I could see a scenario where Sanon becomes a better player/prospect than Jackson. I cannot see Mitchell approaching Jackson -- but I am thrilled to have him.
2025-2026 Season
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
I could see a scenario where Sanon becomes a better player/prospect than Jackson. I cannot see Mitchell approaching Jackson -- but I am thrilled to have him.
Mitchell was a top 10 player (5th in RSCI) as well. The three guys who made the list who cover college basketball extensively said Mitchell over Jackson as a college player this next season. So this universe I guess lol. Not as a pro prospect.
Totally disagree with Rothstein, this would not be the first time we disagree, but will get to that later. As I stated earlier, what we need from Jackson is a Dwight Hardy type season. While not a conventional point guard, Dwight was able to get us into our offense and he had Paris and DJ to help with the ball handling.
I also think that some are underestimating Darling, I believe that he will be able to contribute as the first guard off the bench. I have watched some videos and he has instincts that you can't teach. There will be times when Darling can be paired with Jackson, allowing Jackson to concentrate on doing what he does best, score.
As for Rothstein, before last season we were texting and I told him that St John's would be top 4 in the conference, he disagreed with that. Fortunately, my ever optimistic self was correct. I have much respect for Rothstein, but unlike the Pope, he ain't Infallible.
How about we just trust in Coach Pitino and his staff.
I think it’s fair to say our point guard play is a question mark & will make or break the season. Darling’s play translating isn’t a sure-thing, and Jackson played a totally different role at UNC. For a team full of shooters, it’ll be important to have high level distribution. Can Lefty also help out here?
Sanon is less of a question mark than Jackson because he will be playing a very similar role than he did at Arizona State. He was great before he had an injury, and played similarly after the injury.
I’m extremely confident in Sellers, Hopkins, Mitchell all playing at a high level, and I think we’re all overlooking a potential leap Prey can make.
Sanon is less of a question mark than Jackson because he will be playing a very similar role than he did at Arizona State. He was great before he had an injury, and played similarly after the injury.
I’m extremely confident in Sellers, Hopkins, Mitchell all playing at a high level, and I think we’re all overlooking a potential leap Prey can make.
The best comparison I saw to Ian Jackson was Jaiden Ivey, which made a ton of sense to me. If he can be that, we’re all set for a run in March and April
Raise the bar a bit. I can see Ian as a James Harden type of lead guard.
With the Nets, even Kyrie let Harden lead the offense. And they played great together.
Panther. A lead guard is in order in today’s landscape. Walter Clayton Jr. proved that this past April, averaging 4 assists a game. Ian Jackson is too offensively talented to limit him in a pure point guard role.Darling will offer a more than adequate change of pace when he gets minutes. The staff feels Ian is the answer. Our roster is stacked and we are not handing the keys over to Steve Shurina or Kevin Fitzpatrick.
I look at it as PG by committee. The team will not have a true, classic PG, but will have multiple ball handlers at one time.
The Hardy team also had Kennedy and Horne as more than just secondary ball handlers. While Hardy was the focal point, especially when he needed to create his own shot late in games, the other guys were versatile enough to handle the ball plenty throughout the game.
It was a unique team. I think we will see something similar with this group.
The Hardy team also had Kennedy and Horne as more than just secondary ball handlers. While Hardy was the focal point, especially when he needed to create his own shot late in games, the other guys were versatile enough to handle the ball plenty throughout the game.
It was a unique team. I think we will see something similar with this group.
Excellent example.
SJUDave
Well-known member
Incredibly well said and echos a ton of my thoughts on the entire roster build especially with Jackson and Sanon.
However I will say, to your very well written and thought out point that’s been bouncing in my head like marbles for weeks as I get ready for season preview stuff for the pod…their non lighting the world on fire play (due to injury, or team or role for both) is a big reason they were attainable and wanted to be in the portal and subsequently Johnnies.
Great post.
That is a good one and If he’s Jaiden Ivey then this is the best team in the country. Probably doesn’t even have to be that good for this team to be #1
If you say so, but of course you ignored the gist of my post which is the key is they become a team. And I never compared Jackson and Mitchell as players, the fact that you do is silly, they don’t play similar positions or remotely bring like skills to the table.
What's very nice to have continuity* (of sorts) to have... is the Veteran/experienced presence....
While last year we had it with our Lead guards.... this year we have it with our "Bigs" - between Zuby / BHop / Mitchell... thats 10 years high level college ball experience...
Love that on a roster to set the tone.
All I was curious about were what average number of shots in the low point games and the high point games
MBaldi
Well-known member
I love how this roster allows (and compels) us -- during the dog-days of summer -- to discuss, assess and predict so many aspects of what lies ahead this season.
With that said, I really don't think that there is a question, whatever Jon Rothstein or any of the "talking heads" might say about SJU's potential ceiling: this is by far on-paper the most talented SJU roster and coaching staff, definitely in the last 40 years (i.e., pre-Steve Shurina and Kevin Fitzpatrick) and likely ever.
With that said, I really don't think that there is a question, whatever Jon Rothstein or any of the "talking heads" might say about SJU's potential ceiling: this is by far on-paper the most talented SJU roster and coaching staff, definitely in the last 40 years (i.e., pre-Steve Shurina and Kevin Fitzpatrick) and likely ever.
Baldi calls out the whole board
I have a feeling at the end of the season we will be having a nice chuckle at the expense of the three guys who cover college basketball extensively. But if Mitchell winds up being that good I'll be happy to say I was wrong because it will mean we're top 5 team in the country.
I wish the season was starting tomorrow so we could find out. Cannot wait.
I ignored the gist of your post because it wasn't the topic at hand, which is that some guys made a list of the top players in CBB and Mitchell was on it and Jackson wasn't. I didn't compare them skill for skill, I compared talent levels and expected production. They don't have to play the same position in order to do that. To me it's a no brainer, but we wont know for another 5 or 6 months. I'll say this though: if Mitchell plays like the 75th best player in the country or wherever they had him, we are going to be scary.