Asst coach discussion

[quote="Paul Massell" post=347473][quote="Chicago Days" post=347469][quote="Making Plays" post=347466][quote="redmaninalbany" post=347292]I learned the hard way:

In terms of conference wins and losses, next season is a lost cause.
[/quote]

I wouldn't count them out next season, Anderson has never had a losing season, his teams no matter who has been out there are always very competitive. ...[/quote]


Well, Making Plays, you're making a believer outta me. Lol.
This Board tends to view things 'half empty' because of our history of the past 2, mostly lousy, decades.
But i agree with you about next season IF LJ stays, we get a solid & seasoned PG, and valid reinforcements from the JUCO/Grad T markets. We need more height to include 1 more solid big plus some complementary pieces for depth at SG, SF & PF.
Here's hoping.[/quote]

I'm not convinced that we can do anything with a 5'9" FROSH PG no matter how tough he is. Mugsy Bogues was a different time. Now everyone is a shooter even if they are 7'+ And forget about 7 footers. We've had the most trouble with guys 6'6-9" who shot over our small ball. Even if he was 6'3" tough to be a starting PG as a Frosh. So I'd say if LJ returns and Heron returns then we have two awesome pieces. If we get two bigs and another long guard with some experience then the season is NOT a write off and we could go as far as those two can take us. I'm convinced that LJ could have done more last season but deferred a lot. He was also off-book it seemed in that he actually followed his shot and went for offensive rebounds. I think he could be fully unleashed under new style if he's willing to put in that kind of effort. He obviously loves playing full court and does it as good as anyone.

That said, go in handicapped with a 5'9 starting PG with zero experience and coupled with no muscle inside (where we are at right now) and yes the season is lost IMO.[/quote]

Oh I agree Paul, we're doomed for a bad season if we don't add some pieces, particularly a solid guard, and some added muscle inside plus, being greedy, I'd luv 1 more solid SF.
Of course, this is glass half-full thinking (dreaming?). Lol.
IF we lose Figgy, the bets are off.
Including LJ, my dream quartet to add would be: Donte F. Dorsey, PG/SG, Andre Allen (PF), Chris Maiduh (PF), Javon Franklin (SF).
We shall see.
 
[quote="panther2" post=347288]Coach Anderson appears to be taking his time with this decision which is very understandable. Whatever happens at St Johns will define his legacy as a Coach. It will also have have significant impact on St Johns basketball going forward. For all of those wondering why he has not named his assistants, I would advise you to be patient. One or two weekends during the Spring is not going to destroy our program.

All of us when making career or hiring decisions take our time and give careful consideration to our options. Why should we expect anything less from him. Have heard that he has interviewed and consulted with multiple people. Coach Anderson has been on the job less than two weeks and "we" want him to name assistants that meet "our" timeline, lmao.

Let's let Coach Anderson do his job. There is a reason why he is the Coach and we ain't.[/quote] Panther is retired so lets get Panther as DOBO !!
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=347477][quote="Paul Massell" post=347473][quote="Chicago Days" post=347469][quote="Making Plays" post=347466][quote="redmaninalbany" post=347292]I learned the hard way:

In terms of conference wins and losses, next season is a lost cause.
[/quote]

I wouldn't count them out next season, Anderson has never had a losing season, his teams no matter who has been out there are always very competitive. ...[/quote]


Well, Making Plays, you're making a believer outta me. Lol.
This Board tends to view things 'half empty' because of our history of the past 2, mostly lousy, decades.
But i agree with you about next season IF LJ stays, we get a solid & seasoned PG, and valid reinforcements from the JUCO/Grad T markets. We need more height to include 1 more solid big plus some complementary pieces for depth at SG, SF & PF.
Here's hoping.[/quote]

I'm not convinced that we can do anything with a 5'9" FROSH PG no matter how tough he is. Mugsy Bogues was a different time. Now everyone is a shooter even if they are 7'+ And forget about 7 footers. We've had the most trouble with guys 6'6-9" who shot over our small ball. Even if he was 6'3" tough to be a starting PG as a Frosh. So I'd say if LJ returns and Heron returns then we have two awesome pieces. If we get two bigs and another long guard with some experience then the season is NOT a write off and we could go as far as those two can take us. I'm convinced that LJ could have done more last season but deferred a lot. He was also off-book it seemed in that he actually followed his shot and went for offensive rebounds. I think he could be fully unleashed under new style if he's willing to put in that kind of effort. He obviously loves playing full court and does it as good as anyone.

That said, go in handicapped with a 5'9 starting PG with zero experience and coupled with no muscle inside (where we are at right now) and yes the season is lost IMO.[/quote]
To be optimistic about next season is a stretch considering the schedule is tougher, the BE returns many core players, Steere may not be eligible until January and you can’t assume too much about the sit out guys. On the latter, Keita was a top 100 player and failed to impress. Steere and Wright may do well, but would not make too many assumptions at this point.

Starting a freshman point guard is always a challenge and hopefully staff finds a competent veteran from Juco or grad transfer pool to allow McGriff room to grow. Figgy will be close to impossible to replace if he exits at this point. As Paul noted, certainly the interior needs infusion of physicality.

Hopefully staff surprises us, but frankly it is so late in the process, it is unfair to assume they will. Yes, last year SJ came up with Heron and Figueroa relatively late, but the roster was appealing to them. That can’t be said this year.

All in all, it is all about the long term and building a program bound for consustent success, not year one.[/quote]

Just based on what CMA has done from the past, I highly doubt McGriff starts, depending on what else they bring in, I'm skeptical if he even plays the first year, he looks like the type that gets groomed for a couple years before he plays. CMA always prioritizes his upperclassmen in playing time. Freshman, unless they are spectacular like Bobby Portis or Isiah Joe, rarely start at day 1 for CMA. Phil Pressey who was a highly rated PG and played in the NBA didn't even start day 1 for CMA at Mizzou. This past year, Desi Sills who was a freshman, didn't start until the last 7 games, and he had to shoot 50% from 3 and be the best on ball defender before he was given that spot.

My guess is, if they don't get a grad transfer or a JUCO PG. CMA will do what he calls "PG by committee" And guys like Heron, Wright, and Williams will share those duties and he'll run without a true PG. He did at Arkansas when we had Jaylen Barford, Daryl Macon, and Dusty Hannahs, all of those guys were primarily SGs in college, but they shared ball handling responsibilities. That team won 26 games without a true PG starting and took UNC down to the wire in the 2nd round of tournament.

Also, not just saying all of that to appear as everything CMA does is right and try to portray him to be more than he is, he makes mistakes top, I'll call them during the season when he does :). I've just seen some of our Arkansas teams with less talent (paper wise) than this team and they did pretty well. With LJ and Heron back, I'd argue that would be the best back court duo he's had since the Macon/Barford duo I mentioned earlier. During their 2 years together they made the tournament both years and won 23 and 26 games. And I think LJ is a better shooter than both of those guys and definitely a better defender, neither Macon or Barford was sold on the defensive end, that's what kinda held them back.

And last thing... I was reading that Steere was expected to get a waiver to play at the start of next year since he only played in 1 game for 5 minutes? Has that waiver already been denied?
 
[quote="Making Plays" post=347485][quote="Paultzman" post=347477][quote="Paul Massell" post=347473][quote="Chicago Days" post=347469][quote="Making Plays" post=347466][quote="redmaninalbany" post=347292]I learned the hard way:

In terms of conference wins and losses, next season is a lost cause.
[/quote]

I wouldn't count them out next season, Anderson has never had a losing season, his teams no matter who has been out there are always very competitive. ...[/quote]


Well, Making Plays, you're making a believer outta me. Lol.
This Board tends to view things 'half empty' because of our history of the past 2, mostly lousy, decades.
But i agree with you about next season IF LJ stays, we get a solid & seasoned PG, and valid reinforcements from the JUCO/Grad T markets. We need more height to include 1 more solid big plus some complementary pieces for depth at SG, SF & PF.
Here's hoping.[/quote]

I'm not convinced that we can do anything with a 5'9" FROSH PG no matter how tough he is. Mugsy Bogues was a different time. Now everyone is a shooter even if they are 7'+ And forget about 7 footers. We've had the most trouble with guys 6'6-9" who shot over our small ball. Even if he was 6'3" tough to be a starting PG as a Frosh. So I'd say if LJ returns and Heron returns then we have two awesome pieces. If we get two bigs and another long guard with some experience then the season is NOT a write off and we could go as far as those two can take us. I'm convinced that LJ could have done more last season but deferred a lot. He was also off-book it seemed in that he actually followed his shot and went for offensive rebounds. I think he could be fully unleashed under new style if he's willing to put in that kind of effort. He obviously loves playing full court and does it as good as anyone.

That said, go in handicapped with a 5'9 starting PG with zero experience and coupled with no muscle inside (where we are at right now) and yes the season is lost IMO.[/quote]
To be optimistic about next season is a stretch considering the schedule is tougher, the BE returns many core players, Steere may not be eligible until January and you can’t assume too much about the sit out guys. On the latter, Keita was a top 100 player and failed to impress. Steere and Wright may do well, but would not make too many assumptions at this point.

Starting a freshman point guard is always a challenge and hopefully staff finds a competent veteran from Juco or grad transfer pool to allow McGriff room to grow. Figgy will be close to impossible to replace if he exits at this point. As Paul noted, certainly the interior needs infusion of physicality.

Hopefully staff surprises us, but frankly it is so late in the process, it is unfair to assume they will. Yes, last year SJ came up with Heron and Figueroa relatively late, but the roster was appealing to them. That can’t be said this year.

All in all, it is all about the long term and building a program bound for consustent success, not year one.[/quote]

Just based on what CMA has done from the past, I highly doubt McGriff starts, depending on what else they bring in, I'm skeptical if he even plays the first year, he looks like the type that gets groomed for a couple years before he plays. CMA always prioritizes his upperclassmen in playing time. Freshman, unless they are spectacular like Bobby Portis or Isiah Joe, rarely start at day 1 for CMA. Phil Pressey who was a highly rated PG and played in the NBA didn't even start day 1 for CMA at Mizzou. This past year, Desi Sills who was a freshman, didn't start until the last 7 games, and he had to shoot 50% from 3 and be the best on ball defender before he was given that spot.

My guess is, if they don't get a grad transfer or a JUCO PG. CMA will do what he calls "PG by committee" And guys like Heron, Wright, and Williams will share those duties and he'll run without a true PG. He did at Arkansas when we had Jaylen Barford, Daryl Macon, and Dusty Hannahs, all of those guys were primarily SGs in college, but they shared ball handling responsibilities. That team won 26 games without a true PG starting and took UNC down to the wire in the 2nd round of tournament.

Also, not just saying all of that to appear as everything CMA does is right and try to portray him to be more than he is, he makes mistakes top, I'll call them during the season when he does :). I've just seen some of our Arkansas teams with less talent (paper wise) than this team and they did pretty well. With LJ and Heron back, I'd argue that would be the best back court duo he's had since the Macon/Barford duo I mentioned earlier. During their 2 years together they made the tournament both years and won 23 and 26 games. And I think LJ is a better shooter than both of those guys and definitely a better defender, neither Macon or Barford was sold on the defensive end, that's what kinda held them back.

And last thing... I was reading that Steere was expected to get a waiver to play at the start of next year since he only played in 1 game for 5 minutes? Has that waiver already been denied?[/quote]

Don’t know about the waiver, but usually ncaa decides late. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was in the 11th hour. Steere a talented kid though. He’s gonna be a beast imo. 6’10 260lb kid who has great athleticism.
 
[quote="Making Plays" post=347485][quote="Paultzman" post=347477][quote="Paul Massell" post=347473][quote="Chicago Days" post=347469][quote="Making Plays" post=347466][quote="redmaninalbany" post=347292]I learned the hard way:

In terms of conference wins and losses, next season is a lost cause.
[/quote]

I wouldn't count them out next season, Anderson has never had a losing season, his teams no matter who has been out there are always very competitive. ...[/quote]


Well, Making Plays, you're making a believer outta me. Lol.
This Board tends to view things 'half empty' because of our history of the past 2, mostly lousy, decades.
But i agree with you about next season IF LJ stays, we get a solid & seasoned PG, and valid reinforcements from the JUCO/Grad T markets. We need more height to include 1 more solid big plus some complementary pieces for depth at SG, SF & PF.
Here's hoping.[/quote]

I'm not convinced that we can do anything with a 5'9" FROSH PG no matter how tough he is. Mugsy Bogues was a different time. Now everyone is a shooter even if they are 7'+ And forget about 7 footers. We've had the most trouble with guys 6'6-9" who shot over our small ball. Even if he was 6'3" tough to be a starting PG as a Frosh. So I'd say if LJ returns and Heron returns then we have two awesome pieces. If we get two bigs and another long guard with some experience then the season is NOT a write off and we could go as far as those two can take us. I'm convinced that LJ could have done more last season but deferred a lot. He was also off-book it seemed in that he actually followed his shot and went for offensive rebounds. I think he could be fully unleashed under new style if he's willing to put in that kind of effort. He obviously loves playing full court and does it as good as anyone.

That said, go in handicapped with a 5'9 starting PG with zero experience and coupled with no muscle inside (where we are at right now) and yes the season is lost IMO.[/quote]
To be optimistic about next season is a stretch considering the schedule is tougher, the BE returns many core players, Steere may not be eligible until January and you can’t assume too much about the sit out guys. On the latter, Keita was a top 100 player and failed to impress. Steere and Wright may do well, but would not make too many assumptions at this point.

Starting a freshman point guard is always a challenge and hopefully staff finds a competent veteran from Juco or grad transfer pool to allow McGriff room to grow. Figgy will be close to impossible to replace if he exits at this point. As Paul noted, certainly the interior needs infusion of physicality.

Hopefully staff surprises us, but frankly it is so late in the process, it is unfair to assume they will. Yes, last year SJ came up with Heron and Figueroa relatively late, but the roster was appealing to them. That can’t be said this year.

All in all, it is all about the long term and building a program bound for consustent success, not year one.[/quote]

Just based on what CMA has done from the past, I highly doubt McGriff starts, depending on what else they bring in, I'm skeptical if he even plays the first year, he looks like the type that gets groomed for a couple years before he plays. CMA always prioritizes his upperclassmen in playing time. Freshman, unless they are spectacular like Bobby Portis or Isiah Joe, rarely start at day 1 for CMA. Phil Pressey who was a highly rated PG and played in the NBA didn't even start day 1 for CMA at Mizzou. This past year, Desi Sills who was a freshman, didn't start until the last 7 games, and he had to shoot 50% from 3 and be the best on ball defender before he was given that spot.

My guess is, if they don't get a grad transfer or a JUCO PG. CMA will do what he calls "PG by committee" And guys like Heron, Wright, and Williams will share those duties and he'll run without a true PG. He did at Arkansas when we had Jaylen Barford, Daryl Macon, and Dusty Hannahs, all of those guys were primarily SGs in college, but they shared ball handling responsibilities. That team won 26 games without a true PG starting and took UNC down to the wire in the 2nd round of tournament.

Also, not just saying all of that to appear as everything CMA does is right and try to portray him to be more than he is, he makes mistakes top, I'll call them during the season when he does :). I've just seen some of our Arkansas teams with less talent (paper wise) than this team and they did pretty well. With LJ and Heron back, I'd argue that would be the best back court duo he's had since the Macon/Barford duo I mentioned earlier. During their 2 years together they made the tournament both years and won 23 and 26 games. And I think LJ is a better shooter than both of those guys and definitely a better defender, neither Macon or Barford was sold on the defensive end, that's what kinda held them back.

And last thing... I was reading that Steere was expected to get a waiver to play at the start of next year since he only played in 1 game for 5 minutes? Has that waiver already been denied?[/quote]

Nope, we haven't heard about Steere's waiver status but many assume the worst because that's what we've been through in recent years. Lol.
You're giving me hope MP, because you seem to be saying that CMA while not the Second Coming is a damned good coach with a system that works and often succeeds not because of perfect 'fits' but because of total effort.
Hoping Mike adds some decent pieces here.
We shall see.
 
Guys remember the bigger question about Steere is not so much will he be eligible in November or mid December but rather does he lose an entire year of playing eligibility. Two separate issues. Transferring in mid season whether he played or not still requires him to sit a full year. By playing in a live game he burns an entire year of eligibility IN ADDITION to sitting out until mid December. Restoring all 4 years of eligibility issue is more important.
 
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Do any of us doubt that Mike Anderson with TJ and ???
will do everything “ humanly possible “
to augment this 2019-20 team. It’s easy to relax knowing that -
and with MA/TJ at the helm
- and - IMO we will be a good, possibly .500 team or better
But for sure a fun, exciting driven team to watch.
 
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I hope you "optimistic" guys are right and I'm wrong about next year.
Admittedly, I just don't want expectations to be high for Anderson's first year I the Big East... even year two.
If he succeeds at recruiting Big East level talent in the spare pickings left this year and can convince Fig and Heron (better be back), then your hopes may be fulfilled. But, even given those assumptions, it will be very difficult to break even with a freshman point guard. Even Mark Jackson was a turnover waiting to happen that first year if I recall his innumerable charges; yet he emerged as one of our great points.
And transfers will definitely help...but to expect them to coalesce into a formidable force against experienced Big East competition is a stretch. We likely could be fine pre-conference. Of course, I will support and cheer like crazy when the Big East starts. Hoping to be wrong, I think it is not reasonable to expect .500 out of Anderson in year 1 in conference play. .
 
[quote="redmaninalbany" post=347603]I hope you "optimistic" guys are right and I'm wrong about next year.
Admittedly, I just don't want expectations to be high for Anderson's first year I the Big East... even year two.
If he succeeds at recruiting Big East level talent in the spare pickings left this year and can convince Fig and Heron (better be back), then your hopes may be fulfilled. But, even given those assumptions, it will be very difficult to break even with a freshman point guard. Even Mark Jackson was a turnover waiting to happen that first year if I recall his innumerable charges; yet he emerged as one of our great points.
And transfers will definitely help...but to expect them to coalesce into a formidable force against experienced Big East competition is a stretch. We likely could be fine pre-conference. Of course, I will support and cheer like crazy when the Big East starts. Hoping to be wrong, I think it is not reasonable to expect .500 out of Anderson in year 1 in conference play. .[/quote]
Roster can change quickly, but at this point a .500 overall record would be fine in a building year. Lot of variables still in play though.
 
[quote="redmaninalbany" post=347603]I hope you "optimistic" guys are right and I'm wrong about next year.
Admittedly, I just don't want expectations to be high for Anderson's first year I the Big East... even year two.
If he succeeds at recruiting Big East level talent in the spare pickings left this year and can convince Fig and Heron (better be back), then your hopes may be fulfilled. But, even given those assumptions, it will be very difficult to break even with a freshman point guard. Even Mark Jackson was a turnover waiting to happen that first year if I recall his innumerable charges; yet he emerged as one of our great points.
And transfers will definitely help...but to expect them to coalesce into a formidable force against experienced Big East competition is a stretch. We likely could be fine pre-conference. Of course, I will support and cheer like crazy when the Big East starts. Hoping to be wrong, I think it is not reasonable to expect .500 out of Anderson in year 1 in conference play. .[/quote]

Your caution is sound, redmaninalbany.
My cautious optimism hinges on Figgy returning and our Staff filling the roster out with workable pieces and promising projects, then fitting them into Mike's system and away we go...to...maybe 9 - 9 in the BEC.
Let's hope.
 
[quote="Knight" post=347642]Borland still in the mix?[/quote]
Not after you screwed up his name :)
 
[quote="Knight" post=347642]Borland still in the mix?[/quote]

I hope so. I say get a dobo hired and elevate him for recruiting until Borland can join. It not, CMA seems to be thoughtful and I’m sure he will find a good 3rd assistant.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=347643][quote="Knight" post=347642]Borland still in the mix?[/quote]
Not after you screwed up his name :)[/quote]

Lol. I hate spellcheck. Borman.
 
[quote="gman" post=347644][quote="Knight" post=347642]Borland still in the mix?[/quote]

I hope so. I say get a dobo hired and elevate him for recruiting until Borland can join. It not, CMA seems to be thoughtful and I’m sure he will find a good 3rd assistant.[/quote]
Doubt Borman is still in mix, but we’ll see.
 
Speaking of assistant coaches i just got back fro San Antonio on a business trip and guess who was sitting across from me in First Class, GSJ I said hello and thanked him for his work at SJU, he nicely thanked me but didn't say much else. But i was wondering why would he be going to San Antonio a pro Job?
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=347647][quote="gman" post=347644][quote="Knight" post=347642]Borland still in the mix?[/quote]

I hope so. I say get a dobo hired and elevate him for recruiting until Borland can join. It not, CMA seems to be thoughtful and I’m sure he will find a good 3rd assistant.[/quote]
Doubt Borman is still in mix, but we’ll see.[/quote]

Can’t hate what CMA has done so far.
 
[quote="gman" post=347644][quote="Knight" post=347642]Borland still in the mix?[/quote]

I hope so. I say get a dobo hired and elevate him for recruiting until Borland can join. It not, CMA seems to be thoughtful and I’m sure he will find a good 3rd assistant.[/quote]

Right now we will have CMA, Cleveland and Van Macon on the road. We already have 3 guys out there and imo is very important for Anderson to be seen all over at this point to be the face of the program. Van Macon is a big hire for us. Will add a lot to our overall recruiting prowess and connections to Tri-State scene. Not that the 3rd assistant is t important. It much less so now that we have 3 guys recruiting.
 
[quote="Tommy O 54" post=347651]Speaking of assistant coaches i just got back fro San Antonio on a business trip and guess who was sitting across from me in First Class, GSJ I said hello and thanked him for his work at SJU, he nicely thanked me but didn't say much else. But i was wondering why would he be going to San Antonio a pro Job?[/quote]
That is the rumor
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=347658][quote="Tommy O 54" post=347651]Speaking of assistant coaches i just got back fro San Antonio on a business trip and guess who was sitting across from me in First Class, GSJ I said hello and thanked him for his work at SJU, he nicely thanked me but didn't say much else. But i was wondering why would he be going to San Antonio a pro Job?[/quote]
That is the rumor[/quote]

If he was flying first class the NBA is probably footing the bill.
 
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