am pretty sure Pitino lets the team know that information on a regular basis.
St. John’s not running away from NCAA Tournament hopes
Right now, St. John’s is an NCAA Tournament team and Chris Ledlum can’t help but imagine what that would be like.nypost.com
This team heading into February almost fully healthy is a real big thing considering our depth. Now we need to notch some of these wins against decent big east teams before we hit the softer end of year schedule. Today is one of those games. Let’s get it done…
100000%
looks like Alleyne is a GTD (not a surprise)
Dingle dealing with strep per Zach... man... this kid has hd a tough go of it this year...
Dingle dealing with strep per Zach... man... this kid has hd a tough go of it this year...
Holy moly. Xavier's strength is their backcourt. We definitely need at least one of those two guys ready to play.
We are 1& 3 after breaking 3 game losing streak w Nova win. Although team played well, losing tonight against less than stellar X would be very disappointing. If that happens we need to realize a UConn loss would make us 1 & 5 over last six.
I am more interested in securing a decent seed in Dance v squeaking in. I know our metrics are good to date, but for staff, team confidence and momentum, I think we have to win some opportunity games. X on road is one and obviously grabbing a tough one Saturday would be another. Remaining games w Depaul & GT are givens and don’t move the needle re big picture.
Not being negative, just realistic. Beat X!!!
I am more interested in securing a decent seed in Dance v squeaking in. I know our metrics are good to date, but for staff, team confidence and momentum, I think we have to win some opportunity games. X on road is one and obviously grabbing a tough one Saturday would be another. Remaining games w Depaul & GT are givens and don’t move the needle re big picture.
Not being negative, just realistic. Beat X!!!
I think the road to safe place in the dance is:
— Beat Seton Hall at home
— Sweep Georgetown
— Sweep DePaul
— Sweep one of Xavier, Butler, Providence
— Beat one of Marquette, Creighton, UCONN
It’s all very possible. Frankly, I think we should sweep two of the Xavier/Butler/Providence but that’s greedy
It would be nice in view of Dingle being sub par or out for Luis to have one of those solid total game performances we have waited for v flashes. Hopefully Alleyne can also make shots avoiding so much dependence on Jenkins. Defending their guards who can get hot seems huge. On other side of coin, can our interior guys take it to them and dominate?
We should sweep Xavier & Butler imo if we are as good as many think are. I don’t want to squeak into Dance, but be seeded 8 or so to steal a game one and roll dice on an upset after that. Also, would like to see some momentum down the stretch resulting in semi finals of BE Tourney.
Too much to ask?
I agree that the X game is not critical but will be telling, and could take some pressure off of us. And, yes, could allow ups to re-establish some mo (for post-UCONN games). As far as I see it, UCONN is a throw away. Not conceding it, but I do not think a loss to them would be surprising nor hurtful. A win in that game would of course be huge.We should sweep Xavier & Butler imo if we are as good as many think are. I don’t want to squeak into Dance, but be seeded 8 or so to steal a game one and roll dice on an upset after that. Also, would like to see some momentum down the stretch resulting in semi finals of BE Tourney.
Too much to ask?
Queens_Ball
Well-known member
I agree with all this 100%. Tonight is nowhere near a “must win” but a loss here & vs UConn makes it very easy for anyone who wants to move St John’s out of their bracket projections to point to losing 5 of 6 (which would be true and valid.)
We’d still have good metrics because our losses have been close & to good teams but as Paultzman points out tonight is the type of game we have to win if we want to be talking about seeding rather than the bubble 2 or 3 weeks from now. Get a W by any means necessary. A win against #1 UConn is the big jewel that would really be the cherry on St John’s resume & have people start talking about Top 25 and I hope that happens but…tonight is an away game against a team they’re better than who is ranked 52 in the NET. Tonight’s game is a big opportunity that is extremely attainable. Gotta handle business.
Heading into Big East play I thought they had to go 4-6 and then capitalize on the softer back 10 and I thought 5-5 would be really nice so if they’re 6-4 I’ll be thrilled. That was all before they started 4-1 of course but I’ll be thrilled with 6-4 nonetheless. Make it happen, Rick!
I agree but didn't want to push the envelope. lol.We should sweep Xavier & Butler imo if we are as good as many think are. I don’t want to squeak into Dance, but be seeded 8 or so to steal a game one and roll dice on an upset after that. Also, would like to see some momentum down the stretch resulting in semi finals of BE Tourney.
Too much to ask?
I definitely can see a narrative of the team emerging as a 7 seed in the tournament, and us being a very popular upset pick over the 2 seed. Who the hell knows, and narrative doesn't matter, but the way CRP has developed players individually and glued the team's cohesiveness is beyond impressive to me + I think the leaps the team has taken are real. We can't take any game for granted or we can lose to anyone, but I do think Seton Hall is an aberration
Make it happen Joel, RJ, Chris, Danis et al!!! Grab the ring.
Probably Alleyne's best game this year was against Xavier where he played 33 minutes and scored 15 points. Hopefully, he is healthy and ready tonight. On another note, Xavier is second to us in the Big East in rebounding so we'll need Joel & Chris banging down low on the boards tonight.
If we were a top-15 team, then beating two out of three of X, Providence and Butler on the road would be a reasonable expectation. Those are very, very difficult places to play and two (possibly 3, my jury is still out on Kim English) of those coaches are very, very good coaches. Winning on the road in the Big East (outside of DePaul and Georgetown) is just plain difficult.
I really think that some folks are overrating where this team stands in the league (i.e., it isn't a top 3-team and probably isn't a top-4 team). That may be due to overrating wins over Villanova - Jay Wright has left the building there and there's a reason they're the 9th place team in the league.
CAN we beat X at X? Yes - it wouldn't be shocking by any means and it would be very helpful if we did. Ditto Providence and Butler. But winning one of those 3 road games would put them slightly above my expectations - and would offset a potential home loss to the Hall which I had counted as a win. AND they still need to beat Creighton at home which is not a gimme but is very do-able.
I had hoped for 11-9. 12-8 is possible. Would be very surprised at anything more than that.
The question is why people think we are as good as they think we are.We should sweep Xavier & Butler imo if we are as good as many think are. I don’t want to squeak into Dance, but be seeded 8 or so to steal a game one and roll dice on an upset after that. Also, would like to see some momentum down the stretch resulting in semi finals of BE Tourney.
Too much to ask?
Think that if what we do is meet my expectation (11-9, beat the hall and creighton at home), they get to the 8/9 game or maybe a 7/10 game if they make a run in the BET (which I think they very well may). Do not think we fall below a 9 seed or wind up in the play-in game unless the wheels come off. But really need to beat Creighton now to improve seeding (I am not penciling in a win over UConn but that would obviously change the dynamic a fair bit)
I said it was greedy because its an unfair expectation for this team. But I definitely think we're more talented than Providence/Xavier/Butler due to their injuries.