Bad news- Obekpa leaving SJU

[Johnny Drama]

I like CO as a player, and think he has made some big improvements since he's been here.
(lets not forget he was a very weak re bounder initially, and he's worked hard to be a pretty good one now).

But at the risk of igniting a sh*t-storm, what the hell was Lavin doing? Obekpa and Jordan were selfish and undisciplined from their very first days here. I love our guys because they're our guys. But we've had a roster loaded with problems year after year.
If the first thing Mullin has to do is clean the program up ... so be it. Eventually we'll have a solid foundation.

I agree he had potential, just never has reached it. He was healthy for the first 21 games of the season last year. Elbows the kid in the Butler game and then got hurt early in the next game. Missed 2 games to injury, played 7 games hobbled and smoked some weed and missed the tourney. He gets no excuses from me for his performance last season or lack of progression in his game overall.

You would assume CO has improved since when he first arrived, but in reality he hardly has in any aspect of his game.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61814/chris-obekpa

His rebounding %s have gone up every year hes been here. That is the percentage of rebounds he grabs while on the floor.
Also, his much maligned free throw percentage has crept up each season as well.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chris-obekpa-1.html

Again, he's been a shitty teammate apparently...
getting suspended for pot, throwing intentional elbows, getting that selfish rebound against Humboldt State etc
But his game has improved.

Just saying, his #'s slightly went up in a few categories and also regressed in a few. Not like he went from 4 boards a game to 11. Marginal increase, also he was the only legit big man on the roster. That alone should've had him around 10 a game by default.

Don't forget, he played with a bad ankle for much of the season. He had a ton of potential., IMO.

 

[beast of the east]

I like CO as a player, and think he has made some big improvements since he's been here.
(lets not forget he was a very weak re bounder initially, and he's worked hard to be a pretty good one now).

But at the risk of igniting a sh*t-storm, what the hell was Lavin doing? Obekpa and Jordan were selfish and undisciplined from their very first days here. I love our guys because they're our guys. But we've had a roster loaded with problems year after year.
If the first thing Mullin has to do is clean the program up ... so be it. Eventually we'll have a solid foundation.

You would assume CO has improved since when he first arrived, but in reality he hardly has in any aspect of his game.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61814/chris-obekpa

His rebounding %s have gone up every year hes been here. That is the percentage of rebounds he grabs while on the floor.
Also, his much maligned free throw percentage has crept up each season as well.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chris-obekpa-1.html

Again, he's been a shitty teammate apparently...
getting suspended for pot, throwing intentional elbows, getting that selfish rebound against Humboldt State etc
But his game has improved.

Just saying, his #'s slightly went up in a few categories and also regressed in a few. Not like he went from 4 boards a game to 11. Marginal increase, also he was the only legit big man on the roster. That alone should've had him around 10 a game by default.

Don't forget, he played with a bad ankle for much of the season. He had a ton of potential., IMO.

Don't you think he would have gotten a medical exemption in Colorado to smoke pot?

 

[Johnny Drama]

I like CO as a player, and think he has made some big improvements since he's been here.
(lets not forget he was a very weak re bounder initially, and he's worked hard to be a pretty good one now).

But at the risk of igniting a sh*t-storm, what the hell was Lavin doing? Obekpa and Jordan were selfish and undisciplined from their very first days here. I love our guys because they're our guys. But we've had a roster loaded with problems year after year.
If the first thing Mullin has to do is clean the program up ... so be it. Eventually we'll have a solid foundation.

You would assume CO has improved since when he first arrived, but in reality he hardly has in any aspect of his game.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61814/chris-obekpa

His rebounding %s have gone up every year hes been here. That is the percentage of rebounds he grabs while on the floor.
Also, his much maligned free throw percentage has crept up each season as well.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chris-obekpa-1.html

Again, he's been a shitty teammate apparently...
getting suspended for pot, throwing intentional elbows, getting that selfish rebound against Humboldt State etc
But his game has improved.

Just saying, his #'s slightly went up in a few categories and also regressed in a few. Not like he went from 4 boards a game to 11. Marginal increase, also he was the only legit big man on the roster. That alone should've had him around 10 a game by default.

Don't forget, he played with a bad ankle for much of the season. He had a ton of potential., IMO.

I agree he had potential, just never has reached it. He was healthy for the first 21 games of the season last year. Elbows the kid in the Butler game and then got hurt early in the next game. Missed 2 games to injury, played 7 games hobbled and smoked some weed and missed the tourney. He gets no excuses from me for his performance last season or lack of progression in his game overall.

 

[basketballjones]

Can anyone imagine where we would be without the change in coaching staff? Mullin, Slice and Matt A have essentially saved the season. We're probably in for a rough year with all new guys, but with no coaching change we would have Lavin on a new deal, Amar, Jones and walk-ons. That group might win 5 games and go 0 -18 in conference.

It's rough having to replace Obekpa with most likely a freshman center, or Amar playing in the middle. But Obekpa is a head case and just not reliable. So, we turn the page with Amar the only real contributor from Lavin's tenure left. Just amazing.

 

[redfazed]

I like CO as a player, and think he has made some big improvements since he's been here.
(lets not forget he was a very weak re bounder initially, and he's worked hard to be a pretty good one now).

But at the risk of igniting a sh*t-storm, what the hell was Lavin doing? Obekpa and Jordan were selfish and undisciplined from their very first days here. I love our guys because they're our guys. But we've had a roster loaded with problems year after year.
If the first thing Mullin has to do is clean the program up ... so be it. Eventually we'll have a solid foundation.

You would assume CO has improved since when he first arrived, but in reality he hardly has in any aspect of his game.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61814/chris-obekpa

His rebounding %s have gone up every year hes been here. That is the percentage of rebounds he grabs while on the floor.
Also, his much maligned free throw percentage has crept up each season as well.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chris-obekpa-1.html

Again, he's been a shitty teammate apparently...
getting suspended for pot, throwing intentional elbows, getting that selfish rebound against Humboldt State etc
But his game has improved.

Just saying, his #'s slightly went up in a few categories and also regressed in a few. Not like he went from 4 boards a game to 11. Marginal increase, also he was the only legit big man on the roster. That alone should've had him around 10 a game by default.

Don't forget, he played with a bad ankle for much of the season. He had a ton of potential., IMO.

I agree he had potential, just never has reached it. He was healthy for the first 21 games of the season last year. Elbows the kid in the Butler game and then got hurt early in the next game. Missed 2 games to injury, played 7 games hobbled and smoked some weed and missed the tourney. He gets no excuses from me for his performance last season or lack of progression in his game overall.

No, he was not entirely healthy for the first 21 games of the season. He sprained his ankle right out of the gate, against Thomas Aquinas. I think the lack of any other big man to help out--(eg, Thomas debacle; DeLarosa ineligible) forced him to push it too much. His attitude is an entirely different matter.

 

[boo haarvey]

Can anyone imagine where we would be without the change in coaching staff? Mullin, Slice and Matt A have essentially saved the season. We're probably in for a rough year with all new guys, but with no coaching change we would have Lavin on a new deal, Amar, Jones and walk-ons. That group might win 5 games and go 0 -18 in conference.

It's rough having to replace Obekpa with most likely a freshman center, or Amar playing in the middle. But Obekpa is a head case and just not reliable. So, we turn the page with Amar the only real contributor from Lavin's tenure left. Just amazing.

See, this is the pie in the sky optimism I'm talking about. How have Mullin and Co. saved the season? They haven't coached a single game yet. I thought Dinkins post was spot on. I'm hopeful for the long term, but let's wait and see. Do you really believe Lavin wouldn't have signed anybody. Sampson committed and by all accounts Lovett would have come regardless.

The staff seems to be working hard, but the jury is out.

 

[1and1sju]

Can anyone imagine where we would be without the change in coaching staff? Mullin, Slice and Matt A have essentially saved the season. We're probably in for a rough year with all new guys, but with no coaching change we would have Lavin on a new deal, Amar, Jones and walk-ons. That group might win 5 games and go 0 -18 in conference.

It's rough having to replace Obekpa with most likely a freshman center, or Amar playing in the middle. But Obekpa is a head case and just not reliable. So, we turn the page with Amar the only real contributor from Lavin's tenure left. Just amazing.

See, this is the pie in the sky optimism I'm talking about. How have Mullin and Co. saved the season? They haven't coached a single game yet. I thought Dinkins post was spot on. I'm hopeful for the long term, but let's wait and see. Do you really believe Lavin wouldn't have signed anybody. Sampson committed and by all accounts Lovett would have come regardless.

The staff seems to be working hard, but the jury is out.

Sure, Lavin would've signed some kids.

But answer this for me Boo Harvey...
Would they be eligible? Would they be 35 and draw NCAA scrutiny?
Would they have a fake transcript? Would they refuse to enter games?
Would they get suspended on the eve of the post-season?
Would they jump a teammate in the locker-room? Or would they go mia whenever they felt like chilling with their boys?

I'm fairly confident some combination of those things (and more that we can't even fathom) would've happened as well.

 

[boo haarvey]

Can anyone imagine where we would be without the change in coaching staff? Mullin, Slice and Matt A have essentially saved the season. We're probably in for a rough year with all new guys, but with no coaching change we would have Lavin on a new deal, Amar, Jones and walk-ons. That group might win 5 games and go 0 -18 in conference.

It's rough having to replace Obekpa with most likely a freshman center, or Amar playing in the middle. But Obekpa is a head case and just not reliable. So, we turn the page with Amar the only real contributor from Lavin's tenure left. Just amazing.

See, this is the pie in the sky optimism I'm talking about. How have Mullin and Co. saved the season? They haven't coached a single game yet. I thought Dinkins post was spot on. I'm hopeful for the long term, but let's wait and see. Do you really believe Lavin wouldn't have signed anybody. Sampson committed and by all accounts Lovett would have come regardless.

The staff seems to be working hard, but the jury is out.

Sure, Lavin would've signed some kids.

But answer this for me Boo Harvey...
Would they be eligible? Would they be 35 and draw NCAA scrutiny?
Would they have a fake transcript? Would they refuse to enter games?
Would they get suspended on the eve of the post-season?
Would they jump a teammate in the locker-room? Or would they go mia whenever they felt like chilling with their boys?

I'm fairly confident some combination of those things (and more that we can't even fathom) would've happened as well.

I don't know. Some criticized Lavin for going after Lovett for that reason. Mullin signed him. The Spanish kid is a question mark. I'm reserving judgment.

 

[Mean Gene]

Can anyone imagine where we would be without the change in coaching staff? Mullin, Slice and Matt A have essentially saved the season. We're probably in for a rough year with all new guys, but with no coaching change we would have Lavin on a new deal, Amar, Jones and walk-ons. That group might win 5 games and go 0 -18 in conference.

It's rough having to replace Obekpa with most likely a freshman center, or Amar playing in the middle. But Obekpa is a head case and just not reliable. So, we turn the page with Amar the only real contributor from Lavin's tenure left. Just amazing.

I understand what you're saying Mr. jones. I feel the same way. I still would not like to go into next year with the roster we currently have. I would like to add one more guard and one more big man to at least gives us a chance to be more than respectable. As I said, I do have faith in Mullin and the staff long term.

 

[1and1sju]

Can anyone imagine where we would be without the change in coaching staff? Mullin, Slice and Matt A have essentially saved the season. We're probably in for a rough year with all new guys, but with no coaching change we would have Lavin on a new deal, Amar, Jones and walk-ons. That group might win 5 games and go 0 -18 in conference.

It's rough having to replace Obekpa with most likely a freshman center, or Amar playing in the middle. But Obekpa is a head case and just not reliable. So, we turn the page with Amar the only real contributor from Lavin's tenure left. Just amazing.

See, this is the pie in the sky optimism I'm talking about. How have Mullin and Co. saved the season? They haven't coached a single game yet. I thought Dinkins post was spot on. I'm hopeful for the long term, but let's wait and see. Do you really believe Lavin wouldn't have signed anybody. Sampson committed and by all accounts Lovett would have come regardless.

The staff seems to be working hard, but the jury is out.

Sure, Lavin would've signed some kids.

But answer this for me Boo Harvey...
Would they be eligible? Would they be 35 and draw NCAA scrutiny?
Would they have a fake transcript? Would they refuse to enter games?
Would they get suspended on the eve of the post-season?
Would they jump a teammate in the locker-room? Or would they go mia whenever they felt like chilling with their boys?

I'm fairly confident some combination of those things (and more that we can't even fathom) would've happened as well.

I don't know. Some criticized Lavin for going after Lovett for that reason. Mullin signed him. The Spanish kid is a question mark. I'm reserving judgment.

I think it's different when you're playing catch-up late in the game.
That's why I actually had no problem with Lavin going after Pelle, Garrett, Sampson etc even though some weren't going to be eligible.

 

[MCNPA]

We will be competitive this year, especially if we can land Papa and Mussini. Maybe better than solid. After that is when we really start making noise. Stability is being brought here. I'm confident of that. No problem clearing house if need be. Staff can get it done.

 

[basketballjones]

Yep. That's all I'm saying. By saving the season I mean the alternative looks pretty bleak. I'm not saying we have a perennial Big East champion roster here. Far from it. But Mullin and Co. have saved the season.

 

[Red.Fans]

I don't know. Some criticized Lavin for going after Lovett for that reason. Mullin signed him. The Spanish kid is a question mark. I'm reserving judgment.

for me, the insinuation doesn't deserve consideration. they are not equal in any shape. Mullin had a month to get his feet wet in the 2015 class and signed the best possible PG option. Lavin supposedly was working the 15 class for years and it was supposed to be his milestone class so much so that it was an excuse for essentially blowing off 2 years of recruiting.

 

[boo haarvey]

I don't know. Some criticized Lavin for going after Lovett for that reason. Mullin signed him. The Spanish kid is a question mark. I'm reserving judgment.

for me, the insinuation doesn't deserve consideration. they are not equal in any shape. Mullin had a month to get his feet wet in the 2015 class and signed the best possible PG option. Lavin supposedly was working the 15 class for years and it was supposed to be his milestone class so much so that it was an excuse for essentially blowing off 2 years of recruiting.

I'm not comparing the two. I was responding to the post suggesting that we would be in a drastically worse situation NEXT YEAR if Lavin were coach. I don't think that's the case.

I personally think Lavin did a good, but not great job during his tenure. As for Mullin, that remains to be seen.

 

[Eddyman11]

So guys I'm hearing we have a additional scholarship open?!?!?


Mullin get er done!

No short cuts in program building. This is Just a bump in the road. As a fan and alum- I'm just looking for sustained success on the court and student athletes who take pride in the way they represent the university off the court

 

[Jack Williams]

I actually was upset with the Jordan situation because I thought he was a good kid who didn't apply himself. This one I won't lose any sleep over though. I said this when the weed scandal happened, and I will say it now. Good riddance

 

[otis]

I am hearing that it is likely, but not a certainty, that Obekpa will not be back.

I am told that Mullin has decided that Obekpa's work ethic and attitude are not in line with that required to be on Mullin's team.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I was told by someone today that he hasn't been taking things too seriously and he might have been missing classes too

 

[cappy105]

again...give me Marcus Hatten and Phil Missere any day over some head case that puts himself ahead of the team. See ya!!!!!!! you'll be sorry, you will BOTH be sorry. Mediocre D league careers at best, not because of talent, but work ethic and attitude. Players on the next level are all skilled, its the work ethic that separates them.

 

[stjohnschris]

I am hearing that it is likely, but not a certainty, that Obekpa will not be back.

I am told that Mullin has decided that Obekpa's work ethic and attitude are not in line with that required to be on Mullin's team.

I don't think one person on this board would find that surprising.