If St John's had reached out to him when Iona did, are you telling me he would have chosen Iona?
Around the Big East 25-26
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
I don't think that's the point. At that time no high majors would touch him. But in that scenario if there was a high major team with huge resources, which STJ didn't have at the time, that was willing to offer I agree with the OP and believe he would have ended up there over taking over a moribund, low budget program.
dk423
Well-known member
I think if NIL never existed, in that scenario, hes here for the same duration as he was at Iona before going to Maryland or another state school.
I really think that you are underestimating Coach Pitino. Without NIL players would still come to St Johns because of his reputation and history of player development. Pitino never had a problem recruiting. Just take a minute and think about the players he recruited to Iona.
New York is Pitino's home and his goal would be the same, to win a National Championship at St Johns, with or without NIL.
dk423
Well-known member
But that’s not my argument. Pitino is arguably the
in college basketball because he won in different eras. Of course he’d be able to win here.I simply don’t think we would be an attractive enough place for him to actually stay. There was always that “what about Pitino coming here” idea and it was always shot down because he was never interested. I think us being able to have NIL and as much resources as anyone in the country makes us a school that he’s fully committed too.
I believe the idea was shot down because many on the site believe D the Iniversity would never hire anyone with his bagage.But that’s not my argument. Pitino is arguably the
I simply don’t think we would be an attractive enough place for him to actually stay. There was always that “what about Pitino coming here” idea and it was always shot down because he was never interested. I think us being able to have NIL and as much resources as anyone in the country makes us a school that he’s fully committed too.
And yes with NIL we are à more desirable destination.
I believe that at that time (which I know was just a few years earlier), the board may not have hired coach. But with changes at the top and on the board, I think that changed. The continuing poor play, sinking into oblivion and irrelevancy helped the transformation. Anyhow, it is a new day and age, that is all "ancient" history, and yes, NIL has transformed the sport, and yes, the school leadership is definitely wanting to capitalize on RP, NYC etc. to produce a winning culture again.
Let's substitute the word position for argument if you don't mind.But that’s not my argument. Pitino is arguably the
I simply don’t think we would be an attractive enough place for him to actually stay. There was always that “what about Pitino coming here” idea and it was always shot down because he was never interested. I think us being able to have NIL and as much resources as anyone in the country makes us a school that he’s fully committed too.
I think you are also underestimating the attraction of St John's and the value of coaching in New York City. Both Mullin and Anderson had limited success here, eventually getting fired. Ponds and company had us captivated and Anderson was Big East Coach of the year during the Covid season.
My position is that Pitino would have looked at St John's as a sleeping giant, a school that the right coach could bring back to prominence. Who better to lead us than a Born and Bred New Yorker, Rick Pitino. He put together a decent team in his first year here without the benefit of NIL.
Pitino has already cemented his Legacy as one of the best to ever do it. He would win wherever he coached. However, to do it at St John's, in the media capitol of the world, is an opportunity he would not have turned down.
Everything is Brighter "On Broadway".
I think all reasonable posters would agree that preseason rankings mean very little on the court, but having a low # next to your team's name is a tremendous boost for attendance, viewership, donations, promoting a bigger sense of community, and on and on. We need this more than almost any other high major.
We tend to talk past each other when this topic comes up, but we all are saying the same things.
But a strong #103 for SH.
Most preseason polls I've seen have UConn consistently ranked slightly ahead of St. John's. Is this because of reputation or does UConn have a better team? What do the posters on this site think?
As a guy who enjoys every BE game and super enthusiastic about SJU season, my feeling is the BE, the more I think about it, could very possibly be a 3 team Dance group. Even if 4, it is crucial for SJU to make hay in tough OOC schedule, knowing you won’t get much traction beating so many conference opponents, net of UConn, Creighton & perhaps Marquette or PC.
Glad, we upped the quality of OOC contests.
Glad, we upped the quality of OOC contests.
Maybe better defensively, but imo will struggle scoring.
MugCostanza
Well-known member
I disagree. Their offense should take a step up this year but their defense is going to really struggle to replace the impact Sorber had on that end. Decent defenders on the wing this year but Mack can't guard a garbage can
Rocket
Well-known member
Easy 4 in the dance. The number of pre-tourney conference championship upsets usually affects the BE more because of the smaller number of members. I think the rules still need further changes where the conferences rated in the bottom half need to play other conference champions at their level in more play-in games.
Sadly, this is the way I see it as well. 3 teams from the Big East and MAYBE a 4th. That's not good
This year will be a real test for Shaka Smarts decision to avoid the transfer market. I think they’ll be good but borderline dance team.
They are the team I think could potentially be the 4th to make it to the dance. But I could also see them easily missing it. And not seeing any other contenders in the Big East, barring something totally unexpected
