Around the Big East

Spencer is gritty, talented, overachieves and a ball buster. He is one of four huge pieces missing from UConn this year. Have to admit that backcourt was tremendous at both ends of court while Clingan proved dominant in the Dance.


Cam Spencer has an amazing story, but it doesn’t compare to that of his brother Pat Spencer of the Golden State Warriors. Frank Isola on NBA radio told his story last week. If I remember correctly Pat Spencer was a 4 year lacrosse player at Northwestern? and is now playing regularly in the NBA.
 
Agree, but being a nice kid has nothing to do with he has not met expectations this year and has been a big disappointment.
He’s averaging a career high in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks (double last year) while shooting 35.3% from three, 82.3% from the line, and 54% from two. You’re mad at that guy? That’s the guy you call Karabist all year🙄. Yet you praise Vince if he remembers to wipe his ass after taking a dump.
 
Karaban has had some rough patches this year but he’s been very solid for a couple weeks now. Honestly that little stretch he had in the second half against us at MSG might’ve been the spark that got him back on track
 
Congratulations RJ. I as hard on him last year, and I guess understated the impact that his injuries had on him. Very happy to see the progress to what he has been for us this year. Kudos, and please come on back!!!
 

RJ Luis wins Big East Player of the Year, Rick Pitino named top coach to continue dream season for St. John’s​



By
Zach Braziller


Twenty-two months ago, RJ Luis made his college decision.

The UMass transfer had options. He took visits to Louisville and Texas A&M, along with St. John’s.


The Queens school stood out for one reason.


“I want to be coached by the best and I want somebody to hold me accountable,” Luis told The Post at the time. “[Rick Pitino] is going to help me develop my game and be more of a complete player.”

So far, it has worked out just as Luis hoped.

In his second season as a Johnnie, he has developed into one of the top wings in the country, and on Wednesday he made St. John’s history as its first Big East Player of the Year in 39 years.

Walter Berry was the last Johnnie to win the award in 1986.

Luis beat fellow unanimous All-Big East first team selections Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton, Kam Jones of Marquette and Eric Dixon of Villanova.

Pitino was also named the Big East Coach of the Year after leading the sixth-ranked Red Storm to their first outright regular season title since 1985.

It is, remarkably, the Hall of Famer’s first time winning the honor in 12 seasons as a Big East coach at Providence, Louisville and St. John’s.


RJ Luis Jr. driving the lane against Isaac Traudt during a basketball game between St. John's Red Storm and Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden 3
RJ Luis was named Big East Player of the Year. Getty Images
The award continued a big week for the Johnnies. On Sunday, Luis and forward Zuby Ejiofor were named to the All-Big East first team. A day later, Ejiofor was selected as the conference’s Most Improved Player. The close friends are the latest Pitino development success stories, going from role players a year ago to stars this season.


“Coach Pitino does a great job of just pushing us to our limits and beyond,” Ejiofor said. “The player development sessions, the practices, the level of competitiveness is always there every single day. We have no choice but to get better.”


From the time Luis arrived in Queens, Pitino raved about his potential. Last season was difficult for the Miami native.

He suffered a fractured left hand during the preseason and severe shin splints limited him much of the season.

Luis was rarely able to practice or take part in Pitino’s renowned skill development sessions. He underwent surgeries to repair the issues.


St. John's Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. dunking a basketball past Butler Bulldogs' forward Patrick McCaffery during a NCAA game in Indianapolis 3
RJ Luis led St. John’s to the Big East regular season title. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It was probably like a month into the surgery. I couldn’t walk by myself, couldn’t stand up,” Luis told The Post’s Steve Serby. “I felt like helpless in a way, ‘cause I needed somebody to help me all the time. The pain was unbearable. I couldn’t sleep, had to like up the dosage on the drug so I could just go to sleep.


“My worst fear? I didn’t think I was gonna be as athletic. Like I thought I was gonna lose my [first] step. And I’m probably more athletic than I was the year before.”

He returned a different player this winter — more explosive, more disciplined and a dynamic two-way force.


St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino, dressed in a suit and tie, coaching a basketball game against Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden 3
Luis finished the regular season fourth in the Big East in scoring (18.1), sixth in rebounding (7.1) and 10th in field goal percentage (44.6).


Of late, he has significantly improved his 3-point shooting, making them at a 36.7 percent clip since Jan. 11.
 
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