Auburn, Wed., Nov. 26, 8:00p, TruTV / 880 AM

[sjc88]

The sound we heard last night was the sound of the “ceiling” for this team lowering. Playing in these games against top flight competition is exactly the right move to find out about your team. To this we should have no regrets. Unfortunately we found out many negatives that will undermine how far we can go. The defense was absolutely atrocious and unacceptable. Too many easy drives, open looks and not enough contesting. Just look at all the points we yielded. Against “good” teams it’s over 90ppg. Ouch.

As for individual player evaluations it is far too early to write people off. Just look at Sanon in the first half versus the 2nd. Ok, at least offensively. Sellers had a terrible “early” shooting game. Of course, Jackson ? Up and down. Problem is, in my opinion, I see good not great players.

We can still do some really nice things. However, nothing says deep Tournament run. At least today.

 

[mullinmagic]

Not sure I would use the word grounded. But we forget how we felt last year at this time. What was said about players. Kadary was run out of town his first month. So much said about Luis. Smith was too small and couldn’t stay healthy. Last years team had its flaws and things got better.

I’m not saying it’s gonna be like last year. But I think with how things have gone in years 1 and 2 about how these Pitino teams have responded to early season slow starts I just think it’s prudent to not give up before the product is finished.

But to each his own. I know I’m usually overall optimistic but in this case there is a track record that I’m basing it on. Would I like to have more than 1 official point guard and other capable ball handlers? Yes.

I don’t think we can come to conclusions one way or another about darling. He looks capable enough to me overall. But he also didn’t play in The Alabama game and barely played yesterday due to not looking good while out there but was that because of his hamstring? And down the stretch in both games is where we lost both of these games without a primarily ball handler. Maybe if darling is in both games at the end stretch he stabilizes things as the primary ball handler.

Last year's team was a defensive juggernaut and locked teams down for 40 minutes. The DNA of this year's squad is polar opposite. Defense, rebounding, and big-time PG play. That's the winning formula.

 

[weathermannyc]

Not sure I would use the word grounded. But we forget how we felt last year at this time. What was said about players. Kadary was run out of town his first month. So much said about Luis. Smith was too small and couldn’t stay healthy. Last years team had its flaws and things got better.

I’m not saying it’s gonna be like last year. But I think with how things have gone in years 1 and 2 about how these Pitino teams have responded to early season slow starts I just think it’s prudent to not give up before the product is finished.

But to each his own. I know I’m usually overall optimistic but in this case there is a track record that I’m basing it on. Would I like to have more than 1 official point guard and other capable ball handlers? Yes.

I don’t think we can come to conclusions one way or another about darling. He looks capable enough to me overall. But he also didn’t play in The Alabama game and barely played yesterday due to not looking good while out there but was that because of his hamstring? And down the stretch in both games is where we lost both of these games without a primarily ball handler. Maybe if darling is in both games at the end stretch he stabilizes things as the primary ball handler.

All valid points, but that kind of turnaround in season is like catching lightning in a bottle. Doing that two years in a row is fortune SJU has not been blessed with over the years.

The area where Darling would have the most positive impact is on offense where he can help facillitate us into better shot selection. Get Zuby the ball on the low block so that he does have to dribble drive, spin and put up an off balance left handed contested floater. That's the difference between a good shot and a bad one.

 

[Eric]

Last year's team was a defensive juggernaut and locked teams down for 40 minutes. The DNA of this year's squad is polar opposite. Defense, rebounding, and big-time PG play. That's the winning formula.

My last post I hope for a bit on the subject. They BECAME A defensive juggernaut. Wasn’t that way early in season. My hope this year was with the early tough games we could offensively win these games until the defense got it.

 

[paultzman]

Not sure I would use the word grounded. But we forget how we felt last year at this time. What was said about players. Kadary was run out of town his first month. So much said about Luis. Smith was too small and couldn’t stay healthy. Last years team had its flaws and things got better.

I’m not saying it’s gonna be like last year. But I think with how things have gone in years 1 and 2 about how these Pitino teams have responded to early season slow starts I just think it’s prudent to not give up before the product is finished.

But to each his own. I know I’m usually overall optimistic but in this case there is a track record that I’m basing it on. Would I like to have more than 1 official point guard and other capable ball handlers? Yes.

I don’t think we can come to conclusions one way or another about darling. He looks capable enough to me overall. But he also didn’t play in The Alabama game and barely played yesterday due to not looking good while out there but was that because of his hamstring? And down the stretch in both games is where we lost both of these games without a primarily ball handler. Maybe if darling is in both games at the end stretch he stabilizes things as the primary ball handler.

I got your position yesterday, respectfully disagree & moving on.

 

[Jack Williams]

but that kind of turnaround in season is like catching lightning in a bottle. Doing that two years in a row is fortune SJU has not been blessed with over the years.

We haven’t had Pitino over the years either. I do believe he can figure this team out with time. I just think watching last nights game was the first time I started to think “oh this is going to be more of an uphill battle than I was expecting”

Regardless, go Johnnies and happy thanksgiving to all

 

[mullinmagic]

My last post I hope for a bit on the subject. They BECAME A defensive juggernaut. Wasn’t that way early in season. My hope this year was with the early tough games we could offensively win these games until the defense got it.

You're wrong. They didn't become anything. Deivon Smith was known as a lockdown defender before he ever arrived in Queens. Same with Scott. Your repetitive position of using last year's team to draw any comparions to this year's team is, quite frankly, just lazy.

As I just started, the DNA of this year's team is starkly different. Hoping that this year's team finds that same defensive intensity and grit that last year's squad is just pipe dreamish at best. Just watch the players and the eye test don't lie.

 

[paultzman]

My last post I hope for a bit on the subject. They BECAME A defensive juggernaut. Wasn’t that way early in season. My hope this year was with the early tough games we could offensively win these games until the defense got it.

They recruited Smith, Scott for primarily for their hard play and defense. Kadary was recruited for the obvious, his overall play and ability to turn things around making plays at both ends. I suspect Rick knew these guys would get to the level he expected. I don’t think gun to his head Rick would have that same optimism about several new guys evolving & embracing heady play and defending. For the record, I like Darling and just think he has been put into a difficult position being primary ball handler. Rick realized that yesterday w early yanking.

 

[MugCostanza]

- Vs Baylor
Hopkins, Sellers & Mitchell
23-33 66 points

- Vs Auburn
Hopkins, Sellers & Mitchell
5-25 17 points

Are those the three guys anyone is worried about?

Not worried about those guys overall but bad games from them will happen. We need to still be able to scratch and claw our way to wins when they aren’t playing well offensively. I don’t know if this team can get the stops to do that

 

[Marillac2]

Who was 24-25 nova coached by?

Hall averaging 21 & 9 isn’t one of their two best players? Pretty good team!

I posted that I wanted Hall here in the spring! He almost sent Hopkins into the first row. He bullied our strongest players. Murphy is huge and averaged 12 and 8 in the SEC last year. If he’s not 2 he’s 3 for them.

Auburn could get exponentially better. They have really good pieces…they were just very poorly coached and looked clueless as a team. They looked AWFUL together, but that is what you can reasonably expect to improve. How do we beat them if they figure it out and develop chemistry by March? They have a guard that is worlds better than what we have. They are bigger than us. They have a PF that can throw our guys around.

We need guys to prove they can play positions. Maybe they will? But why the hell do they have to transform for us to be a top 25 team?

Nobody likes Jackson or Darling more than Marillac. I was on an island alone a few weeks ago talking up how good of a driver I thought Jackson would be. I still really like Darling for 20 mins. I’m not asking for Kemba Walker, just Malachi Smith. I’d settle for Malik Boothe.

 

[NCJohnnie]

They recruited Smith, Scott for primarily for their hard play and defense. Kadary was recruited for the obvious, his overall play and ability to turn things around making plays at both ends. I suspect Rick knew these guys would get to the level he expected. I don’t think gun to his head Rick would have that same optimism about several new guys evolving & embracing heady play and defending. For the record, I like Darling and just think he has been put into a difficult position being primary ball handler. Rick realized that yesterday w early yanking.

Question on last part of your post. I have family in and was not able to watch last night's game as closely as usual - went upstairs to join my daughter once or twice who was watching the Knick game. I originally thought that Rick pulling Darling was exactly for the reason you suggested in your post but saw later that he appeared to be injured so unsure if that was real reason he sat so much. Did CRP address that in the post game presser which I haven't seen?

 

[Jack Williams]

They recruited Smith, Scott for primarily for their hard play and defense.

I think the fascinating thing about Pitino here is it seems every year so far the roster he builds is an overcorrection from the year prior.

introductory press conference he said he wanted shooting, shooting, shooting. We got shooters in here for year one, but the team just didn’t have quite enough defensively (slow laterally) to offset some of the disappointing seasons we got from a few guys.

Year 2, he wanted a defensive powerhouse. And for all intents and purposes he built one. But we couldn’t shoot a lick.

Now year 3, Rick bought BACK in on shooting and offense, and we have been one of the softest defenses in the country so far

I think the answer coming out of last year maybe should’ve been to build a similar defensive team as last season, and bring in 1-2 guys like sellers to improve the shooting. We may have gone too far in the other direction. But hindsight is just that

 

[paultzman]

I think the fascinating thing about Pitino here is it seems every year so far the roster he builds is an overcorrection from the year prior.

introductory press conference he said he wanted shooting, shooting, shooting. We got shooters in here for year one, but the team just didn’t have quite enough defensively (slow laterally) to offset some of the disappointing seasons we got from a few guys.

Year 2, he wanted a defensive powerhouse. And for all intents and purposes he built one. But we couldn’t shoot a lick.

Now year 3, Rick bought BACK in on shooting and offense, and we have been one of the softest defenses in the country so far

I think the answer coming out of last year maybe should’ve been to build a similar defensive team as last season, and bring in 1-2 guys like sellers to improve the shooting. We may have gone too far in the other direction. But hindsight is just that

Well said Jack.

 

[paultzman]

Question on last part of your post. I have family in and was not able to watch last night's game as closely as usual - went upstairs to join my daughter once or twice who was watching the Knick game. I originally thought that Rick pulling Darling was exactly for the reason you suggested in your post but saw later that he appeared to be injured so unsure if that was real reason he sat so much. Did CRP address that in the post game presser which I haven't seen?

Not that I know of, but someone noted a hamstring issue. If so, I would think he would not re-enter the game, which he did late.

 

[Larry Wright]

I think the fascinating thing about Pitino here is it seems every year so far the roster he builds is an overcorrection from the year prior.

introductory press conference he said he wanted shooting, shooting, shooting. We got shooters in here for year one, but the team just didn’t have quite enough defensively (slow laterally) to offset some of the disappointing seasons we got from a few guys.

Year 2, he wanted a defensive powerhouse. And for all intents and purposes he built one. But we couldn’t shoot a lick.

Now year 3, Rick bought BACK in on shooting and offense, and we have been one of the softest defenses in the country so far

I think the answer coming out of last year maybe should’ve been to build a similar defensive team as last season, and bring in 1-2 guys like sellers to improve the shooting. We may have gone too far in the other direction. But hindsight is just that

Queens thing? The Mets do that too.

 

[dee]

"The event has expanded from eight teams last year to 18 this year, and the plan is to expand to 32 teams in a three-week format next year. Seth Berger, the CEO and founder of the Players Era, told ESPN there will be four eight-team groups. Two of the groups will play three games during the first week, while the other two groups will play three games during the second week. The four group winners will return for the third week and play one more game, either the championship game or third-place game."

"According to sources, the Players Era aims to become an NCAA tournament-like event in November that will feature the best teams in college basketball. That ambition could include a new format and games that take place outside Las Vegas in the future. Its changes have already impacted other Feast Week events because of its rapid growth and payouts. Expansion in the years ahead will limit the number of available elite teams for other events within the sport as the Players Era event moves forward."

New Era: Big 12 nets $50M NIL hoops event deal

Big 12 announced Monday that it will get eight automatic bids to the Players Era Festival, in coming years, which will give every participant a guaranteed $1 million NIL payout.

www.espn.com

Reminds me of the old holiday festival at msg I think there were 8 or 16 teams. Last game I saw back then was sju v ucla with John Warren Joe depre billy paultz and company against Alcindor and the powerful at that time bruins

 

[dee]

The sound we heard last night was the sound of the “ceiling” for this team lowering. Playing in these games against top flight competition is exactly the right move to find out about your team. To this we should have no regrets. Unfortunately we found out many negatives that will undermine how far we can go. The defense was absolutely atrocious and unacceptable. Too many easy drives, open looks and not enough contesting. Just look at all the points we yielded. Against “good” teams it’s over 90ppg. Ouch.

As for individual player evaluations it is far too early to write people off. Just look at Sanon in the first half versus the 2nd. Ok, at least offensively. Sellers had a terrible “early” shooting game. Of course, Jackson ? Up and down. Problem is, in my opinion, I see good not great players.

We can still do some really nice things. However, nothing says deep Tournament run. At least today.

Will we make the tournament?

 

[dee]

Well said Jack.

The Good lord is punishing st johns for pulling RJ out of the Arkansas game with 5 minutes left. When girl goes to a dance she is suppose to go home with the guy who brought her. RJ brought us to where we were and we went home without him

 

[CBA69]

- Vs Baylor
Hopkins, Sellers & Mitchell
23-33 66 points

- Vs Auburn
Hopkins, Sellers & Mitchell
5-25 17 points

Are those the three guys anyone is worried about?

No but the three players you mentioned all did not show up in a big game for St. John's resume in a highly publicized tournament. By the way, all three players are seniors.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

3 losses to 3 ranked teams. All of which we had leads later part of second half in. That is both a huge red flag and a big reason for optimism.

Worries of guard play are valid. As well as concerns of roster fit and pieces being greater than its sum.

I think a lot of our issues defensively and on the boards relate to missing wing length in the form of an RJ or similar. Our guard/wings do not fit the mold. I think Coach Pitino looks at Sanon and sees the potential to play that 3. Size, length and athleticism fit the mold. So he’s trying to cram him into that role in hopes he develops outside of just a gunner. I think he looks at Jackson and is unsure of what he sees, but he’s certain he’s not a 3 or a 1 at the moment. Thats leaves him at the 2 which is unfortunately the spot Pitino feels most sure about with Sellers. That means either Jackson’s getting squeezed or Sellers gets asked to do something that takes away from his strength. Darling is

Spoiler: …

happy Thanksgiving guys!

but he’s certainly not a sure fire answer. Still believe in 18-25 minutes there.

For the front court crunch I’d like to see Pitino commit to 10 minutes of Mitchell as the actual designated pg. Find a zone that works for that and some other lineups and build around that added size, with rebounding and transition points. This roster can be so much better rebounding than it’s showed. This will free up more space for Hopkins and Zuby and more time for Prey. Our bigs have got to commit to running, that’s Zuby and Hopkins included, because our guard/wings most certainly are. But no rebound = no run.

Ayo needs 10+ consistent minutes all year.

Have we looked like a top 5 team so far? No sir 100% not. Have we looked like a team that can compete neck and neck with top teams? 100% yes.

Consistently put yourself in good chances and figure out what works best for your team and the potential is still there. Challenges acknowledged.