10 games left

[tom in salem]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

 

[paultzman]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Agree Obekpa needs to get time to prepare him for primary role next season and not get discouraged this year. Lose him, for right or wrong reasons, our big man deficit will be a major problem. With him, Jones and couple of power recruits, our front line could be serviceable. If we keep the guards and small forwards, all in all not bad. Our poor shooting will still be an issue, but we should be able compete for NCAA Tourney bid. Of course, if a shooter falls into our laps, that would be even better. Hopefully Lavin can get out of the gate with a rotation, reflective of the players who can get it done. Don"t know what to say about X&O coaching improvement, so I'll leave it alone.

 

[salty dog]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Agree Obekpa needs to get time to prepare him for primary role next season and not get discouraged this year. Lose him, for right or wrong reasons, our big man deficit will be a major problem. With him, Jones and couple of power recruits, our front line could be serviceable. If we keep the guards and small forwards, all in all not bad. Our poor shooting will still be an issue, but we should be able compete for NCAA Tourney bid. Of course, if a shooter falls into our laps, that would be even better. Hopefully Lavin can get out of the gate with a rotation, reflective of the players who can get it done. Don"t know what to say about X&O coaching improvement, so I'll leave it alone.

Rest assured, this is part of the plan.

 

[paultzman]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Agree Obekpa needs to get time to prepare him for primary role next season and not get discouraged this year. Lose him, for right or wrong reasons, our big man deficit will be a major problem. With him, Jones and couple of power recruits, our front line could be serviceable. If we keep the guards and small forwards, all in all not bad. Our poor shooting will still be an issue, but we should be able compete for NCAA Tourney bid. Of course, if a shooter falls into our laps, that would be even better. Hopefully Lavin can get out of the gate with a rotation, reflective of the players who can get it done. Don"t know what to say about X&O coaching improvement, so I'll leave it alone.

Rest assured, this is part of the plan.

Comforting to know you have seen the "plan". Come on! This group flies by the seat of their pants.

 

[Andrew]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Not just play Obekpa. Let him take it up. He made a few baskets yesterday.

 

[otis]

Rest assured, this is part of the plan.

... and the "plan" included a trip to the NCAAs this season.

 

[SJU1512]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Agree Obekpa needs to get time to prepare him for primary role next season and not get discouraged this year. Lose him, for right or wrong reasons, our big man deficit will be a major problem. With him, Jones and couple of power recruits, our front line could be serviceable. If we keep the guards and small forwards, all in all not bad. Our poor shooting will still be an issue, but we should be able compete for NCAA Tourney bid. Of course, if a shooter falls into our laps, that would be even better. Hopefully Lavin can get out of the gate with a rotation, reflective of the players who can get it done. Don"t know what to say about X&O coaching improvement, so I'll leave it alone.

Both very good posts. The funny part about it is "playing for next year" (especially regarding Jordan and Obekpa) is also what gives us the best chance to win however many games we are going to the rest of the way this year. That the coaching staff doesn't always seem to see it that way is not the funny part, it's the scary part.

This season so far has been a wash for CO, maybe a step backwards. He averaged 6.2 boards and 4 blocks in a moderate 26 MPG as a freshman. Even if he never gives you a lick offensively, a player that displays that kind of natural defensive and rebounding ability should, at a minimum, be cultivated into a cornerstone defensive piece. We have come nowhere close to advancing the ball on that front so far this season, but there are 6-7 weeks to change the course. I don't know what, if anything, is going on behind the scenes but games like the 6 MPG against Butler just can't happen. Winning big recruiting battles like we did for CO is moot if they are halfway through their career and are the same or a similar player to when they started.

 

[ccnobz]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

 

[Moose]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

As an SJU fan I can see that happening. As 9-1 I feel would firmly put them in and 8-2 puts them on outside looking in depending on a run.

*That being said I think your nuts and now way this team goes 8-2 the rest of the way as I've seen nothing out of them to show me they CAN.

 

[ccnobz]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

As an SJU fan I can see that happening. As 9-1 I feel would firmly put them in and 8-2 puts them on outside looking in depending on a run.

*That being said I think your nuts and now way this team goes 8-2 the rest of the way as I've seen nothing out of them to show me they CAN.

Look at the 6 games we have left at MSG, all very winable. 2 road wins say at SH and at Marq- there is 8. We lose one at Msg, ok I think we can win in Prov possibly to make up for it. They blew so many possible wins, things will start to go their way .

 

[Moose]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

As an SJU fan I can see that happening. As 9-1 I feel would firmly put them in and 8-2 puts them on outside looking in depending on a run.

*That being said I think your nuts and now way this team goes 8-2 the rest of the way as I've seen nothing out of them to show me they CAN.

Look at the 6 games we have left at MSG, all very winable. 2 road wins say at SH and at Marq- there is 8. We lose one at Msg, ok I think we can win in Prov possibly to make up for it. They blew so many possible wins, things will start to go their way .

They are all winnable yes but every single game in the Big East prior to the year was 'winnable'. This team has shown no ability to roll off a streak like that for a multitude of reasons. Not here to rain on your optimism you are entitled to that opinion.

 

[ccnobz]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

As an SJU fan I can see that happening. As 9-1 I feel would firmly put them in and 8-2 puts them on outside looking in depending on a run.

*That being said I think your nuts and now way this team goes 8-2 the rest of the way as I've seen nothing out of them to show me they CAN.

Look at the 6 games we have left at MSG, all very winable. 2 road wins say at SH and at Marq- there is 8. We lose one at Msg, ok I think we can win in Prov possibly to make up for it. They blew so many possible wins, things will start to go their way .

They are all winnable yes but every single game in the Big East prior to the year was 'winnable'. This team has shown no ability to roll off a streak like that for a multitude of reasons. Not here to rain on your optimism you are entitled to that opinion.

I am optimistic, and it's not because I think STJ is really good, it's because the other teams aren't really good either. Things even out, we are due a bunch of wins that's all i'm saying ..plus they normally play well at MSG and they have 6 left there

 

[jumbo_peanuts]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Who says that they can't run the table? Chances are they are going lose again at some point this season, but there is no reason that can't go 8-2 or 9-1 over the last 10 games. All it would take is us beating the teams we should beat(but then again, who should we really expect to beat?), and throw in an upset or two. Home against Creighton is probably our best bet for an upset.

Here's how I see the rest of our season playing out:

Feb 1 vs. Marq = W We come back strong at home after a hard fought game vs. creighton
Feb 4 @ Prov = L They are not as bad as people think, and on the road will be tough.
Feb 9 vs Creighton = W Paybacks a b*tch as we play with a little chip on our shoulder and take this one. (PS - Dom gets a T for doing something stupid to McDermott)
Feb 13 @ Seton Hall = W I still think we just have too much 'talent' for them
Feb 16 vs G'Town = W A tough game but I say we take this one in a nail-biter.
Feb 18 vs. Butler = W A game we should win easily at home.
Feb 22 @ Nova = L On the road against a very good team and coach, I think we get blown out of the water.
Feb 25 vs. Xavier = W We do what we were probably expecting to do at the beginning of the year and end up splitting the season with Xavier, with each team taking their home game.
Mar 2 vs Depaul = W We are not the same team that they beat earlier in the year, and we come out and show it and win in a runaway.
March 8 @ Marq = W I think this game could go either way, but I'll be a fan and say we win this one.

This scenario would put us at 20-11. Even going 7-3 wouldn't be so bad. Either way, we would still need a win or 2 in the BE tourny. We do that, we will have at least 20wins, and a good Strength of Schedule in a top 5 conference. And also, it's very much a "what have you done for me lately" business, and we would be finishing the season playing really well.... I say we are going dancing come mid March!!

 

[kranmars]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

As an SJU fan I can see that happening. As 9-1 I feel would firmly put them in and 8-2 puts them on outside looking in depending on a run.

*That being said I think your nuts and now way this team goes 8-2 the rest of the way as I've seen nothing out of them to show me they CAN.

Look at the 6 games we have left at MSG, all very winable. 2 road wins say at SH and at Marq- there is 8. We lose one at Msg, ok I think we can win in Prov possibly to make up for it. They blew so many possible wins, things will start to go their way .

They are all winnable yes but every single game in the Big East prior to the year was 'winnable'. This team has shown no ability to roll off a streak like that for a multitude of reasons. Not here to rain on your optimism you are entitled to that opinion.

I am optimistic, and it's not because I think STJ is really good, it's because the other teams aren't really good either. Things even out, we are due a bunch of wins that's all i'm saying ..plus they normally play well at MSG and they have 6 left there

I am confident enough about your 8-2 pick, I will bet your money on it.

 

[ccnobz]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

As an SJU fan I can see that happening. As 9-1 I feel would firmly put them in and 8-2 puts them on outside looking in depending on a run.

*That being said I think your nuts and now way this team goes 8-2 the rest of the way as I've seen nothing out of them to show me they CAN.

Look at the 6 games we have left at MSG, all very winable. 2 road wins say at SH and at Marq- there is 8. We lose one at Msg, ok I think we can win in Prov possibly to make up for it. They blew so many possible wins, things will start to go their way .

They are all winnable yes but every single game in the Big East prior to the year was 'winnable'. This team has shown no ability to roll off a streak like that for a multitude of reasons. Not here to rain on your optimism you are entitled to that opinion.

I am optimistic, and it's not because I think STJ is really good, it's because the other teams aren't really good either. Things even out, we are due a bunch of wins that's all i'm saying ..plus they normally play well at MSG and they have 6 left there

I am confident enough about your 8-2 pick, I will bet your money on it.

I don't have much $$ left.

 

[paultzman]

Man this season is just flying by.
At this juncture, let's play for next year.
SJU will not run the table so this season is basically over.
Let Obekpa start the rest of the season.
Our only post presence will only get better on the floor, not the bench.
Sanchez has been a huge disappointment based on what I had expected.
Literally looks like guy who has spent his entire life playing in pick up games.
His taking away minutes from Obekpa should end.
It's really a shame Lavin sat on RJ so long.
He's my favorite player on this team and should be the team leader next year. Love his game.
Harrison and Sampson are what they are. We've had much worse and maybe next year will be their breakout seasons.
After those 4, nobody jumps out at me but I'm hopeful another year will enable someone to break away from the pack and grab the opportunity.

Agree Obekpa needs to get time to prepare him for primary role next season and not get discouraged this year. Lose him, for right or wrong reasons, our big man deficit will be a major problem. With him, Jones and couple of power recruits, our front line could be serviceable. If we keep the guards and small forwards, all in all not bad. Our poor shooting will still be an issue, but we should be able compete for NCAA Tourney bid. Of course, if a shooter falls into our laps, that would be even better. Hopefully Lavin can get out of the gate with a rotation, reflective of the players who can get it done. Don"t know what to say about X&O coaching improvement, so I'll leave it alone.

Both very good posts. The funny part about it is "playing for next year" (especially regarding Jordan and Obekpa) is also what gives us the best chance to win however many games we are going to the rest of the way this year. That the coaching staff doesn't always seem to see it that way is not the funny part, it's the scary part.

This season so far has been a wash for CO, maybe a step backwards. He averaged 6.2 boards and 4 blocks in a moderate 26 MPG as a freshman. Even if he never gives you a lick offensively, a player that displays that kind of natural defensive and rebounding ability should, at a minimum, be cultivated into a cornerstone defensive piece. We have come nowhere close to advancing the ball on that front so far this season, but there are 6-7 weeks to change the course. I don't know what, if anything, is going on behind the scenes but games like the 6 MPG against Butler just can't happen. Winning big recruiting battles like we did for CO is moot if they are halfway through their career and are the same or a similar player to when they started.

Nice post SJU!

 

[simplyred]

10 left, I say STJ wins 8 out of 10.

Thirteen game run. BET champs and a 5 seed! :woohoo:

 

[redfazed]

By the way, is it asking too much of Lavin to put on a tie and a proper pair of dress shoes for these last 10 games? He looks like a bum—I’ve even noticed fans from other team’s message boards commenting on it.

Is it really asking too much for him to dress professionally, set a good example for the kids and represent the school in a professional manner?

 

[Marillac]

I think we win 8/10.

 

[Moose]

By the way, is it asking too much of Lavin to put on a tie and a proper pair of dress shoes for these last 10 games? He looks like a bum—I’ve even noticed fans from other team’s message boards commenting on it.

Is it really asking too much for him to dress professionally, set a good example for the kids and represent the school in a professional manner?

I'm all for criticizing his coaching but your going to criticze the way he dresses? If you're referring to Butler game you know he wore sneakers for coaches vs cancer. As all coaches did around the country.