Great get by Lavin and the staff. If Lavs was able to achieve a top 15 ranking with Norms players imagine what he can achieve with the roster he has now. If Lavin can get Chandler now the sky's the limit. Good day for St. Johns basketball.
Chris Obekpa
- Thread starter Moose
- Start date
Rochester Redmen
Member
yes now Chandler and we got a squad everybody on the reservation buying Lavin/staff agenda :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Per Jeff Borzello, it will put us amongst the top 20 "or so."
Might move them to No. 20 or so. Final rankings Wednesday. RT @Joey_4Fingers: where does Obekpa put the #stjbb 2012 class in the rankings?
http://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/212302462160355329
Welcome Chris! A major piece of the game plan.
As has been said by others here-I believe we will see a ramped up defense due to overall depth (allowing tighter, more energetic, sustained D without last years worries about fouls), more than a few high quality defensive players-i.e.-Dom, Amir, Branch, Jakarr, Green, Chris -a true shot blocker in the middle will add a major dimension that has been lacking for a long time. Though we may stay with the zone a lot we will have the players to play M-M if we prefer-that was not an easy option last year.
This is a happy day!
As has been said by others here-I believe we will see a ramped up defense due to overall depth (allowing tighter, more energetic, sustained D without last years worries about fouls), more than a few high quality defensive players-i.e.-Dom, Amir, Branch, Jakarr, Green, Chris -a true shot blocker in the middle will add a major dimension that has been lacking for a long time. Though we may stay with the zone a lot we will have the players to play M-M if we prefer-that was not an easy option last year.
This is a happy day!
guinness77
Well-known member
Good get. Great to hear this because we got our guy, but I'm just thrilled all the speculation is finally over. I don't blame the kid for taking his time one bit, though.
I originally thought that getting Balamou was just to get us over the hump for Opekpa, but Felix has really shined on the aau/summer circuits from what I've seen and getting both of them (on top of everyone else) is definitely a coup from Lavin and co.
This season should be fun.
I originally thought that getting Balamou was just to get us over the hump for Opekpa, but Felix has really shined on the aau/summer circuits from what I've seen and getting both of them (on top of everyone else) is definitely a coup from Lavin and co.
This season should be fun.
boo haarvey
Active member
Great news! And to think, a month ago the "insiders" were saying that we didn't have a chance with Obekpa. Glad to see we prevailed.
I agree as well. I didn't get involved with the earlier (often heated) exchanges, but I gotta tell you that those Bearcat teams in the early sixties (Paul Hogue, Tom Thacker, Tony Yates, Ron Bonham, George Wilson, et al.) -- along with the St. John's teams from that same era (led by the recently deceased Leroy Ellis, Kevin Loughery, etc.) -- were what lit the fire for my passion for college hoops. As a result, I'll always have a warm spot in my heart for the U of C basketball.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Gotta love the picture. And to think he could have announced on ESPNU - gotta love this kid.
funny how things work out.Amazing - of all the blocks in that video (what were there....12? 15?) All but one wasn't just blocked, but kept in play. And only one of THOSE wasn't blocked to a teammate or to himself. That's a Bill Russell/Bill Walton kind of talent. Couldn't help noticing the difference between his blocks, and those they showed in the highlight clips for Nerlens Noell during both the McD broadcast and the "announcement" show - the majority of THOSE were the showboat "thunder bllocks" that look spectactular, but simply go straight out of bounds, and BACK into possession of the opponent.
CO could be REALLY special, cause that's a skill most centers, even the most gifted of shot blookers, rarely master.
Absolutely no reason for the second part of your post but I guess this is what unfortunately is to be expected of you Boo.
Very good addition, even if his production this year is mostly or exclusively defensive. The staff is relentless, and now we have a really great team and a really great shot at the tourney. If by any chance Chandler qualifies, and we add him, watch out.
elnaples70
Member
Excellent news. No more getting beat by outside shooting because of guys having to drop back to support a weak interior. Look real solid everywhere. Salivating in anticipation of this season & the future.