@Creighton, Tue., Dec. 31, 4p, PEACOCK

[dk423]

Last night's loss was very frustrating but I think the general reaction is a bit wild. We lost by 1 @ Creighton. We were able to keep the game within striking distance the entire second half despite playing pretty awful offensively. I am not trying to say its a moral victory -- it's not.

But I completely do not buy the idea that this team cannot get better over the next 10 weeks. I don't think our three point shooting will get much better, but I am not actually sure that is what will ultimately hold us back. Rick mentioned something interesting the press conference -- guys pressing and getting in their own head after missed shots. That is something we can work on.

The main issue is chemistry on offense. Guys don't really seem to know what's the best way to get a good look with our personnel. I think that is also semi-related to the team not seeming to know who's the lead guy Deivon or Kadary, or late in games, Luis.

Last year, the team had six seniors in the rotation. This year, we've got two. Why do we think the team won't get better like last year? Sim has a lot to improve on, but he's shown flashes already this year. Why is that out of the question? Zuby's made leaps and bounds, why do we think his progress is static from this point forward? Can Glover or Prey make a jump?

Again, I'm not trying to say we should feel good about yesterday. But compared to last year -- where we were clearly not big or fast enough to compete consistently with the best, and were shoddy at best on defense -- I would take these issues to sort out 10 times out of 10 times.

 

[ghostzapper]

In both the Georgia loss and yesterday's loss at Creighton our offensive performance was poor. Outside of Zuby who was stellar in both games, we were really bad offensively in both of those two games. Against Georgia, our non centers shot 14 for 53 (a bit over 26% from the field) and were 2 for 18 (11%) from three. Against Creighton, our non centers shot 17 for 57 (just under 30% from the field) and were 0 for 7 (0%) from three. These kind of shooting performances usually indicate a blowout defeat, however, somewhat to our credit, both games were close losses. Creighton has been very tough at home, so it is no disgrace to lose to them in Omaha, but the lack of offensive production outside of Zuby is a bit of a red flag for us.

A good part of this season's conundrum has been the play of Kadary Richmond. As a first team Big East player last year, one would expect much better than what we have gotten from him thus far. Going in I knew that he wasn't much of a shooter (he shot 3 for 27 against us in back to back games in January of 2022) but as he grew as a player over time, I also saw that he could really positively impact the game in a variety of different ways. Surprisingly his FG% this season has been his highest ever, but his 3 Point FG% shooting has been his lowest ever. Those stats pale in how shockingly bad his free throw shooting has been. Coming into this year he had shot just above 75% from the charity stripe for his career, but this year he is an abysmal 46% from the line. That inability to knock down free throws really takes away his strength of getting to the rim, because if you foul him he is likely to miss critical free throws.

Personally I still believe Kadary has merit. I love the way he always has his head up looking for his teammates, is a very good passer, an effective rebounder and can really get to the rim and score. However if he can not knock down free throws then he is a liability, especially in crunch time. For some reason it has not been working for him, but hopefully he can turn it around because we will not reach our full potential without an effective Kadary Richmond.

Kadary Richmond Career Stats - NCAAM - ESPN

Complete career NCAAM stats for the St. John's Red Storm Guard Kadary Richmond on ESPN. Includes points, rebounds, and assists.

www.espn.com

 

[dk423]

In both the Georgia loss and yesterday's loss at Creighton our offensive performance was poor. Outside of Zuby who was stellar in both games, we were really bad offensively in both of those two games. Against Georgia, our non centers shot 14 for 53 (a bit over 26% from the field) and were 2 for 18 (11%) from three. Against Creighton, our non centers shot 17 for 57 (just under 30% from the field) and were 0 for 7 (0%) from three. These kind of shooting performances usually indicate a blowout defeat, however, somewhat to our credit, both games were close losses. Creighton has been very tough at home, so it is no disgrace to lose to them in Omaha, but the lack of offensive production outside of Zuby is a bit of a red flag for us.

A good part of this season's conundrum has been the play of Kadary Richmond. As a first team Big East player last year, one would expect much better than what we have gotten from him thus far. Going in I knew that he wasn't much of a shooter (he shot 3 for 27 against us in back to back games in January of 2022) but as he grew as a player over time, I also saw that he could really positively impact the game in a variety of different ways. Surprisingly his FG% this season has been his highest ever, but his 3 Point FG% shooting has been his lowest ever. Those stats pale in how shockingly bad his free throw shooting has been. Coming into this year he had shot just above 75% from the charity stripe, but this year he is an abysmal 46% from the line. That inability to knock down free throws really takes away his strength of getting to the rim, because if you foul him he is likely to miss critical free throws.

Personally I still believe Kadary has merit. I love the way he always has his head up looking for his teammates, is a very good passer, an effective rebounder and can really get to the rim and score. However if he can not knock down free throws then he is a liability, especially in crunch time. For some reason it has not been working for him, but hopefully he can turn it around because we will not reach are full potential without an effective Kadary Richmond.

Kadary Richmond Career Stats - NCAAM - ESPN

Complete career NCAAM stats for the St. John's Red Storm Guard Kadary Richmond on ESPN. Includes points, rebounds, and assists.

www.espn.com

Kadary's free throws worry me the most with him. If he can't hit free throws/doesn't have confidence hitting them, he immediately becomes a liability offensively. If he can hit them at the 80% clip, he's an elite weapon.

 

[paultzman]

In both the Georgia loss and yesterday's loss at Creighton our offensive performance was poor. Outside of Zuby who was stellar in both games, we were really bad offensively in both of those two games. Against Georgia, our non centers shot 14 for 53 (a bit over 26% from the field) and were 2 for 18 (11%) from three. Against Creighton, our non centers shot 17 for 57 (just under 30% from the field) and were 0 for 7 (0%) from three. These kind of shooting performances usually indicate a blowout defeat, however, somewhat to our credit, both games were close losses. Creighton has been very tough at home, so it is no disgrace to lose to them in Omaha, but the lack of offensive production outside of Zuby is a bit of a red flag for us.

A good part of this season's conundrum has been the play of Kadary Richmond. As a first team Big East player last year, one would expect much better than what we have gotten from him thus far. Going in I knew that he wasn't much of a shooter (he shot 3 for 27 against us in back to back games in January of 2022) but as he grew as a player over time, I also saw that he could really positively impact the game in a variety of different ways. Surprisingly his FG% this season has been his highest ever, but his 3 Point FG% shooting has been his lowest ever. Those stats pale in how shockingly bad his free throw shooting has been. Coming into this year he had shot just above 75% from the charity stripe, but this year he is an abysmal 46% from the line. That inability to knock down free throws really takes away his strength of getting to the rim, because if you foul him he is likely to miss critical free throws.

Personally I still believe Kadary has merit. I love the way he always has his head up looking for his teammates, is a very good passer, an effective rebounder and can really get to the rim and score. However if he can not knock down free throws then he is a liability, especially in crunch time. For some reason it has not been working for him, but hopefully he can turn it around because we will not reach are full potential without an effective Kadary Richmond.

Kadary Richmond Career Stats - NCAAM - ESPN

Complete career NCAAM stats for the St. John's Red Storm Guard Kadary Richmond on ESPN. Includes points, rebounds, and assists.

www.espn.com

Our more than adequately paid and experienced “chef” has to take the ingredients he purchased and make it work.

 

[Demo]

I remember the same was said about him last year. "He will be greatly inproved in year 2 under pitino. He will put some weight on" etc etc etc.

Assuming we have enough NIL to satisfy him. Not just Sim though. I think each year NIL will go up. Zuby, Luis (both who I think need another year) and Sim will require a huge raise to keep them. Just saying.

 

[paultzman]

Assuming we have enough NIL to satisfy him. Not just Sim though. I think each year NIL will go up. Zuby, Luis (both who I think need another year) and Sim will require a huge raise to keep them. Just saying.

Luis is a talented player, but not a lock for next level stardom by any stretch if coming out this year. LMF did a good job capturing his judgment learning curve. We tend to canonize many players and not be objective. This is not a knock at RJ, rather a wish that he would just be more “heady”and patient . An additional year may help in that regard.

 

[logen]

Abandon the weave then lol

Who would have thought Pitino would steal Anderson’s offense?

 

[Silly Donovan]

There are always isolated games here and there (he had 20 against Baylor), but for the most part, he has struggled this year, against the better competition. It might be having an effect on his overall game, even against lesser opponents.

I think it may be a confidence thing with him. He played great against Baylor and Virginia but as of late has been struggling. Coincidently ,he has not been starting and in one game Prey came off the bench ahead of him which may have affected his psyche. Some kids are able to handle fluctuating starting line ups but some can’t, especially when they were a star of their former team.

I understand what Pitino is trying to do with changing starting line ups but some kids need consistency with their roles and change is very difficult for them.

 

[Larry Wright]

Kadary's free throws worry me the most with him. If he can't hit free throws/doesn't have confidence hitting them, he immediately becomes a liability offensively. If he can hit them at the 80% clip, he's an elite weapon.

Wave 80% goodbye
Would have to be nearly perfect for rest of season to even get to 70%

 

[dk423]

Wave 80% goodbye
Would have to be nearly perfect for rest of season to even get to 70%

I don't care what his final season % is, but if he can be a 75% FT shooter the rest of the season, that would be excellent.

I am feeling more pessimistic today than I did yesterday about it.

 

[Larry Wright]

I don't care what his final season % is, but if he can be a 75% FT shooter the rest of the season, that would be excellent.

I am feeling more pessimistic today than I did yesterday about it.

The thing is considering his shot it is more amazing and probably a fluke he shot them that well last year.

 

[redmanwest]

Last night's loss was very frustrating but I think the general reaction is a bit wild. We lost by 1 @ Creighton. We were able to keep the game within striking distance the entire second half despite playing pretty awful offensively. I am not trying to say its a moral victory -- it's not.

But I completely do not buy the idea that this team cannot get better over the next 10 weeks. I don't think our three point shooting will get much better, but I am not actually sure that is what will ultimately hold us back. Rick mentioned something interesting the press conference -- guys pressing and getting in their own head after missed shots. That is something we can work on.

The main issue is chemistry on offense. Guys don't really seem to know what's the best way to get a good look with our personnel. I think that is also semi-related to the team not seeming to know who's the lead guy Deivon or Kadary, or late in games, Luis.

Last year, the team had six seniors in the rotation. This year, we've got two. Why do we think the team won't get better like last year? Sim has a lot to improve on, but he's shown flashes already this year. Why is that out of the question? Zuby's made leaps and bounds, why do we think his progress is static from this point forward? Can Glover or Prey make a jump?

Again, I'm not trying to say we should feel good about yesterday. But compared to last year -- where we were clearly not big or fast enough to compete consistently with the best, and were shoddy at best on defense -- I would take these issues to sort out 10 times out of 10 times.

Good perspective. Let’s hope.

 

[MarkRedman]

Luis is a talented player, but not a lock for next level stardom by any stretch if coming out this year. LMF did a good job capturing his judgment learning curve. We tend to canonize many players and not be objective. This is not a knock at RJ, rather a wish that he would just be more “heady”and patient . An additional year may help in that regard.

I would like to think that you're right about another year helping RJ in his decision making and maybe it would.
But having played and coached basketball for many years, I also learned that, in many cases, you just are what you are and no amount of time or coaching will ever change you.

 

[Silly Donovan]

[

If you watch the end of that game there are 3 guys open with their hands out begging for the ball. Of course there was zero chance that RJ was going to do anything other than what he did.

Maybe at some point he will figure out that the fact that the whole world knows that makes him too easy to defend and the only thing that saves him is his superior athletic ability, which is not going to get him nearly as far against high level competition as it does against some teams.

So who else should he have passed to, the rest of the team can’t shoot. The only thing RJ did wrong on his second shot was not pull up and take a 15 footer. In theory, driving to the basket as he did to draw a foul was the right move but in reality at an away game ….. you’re never going to get that call unless you are slammed to the floor, and sure enough, he didn’t.

 

[redmanwest]

Luis is a talented player, but not a lock for next level stardom by any stretch if coming out this year. LMF did a good job capturing his judgment learning curve. We tend to canonize many players and not be objective. This is not a knock at RJ, rather a wish that he would just be more “heady”and patient . An additional year may help in that regard.

At this point, I’d prefer it be elsewhere. He’ll want huge $$ and we’ve seen what he is. I think better options will be available for the money.

 

[Silly Donovan]

Just about every Big East team has a guy or a defense that is going to result in an RJ failure or turnover at the end of a game if we do what we did yesterday. You cannot get away with 4th grade basketball against high major competition. He may hit a few if someone makes a mistake or he gets lucky. But his predicability will be his downfall

Without RJ, this team wouldn’t even have a winning record and that’s with the mediocre competition they have faced.

 

[Redenbacher]

Luis is a talented player, but not a lock for next level stardom by any stretch if coming out this year. LMF did a good job capturing his judgment learning curve. We tend to canonize many players and not be objective. This is not a knock at RJ, rather a wish that he would just be more “heady”and patient . An additional year may help in that regard.

Didn’t Pitino himself state publicly a few weeks ago that Luis was a lock to be a first round NBA draft pick, or something along those lines? That’s the kind of thing that gets into a player’s head.

 

[ghostzapper]

It will be interesting to see where our Georgia loss stacks up over time.

They currently have a 12 and 1 record and seem quite good thus far. However over their next fifteen scheduled games they will play against top 25 ranked opponents 12 times (7 of those 12 ranked opponents will be top ten teams). Even in their other three games against non-ranked teams they will face three pretty good teams (South Carolina, LSU and Missouri) who are a combined 32 and 7 thus far this year.

After that insane stretch of competition for Georgia ends on February 25th, we will see how far Georgia rises or falls in the national narrative. Our loss against them may wind up looking a lot better or worse depending upon how Georgia does against their challenging upcoming schedule.

Georgia Bulldogs 2024-25 Regular Season NCAAM Schedule - ESPN

ESPN has the full 2024-25 Georgia Bulldogs Regular Season NCAAM schedule. Includes game times, TV listings and ticket information for all Bulldogs games.

www.espn.com

 

[Marillac2]

Dingle and Ledlum were smarter and tougher than most of the players on the StJ’s roster this season. St’s would be a better team if either or both were on this years roster.
………

Question: can anyone explain why Pitino did not push the pace on offense. It seemed to me that all game StJ’s was in a slow paced motion offense rather than attempting to push the pace up the floor.
………

Ashworth proves that better basketball players do not have to be athletic.

.

Ashworth is quick as hell. Isn’t that athletic?

 

[Rhythm]

Ashworth is quick as hell. Isn’t that athletic?

All these blanket statements are absurd. Anyone playing college division 1 basketball. Has a baseline athletic ability.
Ten turnovers is horrendous. And that is true at any level. The problem with it was the team did not make him pay for it.