Baruch Game
- Thread starter NYCRedmen
- Start date
Relatively non-existent based on level on competition
The first half saw our bench totally outplay our starters. Only member of the starting five who played well in the first half was Ahmed, although the guards picked it up in half number 2.
I was impressed by Freudenberg. I honestly did not see any weaknesses in his offensive game. He shoots it well, great passer (3 assists in the first half that were absolute beauties), good length on the boards, even drove it well a few times. He will probably become my favorite player before long.
Ahmed has a Big East ready body, no question about that. Showed some nice athleticism too, but is undersized (though he showed a nice stroke from about 15 feet).
Most misleading performance was Mussini's, IMO. He actually found some guards that he could break down off the dribble. 21 points (I believe), but that was a product of the competition, IMO.
What is not a product of the competition, was the unselfishness we showed. Everybody on this team (yes, even Sima) is willing to make the extra pass. There were actually a few possessions early on when the extra pass took us out of a scoring opportunity, but we got that right before long (Lovett actually may be too good for his teammates WRT the passing - guys are going to have to be ready much quicker this year). Also, there were many possessions of about 4 or 5 passes, without the ball ever touching the ground. That was most impressive to me.
Lots of steals tonight, but we need to be more careful in the future. Could get beat a lot going for the steal (Baruch was just simply outclassed in this department), or you could get called for reaching or grabbing fouls. That being said, don't look away when we apply the pressure this year.
Overall, a great dress rehearsal, IMO. Team is definitely improved, the only question is by how much?
I was impressed by Freudenberg. I honestly did not see any weaknesses in his offensive game. He shoots it well, great passer (3 assists in the first half that were absolute beauties), good length on the boards, even drove it well a few times. He will probably become my favorite player before long.
Ahmed has a Big East ready body, no question about that. Showed some nice athleticism too, but is undersized (though he showed a nice stroke from about 15 feet).
Most misleading performance was Mussini's, IMO. He actually found some guards that he could break down off the dribble. 21 points (I believe), but that was a product of the competition, IMO.
What is not a product of the competition, was the unselfishness we showed. Everybody on this team (yes, even Sima) is willing to make the extra pass. There were actually a few possessions early on when the extra pass took us out of a scoring opportunity, but we got that right before long (Lovett actually may be too good for his teammates WRT the passing - guys are going to have to be ready much quicker this year). Also, there were many possessions of about 4 or 5 passes, without the ball ever touching the ground. That was most impressive to me.
Lots of steals tonight, but we need to be more careful in the future. Could get beat a lot going for the steal (Baruch was just simply outclassed in this department), or you could get called for reaching or grabbing fouls. That being said, don't look away when we apply the pressure this year.
Overall, a great dress rehearsal, IMO. Team is definitely improved, the only question is by how much?
Having a real point guard makes such a huge difference. I don't care if Lovett is ever an all conference player. He's going to be a quality player for us and he'll make the team better.
Today was a good start for the team overrall. Showed some promise. But Baruch is not good. And I still expect us to struggle this season. Nevertheless there are lots of reasons for optimism.
Today was a good start for the team overrall. Showed some promise. But Baruch is not good. And I still expect us to struggle this season. Nevertheless there are lots of reasons for optimism.
Coaster1955
Member
From the small sample we saw of Richie F. tonight, and the kind of heady game he played, he earned the #20 (so far).
MarkRedman
Well-known member
A few random thoughts:
1. Loved the effort. Kids played hard are were willing to share the ball on offense.
2. Ahmed played well and within himself. Impressed with his inside and outside game.
3. Most kids from Europe need time to adjust to the "American" style of basketball but Freudenberg showed good instincts and looks like he may help us this year.
4. Mussini will be much more effective not having the primary ball handling responsibilities
5. Lovett and Ponds are fun to watch handling the ball.
6. I didn't see Williams play until the last few minutes. Is he still injured?
7. I hope we get Ellison back soon. I can see him in a small lineup at the 3 with Ahmed at the 4 and Yakwe at the 5 spot. That may well prove to be our most effective lineup.
1. Loved the effort. Kids played hard are were willing to share the ball on offense.
2. Ahmed played well and within himself. Impressed with his inside and outside game.
3. Most kids from Europe need time to adjust to the "American" style of basketball but Freudenberg showed good instincts and looks like he may help us this year.
4. Mussini will be much more effective not having the primary ball handling responsibilities
5. Lovett and Ponds are fun to watch handling the ball.
6. I didn't see Williams play until the last few minutes. Is he still injured?
7. I hope we get Ellison back soon. I can see him in a small lineup at the 3 with Ahmed at the 4 and Yakwe at the 5 spot. That may well prove to be our most effective lineup.
Class of 72
Active member
I'm sure some of the faithful here were thinking "here we go again" in the first 5 minutes but if our young Johnnies didn't beat the Bernard Baruch business majors by 30+ points we would have had only Norm Roberts and Steve Lavin to blame.
This was a game of free form offense with our passing guards controlling tempo as I expected. The only weak spots were in the interior where Yakwe and Sima still need to work on their footwork. Next year we will have more beef with Marvin Clark and Zach Brown. The guard depth will be off the charts.
Little can be gleaned from this game because the Baruch team was composed of 1 star level players in a low level D3 league. For St. John's the added depth and deep guard play was obvious. All the newcomers impressed and coach Mullin didn't sit at scorers table once. My only criticism is the poor promotion for this exhibition. We could have had an additional 3,000 fans in the house had a rumor been circulated that both Drake and Kanye would be in attendance.
This was a game of free form offense with our passing guards controlling tempo as I expected. The only weak spots were in the interior where Yakwe and Sima still need to work on their footwork. Next year we will have more beef with Marvin Clark and Zach Brown. The guard depth will be off the charts.
Little can be gleaned from this game because the Baruch team was composed of 1 star level players in a low level D3 league. For St. John's the added depth and deep guard play was obvious. All the newcomers impressed and coach Mullin didn't sit at scorers table once. My only criticism is the poor promotion for this exhibition. We could have had an additional 3,000 fans in the house had a rumor been circulated that both Drake and Kanye would be in attendance.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Only watched the first half. Some posters brought up the poor competition, however last years squad probably would have lost.
Speed, movement and passing.
Our guards will make Mussini much better, especially since he won't handle the ball as much
Lovett and Ponds need to get their feet set before taking the jumper. Don't play like freshmen. Should be tough off the weave
Fruednberg shows he has basketball sense. Confident shooting the three and passes well
Ahmed plays like an upperclassmen. Can play with back to basket as well outside. Looks like our go to guy
Our passing and penetration has improved. Our big guys have to ready for the pass inside.
Speed, movement and passing.
Our guards will make Mussini much better, especially since he won't handle the ball as much
Lovett and Ponds need to get their feet set before taking the jumper. Don't play like freshmen. Should be tough off the weave
Fruednberg shows he has basketball sense. Confident shooting the three and passes well
Ahmed plays like an upperclassmen. Can play with back to basket as well outside. Looks like our go to guy
Our passing and penetration has improved. Our big guys have to ready for the pass inside.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
But I didn't see Mullin sit on the scorer's table during the game
Not only have the kids improved, so has the head coach
Two quick things:
1) loved the free-throw shooting. I have no idea what the final stats were, but it seemed like most went into the hoop.
2) We didn't see a lot from Yakwe. Other than some fumbles with the ball in the opening minutes, one mid-range jumper and a block or two, we didn't see a lot. I'm very curious if his free throw shooting has improved.
Freud is not at all frail. He's going to play a lot. As others have said, he passed smartly and has excellent shooting form. He also seemed to have good enough lateral movement (to go along with his length) to guard on the perimeter. He moved his feet quickly out there on defense.
1) loved the free-throw shooting. I have no idea what the final stats were, but it seemed like most went into the hoop.
2) We didn't see a lot from Yakwe. Other than some fumbles with the ball in the opening minutes, one mid-range jumper and a block or two, we didn't see a lot. I'm very curious if his free throw shooting has improved.
Freud is not at all frail. He's going to play a lot. As others have said, he passed smartly and has excellent shooting form. He also seemed to have good enough lateral movement (to go along with his length) to guard on the perimeter. He moved his feet quickly out there on defense.