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

[quote="sjc88" post=303940]I just got back from Brooklyn. I must say after reading some comments here I want to go back to the game. I would guess the other people who were at the game enjoyed a thrilling win. Its been a long time with even a hint of hope. Enjoy it for what it is. A winning start. Let's learn to enjoy the ride a bit. The kids on SJU gave everything tonight. No matter how blemished. I bet the VCU folks wished they had won tonight.
Yes, this team is far from perfect and has many problems that need to be fixed. However, for tonight, we are 5-0 and maybe and hopefully this team is learning to play together and has not come close to the level it needs to be to accomplish something. No idea how this is going to finish but the start is 5-0.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! and let's celebrate zero losses before the turkey is cold.[/quote]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too 88.
None of us amateur armchair coaches know how it will finish but our odds of having a breakthrough year diminished when Keita was sidelined. That we seemingly have our usual short bench with our recruiting formula also doesn't inspire confidence in those who predict our future success for a living, We dropped on the power rankings because we barely beat teams that will not get a chance to play postseason anywhere. Based on the small sample to date REALTIMERPI has SJU finishing 18-12. Not the radical improvement we expected and certainly not the visual we want recruits to see. That record would put a big question mark on this staff's ability to compete for recruits and if you can't get the players we know how it usually ends. The game against Georgia Tech of the ACC will tell us if a successful season is a pipe dream.

http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_163_Men.html
 
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[quote="oldschool Redmen" post=303945][quote="mkras99" post=303897]Just imagine how much bitching and moaning there would have been if we had lost. This board is barely readable after a win as it is.[/quote]

Yeah we won, but are you happy with how we played?[/quote]

I was at the game. Some guys were off but we finally have team with balls. VCU has some tough players and shot well tonight. Both teams earned respect from one another The few of us at the game got our money's worth.

I'm not missing where we came from a few years ago.

Just wish we had a better fan base here in NYC
 
According to ESPN's bottom line ticker, Ponds is the first D1 player in 3 seasons to have a 35+-point, 7-steal performance. They did not, however, mention who the last guy was to do this.
 
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[quote="ghostzapper" post=303938]I just returned from the Barclay's Center after the thrilling SJU victory. Shamorie Ponds carried the team down the stretch and especially in OT. If not for his unbelievably clutch performance St. John's would have definitely lost the game. The starting five played most of the game and the OT and except for a really good game by Mikey Dixon the bench contributions were essentially non-existent.

Heron and Clark had subpar evenings, Simon made some big plays but was hampered by fouls and commited some costly turnovers, Figueroa was extremly solid, did not comit a foul or a turnover, led the team in rebounding and made a putback plus one down the stretch of overtime that was the biggest play of the game made by someone not named Ponds.

VCU created some matchup problems for us and the refs were mostly just awful and could have easily cost us the game.

That said the drama and tension in the arena made for a thrilling evening of hoops especially when we prevailed in the end.

While there may be things to be critical of here, I think the team is finding ways to win games that in other seasons we would have lost.
When you can overcome bad refs, bad bounces, defensive flaws, getting dominated on the boards, two of your five starters fouling out with two others hampered by foul problems and still find a way to prevail in the end that says something to me. The team has a bit of a refuse to lose personna and that is something to be excited about as they grow and find there way.[/quote]

The refs bailed us out on that last 3 point attempt of the game
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=303947][quote="sjc88" post=303940]I just got back from Brooklyn. I must say after reading some comments here I want to go back to the game. I would guess the other people who were at the game enjoyed a thrilling win. Its been a long time with even a hint of hope. Enjoy it for what it is. A winning start. Let's learn to enjoy the ride a bit. The kids on SJU gave everything tonight. No matter how blemished. I bet the VCU folks wished they had won tonight.
Yes, this team is far from perfect and has many problems that need to be fixed. However, for tonight, we are 5-0 and maybe and hopefully this team is learning to play together and has not come close to the level it needs to be to accomplish something. No idea how this is going to finish but the start is 5-0.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! and let's celebrate zero losses before the turkey is cold.[/quote]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too 88.
None of us amateur armchair coaches know how it will finish but our odds of having a breakthrough year diminished when Keita was sidelined. That we seemingly have our usual short bench with our recruiting formula also doesn't inspire confidence in those who predict our future success for a living, We dropped on the power rankings because we barely beat teams that will not get a chance to play postseason anywhere. Based on the small sample to date REALTIMERPI has SJU finishing 18-12. Not the radical improvement we expected and certainly not the visual we want recruits to see. That record would put a big question mark on this staff's ability to compete for recruits and if you can't get the players we know how it usually ends. The game against Georgia Tech of the ACC will tell us if a successful season is a pipe dream.

http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_163_Men.html[/quote]
Hey 72, Did you ever see Kelly's Heroes, when Odd Ball (Donald Sutherland) needs a bridge to be there to advance his tanks and his sidekick engineer Moriarity (Gavin MacLeod) tells him "have a little faith baby, its an ever loving beautiful bridge and its going to be there". Keep the faith or at least ride with it until its no more. I don't believe in Kenpom or RealTimerPI. I am saying, I have no idea, none. Hell, we could lose next week. But you know what? So could everyone else. Lets just see how it plays out. I really like this group of kids. Warts and all. I was close to the court tonight and they gave everything. I can root for that. They are 20 year old college players and not sure we can ask for much more. Again, wishing everyone a Happy Gobble Gobble!
 
At this point in the season St. John’s plays undisciplined basketball and was fortunate to win against VCU.

The season is still getting started so let’s hope the play matured and settles down.
 
Interesting:

@NYPost_Brazille
In post game presser, asked VCU player and coach about last second shot and no foul call. In the back of the room, VCU AD barked out next question. That was a first. #sjubb

He followed up with this:

@NYPost_Brazille
Never seen an AD get involved like that. VCU took high road and answered anyway.
 
[quote="SJU61982" post=303953]Interesting:

@NYPost_Brazille
In post game presser, asked VCU player and coach about last second shot and no foul call. In the back of the room, VCU AD barked out next question. That was a first. #sjubb

He followed up with this:

@NYPost_Brazille
Never seen an AD get involved like that. VCU took high road and answered anyway.[/quote]

Next question should have been "how does it feel to be the recipient of a bullsh*t flagrant and a bullsh*t technical foul with 3 minutes to go and still lose to a team with 7 players all in foul trouble?"
 
I had to do an airport run and haven't read this whole thread but I see that with the victory we dropped another 4 spots to 42 KenPom
 
[quote="SJU61982" post=303949]According to ESPN's bottom line ticker, Ponds is the first D1 player in 3 seasons to have a 35+-point, 7-steal performance. They did not, however, mention who the last guy was to do this.[/quote]
You forgot to add...and on a Tuesday night. Not trying to pick on you and Ponds had a great game and won it for us just think it is comical when ESPN comes up with these type of statistical information. So if a guy scored 60 points but had only 6 steals he would be behind Ponds statistical achievement tonight? May as well come up with a stat line and say "and have a part in his hair".
 
Now having gotten home and seeing the game on the DVR, my two cents:

Ponds played selfish? Did he take some bad and force shots? Yes. He also drove and make some dishes also including one that lead to a nice Heron drive while the others didn’t convert on their shots? And oh we want him to pass more but not to Clark?

Clark is not a center and we all know that. He has to play it on defense but why do we expect him to be able do it on offense. He is not a low post back to the basket guy. His shot was off tonight and now we don’t want him taking three? I didn’t hear that after the RU game nor last year.

Heron had an awful frustrating game. Turn the page and move on.

Figgy great game.

Dixon clutch off the bench.

With the game on the line I want the ball in Ponds hands period.

If Simon’s full court inbound pass near regulation to Figgy had been more toward the basket, Figgy has a dunk and maybe no OT. Still a nice designed play with hitting the trailer for a shot.

VCU actually went small (one big) for the latter half of the 2nd half and OT to try to match us.

How do you not double team Ponds to try to prevent him getting the ball with 10.9 seconds to go.

Can the Coach and the players please stop complaining to the officials after every call?

Not bad for a team who was out of gas to hang on through regulation and OT against a team that goes 10 deep to hang at least make it close. Oh wait we won.

Oh and Shamorie should have been called for a foul on VCU’s last shot. He leaned his arm in and got Evans who should have been on the line for three with no time on the clock.

A good win that should build character and confidence.
 
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[quote="Marillac" post=303954][quote="SJU61982" post=303953]Interesting:

@NYPost_Brazille
In post game presser, asked VCU player and coach about last second shot and no foul call. In the back of the room, VCU AD barked out next question. That was a first. #sjubb

He followed up with this:

@NYPost_Brazille
Never seen an AD get involved like that. VCU took high road and answered anyway.[/quote]

Next question should have been "how does it feel to be the recipient of a bullsh*t flagrant and a bullsh*t technical foul with 3 minutes to go and still lose to a team with 7 players all in foul trouble?"[/quote]

VCU went 1-4 on the free throws from those two calls. Cost them the game, as it turned out.

As an aside, this automatic flagrant 1 foul on the "hook and hold" can not have a long shelf life, IMO. The refs are interpreting it correctly, it's just that the rule really, really sucks, IMO. Just watching some games around the country, a lot of times it's not malicious, and sometimes, the recipient kind of moves his was into it, either through head movements, or just plain being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rule has to go, IMO.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=303959]I had to do an airport run and haven't read this whole thread but I see that with the victory we dropped another 4 spots to 42 KenPom[/quote]

Bowling Green and Cal lost so that hurt us.
 
[quote="bamafan" post=303961]So if a guy scored 60 points but had only 6 steals he would be behind Ponds statistical achievement tonight? [/quote]

No, because he would have been the last guy to have 60 and 6, which would get played up the next time someone got 60 and 6.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=303967][quote="Paul Massell" post=303959]I had to do an airport run and haven't read this whole thread but I see that with the victory we dropped another 4 spots to 42 KenPom[/quote]

Bowling Green and Cal lost so that hurt us.[/quote]

Syracuse is #18 @ 2-2 I'd play them right now. Bring it!
 
[quote="Marillac" post=303967][quote="Paul Massell" post=303959]I had to do an airport run and haven't read this whole thread but I see that with the victory we dropped another 4 spots to 42 KenPom[/quote]

Bowling Green and Cal lost so that hurt us.[/quote]

But, Loyola (Md) won. I would think that would put us over the top.:)
 
I will admit that I know less than 99% of the posters here, but here is my take. I really don't like that Ponds took more shots than Heron and LJ combined, but I want the ball in his hands in the last 2 minutes of any close game. He is an assassin.
 
Call me crazy, but I think Heron is our best player. And maybe the best in the Big East.

Inexplicable that we didnt call any set plays for him last night to get the ball in his hands.

I'd like to see simon bring the ball up and start the offense.
 
The Morning After... Ponds is incredible ... 25 shots is a lot but, to win the game he got it done .. but, Heron and Figgy need more involvement in the offense somehow .. They both looked a bit out of sorts , especially with Clark jacking up a 1-8 performance from the Arc . One thing I notice about Clark is he is more accurate from the Corner than jacking them up from the Wing , like he did last night . Dixon played well . Heron was ignored by the Refs and never got a Call when he was clearly fouled . He looked frustrated for sure . Simon had a up and down game . Still misses a lot of lay ups around the Rim and teams let him shoot all night from outside as they figure he can’t hurt them there . On another game , Owens had a pretty nice tournament for TT. Do we miss him ? I’ll leave that to other Posters .
 
[quote="Desco80" post=303986]Call me crazy, but I think Heron is our best player. And maybe the best in the Big East.

Inexplicable that we didnt call any set plays for him last night to get the ball in his hands.

I'd like to see simon bring the ball up and start the offense.[/quote]

Agree completely. Not taking away shamories clutchness or brilliance as a basketball talent in getting us the win last night, but that was awful basketball. No passing, no movement. It’s on the staff to make sure everyone else is getting involved.

I agree Simon should bring up the ball and heron needs to be more involved (and may be our best player). Shamorie is awesome but it can’t be the one man Shamorie show against better teams with no variation or flow or movement. Will be a long season if this is a regular occurrence.
 
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