Any reason for optimism next year?

We could use a reliable 3 point shooter . Even if that is all he contributes . Many BE opponents hsve at least 1 . They don’t have to be anything but , someone who can shoot high 30’s from 3 . And , can move a little to get that shot . Mussini type player but, maybe a bit taller . Trimble was in a slump for the last 5-6 games and couldn’t hit . He is a stand still shooter but, doesn’t shoot on the run . He can still be valuable next year . Don’t know about the shooting ability of the new guards, Wright and Mack ? They might fill that role or , bring in someone who can shoot . Looking at rosters of BE opponents , most hsve a plethora of front court players that are in the 6’7” or taller range . Long and Lean , like LeBlanc and Samir, etc . A bigger version of Simon , if you will but , can shoot from outside . Obviously we need bigger players in the middle . 6’10 and more than 1 ., It will help .
 
Too early for this thread. We don’t know who’s leaving. There will be coaching changes and recruits will reopen their recruitment, there are grad transfer out here. We don’t even know what our staff will look like. Maybe I’m in fantasy land, but hoping Simon and Heron returns. If that’s the case , we can be good.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=330745][quote="Marillac" post=330737]Our current team is so flawed, why wouldn’t we be better next year?

Clark doesn’t rebound. No big man backup could be worse than Keita. We can’t be smaller. We can’t be less deep.

Our defense and rebounding should be much better if nothing else.

The potential grad transfer market is very nice this year and we have some connections to good players. Nico Carvacho went to Sunrise Christian like Trimble and Clark and he averaged 16 pts and 13 boards at 6’11 240.

AJ Harris is a former Ohio State PG that was ranked #93 in the RSCI and currently starting for 28-4 New Mexico St. He was a teammate of LJ’s at New Mexico St. for a semester.[/quote]

I could bring back all the various posts you made before and during this year about this team and its players that totally contradict what you are writing now that evidently you are now disavowing.

But I just think you are beyond parody at this point.[/quote]

Then do it. My tone all year has been this team has to become good first before it could become what many posters thought. We haven’t checked those boxes. I think we win one game in the tournament and then get sent packing...probably emphatically.

I thought the team would peak now like the Kemba team...clearly hasn’t happened. Shamorie has been very disappointing. Ceiling of sweet 16 floor of NIT has been my stance. Looks like we will finish within that estimate.
 
I think we get bounced game 1. But if we win 1 game in the tourney, it will really improve the mood of the posters.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=330777]I think we get bounced game 1. But if we win 1 game in the tourney, it will really improve the mood of the posters.[/quote]

Until the next loss like always.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=330768]Too early for this thread. We don’t know who’s leaving. There will be coaching changes and recruits will reopen their recruitment, there are grad transfer out here. We don’t even know what our staff will look like. Maybe I’m in fantasy land, but hoping Simon and Heron returns. If that’s the case , we can be good.[/quote]

Your staff point is well taken. If recruiters leave for example, often commitments are broken or kids follow them. Let’s revisit this in a few weeks with too many variables at this point.
 
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I think the mood is relative to expectations. I don’t think too many posters are expecting us to win 2 games.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=330716][quote="Beast of the East" post=330712]Makes no sense to have a thread like this after playing by far our worst second half of the season. Even the most optimistic fans are down, so this only brings out the worst possible scenarios. Don't see it as therapeutic, and likely just feeding into our worst prognostications.[/quote]

You can't expect only compliments especially when they fly in the face of reality. Notice those who ask questions and realize the bleak outlook never demand that the other side stop giving their perspective.[/quote]

Not the point. Some people thrive on the negative and wander over there far too easily. Point was, not only does a beating like this make fans reasonably concerned about our prospects in the tournament, but it invokes the most negative parts of us to go down the road and talk about next season or the one after that. After the DePaul win the sentiments were exactly the opposite about next season, speculating that with only Clark graduating that the team would be strong.

If you want to challenge me on everything take it to private. No one wants to read back and forth garbage, and I've taken the bait too many times.
 
I don't remember anyone claiming next year would be great then say "nevermind it will suck". Virtually all reasonable fans have known for a while we need to win now because we are rebuilding again after the season. That hasn't changed.
 
You make great points Gene.
This year's team was all Shamorie, all-the-time, sink or swim, although at times other guys like Mustapha and Figgy showed up.
Next year's team is partially an enigma, due to 'mystery' guys transferring out (Trimble, Keita, Earlington) or leaving (Heron), but the pieces we know about who are coming in may not be 'All-World' but have been previously highly ranked (Wright, Steere, Mack) and may well jell better than this year's team.
Eli Wright, for example, was a fab 3-pt shooter in HS but lost that skill at slow-moving MS State. Maybe, he regains that next year with us, or Caraher is our 3-pt guy. I call him a 'poor-man's Chris Mullin'.
We shall see, but I'm hopeful.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=330793]I don't remember anyone claiming next year would be great then say "nevermind it will suck". Virtually all reasonable fans have known for a while we need to win now because we are rebuilding again after the season. That hasn't changed.[/quote]

Amar Alobegovic and Christian Jones is rebuilding.

Wright-Simon-Figueroa-Williams-Trimble-Caraher-Roberts-Steere and possibly Heron is different.
 
There is ALWAYS a reason for optimism.........if you want to look for it. It's been a really tough season, made worse by last's night's embarrassment. But, like others, I will wait till the season is over and till I know what our staff and roster looks like next season, before I decide where to search for optimism.
 
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[quote="Chicago Days" post=330795]You make great points Gene.
This year's team was all Shamorie, all-the-time, sink or swim, although at times other guys like Mustapha and Figgy showed up.
Next year's team is partially an enigma, due to 'mystery' guys transferring out (Trimble, Keita, Earlington) or leaving (Heron), but the pieces we know about who are coming in may not be 'All-World' but have been previously highly ranked (Wright, Steere, Mack) and may well jell better than this year's team.
Eli Wright, for example, was a fab 3-pt shooter in HS but lost that skill at slow-moving MS State. Maybe, he regains that next year with us, or Caraher is our 3-pt guy. I call him a 'poor-man's Chris Mullin'.
We shall see, but I'm hopeful.[/quote]

No offense, Chi.... But how is Caraher a "poor-man's Chris Mullin?" Unless, you're aware of something that I don't know, then fill me in.
 
Seems continued rumors on staff makeup (from HC to assistants) by their own choice or by admin.

That will dictate everything....especially which kids come back or move on, either by staff choice or player.
 
IMO next year is as much about the system Coach Mullin utilizes as it is about the talent in the roster.

I question whether the open NBA system that StJohn’s utilizes is effecting in college because in large part the the college players lack the talent and consistency which NBA players have to succeed in that same system.. I question whether a college team can win playing man defense whereby the defender seemingly alway switches off thereby consistently creating mismatches with its 6 foot point guard on the opposing 4 or 5. I question a system that places little emphases offensive rebounds.

I believe that this year’s StJohn’s team had talent that could have been utilized better in a different system, but hey, we are StJohn’s fans so we expect to be disappointed.
——
The above having been said to feel proud of a Stjohn’s Player please go to YouTube and watch “I am Marvin Clark”
 
[quote="MJDinkins" post=330799][quote="Chicago Days" post=330795]You make great points Gene.
This year's team was all Shamorie, all-the-time, sink or swim, although at times other guys like Mustapha and Figgy showed up.
Next year's team is partially an enigma, due to 'mystery' guys transferring out (Trimble, Keita, Earlington) or leaving (Heron), but the pieces we know about who are coming in may not be 'All-World' but have been previously highly ranked (Wright, Steere, Mack) and may well jell better than this year's team.
Eli Wright, for example, was a fab 3-pt shooter in HS but lost that skill at slow-moving MS State. Maybe, he regains that next year with us, or Caraher is our 3-pt guy. I call him a 'poor-man's Chris Mullin'.
We shall see, but I'm hopeful.[/quote]

No offense, Chi.... But how is Caraher a "poor-man's Chris Mullin?" Unless, you're aware of something that I don't know, then fill me in.[/quote]

Lol. Emphasis on 'poor man', Dink!
Slower player with a good shot and some court-savvy...plus, I'm looking for some rays of hope, man.
 
Roberts needs a lot of development, he's still raw. He has the motor but physically he's way too skinny right now. I was surprised to see he actually has a decent mid-range shot practicing before a game. Of course that's without a defender so who knows if it translates. Hopefully he gets used to Big East game speed and can really contribute significantly.

One thing is for sure though regarding bigs: we can't find ones who can contribute significantly from day 1 with real size in both height and weight and with real skill offensively and on the boards. You're telling me we can't land one Joey Brunk or Zach Hankins? Or Stainbrook?
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=330811]Question for next season, is Manuel still on track to bring eligible?[/quote]
Nothing definitive although staff optimistic apparently. Btw, so we don’t overestimate his ability year one which we often do, he is safely a project.
 
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Amazing - some expectations that might actually be realistic. Thank you Paultz. This is in short supply around here.
 
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