Butler, Sweet 16 and St. John's

C

Class of 72

Active member
Butler took 16 more shots than St Johns and "made" 16 more field goals. That's 32 points gifted to Butler by our benevolent defense.  I use the term defense loosely here since not one player was able to stay with their man. That may be, at this stage of the season, an untalented bunch not physically able to compete with better coached and stronger teams since  these bench players have played more minutes than they would have played in 2 years at most mid major programs.
I repeat - not one player, let alone starters should be starting next year if we are to finish in the top 5 of the Big East.  It is time to put to rest any notion that Yakwe or Mussini should be starting next year because their deficiencies are much too great to overcome in one year.  Sadly, thus staff has already written off Musso as a point guard and his offense has all but been rendered meaningless by opposing defenses.  Yakwe is a negative on offense and is simply a shot blocker at this stage of his young career. I don't care how young next year's team will be but the starters better include Bashir Ahmed, Shamorie Ponds, Marcus Lovett and hopefully Rawle Alkins and another forward who can hit his shots even if it has to be freshman forward Richard Freudenburg. Let Sima, Yakwe, Mussini and Owens come off the bench.  Losing a couple of players would also benefit SJU if 5th year bigs can come in and provide some bulk up front. 
As for a complete summary of the Butler game:

http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/buccaneer_bow_shots/train-wreck.jpg
 
Sima definitely starts next year, no question about it. The other two guaranteed starters are Lovett and Ahmed. Tariq Owens has definitely gained some weight, he looks a good 5-15 pounds heavier. Idk if he or Yawke starts, thats still a toss up. Mussini will be the guy off the bench who can provide 6-9 points in a matter of minutes.

I'm saying this now, if the rosters stays as is next year do not be surprised at all if we start Freudenburg with Ahmed in a 2 wing/2 big line up with Lovett/ponds running the point. He is a nightmare matchup against 2 guards. He can somewhat handle the ball off the point and is certainly working to improve that. Combine that with his absolutely lovely shooting stroke and he will be a problem against backcourt players.
 
Sima definitely starts next year, no question about it. The other two guaranteed starters are Lovett and Ahmed. Tariq Owens has definitely gained some weight, he looks a good 5-15 pounds heavier. Idk if he or Yawke starts, thats still a toss up. Mussini will be the guy off the bench who can provide 6-9 points in a matter of minutes.

I'm saying this now, if the rosters stays as is next year do not be surprised at all if we start Freudenburg with Ahmed in a 2 wing/2 big line up with Lovett/ponds running the point. He is a nightmare matchup against 2 guards. He can somewhat handle the ball off the point and is certainly working to improve that. Combine that with his absolutely lovely shooting stroke and he will be a problem against backcourt players.
Click to expand...

I have noticed Owens has bulked up and he is a wild card for minutes and role next year. Unlike my Canadian friend redmannorth, I would love to see a 5 star like Thon Maker come, even for 1 year and lose Jones and Ellison since they are turnover machines with little skills. Yesterday I felt for Lou Carnesecca who at 91 has to watch this dreck. I feel for Ohiofan who had to drive to Cincinnati from Cleveland and for Indy who witnessed the last Butler trashing. I feel for the season ticket holders who had to pay more to watch less but mostly I feel sorry for these kids who will be immortalized in basketball history at SJU for having lost the most consecutive games in our storied history. Thankfully the recruiting process is not over because our team needs major restructuring and our coach needs to have many lunches with Ron Naclario over the summer.
 
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