Eye on the Storm Podcast - Mike Cragg

SJUDave

SJUDave

Well-known member
St. John’s Director of Athletics Mike Cragg joins the pod to talk all things hoops. From NIL to MSG, expectations, renovations and BEER. All that and so much more on episode 17.

More games at MSG for next season, he's giddy for the season to get here and we cover a lot more. I know there are some that may not be fond of him or the school because of the lack of success but he does have one of the hardest jobs in college basketball here. Hopefully winning will help change that.

Hope you can listen.

Episode 17: Mike Cragg, Director of Athletics

Podcast Episode · Eye on the Storm · 11/04/2022 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com

 
SJUDave said:
St. John’s Director of Athletics Mike Cragg joins the pod to talk all things hoops. From NIL to MSG, expectations, renovations and BEER. All that and so much more on episode 17.

More games at MSG for next season, he's giddy for the season to get here and we cover a lot more. I know there are some that may not be fond of him or the school because of the lack of success but he does have one of the hardest jobs in college basketball here. Hopefully winning will help change that.

Hope you can listen.

Episode 17: Mike Cragg, Director of Athletics

Podcast Episode · Eye on the Storm · 11/04/2022 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com

Click to expand...

Beer coming to Carneseca MJM must be excestatic...
 
6! MSG games next year w the potential of more to come depending on this season’s success is great news.

Really keen insight on our evolving MSG partnership, no longer renters, as we once were pre-Cragg. Conversation was helpful to better understand how the relationship needs smart scheduling, and how the +/- affects both the program and building.

Now knowing the parameters and how impactful the Covid crowds worked against us it seems like we pushed the right buttons w this year‘s Garden opponents.

This year’s success plays a huge influence in order to have the majority of our home games in Midtown.

Charleston 23’, Bahamas 24’ and of course the Queens beer updates were all great news as well, thanks as always Dave- you are a natural behind the mic, I truly support and appreciate your efforts.
 
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After hearing Cragg’s comments regarding the two games to be played in the tournament in Brooklyn I’m afraid he is going to be greatly disappointed as historically we just don’t draw well at all at that venue.
 
Astoria STH said:
6! MSG games next year w the potential of more to come depending on this season’s success is great news.

Really keen insight on our evolving MSG partnership, no longer renters, as we once were pre-Cragg. Conversation was helpful to better understand how the relationship needs smart scheduling, and how the +/- affects both the program and building.

Now knowing the parameters and how impactful the Covid crowds worked against us it seems like we pushed the right buttons w this year‘s Garden opponents.

This year’s success plays a huge influence in order to have the majority of our home games in Midtown.

Charleston 23’, Bahamas 24’ and of course the Queens beer updates were all great news as well, thanks as always Dave- you are a natural behind the mic, I truly support and appreciate your efforts.
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Thank you so much for listening and that compliment. I appreciate your breakdown and everything you were able to gain from this episode with Cragg. Grateful to be able to bring you guys these conversations and hopefully some fun St. John’s talk. Can’t express my gratitude enough for the support.
 
bamafan said:
After hearing Cragg’s comments regarding the two games to be played in the tournament in Brooklyn I’m afraid he is going to be greatly disappointed as historically we just don’t draw well at all at that venue.
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I think his point is these need to be looked at as pseudo home games and people should treat it as such by showing up. Don’t let temple or cuse fans out draw you in your own backyard.
 
Tommyo5454 said:
I just heard as Mike Cragg had mentioned they would be honoring former players every home game, tomorrow night I was happy to hear there honoring Derek Brown who is an alumni of Carey HS where I went with him in the the late 80's. I love this concept need to get our former players back on campus....
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Yes I loved learning this as well, a great way to tie in the past to the future. Each player honored will be at the game as well.
 
SJUDave said:
St. John’s Director of Athletics Mike Cragg joins the pod to talk all things hoops. From NIL to MSG, expectations, renovations and BEER. All that and so much more on episode 17.

More games at MSG for next season, he's giddy for the season to get here and we cover a lot more. I know there are some that may not be fond of him or the school because of the lack of success but he does have one of the hardest jobs in college basketball here. Hopefully winning will help change that.

Hope you can listen.

Episode 17: Mike Cragg, Director of Athletics

Podcast Episode · Eye on the Storm · 11/04/2022 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com

Click to expand...

While I always enjoy your podcasts Dave, I believe that you dropped the ball by neglecting to question Mr. Cragg on the ever lowering of the level of the NON conference schedule which has already cost the team one NCAA tourney appearance to date and maybe more in the future. In fact, our best non conference schedule in the Anderson era was his first season and since then it's been all down hill. If one were to look at the non conference schedule of other teams in the conference, even the Hall's, it far surpasses the Johnnies in strength.

Perhaps in the future, you could approach the topic with Mr. Cragg who Im sure realizes that a weak non conference schedule can only hurt the team's chances for a tourney bid at the end of the hoops season.
 
Tommyo5454 said:
I just heard as Mike Cragg had mentioned they would be honoring former players every home game, tomorrow night I was happy to hear there honoring Derek Brown who is an alumni of Carey HS where I went with him in the the late 80's. I love this concept need to get our former players back on campus....
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This is something that has been severely lacking over the years. It has gotten a bit better under Cragg. Glad to hear it will be formalized.
 
Johnny Rapper said:
While I always enjoy your podcasts Dave, I believe that you dropped the ball by neglecting to question Mr. Cragg on the ever lowering of the level of the NON conference schedule which has already cost the team one NCAA tourney appearance to date and maybe more in the future. In fact, our best non conference schedule in the Anderson era was his first season and since then it's been all down hill. If one were to look at the non conference schedule of other teams in the conference, even the Hall's, it far surpasses the Johnnies in strength.

Perhaps in the future, you could approach the topic with Mr. Cragg who Im sure realizes that a weak non conference schedule can only hurt the team's chances for a tourney bid at the end of the hoops season.
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Johnny, first let me say thanks for listening, and I appreciate the feedback!

Regarding the schedule, it's been beaten to death this off-season. The fact of the matter is there's nothing that can be done to change the schedule that is already in motion for this upcoming season. He made it a point to emphasize the 2 games at the Barclay's Center with two games that are likely at least quad 2 opportunities in Temple & Syracuse/Richmond. Many people have poo poo'd the Nebraska game, and just like he wouldn't talk down on that game in his Ask the AD he did on twitter, he won't when I ask him to give them bulletin board material or anything like that if I ask why we scheduled Nebraska.

One thing fans have clamored for has been to be in more competitive MTE's. They will be in a very competitive Charleston Classic next year featuring Dayton, Minnesota, and LSU I believe. Then the year after they will be in the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament which is also historically filled with solid teams.

I know fans are fixated on the weaker non conf schedule, and I 100% understand it, but I find it a no sum gain to ask the AD about it when it won't change, and they consider the 20+ Big East games and Empire Classic games + Iowa State enough. That's just my opinion. Also when I write out and plan my questions I always try to think how the person may answer, and I know how he'd answer a question like "What do you say to the fans who think the non conference scheduling over the last two years has been sub par and is now continuing that trend in year 4?"
 
jerseyshorejohnny said:
Perhaps this question may make some sense: Why don't we play Iona, Hofstra, Rutgers and Fordham on a regular basis ?

Obviously not going to play all 4 teams each year but maybe one or two of them
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We played Rutgers in 2018, and Fordham the last two years. But I hear you, the general question of more of the better local teams more often? Instead of the Central Connecticuts and St Francis' of the world.
 
SJUDave said:
Johnny, first let me say thanks for listening, and I appreciate the feedback!

Regarding the schedule, it's been beaten to death this off-season. The fact of the matter is there's nothing that can be done to change the schedule that is already in motion for this upcoming season. He made it a point to emphasize the 2 games at the Barclay's Center with two games that are likely at least quad 2 opportunities in Temple & Syracuse/Richmond. Many people have poo poo'd the Nebraska game, and just like he wouldn't talk down on that game in his Ask the AD he did on twitter, he won't when I ask him to give them bulletin board material or anything like that if I ask why we scheduled Nebraska.

One thing fans have clamored for has been to be in more competitive MTE's. They will be in a very competitive Charleston Classic next year featuring Dayton, Minnesota, and LSU I believe. Then the year after they will be in the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament which is also historically filled with solid teams.

I know fans are fixated on the weaker non conf schedule, and I 100% understand it, but I find it a no sum gain to ask the AD about it when it won't change, and they consider the 20+ Big East games and Empire Classic games + Iowa State enough. That's just my opinion. Also when I write out and plan my questions I always try to think how the person may answer, and I know how he'd answer a question like "What do you say to the fans who think the non conference scheduling over the last two years has been sub par and is now continuing that trend in year 4?"
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I understand that this years schedule can't be changed but even being in the Charleston Classic next year, and while a bit early to say, how many of those teams do you consider top 25 material? No matter which way you slice it, Cragg and who ever else constructs the OOC schedule, has done an lousy job in an area that is of paramount importance to the success of the basketball program and he should be called out on it. As this years weak OOC schedule will attest, there is very little room for error (or losses )if a bid is forthcoming unless a top three BE finish is on the horizon. Remember when we finished 4th two seasons ago and didn't get a bid due to our weak OOC schedule? How many times did a 4th place Big East team not get a Dance invite?

Im sure its great for some fans/posters that Beer and wine may be on the way at CA, which if you sit in the NON railed section in the upper level should make for some interesting spills of drinks and people alike. Then again, available alcohol may come in handy if another season or two of a weak OOC schedule comes about and a Dance invite does not.
 
Tommyo5454 said:
I just heard as Mike Cragg had mentioned they would be honoring former players every home game, tomorrow night I was happy to hear there honoring Derek Brown who is an alumni of Carey HS where I went with him in the the late 80's. I love this concept need to get our former players back on campus....
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This is great for the progra. Good to hear.
 
Johnny Rapper said:
I understand that this years schedule can't be changed but even being in the Charleston Classic next year, and while a bit early to say, how many of those teams do you consider top 25 material? No matter which way you slice it, Cragg and who ever else constructs the OOC schedule, has done an lousy job in an area that is of paramount importance to the success of the basketball program and he should be called out on it. As this years weak OOC schedule will attest, there is very little room for error (or losses )if a bid is forthcoming unless a top three BE finish is on the horizon. Remember when we finished 4th two seasons ago and didn't get a bid due to our weak OOC schedule? How many times did a 4th place Big East team not get a Dance invite?

Im sure its great for some fans/posters that Beer and wine may be on the way at CA, which if you sit in the NON railed section in the upper level should make for some interesting spills of drinks and people alike. Then again, available alcohol may come in handy if another season or two of a weak OOC schedule comes about and a Dance invite does not.
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Scheduling was an absolute mess across the board CMA’s second year. There was something going on globally. I think you can rightfully be upset and ask for better scheduling these last two seasons, but season 2 comes with an extreme caveat and to say it cost us an ncaa bid is a bit of a stretch IMO.
 
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