[quote="Tom in Salem" post=282406][quote="Beast of the East" post=282388][quote="Class of 72" post=282384][quote="L J S A" post=282368][quote="Beast of the East" post=282360][quote="Mike Zaun" post=282324]One thing's for sure...we have to stop claiming that even 1 win improvements are progress in years after we finish in or near the basement. Imagine the Cleveland Browns going 0-16 and having 1-15, 2-14, 3-13, 4-12, etc. following seasons considered to be "progress". It's technical progress, but not anywhere near success.[/quote]
Who claimed that?[/quote]
In all my years of watching sports, I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim that.[/quote]
In all my years of reading this forum I've only heard it here during the Mullin experiment. Some called it "incremental" improvement while others called it progress. In three Big East seasons we have won 1 game in year one, 7 games in year two and then we took a step back in year three winning only 4 games. In 54 Big East games we have only won 12 games in three years.
So, while Beast disagreed with Mike Zaun he also confirmed he one game improvement scenario in saying "
If I had to make aAs you said prediction, it would be a 1-3 game improvement and be pleasantly surprised if they exceed that." If improvement under Mullin is winning just ONE more game next year then we are collectively in deep shit.
Mullin needs to win 21 games in a weakened Big East next year or he is history. As we saw with Lavin that still may not be enough to save his job if he loses all his major targets starting with Kofi.
That's the reality whether you guys Karma me or not.[/quote]
Conversely, Tom In Salem predict a 5 game improvement, which would be 21 wins and a likely NCAA bid, yet still thinks Mullin should be fired.
All I'm saying is that as the roster stands now, I don't see a radical improvement. A 3 game improvement is 19 wins, which is acceptable improvement. 17 wins, is really just standing in place, but unless the cupboard is empty for the next season wouldn't see that as reason to fire him, and as I've said a million times, my opinion is that he won't be fired after 4 years, not whether he should or shouldn't.
If Mullin doesn't win 21 games you may be screaming louder than ever, but I just don't get the impression that your opinion would influence the decision makers unless you are one of them[/quote]
I can see a 20 win season but I still see an early signing period of frustration.
Do you really expect to land the local studs after missing out the past couple of years?
What will change? They'll be committing before the season's starts.
Losing Ponds and Clark, at a minimum, will require some big time replacements, and I can see the staff chasing the Bryan Trimbles and Earlingtons again.
Time to cut bait.[/quote]
I too think St. John's has the talent and depth to win 20 games. Certainly if Ponds returns but with the departure of some Big East stars from other schools there is no reason to think this team can't get to post season.
You are spot on about needing big time replacements and early signing of a couple of targets. If, after 4 years, Mullin and staff strike out with the local targets then there is no advantage of keeping this staff. May as well go after top notch up and coming coaches hungry to recruit and not some re-thread or another retired millionaire just cashing a paycheck.
There is no survival with going after sloppy seconds with transfers. I want a staff that prep players want to play for. Any staff, not just Matt Abdelmassih, can recruit transfers with talent. In fact, other assistant coaches get better transfers than we have been recrutiing.
Mullin’s number one fan and supporter, Lou Carnesecca, said during the hiring that it is all about getting the players. Mullin said he'd be locked in to the local talent. I am content to wait and see if he has the charisma to finally bring in the talent he promised. As you implied, with the expected loss of major talent after next year, absent a nationally ranked recruiting class, there would be little reason to continue the experiment.
