(BET) (PRE-GAME) DePaul, Wed ., Mar. 9, 7p, FS-1
- Thread starter Knight
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I’ll say the same thing I have been saying every season since I was a freshman at St. John’s.
I will spend whatever to get into the building… if we are playing Friday night.
Will the drought continue another year
I will spend whatever to get into the building… if we are playing Friday night.
Will the drought continue another year
we are sju
Active member
Rather Wusu off bench with short leash
austour post=462185 said:Adam post=462159 said:
As you said, two road games and two ESPN aired tournaments/events. Maybe Cragg can take network coverage into account while improving the ooc schedule next year.
I'd hope so, it just so happens that the majority of OOC Power away/neutral/tournaments air on the ESPN family, so having a respectable schedule will almost always mean at least one game on one of the ESPN channels. It's also always a good thing for a brand to diversify, so I do see better/different network coverage as an added benefit to a stronger schedule. We gained nothing this year by playing a bunch of nobodies OOC on FS2.
During the Lavin/Mullin years we would play Duke/Syracuse, and the away games for us would generally air on ESPN and the home games would be on Fox. We'd also participate in a tournament each year which would almost always be on ESPN, as well as an additional neutral game on an ESPN channel.
Just for reference Nova this year has played:
@ UCLA (ESPN 2)
Vs Tenn* (ESPNN)
Vs Purdue* (ABC- aka ESPN)
Vs La Salle* (ESPN 2)
@ Penn (ESPN+)- note this isn't great coverage but it's part of their Big 5 games and against a bad team
Vs Syracuse* (ESPN)
@ Baylor (ABC- aka ESPN)
* = neutral
So, out of Nova's 10 OOC games 7 were on an ESPN channel, as opposed to our goose egg. They know what they're doing in terms of strong matchups and network coverage, which again go hand in hand. St. John's has regressed massively in both areas the last few years and they need to be addressed.
The LMF Keys to Victory:
Spoiler alert: There are no surprises on this list, it's the same as most games this season:
1. Play some damn defense. Can't let DePaul go for 90 points. No repeat of the defense-free matchup at DePaul, make them earn their buckets. They'll score points, but keep it under 80 and make them work for what they get. Most of the burden here falls on the guards and wings - Wusu, Mathis, Posh, Champ have to lock up the DePaul guards and wings. We should be fine inside.
2. Be efficient offensively. Julian can't go 6 for 17. Mathis has to limit himself to taking good shots, no heaves from 3 or attempted layups against bigs who have established position. Same for Wusu, if the 3 isn't going then stop taking it (but if it is, keep shooting good looks, not chucks), and take good drives to the hoop. Posh has to go back to the mid-range jumper he flashed to great effect for a few games. And Wheeler plus one more player have to be point producers (Smith, Pinzon, Coburn).
3. No stupid turnovers. Wusu cannot dribble into the lane to be surrounded by defenders and then figure out what he wants to do, or throw an inbounds pass to a defender. Posh can't be too cute looking for assists when the 2 points are there to be had. Its the bad turnovers and failure to get critical stops two or three times a game that are the difference between victory and defeat in too many games for this team.
4. Bonus key: I expect DePaul to come out like a house on fire. Frustrating them early would be hugely helpful.
I know, I know - play good defense and good offense and you'll win. Rocket science. And yet - for a team that has struggled to play at pace while each player also plays within himself that's been a challenge. Hopefully one they meet and defeat tonight.
Spoiler alert: There are no surprises on this list, it's the same as most games this season:
1. Play some damn defense. Can't let DePaul go for 90 points. No repeat of the defense-free matchup at DePaul, make them earn their buckets. They'll score points, but keep it under 80 and make them work for what they get. Most of the burden here falls on the guards and wings - Wusu, Mathis, Posh, Champ have to lock up the DePaul guards and wings. We should be fine inside.
2. Be efficient offensively. Julian can't go 6 for 17. Mathis has to limit himself to taking good shots, no heaves from 3 or attempted layups against bigs who have established position. Same for Wusu, if the 3 isn't going then stop taking it (but if it is, keep shooting good looks, not chucks), and take good drives to the hoop. Posh has to go back to the mid-range jumper he flashed to great effect for a few games. And Wheeler plus one more player have to be point producers (Smith, Pinzon, Coburn).
3. No stupid turnovers. Wusu cannot dribble into the lane to be surrounded by defenders and then figure out what he wants to do, or throw an inbounds pass to a defender. Posh can't be too cute looking for assists when the 2 points are there to be had. Its the bad turnovers and failure to get critical stops two or three times a game that are the difference between victory and defeat in too many games for this team.
4. Bonus key: I expect DePaul to come out like a house on fire. Frustrating them early would be hugely helpful.
I know, I know - play good defense and good offense and you'll win. Rocket science. And yet - for a team that has struggled to play at pace while each player also plays within himself that's been a challenge. Hopefully one they meet and defeat tonight.
Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
Freeman Liberty will get his. My 2 keys on D are:
Contain David Jones. He is the X factor. Have to get physical with him and make it tough for him to score.
Keep Brian Johnson off the boards. This guy is their junkyard dog. Always keeping possessions alive w/ offensive rebounds, getting cheap garbage points down low. Box this man out and keep him off the glass.
Contain David Jones. He is the X factor. Have to get physical with him and make it tough for him to score.
Keep Brian Johnson off the boards. This guy is their junkyard dog. Always keeping possessions alive w/ offensive rebounds, getting cheap garbage points down low. Box this man out and keep him off the glass.
Adam post=462196 said:austour post=462185 said:Adam post=462159 said:
As you said, two road games and two ESPN aired tournaments/events. Maybe Cragg can take network coverage into account while improving the ooc schedule next year.
I'd hope so, it just so happens that the majority of OOC Power away/neutral/tournaments air on the ESPN family, so having a respectable schedule will almost always mean at least one game on one of the ESPN channels. It's also always a good thing for a brand to diversify, so I do see better/different network coverage as an added benefit to a stronger schedule. We gained nothing this year by playing a bunch of nobodies OOC on FS2.
During the Lavin/Mullin years we would play Duke/Syracuse, and the away games for us would generally air on ESPN and the home games would be on Fox. We'd also participate in a tournament each year which would almost always be on ESPN, as well as an additional neutral game on an ESPN channel.
Just for reference Nova this year has played:
@ UCLA (ESPN 2)
Vs Tenn* (ESPNN)
Vs Purdue* (ABC- aka ESPN)
Vs La Salle* (ESPN 2)
@ Penn (ESPN+)- note this isn't great coverage but it's part of their Big 5 games and against a bad team
Vs Syracuse* (ESPN)
@ Baylor (ABC- aka ESPN)
* = neutral
So, out of Nova's 10 OOC games 7 were on an ESPN channel, as opposed to our goose egg. They know what they're doing in terms of strong matchups and network coverage, which again go hand in hand. St. John's has regressed massively in both areas the last few years and they need to be addressed.
Don't disagree but ESPN+? You might as well be on after Uncle Floyd on UHF.
Nova gets into a top tourney and a Jimmy V style game every year on their reputation. SJU needs to improve their reputation to achieve this. Until then it comes down to scheduling road games vs. ESPN conference teams. Cragg can consider this when putting together OOC but I don't think it should be a primary factor. PS ESPN is going to trash BE regardless.
Duke, I agree wholeheartedly. These two guys killed us in the last game and I was screaming at the tv the whole game for CMA to put someone on them.Duke of Earlington post=462224 said:
Johnny Rapper
Well-known member
New season starts tonight. We will need the “good “ Champagnie to move on.
Mug Costanza
Member
Butler/X OT. We aren't starting until at least 7:30
It's a good game. I hope all are watching. Maybe it will be Butler vs The Redmen in the final! /media/kunena/emoticons/wink.pngMug Costanza post=462234 said:
I thought that we were the worst team at the line. The X men are horrible!
LOL!!!!!Paultzman post=462253 said:
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