2023-24 Roster

[Hardy]

Why is the choice black and white? Can’t we be thrilled to have Pitino as coach yet still express concerns or be critical?

You can. I’m not sure if this meant to quote my post, but I didn’t say pitino is above criticism, nor would this forum be fun to read if folks could not discuss the coach. I’m sure I’ll criticize things pitino does too.

My post simply expressed my opinion that I’d rather have Rick pitino recruiting for sju than Mike Anderson.

 

[Money]

No one has said he is a bad coach the issue is how he went about this. Management 101 Dont call out people at a press conference. He came across as pompous arrogant and had an air of I am better than these current players

Isn't that the exact reason SJU hired him??? The players, school, system, are all in need of a major upgrade, now your upset when someone is brutally honest about it???

 

[L J S A]

Coach wants winners. Sometimes winners get stuck on loser teams. I think Soriano, Posh, and Wusu are winners. Hope coach agrees with me.

 

[monte]

Why is the choice black and white? Can’t we be thrilled to have Pitino as coach yet still express concerns or be critical?

I agree, but shouldn't there be just a little bit of a honeymoon period afforded a HOF coach before some posters(not you) start going off the rails about roster decisions/changes? Also I find claims of Pitino "forcing kids out" to be ridiculous, since no one on this board is privy to what's actually going right now between the staff and the kids.

 

[Boo Harvey]

Boo, at this point I'm not sure what we can criticize Pitino for as (i) he has just begun to assemble the roster he thinks he needs to win and (ii) we don't even know why Storr left. I'm sorry to see him go but if he left because he couldn't 100% buy in to Pitino's expectations of him, I would have to say thanks for the very good freshman year and good luck going forward. He also may have gotten an NIL offer from a big school that blew him away, who knows? But before I criticize a hall of fame coach, I'll wait to see the roster composition he comes up with.

Fair points. I want to preface what I’m about to say by emphasizing that I’m thrilled to death with the Pitino hiring. I haven’t been this excited and optimistic in years, if ever. That said, I too was a little put off by his message that most of the current players would be leaving.

Now there may be a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes that justified Pitino’s statements, but it rubbed me the wrong way. I think one can be thrilled by the hiring and still disagree with certain of Pitino’s actions. That’s my only point.

 

[L J S A]

Getting down to the nitty-gritty here:

Soriano √
Traore √
Alexander
Wusu
Jones
Curbelo
Keita
Storr X
Pinzon X
King X
Stanley X

Gardner
Lendeborg
Reede X

I did predict four by Tuesday. Any bets on who's next?

 

[njfan]

I agree, but shouldn't there be just a little bit of a honeymoon period afforded a HOF coach before some posters(not you) start going off the rails about roster decisions/changes? Also I find claims of Pitino "forcing kids out" to be ridiculous, since no one on this board is privy to what's actually going right now between the staff and the kids.

exactly and maybe these kids know they wont be getting playing time with the bigger fish that Pitino is trying to bring in. Kolby King posted on his twitter a few weeks ago "Gotta Go Through The Process To Be Destine For Greatness Ima Be The One". Team player? Think he is more then what he is maybe? Granted he is a kid got it, butttt on the same day soriano posted this "Thank you for your endless support this year St. john’s fans, i love you guys till the death, love my team till the death, im sorry we couldn’t give you guys the year you wanted and desired but i promise you i left it all on the floor… Sending this with love! -Joel" Night and day different posts

 

[njfan]

Getting down to the nitty-gritty here:

Soriano √
Traore √
Alexander
Wusu
Jones
Curbelo
Keita
Storr X
Pinzon X
King X
Stanley X

Gardner
Lendeborg
Reede X

I did predict four by Tuesday. Any bets on who's next?

cuerbelo please why is he still here?

 

[espken]

Also, entering the portal is not final. Maybe Pitino told him to look around to make an informed decision and to come back when he’s ready. His own little Rumspringa like the Amish.

Remember our own LJ Figueroa entered the portal twice. After his sophomore season, received interest from Arkansas, UConn, Miami before returning to SJU. Then of course after his junior season he fled to Oregon.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

With Soriano, Keita, and Traore back Rick probably sees the “5” as all set or at least good enough to address later. So if you have your 5 all set with one of if not the best bigs in the league, then RP needs to find 6-7 guards/wings/forwards that fit his style. Maybe that’s some of the guys we already have but if not, I really have no concern that
RP can’t go get those guys.

This is going to be an incredibly interesting and exciting next few months.

 

[ronm]

cuerbelo please why is he still here?

Because if he transfers he will need a waiver or have to sit a year.

 

[Mullins Revenge]

Getting down to the nitty-gritty here:

Soriano √
Traore √
Alexander
Wusu
Jones
Curbelo
Keita
Storr X
Pinzon X
King X
Stanley X

Gardner
Lendeborg
Reede X

I did predict four by Tuesday. Any bets on who's next?

I have Posh hitting the portal next followed by wusu.

 

[Redmen88]

In the past seeing our current players enter the portal used to get me down. For the first time we have a HOF coach and I am going to assume his decisions and moves are going to be best for the program. This week might seems like one step back but we are going to take some giant steps forward in the near future. I have not had patience with our previous coaches but now feel as if we are on a fast path to success. I am going to enjoy watching RP fill out our roster with a team vs a bunch of individuals.

 

[Wolfie]

With Storr regrettably deciding to leave, I am convincing myself Bamba and Ledlum are coming home.

And maybe Garwey Dual comes to view NYC as his turf? I'm hoping.

 

[Wolfie]

I liked Storr and King. I’ve always liked Posh and Wusu ended up winning me over. That being said the most important thing is that Pitino has players that he wants on the roster and that those guys also want to play for Pitino. Because he’s the coach and that’s what’s conducive to winning.

Storr was given the opportunity to stay, spoke to coach, heard what staying would entail and decided to leave. So I’m glad Storr had the self awareness to realize that he wasn’t a fit for what was being asked because having guys who want to give Pitino what he asks for is what’s best for winning. I wish all the guys well and would have been happy if any had stayed but Pitino wins and so I want Pitino to get what he wants. I just want to win. We’re all more than ready to do some winning so I’m glad to see whatever needs to happen starting to happen.

Agree 100%. Well said.

 

[monte]

He never called out any particular player. Just said he needs to bring in 6-8 players as some wont be a good fit for him. Plus storr and King what did they really show us? On the bench on a bad team? On a good team maybe walkon just saying.

Clearly Tim Brando and a segment of our fanbase saw something in King that neither you or I did. Nice player who didn't move the needle one way or the other. My guess; the young man winds up as a starter on a mid major. I wish him the best. Storr, OTOH, will likely be a starter on a weak high major team or come off the bench on a stronger high major team. I don't see him being a starter on a top high major team. In all likelihood neither did Rick which is why Storr is transferring.

 

[monte]

You can. I’m not sure if this meant to quote my post, but I didn’t say pitino is above criticism, nor would this forum be fun to read if folks could not discuss the coach. I’m sure I’ll criticize things pitino does too.

My post simply expressed my opinion that I’d rather have Rick pitino recruiting for sju than Mike Anderson.

Recruiting, coaching, fundraising, etc etc

 

[Dan V]

Just let Pitino work he’s a master, he’s honestly the best fit at SJU. NYC needs a guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Keeping Soriano was the most important thing because he’s a good big man and that’s hard to find. Every other position is easier to replace with free agency (let’s be honest). I think Rick wanted Storr but the kid made his decision nothing wrong with that. I think Pitino mentioning Posh by name at the press conference means he wants him back but he’ll have adjust to his style of doing things. I think he ends up staying he’d have so many options if he entered the portal the fact that he’s waited this long is telling. I hope Wusu comes back too he would be great as a rotation guy off the bench. I would think Jones and Curbelo could easily get waivers because of the coaching change if they were told there’s no spot for them. Rick could also believe in his ability to reign those two in and keep them around. Either way I’m happy just to have him as the head coach I’m not complaining or worried about anything right now.

 

[monte]

Keep in mind guys, that whatever decisions Rick is making with regard to existing players, are being made with a lot of input from Van. And not only do I trust Rick's decisions, I trust Van's input.

 

[bamafan]

Why is the choice black and white? Can’t we be thrilled to have Pitino as coach yet still express concerns or be critical?

Because he’s a HOF coach that’s been here less than a week , we don’t know yet what the roster will look like and he hasn’t coached a freaking game yet. This is the same fan base that shows much much much lesser coaches patience for 5 years. We’re going places and you’re going to Bellevue cause your nuts ! (Honeymooner line )