(@Bar) VCU, Tue. Nov. 20, 7:30p, ESPN-2 / 970 WNYM

Wonder if Mullin will expand the rotation for this one. VCU goes a legit 10-12 deep, because of the havoc.
 
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[quote="SJU61982" post=303413]Wonder if Mullin will expand the rotation for this one. VCU goes a legit 10-12 deep, because of the havoc.[/quote]

Nah;)
 
Better matchup for us than Temple. We have the guards to handle their press effectively. The tempo should also be to our benefit. Clark will have a bounce back game and will hit a few 3s.
 
It was just a few days shy of two years ago when we lost to VCU in the battle for Atlantis 75-69. Only one player from each side who played in that game is still on the rosters now. For us Shamorie Ponds and for VCU De'Riante Jenkins who wer both freshmen then.

As I remember it, we played decently in the first half but their defense shut us down after that and they pulled away late. We hopefully are much better this time around, but their defense will be the best one we have faced so far. It should be a good test and I expect us to play better D than we did against Cal. I am going to the game and hoping for the best.


http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400926754
 
Johnnies win by 10, forcing turnovers & getting some easy buckets. Get Clark a few buckets early to avoid him pressing & getting perimeter happy and fouling. SJU gets the hardware.
 
You just get the feeling that we are so insanely overdue to win one of these things. How long has it been, anyone know? Mid season tourneys have never been friendly to us regardless of who plays in them it seems. Playing well on ESPN2 in front of a big national audience is important too...affects perception. This game will be on at bars all over the country and many at home will flip over to it after work casually. Kind of like a MNF type thing.

I feel like this one can get mucky with the defenses likely both being intense. Probably lots of TO's on both sides. I hope we look almost as crisp as we did playing Rutgers, because we will need it. This is going to be the best team we faced thus far. If we can get through this one, get hardware, then handle Georgia Tech, the rest of the schedule should be a bit easier on us.

Undefeated with wins over Rutgers, Cal, Georgia Tech, and VCU would probably have us ranked.
 
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ESPN Matchup predictor gives us a 75.8% chance of winning.

KenPom has us at 73%
 
Mz, your "never" and mine re mid season tournaments being friendly to stj are separated by about two generations. I want us to win but lack your sense of dread.
 
I noticed that with the Cal victory we actually dropped one spot w/KenPom. #38 but some good company below. PAC seems to be getting no respect at all with UCLA, AZ, AZ St... all undefeated but below us. Got too root for all these teams we beat to improve to help us creep up.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=303444]I noticed that with the Cal victory we actually dropped one spot w/KenPom. #38 but some good company below. PAC seems to be getting no respect at all with UCLA, AZ, AZ St... all undefeated but below us. Got too root for all these teams we beat to improve to help us creep up.[/quote]
Paul, I also saw that we have a common opponent with VCU as they played and beat Bowling Green (they won by 11, 72-61). Of course we beat BG by 4, 84-80. Be nice if Johnnies played better tonight and put up a good "W".
 
A win over VCU is always a solid win. They’re undefeated and always are a tough matchup style-wise. I don’t see them playing all to much zone I’d guess so that takes one thing out of the equation. We I’ll get more pressure, but dare is say it makes our engine go faster and we like to play that way. Let’s advance to 5-0 and start the season right. SOS is all good, but winning them all leaves little doubt regardless. Nobody can argue with wins, only bad losses.
 
Common opponents tell very little it is something pundits look at because it is there but nothing to rely on.our players can just match up better and ViceVersa
 
I hope we get a decent crowd tonight. I am heading to Barclay Center tonight. I saw last night crowd wasn't great. In watching all of these Holiday Tournaments on TV (excluding maybe Maui) it seems (sadly) that there are many empty seats. Lots of factors and this is not about that.
I just wonder why (say tonight for example) Barclay Center or SJU or whoever the sponsor is wouldn't donate say 100 tickets to a local school or church league or something. I mean the upper bowl is probably empty tonight. I know its not my money but it might be a good thing to hear some young voices in a place they might not have a chance to see say for NBA. It probably violates some NCAA rule somewhere or possibly they already do it.
 
[quote="sjc88" post=303470]I hope we get a decent crowd tonight. I am heading to Barclay Center tonight. I saw last night crowd wasn't great. In watching all of these Holiday Tournaments on TV (excluding maybe Maui) it seems (sadly) that there are many empty seats. Lots of factors and this is not about that.
I just wonder why (say tonight for example) Barclay Center or SJU or whoever the sponsor is wouldn't donate say 100 tickets to a local school or church league or something. I mean the upper bowl is probably empty tonight. I know its not my money but it might be a good thing to hear some young voices in a place they might not have a chance to see say for NBA. It probably violates some NCAA rule somewhere or possibly they already do it.[/quote]. Good Point . I don’t know either but, for games at the Garden or Barclays , why not have a 100 tickets bought by St John’s distributed to HS Coaches or Schools to have their Players attend ? You could distribute some to Bklyn Schools , Queens Schools ,Bronx, Westchester , NJ, etc . Years ago , way back , you could go to gamesat the Garden for maybe 1/2 price with a GO card or HS ID. It would be good PR. But, there may be regulations against it . Of course, there are always reasons not to do something .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=303495][quote="sjc88" post=303470]I hope we get a decent crowd tonight. I am heading to Barclay Center tonight. I saw last night crowd wasn't great. In watching all of these Holiday Tournaments on TV (excluding maybe Maui) it seems (sadly) that there are many empty seats. Lots of factors and this is not about that.
I just wonder why (say tonight for example) Barclay Center or SJU or whoever the sponsor is wouldn't donate say 100 tickets to a local school or church league or something. I mean the upper bowl is probably empty tonight. I know its not my money but it might be a good thing to hear some young voices in a place they might not have a chance to see say for NBA. It probably violates some NCAA rule somewhere or possibly they already do it.[/quote]. Good Point . I don’t know either but, for games at the Garden or Barclays , why not have a 100 tickets bought by St John’s distributed to HS Coaches or Schools to have their Players attend ? You could distribute some to Bklyn Schools , Queens Schools ,Bronx, Westchester , NJ, etc . Years ago , way back , you could go to gamesat the Garden for maybe 1/2 price with a GO card or HS ID. It would be good PR. But, there may be regulations against it . Of course, there are always reasons not to do something .[/quote]
That's a good idea too. I wasn't even thinking of recruiting but more like grade school kids. I mean what difference would 100 tickets in a 1/3 empty arena make. Charitable write-off? Certainly have no impact on ticket sales.Seems like you throw seeds out to the future players and fans. I can imagine that there are plenty of kids in Brooklyn/Queens that have never seen a college game. Like you said, probably some rule somewhere or some financial reason against it.
 
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