2017-18 Transfers

Truth is, if Keita even twists his ankle, we got nobody to man the center. We run into even one team with a good big, and we are easily overmanned with our lack of depth at the 5. It’s a significant problem we have seen before. It’s something all SJU fans should be concerned about because it has burned us a ton in the past. We got manhandled by centers every time we have played a team like Gonzaga. If we make a decent run, a team will shoot us dead in the tourney with a good big. We just need Keita and another legit-size big guy who can defend the post a bit. It’s not asking that much.
 
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[quote="MCNPA" post=283899]Truth is, if Keita even twists his ankle, we got nobody to man the center. We run into even one team with a good big, and we are easily overmanned with our lack of depth at the 5. It’s a significant problem we have seen before. It’s something all SJU fans should be concerned about because it has burned us a ton in the past. We got manhandled by centers every time we have played a team like Gonzaga. If we make a decent run, a team will shoot us dead in the tourney with a good big. We just need Keita and another legit-size big guy who can defend the post a bit. It’s not asking that much.[/quote] Another big would be ideal but its not that serious. Those same centers you speak of would then have to guard Clark on the perimeter. The real problem is we have to play to our strengths which is not something we always do. We have to move the ball quickly and play team basketball. Penetrate and kick out/dump off passes. Also we have to knock down open shot especially from 3. Think Loyola Chicago with more talented and athletic players, that should be how we play on offense with this roster. Easier said than done of course but you get the idea.
 
MCN said it perfectly. We can be very respectable without another big. But we wont be a serious contender eithout the balance. Thats why i say Roberts can bevthe key. If he can give 15 minutes or more of interior defense and rebounding that will be a huge difference over this year.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=283899]Truth is, if Keita even twists his ankle, we got nobody to man the center. We run into even one team with a good big, and we are easily overmanned with our lack of depth at the 5. It’s a significant problem we have seen before. It’s something all SJU fans should be concerned about because it has burned us a ton in the past. We got manhandled by centers every time we have played a team like Gonzaga. If we make a decent run, a team will shoot us dead in the tourney with a good big. We just need Keita and another legit-size big guy who can defend the post a bit. It’s not asking that much.[/quote]

Exactly why so many supporters are royally pissed at the staff! This is the best group Mullin may ever have and the inability to sell a transfer big on minutes is a disappointment. Keita is not going to be a natural 5 with Mullin's system but opponents will try to capitalize on his deficiencies and should he get into foul trouble Mullin (St. Jean) will have no alternative but to play small. To make matters worse if Ponds bolts that small team becomes even smaller.
This refrain will be regurgitated many times next season should the team become a house of cards due to injuries or departures. The window is still open but may soon close entirely.
 
Let’s not lose sight of fact staff pursued two big guys who would play big minutes in Femi & the UNLV commit from Cameroon. They missed & that happens, but let’s not delude ourselves with notion staff had a plan to play small ball all along. They knew they needed interior help and the first transfer they targeted was Femi.

With no big in hand, the new mantra seems inconsistent with their initial impression and strategy in my opinion. I agree beating this to death is not worth it. However, fans are entitled to be disappointed in light of staff’s own recent desire to shore up the interior.
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=283907]Let’s not lose sight of fact staff pursued two big guys who would play big minutes in Femi & the UNLV commit from Cameroon. They missed & that happens, but let’s not delude ourselves with notion staff had a plan to play small ball all along. They knew they needed interior help and the first transfer they targeted was Femi.

With no big in hand, the new mantra seems inconsistent with their initial impression and strategy in my opinion.[/quote]So are they still looking or were those 2 the only options? Still some bigs on the transfer/JUCO market if they really want one, especially a backup. Might not have a choice if Ponds stays in the draft which I feel is becoming more of a thing. Read an article were he said he is 60-40 on staying in the draft or returning to college. His name seems to be inching up those mock drafts too. I said it before this draft is weak on PGs, this year might be his best shot to get drafted.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=283907]Let’s not lose sight of fact staff pursued two big guys who would play big minutes in Femi & the UNLV commit from Cameroon. They missed & that happens, but let’s not delude ourselves with notion staff had a plan to play small ball all along. They knew they needed interior help and the first transfer they targeted was Femi.

With no big in hand, the new mantra seems inconsistent with their initial impression and strategy in my opinion. I agree beating this to death is not worth it. However, fans are entitled to be disappointed in light of staff’s own recent desire to shore up the interior.[/quote]

I don't know how many bigs Matt actually contacted but while Femi would have helped he would have been a "small" big who likely wants to showcase forward skills. We shall see when we play his team. Upsetting is not being able to entice a big body as a back up which clearly was the team's biggest need after Owens transferred. On a positive note Mullin did manage to keep key players in games during most games with better substitutions so that could carry over into next season. I am also confident that Roberts will grow a couple of inches and gain 20 pounds once he starts consuming NY pizza.;)
 
[quote="Dan V" post=283910][quote="Paultzman" post=283907]Let’s not lose sight of fact staff pursued two big guys who would play big minutes in Femi & the UNLV commit from Cameroon. They missed & that happens, but let’s not delude ourselves with notion staff had a plan to play small ball all along. They knew they needed interior help and the first transfer they targeted was Femi.

With no big in hand, the new mantra seems inconsistent with their initial impression and strategy in my opinion.[/quote]So are they still looking or were those 2 the only options? Still some bigs on the transfer/JUCO market if they really want one, especially a backup. Might not have a choice if Ponds stays in the draft which I feel is becoming more of a thing. Read an article were he said he is 60-40 on staying in the draft or returning to college. His name seems to be inching up those mock drafts too. I said it before this draft is weak on PGs, this year might be his best shot to get drafted.[/quote]

Common view of folks I respect is Ponds returns. We’ll see.

Those were the only bigs I knew of. There could have been a third, but no clue on that. I am of the impression they stay pat with roster at this point, unless something drops in their lap.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=283899]Truth is, if Keita even twists his ankle, we got nobody to man the center. We run into even one team with a good big, and we are easily overmanned with our lack of depth at the 5. It’s a significant problem we have seen before. It’s something all SJU fans should be concerned about because it has burned us a ton in the past. We got manhandled by centers every time we have played a team like Gonzaga. If we make a decent run, a team will shoot us dead in the tourney with a good big. We just need Keita and another legit-size big guy who can defend the post a bit. It’s not asking that much.[/quote]

+1,000,000
 
I am not going to beat this dead horse after tonight as tomorrow and Saturday I am hoping I can find some live horses in Kentucky.
Yes, we played some chunks of games last year with Clark at the five successfully, but that was mainly pre-BE play against mid-majors or bottom half teams of high major leagues. That will not work against BE teams and is a disservice to Clark. I love the Johnnies and am a Mullin supporter, but not getting a second big for next year was a staff miss, which I hope we can overcome. Let's go Johnnies!
 
[quote="Brellstorm" post=284244]Any thoughts on Michael Cage from Oregon as a possible incoming transfer?[/quote]

Appears they are done for 2018 unless something drops in their laps, not often the case at SJU.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=284248][quote="Brellstorm" post=284244]Any thoughts on Michael Cage from Oregon as a possible incoming transfer?[/quote]

Appears they are done for 2018 unless something drops in their laps, not often the case at SJU.[/quote]

Especially given that’s how I view our getting LJF to commit. The kid seemed to emerge from the vapors. Thinking a very nice gift.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=284248][quote="Brellstorm" post=284244]Any thoughts on Michael Cage from Oregon as a possible incoming transfer?[/quote]

Appears they are done for 2018 unless something drops in their laps, not often the case at SJU.[/quote]

Diakite lives another life?
 
Per Zach
Hofstra has landed a Purdue grad transfer, Jacquil Taylor. Boston kid. 6-10 forward. Played limited minutes. #hofmbb
 
Pittsburgh’s Malik Ellison told ESPN he has decided to stay with the Panthers program.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=284457]Pittsburgh’s Malik Ellison told ESPN he has decided to stay with the Panthers program.[/quote]

I wish we retained Malik. Hope he has a good two years.
 
[quote="JohnnyFan" post=284462][quote="Paultzman" post=284457]Pittsburgh’s Malik Ellison told ESPN he has decided to stay with the Panthers program.[/quote]

I wish we retained Malik. Hope he has a good two years.[/quote]

Ellison, Mussini, and a couple others came to St. John's when we had a sub zero roster and the possibility of a ton of minutes. Can you blame either for bailing with Simon, Clark and even Trimble promising to steal significant minutes from them? I am not upset at them leaving, although I felt Mussini could have filled a valuable role with less minutes last season and been a good fill in when Lovett tanked.

I also understand why Owens bailed even if I don't agree. Ponds is going to get as many shots as he wants, and everyone else will be 10 or under. In today's game those types of transfers, though unfortunate, are just going to happen. It isn't like they were underclassmen waiting for big minutes at Villanova. They were experienced players recruited over.

You'd love to have Ellison and Mussini as 8-9 players in your rotation, but they didn't come here for that and departed when that was on the wall.
 
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