Columbia Game

[Eddyman11]

Just excited to see the Redmen live in what should be another Win before Big East Play

http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2013/12/26/5244930/time-machine-st-johns-vs-columbia

St. John’s visits the Barclays Center Saturday for the second time this season to rekindle a series with Columbia University that dates back to 1916. The game marks the Johnnies’ last non-conference game before Big East play starts Tuesday against Xavier.

Believe or not, Columbia once dominated this intra-city matchup. The Lions won the first five games against the Redmen when the two schools played each other occasionally between 1916 and 1925.

St. John’s, however, has reigned supreme since 1926. The Johnnies are 17-2 over that span, including 12 straight wins since 1979.

December 17, 2010: St. John’s 79, Columbia 66
[Rumble recap]

This was a special night for head coach Steve Lavin as he secured his first win for the program. But like many games at Carnesecca Arena, St. John’s struggled early as Columbia used the 3 to propel itself to a halftime lead.

D.J. Kennedy led St. John’s with 18 points while Justin Brownlee added 15 points. The Johnnies converted 10 3-pointers in 23 attempts.

Dwayne Polee II, who finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, hit a critical trey in the second half to put St. John’s up with 15:55 left in the game.

Noruwa Agho scored 18 points for Columbia while Brian Grimes added seven points and 14 rebounds.

December 23, 2006: St. John’s 76, Columbia 70
Lamont Hamilton torched Columbia with a career-high 36 points as St. John’s extended their winning streak to six games.

Hamilton didn’t miss much of anything in this game. He was 11-of-13 from the field and converted 14-of-16 free throws. Hamilton outburst came at a good time since Daryll Hill missed the game with a bruise in his left quadricep.

Anthony Mason Jr. added 11 points while Eugene Lawrence scored seven points with 10 assists.

John Baumann led Columbia with 13 points.

December 27, 2005: St. John’s 63, Columbia 39
This one was all St. John’s from the opening tip as Mason scored a then season-high 15 points in the first round of the Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden. This game game marked the Johnnies’ 40th appearance in the annual hoops showcase.

The Red Storm were 7-of-16 from 3-point range as they came into the game shooting just 23.2% from beyond the arc.

Mason hit three treys while Lawrence was perfect from beyond the arc and was 3-of-3. Lawrence also finished with 12 points and established a then career-high eight assists.

John Baumann and Justin Armstrong each scored eight points for Columbia.

 

[tom in salem]

Branch or Jordan.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/stjo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/release/release.pdf

PProbable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes robable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes
FF 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks
F 33 Orlando Sanchez (11-8) 6-9 232 Sr. 6.9 5.1 Top 4 on the team in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
G 11 D’Angelo Harrison (11-11) 6-4 204 Jr. 19.9 4.1 BIG EAST POW now SJU career leader with 156 3-pointers
G 1 Phil Greene IV (11-10) 6-2 189 Jr. 9.9 3.4 Five TOs in 283 mins in 2013-14, or one every 56.6 mins
G 23 Rysheed Jordan (9-6) 6-4 185 Fr. 6.3 3.0# Last 3 apps: 10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 o-rpg, 4.0 apg, 24.7 mpg
or G 0 Jamal Branch (11-1) 6-3 175 Jr. 4.3 1.6# Last 7 gms: 4.7 ppg on 13-of-21 FGs (.619), 2.1 apg, 13.9 mpg

 

[SJU1512]

Branch or Jordan.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/stjo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/release/release.pdf

PProbable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes robable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes
FF 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks
F 33 Orlando Sanchez (11-8) 6-9 232 Sr. 6.9 5.1 Top 4 on the team in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
G 11 D’Angelo Harrison (11-11) 6-4 204 Jr. 19.9 4.1 BIG EAST POW now SJU career leader with 156 3-pointers
G 1 Phil Greene IV (11-10) 6-2 189 Jr. 9.9 3.4 Five TOs in 283 mins in 2013-14, or one every 56.6 mins
G 23 Rysheed Jordan (9-6) 6-4 185 Fr. 6.3 3.0# Last 3 apps: 10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 o-rpg, 4.0 apg, 24.7 mpg
or G 0 Jamal Branch (11-1) 6-3 175 Jr. 4.3 1.6# Last 7 gms: 4.7 ppg on 13-of-21 FGs (.619), 2.1 apg, 13.9 mpg

Interesting that they would list Branch or Jordan in the official release. Seems like good news in either event. They expect Jordan to play at whatever point it becomes appropriate after taking care of priority #1 in his mother and family. If that point isn't tomorrow's game, then Branch gets the nod. I like Felix and he can be a nice rotation piece for this team this year (and perhaps more moving forward) but he's not part of our best lineup right now (or even close). Not a lot of utility in starting him. His starting also means Greene starts at point, and while Phil has played well this year he's averaging 1.5 APG. That 5 turnover stat is great but you have to put it in the context of 17 total assists. When you're not trying to create it's easier not to turn the ball over. Really solid player for us, not a point guard.

For all the talk of Branch being the most improved player Lavin has ever coached, yanking him from the starting lineup after 1 game was a bit extreme (even when applying the standard Lavin hype caveat). Admittedly he has not played well, but I think a lot of that has to do with crumbling confidence from being given such a quick hook (after hearing how highly his coach spoke of him no less). He was much more opportunistic last year and that was when he was at his best. Even in his limited role, he still has one more assist than Greene in almost half the minutes. He is the one guy we have to get going, especially if we are going to be without Jordan for any period, and a start tomorrow might be an ideal time for a confidence boosting game for Jamal.

 

[logen]

Branch or Jordan.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/stjo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/release/release.pdf

PProbable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes robable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes
FF 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks
F 33 Orlando Sanchez (11-8) 6-9 232 Sr. 6.9 5.1 Top 4 on the team in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
G 11 D’Angelo Harrison (11-11) 6-4 204 Jr. 19.9 4.1 BIG EAST POW now SJU career leader with 156 3-pointers
G 1 Phil Greene IV (11-10) 6-2 189 Jr. 9.9 3.4 Five TOs in 283 mins in 2013-14, or one every 56.6 mins
G 23 Rysheed Jordan (9-6) 6-4 185 Fr. 6.3 3.0# Last 3 apps: 10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 o-rpg, 4.0 apg, 24.7 mpg
or G 0 Jamal Branch (11-1) 6-3 175 Jr. 4.3 1.6# Last 7 gms: 4.7 ppg on 13-of-21 FGs (.619), 2.1 apg, 13.9 mpg

Interesting that they would list Branch or Jordan in the official release. Seems like good news in either event. They expect Jordan to play at whatever point it becomes appropriate after taking care of priority #1 in his mother and family. If that point isn't tomorrow's game, then Branch gets the nod. I like Felix and he can be a nice rotation piece for this team this year (and perhaps more moving forward) but he's not part of our best lineup right now (or even close). Not a lot of utility in starting him. His starting also means Greene starts at point, and while Phil has played well this year he's averaging 1.5 APG. That 5 turnover stat is great but you have to put it in the context of 17 total assists. When you're not trying to create it's easier not to turn the ball over. Really solid player for us, not a point guard.

For all the talk of Branch being the most improved player Lavin has ever coached, yanking him from the starting lineup after 1 game was a bit extreme (even when applying the standard Lavin hype caveat). Admittedly he has not played well, but I think a lot of that has to do with crumbling confidence from being given such a quick hook (after hearing how highly his coach spoke of him no less). He was much more opportunistic last year and that was when he was at his best. Even in his limited role, he still has one more assist than Greene in almost half the minutes. He is the one guy we have to get going, especially if we are going to be without Jordan for any period, and a start tomorrow might be an ideal time for a confidence boosting game for Jamal.

This is not meant as a reply to just your post but a comment on the percieved fragility of today's player or maybe just the "modern" over-anlysis of things with all the media availability. If Branch's game suffered because of a quick hook IMO he is not a player in the first place. I am 63 years old but have played ball all my life (still do albeit not very well anymore.) I played high school and college (NAIA.) I played in good league and playground games until about 50. I never and most of the people I played with never, ever let a coach decide our mind set. We could play and knew it and played hard all the time as we were taught in playgrounds by older players while growing up; if a coach didn't think I was good enough, well, then the coach ddin't know his stuff but you still had to go to that coach and find out what you needed to do to get on the court; If you couldn't play because of a fragile ego then you just couldn't play. That a coach, another player, a fan, etc. could get in your head meant that you weren't a player in the first place. This (to me) modern idea that every slight or setback is a reason for failing is just so foreign to me. Branch has talent but his decision making as a point is horrible; he doesn't seem to understand time and score at all. If he is upset about getting benched, find out why and improve.

 

[Eddyman11]

Branch or Jordan.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/stjo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/release/release.pdf

PProbable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes robable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes
FF 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks
F 33 Orlando Sanchez (11-8) 6-9 232 Sr. 6.9 5.1 Top 4 on the team in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
G 11 D’Angelo Harrison (11-11) 6-4 204 Jr. 19.9 4.1 BIG EAST POW now SJU career leader with 156 3-pointers
G 1 Phil Greene IV (11-10) 6-2 189 Jr. 9.9 3.4 Five TOs in 283 mins in 2013-14, or one every 56.6 mins
G 23 Rysheed Jordan (9-6) 6-4 185 Fr. 6.3 3.0# Last 3 apps: 10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 o-rpg, 4.0 apg, 24.7 mpg
or G 0 Jamal Branch (11-1) 6-3 175 Jr. 4.3 1.6# Last 7 gms: 4.7 ppg on 13-of-21 FGs (.619), 2.1 apg, 13.9 mpg

Interesting that they would list Branch or Jordan in the official release. Seems like good news in either event. They expect Jordan to play at whatever point it becomes appropriate after taking care of priority #1 in his mother and family. If that point isn't tomorrow's game, then Branch gets the nod. I like Felix and he can be a nice rotation piece for this team this year (and perhaps more moving forward) but he's not part of our best lineup right now (or even close). Not a lot of utility in starting him. His starting also means Greene starts at point, and while Phil has played well this year he's averaging 1.5 APG. That 5 turnover stat is great but you have to put it in the context of 17 total assists. When you're not trying to create it's easier not to turn the ball over. Really solid player for us, not a point guard.

For all the talk of Branch being the most improved player Lavin has ever coached, yanking him from the starting lineup after 1 game was a bit extreme (even when applying the standard Lavin hype caveat). Admittedly he has not played well, but I think a lot of that has to do with crumbling confidence from being given such a quick hook (after hearing how highly his coach spoke of him no less). He was much more opportunistic last year and that was when he was at his best. Even in his limited role, he still has one more assist than Greene in almost half the minutes. He is the one guy we have to get going, especially if we are going to be without Jordan for any period, and a start tomorrow might be an ideal time for a confidence boosting game for Jamal.

Im hoping Jordan's availability will put to rest the speculation about him leaving the program. Also hopefully it means his mother is doing better.

 

[Eddyman11]

"The 2:30 p.m. contest marks the final non-league game before BIG EAST play begins -- and the second-to-last non-conference matchup overall for SJU -- and airs on FOX Sports 1 -- one of 29 nationally-televised contests for St. John's in 2013-14 -- with announcers Justin Kutcher and Tarik Turner. The contest can be viewed via FOX Sports GO on mobile devices and heard live on WFAN 660-AM/101.9-FM, and on RedStormSports.com (subscription), with veteran NYC announcers John Minko and Brandon Tierney."

"•SJU owns a current RPI of 56, with the 24th-toughest schedule in the nation (7-1 home; 0-0 road; 1-2 neutral). That includes a 69-58 neutral-site win over Georgia Tech in Brooklyn. St. John's S.O.S. went from 43rd to 15th by playing now-No. 2/2 Syracuse (No. 4 in the RPI)."

Things are looking good before BE starts.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Branch or Jordan.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/stjo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/release/release.pdf

PProbable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes robable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes
FF 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks
F 33 Orlando Sanchez (11-8) 6-9 232 Sr. 6.9 5.1 Top 4 on the team in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
G 11 D’Angelo Harrison (11-11) 6-4 204 Jr. 19.9 4.1 BIG EAST POW now SJU career leader with 156 3-pointers
G 1 Phil Greene IV (11-10) 6-2 189 Jr. 9.9 3.4 Five TOs in 283 mins in 2013-14, or one every 56.6 mins
G 23 Rysheed Jordan (9-6) 6-4 185 Fr. 6.3 3.0# Last 3 apps: 10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 o-rpg, 4.0 apg, 24.7 mpg
or G 0 Jamal Branch (11-1) 6-3 175 Jr. 4.3 1.6# Last 7 gms: 4.7 ppg on 13-of-21 FGs (.619), 2.1 apg, 13.9 mpg

Interesting that they would list Branch or Jordan in the official release. Seems like good news in either event. They expect Jordan to play at whatever point it becomes appropriate after taking care of priority #1 in his mother and family. If that point isn't tomorrow's game, then Branch gets the nod. I like Felix and he can be a nice rotation piece for this team this year (and perhaps more moving forward) but he's not part of our best lineup right now (or even close). Not a lot of utility in starting him. His starting also means Greene starts at point, and while Phil has played well this year he's averaging 1.5 APG. That 5 turnover stat is great but you have to put it in the context of 17 total assists. When you're not trying to create it's easier not to turn the ball over. Really solid player for us, not a point guard.

For all the talk of Branch being the most improved player Lavin has ever coached, yanking him from the starting lineup after 1 game was a bit extreme (even when applying the standard Lavin hype caveat). Admittedly he has not played well, but I think a lot of that has to do with crumbling confidence from being given such a quick hook (after hearing how highly his coach spoke of him no less). He was much more opportunistic last year and that was when he was at his best. Even in his limited role, he still has one more assist than Greene in almost half the minutes. He is the one guy we have to get going, especially if we are going to be without Jordan for any period, and a start tomorrow might be an ideal time for a confidence boosting game for Jamal.

This is not meant as a reply to just your post but a comment on the percieved fragility of today's player or maybe just the "modern" over-anlysis of things with all the media availability. If Branch's game suffered because of a quick hook IMO he is not a player in the first place. I am 63 years old but have played ball all my life (still do albeit not very well anymore.) I played high school and college (NAIA.) I played in good league and playground games until about 50. I never and most of the people I played with never, ever let a coach decide our mind set. We could play and knew it and played hard all the time as we were taught in playgrounds by older players while growing up; if a coach didn't think I was good enough, well, then the coach ddin't know his stuff but you still had to go to that coach and find out what you needed to do to get on the court; If you couldn't play because of a fragile ego then you just couldn't play. That a coach, another player, a fan, etc. could get in your head meant that you weren't a player in the first place. This (to me) modern idea that every slight or setback is a reason for failing is just so foreign to me. Branch has talent but his decision making as a point is horrible; he doesn't seem to understand time and score at all. If he is upset about getting benched, find out why and improve.

I am not doubting that you had good confidence in your self and that you didn't let the opinion or actions of coaches or others effect your play, but to think that good players have never been effected by it is extremely naive. I have witnessed it plenty of times and have even gone through it myself. Some players feed off of confidence and rhythm and some players create their own. Their is no question in my mind that Jamal is a talented basketball player who has gotten the short end of the stick from Lavin, I also believe that his short rope has effected his confidence and his play.

 

[tom in salem]

8 1/2 point favorites.

 

[Andrew]

8 1/2 point favorites.

This should be a good test to see if the team is improving. I think Columbia is very similar to Bucknell and we struggled against them.

 

[MCNPA]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

 

[bk8664]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.

 

[MCNPA]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.

I'm also glad it has been laid to rest, but it made me nervous too. I think it was the fact that Jordan was gone and balamou brought off redshirt. Any redmen fan would be silly to not be a bit nervous about losing Jordan with the timing if events, even if they were unrelated behind the scenes. Bottom line though is that we have him back, and much of how far we go this season relies on Jordan getting better and giving us that big, penetrating PG who can lock-down defend. Kid is going to be a beast when he gets going.

 

[mjmaherjr]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.

I'm also glad it has been laid to rest, but it made me nervous too. I think it was the fact that Jordan was gone and balamou brought off redshirt. Any redmen fan would be silly to not be a bit nervous about losing Jordan with the timing if events, even if they were unrelated behind the scenes. Bottom line though is that we have him back, and much of how far we go this season relies on Jordan getting better and giving us that big, penetrating PG who can lock-down defend. Kid is going to be a beast when he gets going.

that definitely made me nervous. still don't like the idea that we suited up felix for the game when we could have just gone with the original plan and redshirted him for the year

 

[bk8664]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.

I'm also glad it has been laid to rest, but it made me nervous too. I think it was the fact that Jordan was gone and balamou brought off redshirt. Any redmen fan would be silly to not be a bit nervous about losing Jordan with the timing if events, even if they were unrelated behind the scenes. Bottom line though is that we have him back, and much of how far we go this season relies on Jordan getting better and giving us that big, penetrating PG who can lock-down defend. Kid is going to be a beast when he gets going.

that definitely made me nervous. still don't like the idea that we suited up felix for the game when we could have just gone with the original plan and redshirted him for the year

I hear you on Felix... hopefully he's improved and shows more than he did last game. Even more so, I hope Jones is improving this season. We're going to need his bulk next year. I hope he acquires some ferociousness to his game.

 

[logen]

Branch or Jordan.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/stjo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/release/release.pdf

PProbable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes robable Starters (GP-GS) Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Notes
FF 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks 14 JaKarr Sampson (11-11) 6-9 214 So. 12.8 6.9 Among BE leaders in points, rebounds, FG pct., blocks
F 33 Orlando Sanchez (11-8) 6-9 232 Sr. 6.9 5.1 Top 4 on the team in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
G 11 D’Angelo Harrison (11-11) 6-4 204 Jr. 19.9 4.1 BIG EAST POW now SJU career leader with 156 3-pointers
G 1 Phil Greene IV (11-10) 6-2 189 Jr. 9.9 3.4 Five TOs in 283 mins in 2013-14, or one every 56.6 mins
G 23 Rysheed Jordan (9-6) 6-4 185 Fr. 6.3 3.0# Last 3 apps: 10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 o-rpg, 4.0 apg, 24.7 mpg
or G 0 Jamal Branch (11-1) 6-3 175 Jr. 4.3 1.6# Last 7 gms: 4.7 ppg on 13-of-21 FGs (.619), 2.1 apg, 13.9 mpg

Interesting that they would list Branch or Jordan in the official release. Seems like good news in either event. They expect Jordan to play at whatever point it becomes appropriate after taking care of priority #1 in his mother and family. If that point isn't tomorrow's game, then Branch gets the nod. I like Felix and he can be a nice rotation piece for this team this year (and perhaps more moving forward) but he's not part of our best lineup right now (or even close). Not a lot of utility in starting him. His starting also means Greene starts at point, and while Phil has played well this year he's averaging 1.5 APG. That 5 turnover stat is great but you have to put it in the context of 17 total assists. When you're not trying to create it's easier not to turn the ball over. Really solid player for us, not a point guard.

For all the talk of Branch being the most improved player Lavin has ever coached, yanking him from the starting lineup after 1 game was a bit extreme (even when applying the standard Lavin hype caveat). Admittedly he has not played well, but I think a lot of that has to do with crumbling confidence from being given such a quick hook (after hearing how highly his coach spoke of him no less). He was much more opportunistic last year and that was when he was at his best. Even in his limited role, he still has one more assist than Greene in almost half the minutes. He is the one guy we have to get going, especially if we are going to be without Jordan for any period, and a start tomorrow might be an ideal time for a confidence boosting game for Jamal.

This is not meant as a reply to just your post but a comment on the percieved fragility of today's player or maybe just the "modern" over-anlysis of things with all the media availability. If Branch's game suffered because of a quick hook IMO he is not a player in the first place. I am 63 years old but have played ball all my life (still do albeit not very well anymore.) I played high school and college (NAIA.) I played in good league and playground games until about 50. I never and most of the people I played with never, ever let a coach decide our mind set. We could play and knew it and played hard all the time as we were taught in playgrounds by older players while growing up; if a coach didn't think I was good enough, well, then the coach ddin't know his stuff but you still had to go to that coach and find out what you needed to do to get on the court; If you couldn't play because of a fragile ego then you just couldn't play. That a coach, another player, a fan, etc. could get in your head meant that you weren't a player in the first place. This (to me) modern idea that every slight or setback is a reason for failing is just so foreign to me. Branch has talent but his decision making as a point is horrible; he doesn't seem to understand time and score at all. If he is upset about getting benched, find out why and improve.

I am not doubting that you had good confidence in your self and that you didn't let the opinion or actions of coaches or others effect your play, but to think that good players have never been effected by it is extremely naive. I have witnessed it plenty of times and have even gone through it myself. Some players feed off of confidence and rhythm and some players create their own. Their is no question in my mind that Jamal is a talented basketball player who has gotten the short end of the stick from Lavin, I also believe that his short rope has effected his confidence and his play.

I understand your point and your reply makes your point better than I made mine. I agree 100% that coaches can destroy a players confidence but the point I was trying to make was that a single incident, such as not starting the next game shouldn't have that kind of effect if a player really believes in himself. I should have left it lone because after re-reading what I wrote I just didn't explain the point I was really trying to make which was this idea that one isolated incident or comment destroys confidence or gives a team or player extra incentive.

 

[SJUISBACK]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.

You got haters that don`t want ballers on SJU, so they try to start their bs rumors.
lol It does not matter, Jordan is staying here so keep on hating lol.

You know they must be very angry that he`s coming back. You know when he goes back philly to see his ill mother that the rumors will start again. They don`t want SJU back, but it does not matter what they want, they`ll have to deal with it cause it`s just the way it`s gonna be.
So keep on hating you chumps.

 

[SJUISBACK]

Why be nervous? I believed that the reason he went back to philly was to see his mom.
Jordan knows SJU is where it`s at.

Why go Temple or LaSalle. The AAC or A10 (not ever sure what conf LaSalle is in)

 

[otis]

...not ever sure what conf LaSalle is in. [\quote]

_____________________________________________________________________________

LaSalle plays in the A10 and last season it qualified for the NCAA and advanced to the Sweet16.

 

[beast of the east]

Lavin's is quoted as saying we will have our hands full with Columbia, and I think he might be right. They have given good teams a hard time this season. They shoot really well, and will be another test, but a good test for us before league play begins. Gotta handle them and get this done.

I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.

You got haters that don`t want ballers on SJU, so they try to start their bs rumors.
lol It does not matter, Jordan is staying here so keep on hating lol.

You know they must be very angry that he`s coming back. You know when he goes back philly to see his ill mother that the rumors will start again. They don`t want SJU back, but it does not matter what they want, they`ll have to deal with it cause it`s just the way it`s gonna be.
So keep on hating you chumps.

Antagonistic post. To my knowledge there hasn't been a single poster who has expressed that SJU would be better off without Jordan. There are always transfers in college ball, and anyone watching would agree that up until the Syracuse game, Jordan's performances and playing time was very uneven. So there was basis in the speculation, including the unusual move of activating Felix when Jordan was given an excused leave of absence. I'm not angry that Jordan is back - I'm pretty happy, and hope he stays.

 

[MarkRedman]

Nice article about the background and relationship between the head coaches:

http://nypost.com/2013/12/28/columbia-coach-set-to-square-off-with-mentor-steve-lavin/