2014-2015 Prediction Thread

I was quite optimistic about the season because I thought Keith Thomas' hard-nosed rebounding approach and his skill finishing around the basket were just what this team needed to actually become more of a team. I imagined that he would start alongside CO and that when CO had to sit he would slide over and we'd play smaller with him and Dom or him and Christian. Without Thomas, if CO gets early fouls and has to sit, whose our center, Christian Jones, Dom, or a skinny European kid who likes to shoot the 3-ball? We will end up playing a lot of 4-guard offense, or at least 3 guards and two of Dom, Christian and Albigovic. Problem is, that only works if several of your guards can shoot from 3 and so far we have no evidence that that's the case. With a guard heavy rotation, we'll end up playing a lot of close games and will be completely at the mercy of our guys' ability to play smart and shoot well at crunch time. Anybody else have a sinking feeling about that? I do not expect us to be dancing in March.
 
I was quite optimistic about the season because I thought Keith Thomas' hard-nosed rebounding approach and his skill finishing around the basket were just what this team needed to actually become more of a team. I imagined that he would start alongside CO and that when CO had to sit he would slide over and we'd play smaller with him and Dom or him and Christian. Without Thomas, if CO gets early fouls and has to sit, whose our center, Christian Jones, Dom, or a skinny European kid who likes to shoot the 3-ball? We will end up playing a lot of 4-guard offense, or at least 3 guards and two of Dom, Christian and Albigovic. Problem is, that only works if several of your guards can shoot from 3 and so far we have no evidence that that's the case. With a guard heavy rotation, we'll end up playing a lot of close games and will be completely at the mercy of our guys' ability to play smart and shoot well at crunch time. Anybody else have a sinking feeling about that? I do not expect us to be dancing in March.

If ADR can put in 5 good minutes per half to help CO keep the fouls under control, things could look a lot better. That's a big "if" I realize.
 
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

paultz, i would compare thomas to a very poor man's dajuan blair (former pitt star). it was a huge hit and now the coaching will be under the microscope even more because it is one less contributor.

i have gone into an all out panic because how many times have we seen this story before?...we have a few good players BUT very glaring weaknesses (front court) and we see everything through completely rose-colored glasses ignoring the front court issue plus our HC is very suspect and that can be exposed even more this season.

Minnesota has two players that are 6'11, one that's 6'10, three that are 6'9'' and one that is 6'8''....and the majority of fans think we will blow right by them onto a matchup with Gonzaga....Minnesota will absolutely embarrass us at MSG because the are so much bigger up front. It wont be like the past embarrassments they have given us in the 1990s but there is no way we are stopping a team like that with that kind of size....and it will be more of the same every time we play any team with an average front line....its time to wake up and smeel the toast here!
 
BBall
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

paultz, i would compare thomas to a very poor man's dajuan blair (former pitt star). it was a huge hit and now the coaching will be under the microscope even more because it is one less contributor.

i have gone into an all out panic because how many times have we seen this story before?...we have a few good players BUT very glaring weaknesses (front court) and we see everything through completely rose-colored glasses ignoring the front court issue plus our HC is very suspect and that can be exposed even more this season.

Minnesota has two players that are 6'11, one that's 6'10, three that are 6'9'' and one that is 6'8''....and the majority of fans think we will blow right by them onto a matchup with Gonzaga....Minnesota will absolutely embarrass us at MSG because the are so much bigger up front. It wont be like the past embarrassments they have given us in the 1990s but there is no way we are stopping a team like that with that kind of size....and it will be more of the same every time we play any team with an average front line....its time to wake up and smeel the toast here!
Brings back memories of Wisconsin last year, too big, too strong, not to mention perimeter shooting. Minny may not be Wisconsin, but will be a tough one. Can't argue Avon with much of what you said.
 
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

And I understand that, I am concerned too. I'm worried about the rebounding and our play down low. But it's almost disrespectful to our seniors to say the season is over already. This is their last chance to do something special for SJU, and I'm gonna tune in and hope they make it happen. We will get through this.
 
Unhappy
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

And I understand that, I am concerned too. I'm worried about the rebounding and our play down low. But to it's almost disrespectful to our seniors to say the season is over already. This is their last chance to do something special for SJU, and I'm gonna tune in and hope they make it happen. We will get through this.
I think many rationale fans just don't see this team having enough to get to the Dance. Can't see how that is disrespectful. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Let's not get too emotional or indicting. Most of us hope for success, but are cautious about being very confident. Nothing would please me more than being wrong on this. Go Johnnies.
 
Unhappy
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

And I understand that, I am concerned too. I'm worried about the rebounding and our play down low. But to it's almost disrespectful to our seniors to say the season is over already. This is their last chance to do something special for SJU, and I'm gonna tune in and hope they make it happen. We will get through this.
I think many rationale fans just don't see this team having enough to get to the Dance. Can't see how that is disrespectful. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Let's not get too emotional or indicting. Most of us hope for success, but are cautious about being very confident. Nothing would please me more than being wrong on this. Go Johnnies.


Didn't make the dance with Gift, Sampson and Sanchez.
No impact recruits whatsoever.
Do the math, it's not hard.
 
Unhappy
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

And I understand that, I am concerned too. I'm worried about the rebounding and our play down low. But to it's almost disrespectful to our seniors to say the season is over already. This is their last chance to do something special for SJU, and I'm gonna tune in and hope they make it happen. We will get through this.
I think many rationale fans just don't see this team having enough to get to the Dance. Can't see how that is disrespectful. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Let's not get too emotional or indicting. Most of us hope for success, but are cautious about being very confident. Nothing would please me more than being wrong on this. Go Johnnies.


Didn't make the dance with Gift, Sampson and Sanchez.
No impact recruits whatsoever.
Do the math, it's not hard.
Tom, is it me or does your Avi go down a smoke stack each week?
 
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

paultz, i would compare thomas to a very poor man's dajuan blair (former pitt star). it was a huge hit and now the coaching will be under the microscope even more because it is one less contributor.

i have gone into an all out panic because how many times have we seen this story before?...we have a few good players BUT very glaring weaknesses (front court) and we see everything through completely rose-colored glasses ignoring the front court issue plus our HC is very suspect and that can be exposed even more this season.

Minnesota has two players that are 6'11, one that's 6'10, three that are 6'9'' and one that is 6'8''....and the majority of fans think we will blow right by them onto a matchup with Gonzaga....Minnesota will absolutely embarrass us at MSG because the are so much bigger up front. It wont be like the past embarrassments they have given us in the 1990s but there is no way we are stopping a team like that with that kind of size....and it will be more of the same every time we play any team with an average front line....its time to wake up and smeel the toast here!

Just going by size, we have two seven-footers and a former top 75 recruit that is not a 6'10 junior center...we also have Jones at 6'7, and all of those guys are 230+

As for who I feel confident in playing, well, unfortunately, that is just Obekpa.
 
BBall
With all this information I"ll just tune in in late March.

It shouldn't be called a prediction thread, it should be called "Unleash Anger about Keith Thomas by pissing away the season in October thread"

Most of these guys are just completely overreacting.

Or being overly optimistic. It will take a super coaching job to get this team to the Dance. One injury up front & we are in trouble. I don't think Thomas is Dennis Rodman, but I do think we needed another physical player up front against big oriented squads like GT, Xavier, etc. No panic, still rooting, but concerned.

paultz, i would compare thomas to a very poor man's dajuan blair (former pitt star). it was a huge hit and now the coaching will be under the microscope even more because it is one less contributor.

i have gone into an all out panic because how many times have we seen this story before?...we have a few good players BUT very glaring weaknesses (front court) and we see everything through completely rose-colored glasses ignoring the front court issue plus our HC is very suspect and that can be exposed even more this season.

Minnesota has two players that are 6'11, one that's 6'10, three that are 6'9'' and one that is 6'8''....and the majority of fans think we will blow right by them onto a matchup with Gonzaga....Minnesota will absolutely embarrass us at MSG because the are so much bigger up front. It wont be like the past embarrassments they have given us in the 1990s but there is no way we are stopping a team like that with that kind of size....and it will be more of the same every time we play any team with an average front line....its time to wake up and smeel the toast here!
Brings back memories of Wisconsin last year, too big, too strong, not to mention perimeter shooting. Minny may not be Wisconsin, but will be a tough one. Can't argue Avon with much of what you said.

We have 2 players 6'11 and 2 players 6'9 with one 6'8. The guard play will determine the outcomes this season and not the front court. UCLA's first championship team had a 6'7 center and played three guards. Jordan, Harrison and Branch have to be in sync and Pointer needs to play big near the basket. This team has depth and it will come down to coaching. Let's see if Lavin and staff are trying to keep their jobs or flying to California to bring on walk ons was more of scouting trip for real estate.
 
I was quite optimistic about the season because I thought Keith Thomas' hard-nosed rebounding approach and his skill finishing around the basket were just what this team needed to actually become more of a team. I imagined that he would start alongside CO and that when CO had to sit he would slide over and we'd play smaller with him and Dom or him and Christian. Without Thomas, if CO gets early fouls and has to sit, whose our center, Christian Jones, Dom, or a skinny European kid who likes to shoot the 3-ball? We will end up playing a lot of 4-guard offense, or at least 3 guards and two of Dom, Christian and Albigovic. Problem is, that only works if several of your guards can shoot from 3 and so far we have no evidence that that's the case. With a guard heavy rotation, we'll end up playing a lot of close games and will be completely at the mercy of our guys' ability to play smart and shoot well at crunch time. Anybody else have a sinking feeling about that? I do not expect us to be dancing in March.

If ADR can put in 5 good minutes per half to help CO keep the fouls under control, things could look a lot better. That's a big "if" I realize.

It is a big "if " but I'm more concerned about the games (and there will be some, even if he's vastly improved) where Chris picks up two quick fouls and has to sit 5-8 minutes into the first half. We'll just have to pack the lane for the rest of the half and hope they can't hit shots from outside.
 
20-11. We have no height and rebounding. We still have the same 'outside threat' as we had last year. 20 wins will be a good season. I hope it's good enough with a handful of upsets within our 20 close to the end of the season.
Wait till next year!
 
This homer is going to downgrade his prediction. I don't know to what...too depressing to try to figure out an actual #.

One man can save this season--Dom Pointer--I'm not optimistic.
 
20-11. We have no height and rebounding. We still have the same 'outside threat' as we had last year. 20 wins will be a good season. I hope it's good enough with a handful of upsets within our 20 close to the end of the season.
Wait till next year!

Wait til next year?
We lose the top 6 players in the rotation.
Oh I forgot, we lead the nation in walk-ons.
 
Must see TV for college hoops fans: Bill Raftery's #BIGEAST Preview show will be on @FOXSports1 tonight at 9pm ET.
 
Just an FYI

@GoodmanESPN: Told that Iowa State beat Minnesota handily today in secret scrimmage. Bryce Dejean-Jones was best player on court. Had 19 and 9.


@GoodmanESPN: Carlos Morris was the best player for Minnesota. Juco standout went for 22 points and shot it extremely well.

(Old SJU recruit I believe)
 
100% agree with this Rothstein tweet as well fwiw


@JonRothstein: Going to be tough to get a real gauge on St. John's until after Preseason NIT at MSG. Everything until then is window dressing. #SJUBB
 
@GoodmanESPN: Carlos Morris was the best player for Minnesota. Juco standout went for 22 points and shot it extremely well.

(Old SJU recruit I believe)

One that I personally wanted a lot. I'm not sure I even saw his soph numbers, but the freshman ones definitely were nice for a first-year juco guy.
 
100% agree with this Rothstein tweet as well fwiw


@JonRothstein: Going to be tough to get a real gauge on St. John's until after Preseason NIT at MSG. Everything until then is window dressing. #SJUBB

That's what we kept hearing last year...
 
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