First of all, congrats to the team on a great win today! I have been watching all these Bracket Buster games and I've seen a number of players on these mid major teams who are talented enough to play on the major conference level. The reason I bring this up is because I, like many on this board, have become very anxious and a little impatient with the way our receruiting has been going to this point. Although, I do believe in Lavin. The point being is that there are plenty of players out there who may not be top 100 players but are capable at playing at the Big East level. One thing I noticed is that many of these type of mid major players can really shoot the ball. Which is what we need. I understand that Lavin is recruiting on a totally different level than Norm was but if he can't get all the guys he wants and just ends up with one or two there are plenty of players out there who may not be top 100 players but are more than capable of coming to SJU and fill roles and be productive at the Big East level. These kids would jump at a scholarship from a Big East school. We know Lavin has been all over the counrty looking for players and watching these high school games, I'm confident that he'll find a few of these guys if a few other situations don't pan out. The Virginia Commonwealth vs Northern Iowa game last night was an excellent game and all those kids could shoot from behind the arc. I'm watching Murray St. vs St. Mary's now and at least 5 or 6 of these kids could step into the Big East right now. That kid Jon Ragland on Witchita St. can shoot the lights out as well. The big guy Stultz on Witchita St. is an excellent player. Players like this are out there in high school now. Just an observation.
Bracket Buster Games an Observation
- Thread starter Mean Gene
- Start date
Coach needs players that fit his system.
Agree north... And Lavin's system is predicated on pressure defensive zones, trapping and running on offense. If it was ever evident, yesterday was the day. We used pressure defense and our running game with 5 freshmen to run a team with several McD's AA's ragged. We certainly need another shooter or or two, but we will add depth to our stable if athletes so we can have more depth to run and press both on offense and defense. If yesterday was any indication, you have to realize how good we'll be with Branch and a handful more kids that do fit Lavin's style.
Exactly, it is not just the issue of adding a body or two, we need the right bodies to find the staff's system for everything to work properly.
It will come.
I agree Lavin recruits players who can play his style of BB.. That being said, the object of the game is to put the ball in the basket.. the game has evolved with the 3 point shot too. Having a driller type shooter is absolutely necessary if you want to win BB games.Free throws are also very important. Winning teams are usually good foul shooters. There are exceptions, of course.
Having Steve Alford, Chris Mullin , Bootsy Thornton, Ron Rowan, Stephon Curry type of shooters always is an advantage to any team.
There is a difference between being a scorer and a shooter.. Mullin was both, that's why he's in the HOF.. Harrison is a scorer in my opinion, not yet a automatic from the outside.. He can become one next year. And, that's not to disparage his game. He's still getting to his potential level.
St John's teams have been zoned to death over the long term and will continue to be.. Lavin needs to recognize that and bring in that type of player, as well..
Teams will beat us like drums if we can't break a zone.. So far, Lavin hasn't brought in a zone buster in my opinion.
I'm sure it is on his list..He's a smart guy..
Having Steve Alford, Chris Mullin , Bootsy Thornton, Ron Rowan, Stephon Curry type of shooters always is an advantage to any team.
There is a difference between being a scorer and a shooter.. Mullin was both, that's why he's in the HOF.. Harrison is a scorer in my opinion, not yet a automatic from the outside.. He can become one next year. And, that's not to disparage his game. He's still getting to his potential level.
St John's teams have been zoned to death over the long term and will continue to be.. Lavin needs to recognize that and bring in that type of player, as well..
Teams will beat us like drums if we can't break a zone.. So far, Lavin hasn't brought in a zone buster in my opinion.
I'm sure it is on his list..He's a smart guy..
I agree, we need players that fit the system. Have you guys watched VCU or Long Beach State this year? They play that 40 minutes of hell, up and down the floor style. All those kids can shoot the three and they can all finish on the break and and play pressure defense. There are kids on both those teams who are definitely talented enough to play in the Big East and be productive. That was my only point. There are kids out htere who are not top 100 kids who can play for us and be productive. As I said, as much as Lavin has been out there recruiting, he should be able find a couple of these kids who probably would have went to mid major schools but are talented enough to play in the Big East. Lets hope they beat DePaul tonight.