2017-18 Transfers

[quote="MJDinkins" post=277556][quote="Paultzman" post=277499]Per Corey Evans
Rivals150 four-star guard James Akinjo has received his release from UConn, per source. One of the top available seniors now at the point guard spot[/quote]

Ewing was in on a home visit.

MAXX_1OF1
‏@MaxxUpdated
James Akinjo 1st official home visit thanks for making the trip to Cali on short notice @CoachEwing33
#H O F #33

https://twitter.com/MaxxUpdated/status/975897627362340864[/quote]

Mullin needs to take notes. James was just released yesterday and Patrick Ewing is in SoCal today. That’s recruiting.
 
[quote="Sju grad 13" post=277558][quote="MJDinkins" post=277556][quote="Paultzman" post=277499]Per Corey Evans
Rivals150 four-star guard James Akinjo has received his release from UConn, per source. One of the top available seniors now at the point guard spot[/quote]

Ewing was in on a home visit.

MAXX_1OF1
‏@MaxxUpdated
James Akinjo 1st official home visit thanks for making the trip to Cali on short notice @CoachEwing33
#H O F #33

https://twitter.com/MaxxUpdated/status/975897627362340864[/quote]

Mullin needs to take notes. James was just released yesterday and Patrick Ewing is in SoCal today. That’s recruiting.[/quote]

Their staff has been grinding since their season ended nearly two weeks ago. I know for a fact Ewing and two assistant coaches (Orr and Waheed... I'm not sure about Kirby, but he could also be out there with the crew) have been out a lot since the end of their season. Ewing himself probably has been out more than his staff. It's like night and day.

Hopefully, our staff decides to reach out to Akinjo.
 
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[quote="Sju grad 13" post=277558][quote="MJDinkins" post=277556][quote="Paultzman" post=277499]Per Corey Evans
Rivals150 four-star guard James Akinjo has received his release from UConn, per source. One of the top available seniors now at the point guard spot[/quote]

Ewing was in on a home visit.

MAXX_1OF1
‏@MaxxUpdated
James Akinjo 1st official home visit thanks for making the trip to Cali on short notice @CoachEwing33
#H O F #33

https://twitter.com/MaxxUpdated/status/975897627362340864[/quote]

Mullin needs to take notes. James was just released yesterday and Patrick Ewing is in SoCal today. That’s recruiting.[/quote]

I would agree. Except I don’t think we need PGs or ‘guards’—in addition to those we are targeting: Trey McGowens, Jalen Gaffney, James Scott, and those we have on the roster: Mikey Dixon, Greg Williams.
Now, if the guy was a vicious PF in the mold of 6’0” and 240lbs—yes.
But, in this case, not so much.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=277560][quote="Sju grad 13" post=277558][quote="MJDinkins" post=277556][quote="Paultzman" post=277499]Per Corey Evans
Rivals150 four-star guard James Akinjo has received his release from UConn, per source. One of the top available seniors now at the point guard spot[/quote]

Ewing was in on a home visit.

MAXX_1OF1
‏@MaxxUpdated
James Akinjo 1st official home visit thanks for making the trip to Cali on short notice @CoachEwing33
#H O F #33

https://twitter.com/MaxxUpdated/status/975897627362340864[/quote]

Mullin needs to take notes. James was just released yesterday and Patrick Ewing is in SoCal today. That’s recruiting.[/quote]

I would agree. Except I don’t think we need PGs or ‘guards’—in addition to those we are targeting: Trey McGowens, Jalen Gaffney, James Scott, and those we have on the roster: Mikey Dixon, Greg Williams.
Now, if the guy was a vicious PF in the mold of 6’0” and 240lbs—yes.
But, in this case, not so much.[/quote]

We do need a PG, if you ask me. Besides, Ponds will probably leave after next season and neither McGowen, Gaffney (although, we're in good shape with Gaffney) or Scott have committed to us. So, there's nothing wrong by adding another target in Akinjo. It's all about casting a wider net.
 
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I like the idea of a stud PG with Ponds back there, even if he's actually playing SG, per we are sju's concern that we do absolutely have to cater to Ponds' wishes. A skilled seven-man rotation would be heaven compared to this year, and Roberts and Williams could be brought along slowly.

Hypothetically speaking:
Someone like Akinjo
Ponds
Simon
Clark
grad transfer big
Keita
Dixon

makes for a pretty damn good core lineup.

Roberts, Williams, and Earlington get minutes, but are eased in slowly. Scott sit transfer.

Yes, I'm assuming Owens, Trimble, and Yakwe are gone.

Realistic? Probably not, but just wanted to show how another guard would fit in. Having Clark at PF probably annoys him, but it saves Matt from having to find two bigs when finding one will probably be tough enough.
 
Good points, Dink and LJSA, But is Akinjo the guy to get now..or should we get as many quality bigs as we can sign this period for next year...and go for Scott as 1-year sit transfer?
 
Still think SJU can succeed next year. Been biting my tongue on the recruiting model here however. One guy doing 98% of the work, determining who to pursue imo will not add continuity and stability to a program badly in need of that. Considering CM started from scratch I would think he would be better served by devoting more resources to finding quality players. I agree GT seems to be doing that with multiple guys out there consistently.
 
seems like Ewing and Cooley do a ton of recruiting themselves. Is it me or does it seem Mully is only seen with them at CA? Time to make a change within staff. This is a vital year for Mully. If Ewing is more successful then him its a total embarrassment sorry
 
Does seem like we are being out-hustled. But Ewing had a better heads start than CM did with returning players, and, well, GU is GU. More players will want to go there than here because of the school.

[quote="cappy105" post=277573]seems like Ewing and Cooley do a ton of recruiting themselves. Is it me or does it seem Mully is only seen with them at CA? Time to make a change within staff. This is a vital year for Mully. If Ewing is more successful then him its a total embarrassment sorry[/quote]
 
[quote="L J S A" post=277565]I like the idea of a stud PG with Ponds back there, even if he's actually playing SG, per we are sju's concern that we do absolutely have to cater to Ponds' wishes. A skilled seven-man rotation would be heaven compared to this year, and Roberts and Williams could be brought along slowly.

Hypothetically speaking:
Someone like Akinjo
Ponds
Simon
Clark
grad transfer big
Keita
Dixon

makes for a pretty damn good core lineup.

Roberts, Williams, and Earlington get minutes, but are eased in slowly. Scott sit transfer.

Yes, I'm assuming Owens, Trimble, and Yakwe are gone.

Realistic? Probably not, but just wanted to show how another guard would fit in. Having Clark at PF probably annoys him, but it saves Matt from having to find two bigs when finding one will probably be tough enough.[/quote]

I think a guy that can knock down the three but also help out with some of the ball handling would be ideal. I love Simon but in this day and age you need multiple guys that can somewhat consistently make the three. Also do not love Ponds off the ball as it will be easier to deny him the ball and his outside shot is weakest part of his game.
 
Ewing is kicking Mullins ass, just like in the old days.
Yeah who needs 4* players when you play walk ons and finish at the bottom of the league.
 
[quote="cappy105" post=277573]seems like Ewing and Cooley do a ton of recruiting themselves. Is it me or does it seem Mully is only seen with them at CA? Time to make a change within staff. This is a vital year for Mully. If Ewing is more successful then him its a total embarrassment sorry[/quote]

Ewing was an assistant coach in the NBA for 15 years. It shouldn't surprise any St. John's fan if Ewing is more successful than Mullin. It's been this way ever since they both played in college. I think both teams can become relevant again.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=277579][quote="L J S A" post=277565]I like the idea of a stud PG with Ponds back there, even if he's actually playing SG, per we are sju's concern that we do absolutely have to cater to Ponds' wishes. A skilled seven-man rotation would be heaven compared to this year, and Roberts and Williams could be brought along slowly.

Hypothetically speaking:
Someone like Akinjo
Ponds
Simon
Clark
grad transfer big
Keita
Dixon

makes for a pretty damn good core lineup.

Roberts, Williams, and Earlington get minutes, but are eased in slowly. Scott sit transfer.

Yes, I'm assuming Owens, Trimble, and Yakwe are gone.

Realistic? Probably not, but just wanted to show how another guard would fit in. Having Clark at PF probably annoys him, but it saves Matt from having to find two bigs when finding one will probably be tough enough.[/quote]

I think a guy that can knock down the three but also help out with some of the ball handling would be ideal. I love Simon but in this day and age you need multiple guys that can somewhat consistently make the three. Also do not love Ponds off the ball as it will be easier to deny him the ball and his outside shot is weakest part of his game.[/quote]

And of course Ponds coming back will be strongly influenced by how much PG time within reason he can get to prepare for his best chance for NBA, ie, point guard.
 
[quote="alexander salem" post=277582][quote="cappy105" post=277573]seems like Ewing and Cooley do a ton of recruiting themselves. Is it me or does it seem Mully is only seen with them at CA? Time to make a change within staff. This is a vital year for Mully. If Ewing is more successful then him its a total embarrassment sorry[/quote]

Ewing was an assistant coach in the NBA for 15 years. It shouldn't surprise any St. John's fan if Ewing is more successful than Mullin. It's been this way ever since they both played in college. I think both teams can become relevant again.[/quote]

Ewing being a 15-year NBA assistant doesn't have any relevance to him and his staff outworking Mullin and his staff. This is also Ewing's first rodeo to the college game, so recruiting is new to him, too.

It's all about how you prioritize things as a coach. We all know recruiting is imperative to any collegiate program. Our staff can't afford to lounge and sit on their butts. They should be out there working just as hard, if not harder, than Georgetown's staff or any other staff for that matter.

I do believe both programs can be relevant again. But we're gonna have change our recruiting practice, in order to maximize our potential.
 
Because of the Slice debacle and the fact that we are too cheap to hire another assistant, Mullin should be out recruiting more. Cant just depend on Matt, and blame Matt for our recruiting woes.
 
I don't really have any insight here, for all we know Mullin could be busting it behind the scenes. However, it does appear on the surface that he's being outworked. It really makes me wonder if that as a hall of famer, does he even have the drive to go through that recruiting grind at this stage in his life? Is it below him to basically beg kids to come here and do what it takes to seal the deal? This all may be premature, but just a bit concerning based on what I'm seeing.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=277588]Because of the Slice debacle and the fact that we are too cheap to hire another assistant, Mullin should be out recruiting more. Cant just depend on Matt, and blame Matt for our recruiting woes.[/quote]

Promoting Mitch to an AC slot really made little sense if he was not going to be reasonably active on recruiting front.
 
The one-recruiter model just makes it easier for Matt to ask for another raise, even if he hasn't produced the way he needed to.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=277583][quote="we are sju" post=277579][quote="L J S A" post=277565]I like the idea of a stud PG with Ponds back there, even if he's actually playing SG, per we are sju's concern that we do absolutely have to cater to Ponds' wishes. A skilled seven-man rotation would be heaven compared to this year, and Roberts and Williams could be brought along slowly.

Hypothetically speaking:
Someone like Akinjo
Ponds
Simon
Clark
grad transfer big
Keita
Dixon

makes for a pretty damn good core lineup.

Roberts, Williams, and Earlington get minutes, but are eased in slowly. Scott sit transfer.

Yes, I'm assuming Owens, Trimble, and Yakwe are gone.

Realistic? Probably not, but just wanted to show how another guard would fit in. Having Clark at PF probably annoys him, but it saves Matt from having to find two bigs when finding one will probably be tough enough.[/quote]

I think a guy that can knock down the three but also help out with some of the ball handling would be ideal. I love Simon but in this day and age you need multiple guys that can somewhat consistently make the three. Also do not love Ponds off the ball as it will be easier to deny him the ball and his outside shot is weakest part of his game.[/quote]

And of course Ponds coming back will be strongly influenced by how much PG time within reason he can get to prepare for his best chance for NBA, ie, point guard.[/quote]

Yes and just like Hatten I think he is far more effective on the ball then off. Another guy along with Simon that can handle would be fine. But for him and us I think we are better with him on the ball.
Hatten was better his Junior year and then they put him off the ball and brought in Elijah Ingram and his camera phone and the program has never been the same since.
 
Does this mean his visit did not go well? Or, was he always planning to take all of his visits?

Jon Rothstein
‏
Verified account

@JonRothstein
Kennesaw State transfer James Scott tells me he will visit Virginia Tech from April 13th-15th. Averaged 17.3 PPG last season. Two years of eligibility remaining.
 
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