BET Game 1- Providence -Thursday, 2:30pm Fox Sports 1

[kranmars]

more than who started or came off the bench I want to know why Pointer spent most of the game in the corner by the 3 pt line when he's been most effective all year at the FT line where he is a triple threat

Glad to see you posting again after a brutally embarrassing game. Missed you.

It's not your fault you're a wiseass you were just born that way. You don't mean to be a wiseass you're just naturally a wiseass. A wiseass

You know, that is the nicest insult anyone has ever directed to me. You get a big thumbs up for working with a honeymooners reference.

 

[newsman13]

How bad did our seniors shoot in their Big East swan song?  After starting the game only making 3 of 17 shots they went on to make only 8 more shots the entire game and finished their careers shooting an abysmal 11 for 39 (28%).  I have seen wheelchair players with better shooting form and playing blindfolded may have yielded the same results. 
Other than getting a week off to recover both mentally and physically there is nothing positive to take away from this game. Except for sophomore Rysheed Jordan, every player disappointed. 
As for individual disappointments D'Angelo Harrison gets my vote for disappointing POY.  Never in all my years of following redmen basketball has such a prolific scorer padded his record against inferior teams in 4 years of Novembers and Decembers while fading in conference play as if every opposing team was Georgetown. His Big East tourney and post season stats reek of a one dimensional player that miraculously scored 2,000 points.
Phil Greene was Phil Greene so a player that should have been no better than a 6th man played starters minutes on a flawed team without another guard on the bench capable of pushing him in practices to challenge him for  minutes.  As was evident today, as in most games, he plays so far off his player that he rarely commits fouls and readily gives up 3 pointers in the process.
For some inexplicable reason, Jamal Branch, who was absent due to groin issues got the start over Jordan thereby convincing Rysheed to get the fck out of Dodge at season's end.
Chris Obekpa seemed hobbled contrary to what the wizard stated before the game that he was game ready.  With Obekpa his mental state in any game is his biggest handicap.
I feel for Dom Pointer who got called for his 4th by 3 blind refs who, after reviewing the call, confirmed that blindness was not only suffered by St. John's shooters but by 3 blind men in zebra shirts.
As for the wizard and his agent, welcome back to "take what we offer or take a hike".  Your momentum has disappeared faster than your tie collection.  My wife, a very professional working woman, speculated that when Lavin stopped wearing ties it confirmed his lackadaisical attitude and that could have an affect on the players. Well today the players played like they didn't give a fck.
The only way for the players to redeem themselves would be to win a first round NCAA game. As for Steve Lavin, signing at least 6 or 7 serviceable players with at least 2 more front court players may save his job.  Except for Rysheed Jordan every player has proved that they are replaceable so I am not as worried as others about the composition of our team 2 years from now.[/quote]

Unbelievable that this imbecile greased the skids for Rysheed to leave. WTF. I expect losses like these after following this team longer than most of our posters parents have been around. What I never expected...even from Norm...is the imbecilities I've seen from Mr. LALA land. I don't care whether we face Kentucky or Manhattan in the first game...we're getting blown out.

 

[cappy105]

Not one player with more than 3 made baskets. Not typically a recipe for success.

This team has plenty of Jekyll and Hyde to it. It's very difficult to predict game to game which team is going to show up.

I don't care if Lavin is the best or worst coach in the country, or whether or not he should be extended. It is indefensible, under any circumstance, to have an opponent go on a 28-4 run and not call a single timeout. Although I would argue it was necessary to adjust, if not for that than just to simply break Providence's overwhelming momentum. To use your first timeout with 7:49 to go in the 2nd half, in a game where you were mostly down double digits, with a 6 man rotation, 4 of whom are banged up, is really bad. Kids, as poorly as they played, deserve better than that, especially since the game was not completely gone until 10 minute mark of 2nd half.

Taking a break from the overall Lavin debate and just commenting on some of his merits, it strikes me that he is exceptional at navigating the big picture, including through challenging times (i.e. back to back slow starts in conference play from which we recovered). He seems to really struggle when things go sideways during an individual game. I'm watching him during that first half yesterday, and it's almost like he goes into a shell, unsure what to do. Curious if anyone else sees the same macro/micro tendencies.

Is there any word on why a kid who is coming off the first back to back 20 point games of his career didn't start yesterday? Why are we constantly dealing with lineup shuffling this late in the season?

Biggest disappointment is this team not getting to play another meaningful game tonight. When you're not winning it all, you just want as many games as you can get.

For that reason, hoping for a 10 seed, so we line up against a 2 if we were to win the first.

Jordan not starting for whatever reason is just one more puzzling & unexpected event which seems ingrained In our culture. Obviously him starting would not have made a difference, but wish the "surprises" were not so often part of the equation.

couldnt agree more. Ive been a huge supporter of Lav, but that game was horrible on all ends. First off, even my 8 year old knows when the jump shots are not falling go inside. High % shots until you get into a groove. Poor use of time outs, horrible defensive rotation, and poor subs. This game could of been one of the worst coached on our end. Sorry Lav but this is on you bud.

 

[OLV72]

Not one player with more than 3 made baskets. Not typically a recipe for success.

This team has plenty of Jekyll and Hyde to it. It's very difficult to predict game to game which team is going to show up.

I don't care if Lavin is the best or worst coach in the country, or whether or not he should be extended. It is indefensible, under any circumstance, to have an opponent go on a 28-4 run and not call a single timeout. Although I would argue it was necessary to adjust, if not for that than just to simply break Providence's overwhelming momentum. To use your first timeout with 7:49 to go in the 2nd half, in a game where you were mostly down double digits, with a 6 man rotation, 4 of whom are banged up, is really bad. Kids, as poorly as they played, deserve better than that, especially since the game was not completely gone until 10 minute mark of 2nd half.

Taking a break from the overall Lavin debate and just commenting on some of his merits, it strikes me that he is exceptional at navigating the big picture, including through challenging times (i.e. back to back slow starts in conference play from which we recovered). He seems to really struggle when things go sideways during an individual game. I'm watching him during that first half yesterday, and it's almost like he goes into a shell, unsure what to do. Curious if anyone else sees the same macro/micro tendencies.

Is there any word on why a kid who is coming off the first back to back 20 point games of his career didn't start yesterday? Why are we constantly dealing with lineup shuffling this late in the season?

Biggest disappointment is this team not getting to play another meaningful game tonight. When you're not winning it all, you just want as many games as you can get.

For that reason, hoping for a 10 seed, so we line up against a 2 if we were to win the first.

Jordan not starting for whatever reason is just one more puzzling & unexpected event which seems ingrained In our culture. Obviously him starting would not have made a difference, but wish the "surprises" were not so often part of the equation.

They could have started Michael Jordan and still would have lost. The team did not come to play yesterday and it was clear from lackadaisical tip. The first seven points were a mask on what was to come. The half time score should have been worse for us. PC tried to give the Johnnies a chance in the first half of the second half, but our team was stuck in neutral.

After the past two games I don't give a two craps about next week. I enjoyed the season. I really enjoyed this group of seniors - they are good people, real likable. I wish them all the best in life, but I am now looking forward to fresh faces in the line-up and different look to the team.

 

[GardenCity62]

When shots aren't falling go inside is sound strategy but with this roster is not feasible. SJU has had two ways of scoring for too many years, transition and outside shooting.
If you limit turnovers and control the SJU running game they can only beat you with very good outside shooting. SJU is not capable of doing this often and in games like yesterday when they start off bad they lose all confidence and throw the towel in. Two years ago I hoped that Jones could provide some inside scoring but not so.
The staff should have brought someone in in the past three years to fill this need.

 

[beast of the east]

I asked that yesterday, did we get an explanation as to why Branch , coming off an injury, started over Jordan?

Lavin said it was about practice this week. I call BS though. Rysheed has been great and branch has been hurt. I mentioned yesterday rysheed has been back to posting on social media recently but he posted after the game too so I don't think that's the cause.

Jack, calling Lavin's reason BS, is , well, BS on your part. Do you know how Rysheed practices, if he was dogging it, late, not paying attention while the team was working on something? I've heard Jay Wright say that practices determines who gets playing time, especially for guys trying to break into the rotation, and are incredibly important. I don't believe the Rysheed not starting was the reason we stunk up MSG yesterday,

 

[sirvoo]

I asked that yesterday, did we get an explanation as to why Branch , coming off an injury, started over Jordan?

Lavin said it was about practice this week. I call BS though. Rysheed has been great and branch has been hurt. I mentioned yesterday rysheed has been back to posting on social media recently but he posted after the game too so I don't think that's the cause.

Jack, calling Lavin's reason BS, is , well, BS on your part. Do you know how Rysheed practices, if he was dogging it, late, not paying attention while the team was working on something? I've heard Jay Wright say that practices determines who gets playing time, especially for guys trying to break into the rotation, and are incredibly important. I don't believe the Rysheed not starting was the reason we stunk up MSG yesterday,

Yes but Jay Wright has a bunch of guys he can plug in...we have jamal branch coming off a rough groin injury. there's a time and place for every lesson..i think mid-march is winning time..not let's preach practice principles time

 

[Jack Williams]

I asked that yesterday, did we get an explanation as to why Branch , coming off an injury, started over Jordan?

Lavin said it was about practice this week. I call BS though. Rysheed has been great and branch has been hurt. I mentioned yesterday rysheed has been back to posting on social media recently but he posted after the game too so I don't think that's the cause.

Jack, calling Lavin's reason BS, is , well, BS on your part. Do you know how Rysheed practices, if he was dogging it, late, not paying attention while the team was working on something? I've heard Jay Wright say that practices determines who gets playing time, especially for guys trying to break into the rotation, and are incredibly important. I don't believe the Rysheed not starting was the reason we stunk up MSG yesterday,

It's not BS on my part. That line about branch playing better in practice than Jordan was so fake. Hopefully sheed did one of things you are talking about, and Lavin was just trying to cover it up with that phony story so people would get off rysheeds back. Because if he is really stupid enough to start a guy coming off injury instead of starting a guy who has been playing the best ball of his career just because branch got the better of a team scrimmage or something, wow...

Also, i don't believe it was the reason either. But it's more unessecary line up shifting and more unessecary drama right before the most important game or hopefully games of the season

 

[beast of the east]

I asked that yesterday, did we get an explanation as to why Branch , coming off an injury, started over Jordan?

Lavin said it was about practice this week. I call BS though. Rysheed has been great and branch has been hurt. I mentioned yesterday rysheed has been back to posting on social media recently but he posted after the game too so I don't think that's the cause.

Jack, calling Lavin's reason BS, is , well, BS on your part. Do you know how Rysheed practices, if he was dogging it, late, not paying attention while the team was working on something? I've heard Jay Wright say that practices determines who gets playing time, especially for guys trying to break into the rotation, and are incredibly important. I don't believe the Rysheed not starting was the reason we stunk up MSG yesterday,

It's not BS on my part. That line about branch playing better in practice than Jordan was so fake. Hopefully sheed did one of things you are talking about, and Lavin was just trying to cover it up with that phony story so people would get off rysheeds back. Because if he is really stupid enough to start a guy coming off injury instead of starting a guy who has been playing the best ball of his career just because branch got the better of a team scrimmage or something, wow...

Also, i don't believe it was the reason either. But it's more unessecary line up shifting and more unessecary drama right before the most important game or hopefully games of the season

I would suspect it was a disciplinary matter regarding practice, and that's none of our business.

 

[Marillac]

Why does everyone question who starts so much? It's petty. We jumped out to a 7-0 lead. The start was the only stretch of good basketball we played. Providence smacked us in the mouth right after that and Jordan was on the floor for half of it. Jordan played 28 minutes with three fouls...an extra five minutes doesn't change the outcome of this game.

None of us are at practice. None of us know what happens in the locker room, in the video room, in the classroom. It's silly to say that Branch didn't deserve to start based on practice when we weren't there.

 

[mjmaherjr]

The only reason I can think of Branch starting is maybe Lavin started him since it could be his last game ( actually is his last game ) at msg. I guess I could understand that.

I'm just as angry today as I was last night but ehhh whatever. Let's just get the guys rested and healed and let's do something next week and make some noise

 

[JackofVirginia]

Why does everyone question who starts so much? It's petty. We jumped out to a 7-0 lead. The start was the only stretch of good basketball we played. Nova smacked us in the mouth right after that and Jordan was on the floor for half of it. Jordan played 28 minutes with three fouls...an extra five minutes doesn't change the outcome of this game.

None of us are at practice. None of us know what happens in the locker room, in the video room, in the classroom. It's silly to say that Branch didn't deserve to start based on practice when we weren't there.

Not starting is one thing but putting Rysheed back in the second half at the 18:10 mark doesn't look like much of a punishment to me.

 

[bamafan]

The only reason I can think of Branch starting is maybe Lavin started him since it could be his last game ( actually is his last game ) at msg. I guess I could understand that.

I'm just as angry today as I was last night but ehhh whatever. Let's just get the guys rested and healed and let's do something next week and make some noise

Was hoping like mine that everyone's anger had subsided regarding last night's debacle. My final words on the game are W $@#%^&* T @#$%^&* F *&^%$#@!!!!!

 

[prjohnnies]

Because Sheed was playing the best basketball of his life. Not starting means that he either did something dumb off the court or Lavin is unnecessarily messing with the lineup.

 

[SJUalum98]

The only reason I can think of Branch starting is maybe Lavin started him since it could be his last game ( actually is his last game ) at msg. I guess I could understand that.

I'm just as angry today as I was last night but ehhh whatever. Let's just get the guys rested and healed and let's do something next week and make some noise

I'm still mad about yesterday.
But not for one second am I buying that Branch got the start because of practice or because he's a senior.

Sheed had been playing as consistently as any guard in the conference. He was living up to his billing.

Vs. Xavier: 38 min, 10 points, 5/9 FG, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Vs. Georgetown: 39 min, 15 points, 3/9 FG, 2/6 3FG, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
Vs. Marquette: 40 min, 23 points, 6/11 FG, 5/9 3FG, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Vs. Nova: 33 min, 21 points, 8/17 FG, 3/8 3FG, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 0 steals

17.3 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG

So Branch coming off a groin injury was playing better than Sheed in practice?

I'm not buying it for a second.

Yeah, no one really cares who starts. But Lavin needs to stop with the nonsense.