Adios Tariq

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Tariq is using this opportunity to go to graduate school and earn a degree in an area close to his heart. Since it is not offered at St. John's he is exploring schools such as Maryland to obtain a Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health degree. He and his dad have been concerned about his inability to gain weight at St. John's and feel this major, combined with the rugged Big 10 play will make him a stronger and better player.
I post this update in all seriousness and jest.
 
[quote="Room112" post=277765]If he ends up deciding his best decision is to return, I believe we and Mullins should welcome him back with open arms. There is no use trying to nitpick all of his faults until we trick ourselves into thinking losing him is no big deal.[/quote]

Agreed 100% we can't afford to turn away players let alone players that have performed admirably at the big east level.
 
It's clear now......this was always about Maryland. Team contacted Tariq's father through a third party.
 
[quote="JohnnyFan" post=277804]It's clear now......this was always about Maryland. Team contacted Tariq's father through a third party.[/quote]

Yeah it looks that way. That’s trifling on Maryland part.
 
It sucks that we were the loser this time, but it's naive to think this isn't how Matt operates as well.
 
[quote="Room112" post=277765]If he ends up deciding his best decision is to return, I believe we and Mullins should welcome him back with open arms. There is no use trying to nitpick all of his faults until we trick ourselves into thinking losing him is no big deal.[/quote]

Do we really have a choice?????? At this point, we only have TO as our big man.
 
This wasn't a surprise to me. At times during some games he would get frustrated that he wasn't getting the ball in certain spots. Those moments and some comments his father made during the season were pretty revealing.
 
Saying No one wants to play for Mullin is ludicrous . It’s a statement applied to St John’s basketball and meant to demean our Coach . What do you specifically dislike about his efforts in rebuilding the Program , left very bare by Lavin ? Owens is exploring the 5 th Year option that many players in other programs have utilized since its inception . Rowsey , Jorgensen , Kanter , Struss, Macin, etc are examples of players who opted for BE Schools for 1 more year . You think they left their existing schools in usually lower tier conferences because they disliked playing for the Coaches ? Not very likely . Owens must think he will find a spot that will showcase his talents for a future Pro career . It will be interesting to see where that may be . Or, not . While it’s not a truly comparable situation , Alibegovic tried every year to find another School and returned every year to St John’s . Owens style of play is one of a over sized Wing player with a decent , not great 12 -15 Range Jumper , no post moves , Little Rebounding but , a great aptitude to block Shots but, play foul prone defense . I think that accurately , but not disrespectfully , summarizes his skills . It also appears to me , that our Players , even ones who left, genuinely enjoy playing for Chris . I think Chris and Staff did improve Tariq’s skills in the 2 Years he played , after sitting out 1 as a transfer . What seems to be missing among some posters is , realizing Tariq’s size, 6’10” and maybe, 220 lbs. soaking wet , is not the prototypical BE Frontcourt player who can muscle the Govans , Delgados , Bullocks, Kanters, Macin , etc around the basket . Tariq would never be able to do that . He and Ponds worked the pick and roll well, until Teams started to learn how to Defense it . So , saying his players don’t want to play for him is not true . Your planting a seed otherwise , is your opinion , not supported by any facts .
 
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I sense it's not over with Tariq and he still may decide to return, although if he doesn't decide pretty quickly staff will have to move on and bring in a replacement. Would love to have him back, but wish him well either way.
 
RAS, the losing streak in January probably caused Brooks to rethink . No one has mentioned the fact that this year’s Winter has been among the worst in Decades and for a young Player thinking of coming 3000 miles from home and into a frigid climate , he is unfamiliar with , has to be , at least a thought for him to consider . Maybe Brooks wants to play the Boeheim- Hopkins Zone all the time ? I was curious too, why Gonzaga apparently wasn’t in this Players sights or, they him ? Just my thinking aloud . I think he could showcase any aspirations for a pro career here , better than Washington but, who knows ?
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=277823]I sense it's not over with Tariq and he still may decide to return, although if he doesn't decide pretty quickly staff will have to move on and bring in a replacement. Would love to have him back, but wish him well either way.[/quote]

I would say only that Tariq will be back if he can't find a better deal.

It's interesting and more common now. It's like playing yourself into the draft, except that here it's like playing yourself into a potentially better situation (at least in the player's mind). If he thinks he can be in a better position to play in the NBA by transferring, he will. Just about any D1 player can play overseas, so that can't be the end goal.

I would say he is 90% gone. Playing nice with St. John's just in case nothing better materializes, but to me at least, we are his last option after all better opportunities are exhausted. It's the way the business works for some and to me it just sucks, so whether he comes back or not, I can't really be all in for him, but who cares about that?
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=277824]RAS, the losing streak in January probably caused Brooks to rethink . No one has mentioned the fact that this year’s Winter has been among the worst in Decades and for a young Player thinking of coming 3000 miles from home and into a frigid climate , he is unfamiliar with , has to be , at least a thought for him to consider . Maybe Brooks wants to play the Boeheim- Hopkins Zone all the time ? I was curious too, why Gonzaga apparently wasn’t in this Players sights or, they him ? Just my thinking aloud . I think he could showcase any aspirations for a pro career here , better than Washington but, who knows ?[/quote]

Brooks has committed to USC, not Washington.
 
NC, I think you accurately present the feelings of most Redmen fans that we wish Tariq well but, hope he comes back . On a needs for the Team basis , it’s no secret we need a banging, bruising , Front Court player who will get rebounds and put backs . It was a big missing ingredient in this year’s team . I also think Mr. Owens , the father , exuded some class in his comments posted in the Baltimore Sun . He had nice things to say about our Staff and fans . And , as Tariq’s Father , his son’s best interests are where they should be . I do think , Chris and Mitch , likely gave Tariq and Dad a realistic assessment of his Pro Potential . Doubt if that included much in the way of a NBA potential , due to Tariq’s physical stature of being long but, very lean .
 
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Yes, thank you , RJ14. I was not aware that Brooks had recommitted to USC a few days ago . My bad . A whirlwind Recruiting ride for Brooks , USC Commit, USC decomit, SJU Commit , SJU decommit , USC recommit . It makes you scratch your head but, it’s what big time Basketball has become at the College level . Guess he isn’t concerned about possible sanctions at USC .
 
Hearing from multiple people he is gone and it is the father's decision not his.

Hope this is wrong but would be surprised if back.
 
So we recruit as if he is gone. If we get a replacement Tariq is done at our discretion. If we don't, he can come back. It's just business.
 
[quote="Manhattan1" post=277834]Hearing from multiple people he is gone and it is the father's decision not his.

Hope this is wrong but would be surprised if back.[/quote]

As others have said, not really a huge deal if we can get 2 bigs for next year. Obviously if that doesn't materialize then it's a blow. Tariq played with passion, but he was always pushed around and really only seemed to excel at blocking shots and dunking. Every so often his mid range/3 PT shots fell but very inconsistently. Most of the time they were bricks. If someone else wants to give him more time than us, so be it. The NCAA really needs to step in and say that you only get so many transfers. It's getting ridiculous. Yes they are allowed to change their minds, but not unlimited times. If they don't change it, the Big East and other non F5 conference schools will just become the D League for the F5 to poach from.
 
To me, this is the stupidest crap ever. If you are really an NBA talent, by age 22 and play at the D1 level in a major conference, you are already on the NBA radar or you aren't. Thinking that there is a magical program or situation where your skills will shine brightly and make you an NBA draft pick are just plain stupid. Jakarr Sampson in his final season at SJU had a downright miserable first half of a season where he couldn't make a wide open 5 foot shot, yet still found his way onto an NBA roster. Harkless was one and done here. Harrison was a Wooden finalist.

If Tariq is good enough to play in the NBA, the notice is there already. If not, not. Do you see him being the breakthrough offensive force that lights it up during the NCAA tourney? Maryland was an 8-10 finisher in the ACC and 19-13. Hardly a powerhouse program. I'd be stunned if he becomes a focal point of their offense and contributes 17 / 10 stats. First off, no inside game. Second, his outside shot is hit and miss. Third, at 23, the NBA won't see a big upside on his development.

He's gone. Like the kid who left during Dunlap's season as HC who averaged 50 ppg at Overbrook (Chamberlains alma mater) and who couldn't even make it big at Rider, I think Tariq will find that he has to look in the mirror to discover why he isn't on the NBA radar. But it's up to him, his right, and good luck.
 
It is obvious NCAA basketball is changing. I believe the NBA should have a true development league like baseball and hockey where kids not interested in school can go to develope. Using the NCAA as a feeder system is creating too many issue with transfers, illegal recruiting, the under the table money etc... Probably a pipe dream because of all the $ involved in college sports but this system sucks.
 
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