Columbia Game

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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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No you're right, being taken out of the starting lineup for a game should, in a perfect world, motivate the player to work harder instead of second guessing their abilities. Unfortunately it is not always the case and since becoming a coach I have become more and more aware of the fragility of young men's confidence and their unwillingness to compete for playing time.
 
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.
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I'm glad the the idiotic Jordan rumors have been laid to rest. Let's crush Columbia.
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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.
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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.
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I wasn`t talking about you Beast, so relax.

I was talking about posters like Miguel. Why wouldn`t he keep posting if Jordan stayed since he`s a SJU fan? My guess is he`s pissed that he stayed, but again let the haters stay pissed.
I mean wtf wants to hear if you`re a huge SJU fan that "oh Rysheed is gonna transfer"? I know I get sick of the bs.

So every chance I get, when the haters are wrong I`ll rub it in their face alittle. They`ll be at it again though the next time Rysheed goes to philly, and I`ll just laugh.
 
You sub out the true 1 who's had a nice start to the game and you let the guy playing out of control stay on the floor?

Huh?
 
There are some strange calls being made by this ref crew. They are doing their best to keep Columbia in this one.
 
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