Anderson - is he really the guy ?

[RedmanMike]

I think Paultzman has it right - CMA isn't going anywhere, but next year will tell the tale.  Another season of mediocrity and perhaps Cragg will make a change.

I agree with many on here.  I'm generally a supporter of Anderson for all of the reasons we all discuss.  But I truly thought this season would be much better than it has been - and much of the blame for that lands at his feet.

This is probably the most disappointing season I can remember since Looie's last year - the last year for Sealy, Werdann, Buchanan and coming off an Elite 8 appearance.  I thought we'd be a Final Four team, and instead we were uninspiring all season long and were one-and-done.

My expectations for this year's team were well short of that - I would have been thrilled with 23 or 24 wins and a win or two in the NCAAs.  We've fallen very far short of those expectations.

 

 

[Knight]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

 

[fordham96]

I tend to agree.  I am just not impressed with the staff or the recruiting.  I think it is been mediocre.  I think this more than anything is why they cannot sustain any type of winning streak.  They just are not that good.

Getting into stuff like timeouts, close outs on 3s, overall defense.  Yeah I mean you can nitpick but the talent level in year 3 is just not that great.  

Proud Alumn post=454599
I don't see any problems with the system or the coaching. Of course there are certain things to question like with any coach. My biggest concern with Anderson is recruiting. He just hasn't brought in enough Big East level talented players to get us over the top, especially shooters. If he had a talented roster, his system and coaching would be fine and win a lot.

 

[Mullins Revenge]

CMA is having his worst season here in his 3rd year.  That just cant happen.  This team was picked to finish in the top 4 of the big east and will end up finishing in the bottom 3.  This season has been an EPIC failure.  Cragg seems pretty smart.  He cant be looking at this and saying, 'I can tell this is going to get a lot better soon".  

This was the year for CMA and he blew it.  There should be consequences.

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

 

[gregbodkin]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

The way Chris Mullen did. Stay in the gym every afternoon until you make 100 straight without missing any.

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

The way Chris Mullen did. Stay in the gym every afternoon until you make 100 straight without missing any.

Yes- that is on the player. The player has to practice.

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

As noted by many sensible guys, CMA is not getting canned now by the man who hired him, he and team will pull off an upset or two perhaps, but no “Dance” once again and next year’s results likely will be more of same.

I have trouble envisioning this staff landing needle moving transfers and/or recruits post season. We also seem at times to be overly optimistic re development of our young guys like Stanley, Pinzon to have a big second year impact.

All in all, my ample gut says Cragg will by end of next season be at the crossroad re Mike’s tenure. That does not preclude staying course for a year five, but he seems an astute, outcomes oriented guy capable of making tough decisions. Although, very disappointed by this season, I choose the less impulsive course and trust Cragg will do the right thing in a time frame he deems appropriate. What choice do I have anyway?

I don't know if we can forecast next season. We all are guessing that Champ will be gone and therefore next season will be a mess. But Champ has been consistently bad this season, so either he comes back, or losing him is not a major loss relative to this year. If Stanley and Nwyie develop, Wheeler stays, Posh improves, Pinzon turns out to be good, Storr turns out to be able to contribute, etc., we land a transfer that contributes, things could fall out ok. You just don't know.

 

[Knight]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

PRACTICE. There are also coaches that can deconstruct a shooter’s FT shooting, and help focus concentration. When I played ball, my coach told me to aim for the back of the front rim. It requires the coach to do some coaching.

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

PRACTICE. There are also coaches that can deconstruct a shooter’s FT shooting, and help focus concentration. When I played ball, my coach told me to aim for the back of the front rim. It requires the coach to do some coaching.

I guess all our D1 players from top high schools and AAU programs all had the worst coaches in history, as none of them could "coach" them to focus and concentrate and tell them where to aim so they don't know how to shoot free throws after all these years of playing competitive ball. Sure ...

Shooting free throws well is on the player to practice to maximize his natural talent. Some will be naturally good at it, and others won't but can improve somewhat possibly through technique help, but mostly through practice,. But that is on the player.

 

[MainMan]

All the calls for TJ Cleveland's head reminds me of George Steinbrenner firing a hitting coach or two every season in the 80s.

It may make you feel good.

But it's not going to change anything. 

 

[Knight]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

PRACTICE. There are also coaches that can deconstruct a shooter’s FT shooting, and help focus concentration. When I played ball, my coach told me to aim for the back of the front rim. It requires the coach to do some coaching.

I guess all our D1 players from top high schools and AAU programs all had the worst coaches in history, as none of them could "coach" them to focus and concentrate and tell them where to aim so they don't know how to shoot free throws after all these years of playing competitive ball. Sure ...

Shooting free throws well is on the player to practice to maximize his natural talent. Some will be naturally good at it, and others won't but can improve somewhat possibly through technique help, but mostly through practice,. But that is on the player.

And if the coach does not see improvement or sees a regression (Champy) he ignores it, because?

 

[Knight]

NEW YORK, May 13, 2021 -- St. John's has given Big East Conference coach of the year Mike Anderson a six-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The university announced the deal on Thursday after Anderson delivered consecutive winning seasons in his first two years.

 

[otis]

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

———
A coach can “fix”/ improve free throw shooting by causing his/her players to be focused during the game and when they stand on the line.

St. John’s plays unfocused, as evidenced by the many thoughtless errors in yesterday’s game.

Most, of not all of the St. John’s players have much more favorable career foul shooting percentages than this year .  Read poster The Honorable Brian3’s post wherein he recounted the team unity and focus which he witnessed Cooley command last evening.

The bottom line is that this season CMA’s team is playing undisciplined and unfocused basketball which was not true during CMA’s first season at St. John’s.  

Apparently Arkansas and The Honorable Monte were correct.

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

PRACTICE. There are also coaches that can deconstruct a shooter’s FT shooting, and help focus concentration. When I played ball, my coach told me to aim for the back of the front rim. It requires the coach to do some coaching.

I guess all our D1 players from top high schools and AAU programs all had the worst coaches in history, as none of them could "coach" them to focus and concentrate and tell them where to aim so they don't know how to shoot free throws after all these years of playing competitive ball. Sure ...

Shooting free throws well is on the player to practice to maximize his natural talent. Some will be naturally good at it, and others won't but can improve somewhat possibly through technique help, but mostly through practice,. But that is on the player.

And if the coach does not see improvement or sees a regression (Champy) he ignores it, because?

Who says he ignores it?

 

[Redmen88]

We have Anderson’s history here at SJU, we don’t have to look back 15 years to heap praises on him and ignore his current performance and results.  He’s had time to fix 3-point defense and free throw shooting. I’m not talking about one game’s performance, but the season as a whole.  Results?

How does a coach "fix" free throw shooting?

PRACTICE. There are also coaches that can deconstruct a shooter’s FT shooting, and help focus concentration. When I played ball, my coach told me to aim for the back of the front rim. It requires the coach to do some coaching.

I guess all our D1 players from top high schools and AAU programs all had the worst coaches in history, as none of them could "coach" them to focus and concentrate and tell them where to aim so they don't know how to shoot free throws after all these years of playing competitive ball. Sure ...

Shooting free throws well is on the player to practice to maximize his natural talent. Some will be naturally good at it, and others won't but can improve somewhat possibly through technique help, but mostly through practice,. But that is on the player.

A great free throw exercise is to have your team run at the end of practice and then shoot free throws when exhausted. This simulates late game FTs.  Do this at the end of practice and don't end practice until a certain number of FT's are made in a row or keep running.  At this level a FT should be at least 75% or above.  Absolutely no excuse for 50% FT %.  Stop practicing 40minutes of hell and practice FT's. 

Everyone but the bigs should be shooting at least 100 3's during practice also.  You win by scoring more points then the other team, so stops on D is only half of the equation.  Which players do you expect to hit a 3 if any?  Maybe Champ if he ever comes around and maybe I don't cringe when Coburn shoots, but I expect everyone else to hit about 30%.  There is not light at the end of this tunnel.  We are going deeper downward with no light in sight....
 

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

 I guess all our D1 players from top high schools and AAU programs all had the worst coaches in history, as none of them could "coach" them to focus and concentrate and tell them where to aim so they don't know how to shoot free throws after all these years of playing competitive ball. Sure ...

Shooting free throws well is on the player to practice to maximize his natural talent. Some will be naturally good at it, and others won't but can improve somewhat possibly through technique help, but mostly through practice,. But that is on the player.

A great free throw exercise is to have your team run at the end of practice and then shoot free throws when exhausted. This simulates late game FTs.  Do this at the end of practice and don't end practice until a certain number of FT's are made in a row or keep running.  At this level a FT should be at least 75% or above.  Absolutely no excuse for 50% FT %.  Stop practicing 40minutes of hell and practice FT's. 

Everyone but the bigs should be shooting at least 100 3's during practice also.  You win by scoring more points then the other team, so stops on D is only half of the equation.  Which players do you expect to hit a 3 if any?  Maybe Champ if he ever comes around and maybe I don't cringe when Coburn shoots, but I expect everyone else to hit about 30%.  There is not light at the end of this tunnel.  We are going deeper downward with no light in sight....
 

It is amazing how many posters here know exactly what the team does and does not do in its practices, and that Anderson does not have the team practice free throws or three-pointers ...

 

[lawmanfan]

Reposting this (in part) from the Providence thread since the latest spate of posts on this thread seems to have been sparked by losing to Providence.

Providence is in Year 10 with the same coach and returning a bunch of players who have been in that system for multiple years or came in as upperclassmen.  Watson, Reeves, Horchler, Croswell, Durham and Minaya are all seniors, Bynum is a junior, the only player who gets significant time other than those guys is Breed who's a sophomore.

That has a whole lot to do with their success this season, which you wouldn't otherwise expect if you look at their player rankings or their team stats.

Ed Cooley was basically .500 overall his first two years, going 4-14 in the league his first year and 9-9 in the league his second year (and has basically gone 10-8 in the conference ever since except for one year when he went 12-6).  He did make a leap in Year 3 and went to the NCAAs, and has been consistent since then. 

Taking the COVID year or two into account, the financial/structural difference between Providence and SJU, and the hope that Fr Shanley and AD Cragg will make significant progress in rectifying that, I still don't see any reason why Coach Anderson can't match at SJU what Ed Cooley does at Providence.

That it hasn't happened overnight does not mean it won't happen.  Of course there's no guarantee that it will, either - but I do not see the school pushing the panic button at this juncture or in the next couple of years. 

So those who find the frustration level too high or don't have patience may want to find an alternative rooting interest. 

 

[beast of the east]

As noted by many sensible guys, CMA is not getting canned now by the man who hired him, he and team will pull off an upset or two perhaps, but no “Dance” once again and next year’s results likely will be more of same.

I have trouble envisioning this staff landing needle moving transfers and/or recruits post season. We also seem at times to be overly optimistic re development of our young guys like Stanley, Pinzon to have a big second year impact.

All in all, my ample gut says Cragg will by end of next season be at the crossroad re Mike’s tenure. That does not preclude staying course for a year five, but he seems an astute, outcomes oriented guy capable of making tough decisions. Although, very disappointed by this season, I choose the less impulsive course and trust Cragg will do the right thing in a time frame he deems appropriate. What choice do I have anyway?

One of my biggest fears is that a major university could make Mike an offer he cannot refuse.    Short of that, though, I do even get the smallest inkling that he is ready to pull up stakes.  He is engaged in all aspects of the university as a leader, and is a high integrity, extremely bright, loyal and patient executive.   His resume essentially has one employer - Duke University for 33 years.   He sees this as a huge undertaking as part of the transformation of the university into something vastly better.   Piece by piece, those things are happening across campus - in Tobin, in the College of Pharmacy and Health professions to name two, and there are many more.   Athletics is a big piece of the branding of St. John's and Father Shanley is in lock step with Mike on that notion.    Our fans think the failure of our men's basketball team will facilitate an exit, but I think it would be more along the lines of our donor base not supporting the necessary improvements.    Actually, despite what some people feel on here, I don't see that initiative failing either.   

As much as fans are debating whether Anderson is the guy (the topic of this thread), reality is that despite what any of us think, at present and near future he IS the guy, period.   No amateur fan-coaches questioning methods, strategy, the handling of student athletes, or even the most important aspect, recruiting, can change that.   Mike Cragg has a long vision, and having worked for what he believes is the greatest coach in college basketball history, knows and values Mike Anderson.   That's all the is really pertinent to the discussion, except to vent, gripe, critique, and at times publicly defame and impugn the staff, sometimes on here and sometimes in the worst way possible on other forms of social media in direct attacks.

 

[Redmen88]

 I guess all our D1 players from top high schools and AAU programs all had the worst coaches in history, as none of them could "coach" them to focus and concentrate and tell them where to aim so they don't know how to shoot free throws after all these years of playing competitive ball. Sure ...

Shooting free throws well is on the player to practice to maximize his natural talent. Some will be naturally good at it, and others won't but can improve somewhat possibly through technique help, but mostly through practice,. But that is on the player.

A great free throw exercise is to have your team run at the end of practice and then shoot free throws when exhausted. This simulates late game FTs.  Do this at the end of practice and don't end practice until a certain number of FT's are made in a row or keep running.  At this level a FT should be at least 75% or above.  Absolutely no excuse for 50% FT %.  Stop practicing 40minutes of hell and practice FT's. 

Everyone but the bigs should be shooting at least 100 3's during practice also.  You win by scoring more points then the other team, so stops on D is only half of the equation.  Which players do you expect to hit a 3 if any?  Maybe Champ if he ever comes around and maybe I don't cringe when Coburn shoots, but I expect everyone else to hit about 30%.  There is not light at the end of this tunnel.  We are going deeper downward with no light in sight....
 

It is amazing how many posters here know exactly what the team does and does not do in its practices, and that Anderson does not have the team practice free throws or three-pointers ...

I have no idea what he does.  I can only speak to the product I see on the floor and I see a team not able to play in the post season.   Either his recruiting is lacking and the players don't have the skills or he is unable to teach these talented players.  Either way it equates to another mediocre team and it is on the coach to find and coach up players.  Bottom line it rests on the coach since these are the players he recruited.