Duke Game Thread

[salty dog]

I

Debilitating loss for SJU.

I think when the book is closed on this season we will look back to this game and see that we had given up 53 innthe first 32 minutes vs Duke and 24 in the last 8 minutes And we will say "that's where we lost the chance to right the ship this season."

I think that it's absurd that our conference record is 2-4 based on the way we played for the majority of this game. We had a top 5 team on the ropes the whole day, so the 2-4 conference record is a reflection on an inept coach. We ca t finish games because our guys get tired. Same thing happened vs Nova. I know, I am rehashing but this goes to Lavin recruiting 6 big east players (and I don't even think we can call Phil Greene a BE player).

For once I cant say the refs did a bad job. They actually gave us the gift three pointer befor half where the shot clock expired. Even Ray Charles can see that.

So now we play out the string. Yes there's still 12 games plus the BET but this team is too inconsistent despite the talent being there to offer any hope of a resurgence this year. We prob go to Creighton and lose Wednesday. They are due for a win and have been close on a few occasions. Is there a team other than us they are happier to see?

I feel for the kids. they play their hearts out especially Harrison and Pointer. Jordan is brilliant then he commits a critical foul when a Duke player is shooting a three and he also completely disappeared second half and comitttedfour turnovers. NBA ready my ass. Obekpa today too ZERO blocks. He better not go pro either. Not ready. Oakafor was way superior today.

So it was a great performance for 32 minutes with the ending we all wish never happened. I would've been happier with my 98-71 prediction I wouldn't be this frustrated at least.

Disagree. With pretty much everything you said.

Today was a chance to get a signature win we desperately needed and we had a double digit lead with eight minutes to go and lost. That's the reality. With losses against nova the zags butler the hall and now Duke it's time to start winning these games if we are gonna make a push. We can't be happy with a close game against Duke. We should've won 100% today and we blew it. moral victories will get us to the NIT or less at this point.

1. When the season began, were we supposed to win this game?
2. When we went off at 11-1, were we supposed to win this game?
3. When Harrison got hurt, could you expect we'd even be in the game?

i'll answer for you - 1. No 2. No 3. No

Today would have been a phenomenal win for this year's edition, but if Harrison's injury is affecting his play, no one in their right mind could expect a win today.

Any questions?

No Beast, but with 10minutes to go, and a 10pnt lead. We almost f'ing had it.
Oh what could have been, that's what get me so crazy.

I know. Me too.

But if we are honest with ourselves, we were all watching the clock tick interminably slowly and hoping we'd hold on to win, rather than believing we'd blast them out onto 7th Avenue.

Not quite the Holiday Festival 75 game vs. Indiana, but our guys didn't back down one bit, and for 80% of the game outplayed Duke and gave them everything they could handle. I'm proud of our guys.

Asking your opinion. We battled and outplayed those bastards for 30minites.
Do you think that we got tight at the end, because they knew they were so close, and maybe that's why we didn't get any baskets.
Or.
We played like we did the whole game, but the ball just wouldn't go in?

This season our only reliable money player had been Harrison. Whether injury or just cold, he's not money right now, not even small change. The rest of our guys are streaky. They aren't capable of getting that "stop the bleeding basket", and all went cold at the same time. You can chalk it up to Duke's experience, but even during the 15-1 run I didn't believe we were getting overrun, and that it was more our inability to make a basket rather than Duke going on a tear. I could be wrong, but losing was our doing more than Duke tightening the screws in crunch time.

I agree with much of what you have said but I believe Duke players were looking for someone to step up and stem the side.The soldier hurt us a lot with rebounding and boxing out but that drive from the top of the key where the ball came down wet it was so high along with the foul got them going. We needed to stem the tide there. However another drive and a three foul and just like that the lights went out.

 

[salty dog]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

 

[monte]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

Dink you don't think that an injured D'lo having to play almost the entire game because we didn't have a serviceable sub was a factor?

 

[MarkRedman]

Okepka got schooled by Okafor
CO fouled out - had 2 points and NO blocked shots
Hope this helps convince him that he needs to come back next year
He has improved but is definitely not ready to play at the next level right now

 

[ccnobz]

Went to game and just came home and watched again. He missed a bunch of shots he normally hits. Up 4 with around 8 mins to go- he missed a hurried 3, next time down had his pocket picked, and next time missed a wide open 3. Every time Duke scored a hoop. He just hasn't been himself the past few games.

 

[stjohnnie75]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

So what you are saying is that Duke's 4 All Americans on their bench out played our bench? Case rested!

 

[monte]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options. When Plumlee and Okafar were in the game at the same time, we did not have another serviceable big to bring in to combat that. Just one example

 

[MJDinkins]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

Dink you don't think that an injured D'lo having to play almost the entire game because we didn't have a serviceable sub was a factor?

I think an injured Harrison was the difference, as I stated. If anything, Branch should've gotten more minutes, and told to be more aggressive on offense. I would've played Stewart for about 5 minutes, as well.

But Harrison probably felt he could go, and many coaches are gonna die with their boots on in that situation.

IMO, the Johnnies would've won today with a healthy Harrison. I don't think it would've came down to the last few minutes, either.

 

[SJUalum98]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Matt Jones: 4-star, ranked #36 in the nation
Rasheed Suilamon: 5-star, ranked #18 in the nation
Grayson Allen: 4-star, ranked #28 in the nation, McDonald's AA
Marshall Plumlee: 4-star, ranked #79 in the nation

Those are the players coming off the Duke bench.

Context matters when trying to just pump out stats off a boxscore.

That's not a bench. That's 4/5ths of a decent starting lineup at most schools.

Balamou, Amar, JDR and Branch aren't coming close to matching that in anyone's wildest dreams.

And yet the game was still decided in the final minutes.

Lack of depth isn't what some of you are trying to make it out to be.

 

[salty dog]

I

Debilitating loss for SJU.

I think when the book is closed on this season we will look back to this game and see that we had given up 53 innthe first 32 minutes vs Duke and 24 in the last 8 minutes And we will say "that's where we lost the chance to right the ship this season."

I think that it's absurd that our conference record is 2-4 based on the way we played for the majority of this game. We had a top 5 team on the ropes the whole day, so the 2-4 conference record is a reflection on an inept coach. We ca t finish games because our guys get tired. Same thing happened vs Nova. I know, I am rehashing but this goes to Lavin recruiting 6 big east players (and I don't even think we can call Phil Greene a BE player).

For once I cant say the refs did a bad job. They actually gave us the gift three pointer befor half where the shot clock expired. Even Ray Charles can see that.

So now we play out the string. Yes there's still 12 games plus the BET but this team is too inconsistent despite the talent being there to offer any hope of a resurgence this year. We prob go to Creighton and lose Wednesday. They are due for a win and have been close on a few occasions. Is there a team other than us they are happier to see?

I feel for the kids. they play their hearts out especially Harrison and Pointer. Jordan is brilliant then he commits a critical foul when a Duke player is shooting a three and he also completely disappeared second half and comitttedfour turnovers. NBA ready my ass. Obekpa today too ZERO blocks. He better not go pro either. Not ready. Oakafor was way superior today.

So it was a great performance for 32 minutes with the ending we all wish never happened. I would've been happier with my 98-71 prediction I wouldn't be this frustrated at least.

Thought you'd emerge and knew you'd be happy.
Lavin probably saved his job today so you and your boys can remain angry for many years to come.
Thanks for dropping by.

Make sure u tweet that sweetie. You've done well with that.

Still pissed I was correct Jordan?

Right it's too bad he transferred.

Thank God we had a guy that looked just like him playing today.

He was history and got talked out of it.
You question my Diallo tweet from last month at the PC game?

I didn't see ur Diallo tweet I hope it's good news for the program. But if u think today's game saved Lavin's job you are mistaken. It's already a done deal and SJU cannot afford to continue paying his salary and his staff's salaries. They are in the jay wright/jt3 area and we don't get those results. hes out.

If you are going to come on here and make those statements about Lavin's job, please cite your sources. Or stop with the rumor mongering. It's not very ethical.

He shouldn't have to cite $hit. People come on here all the time and spout rumors about 17 year old recruits and you don't ask em to name their sources.

Yes, he is calling for the head of a BASKETBALL COACH that makes $1.5 million dollars. Part of the reason said coach makes $1.5 million is because of public scrutiny that comes with the position. He also has a very well compensated staff compared to a huge part of the business, so do not feel sorry for Steve Lavin. This is a results business.

What do you care how much he makes? That is the going rate for a coach in a major city in a top conference. Fox Sports paid more money than the Big East could ever imagine partly because of exposure from name coaches like Lavin. Players come and go in college and you turn over a team every few years . Lavin gives more credibility to St. John's than they can find just about anywhere else.
The Looie's working for peanuts is long gone.

 

[beast of the east]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options. When Plumlee and Okafar were in the game at the same time, we did not have another serviceable big to bring in to combat that. Just one example

Plumlee is a stiff that gave them rebounds and not much more. I think Amar could have battled him to a standstill and maybe even scored a bucket or two. I think Lavin made a mistake in not giving Amar first half minutes, and with the game on the line was afraid to use him, so he was kept on ice.

 

[monte]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options. When Plumlee and Okafar were in the game at the same time, we did not have another serviceable big to bring in to combat that. Just one example

Plumlee is a stiff that gave them rebounds and not much more. I think Amar could have battled him to a standstill and maybe even scored a bucket or two. I think Lavin made a mistake in not giving Amar first half minutes, and with the game on the line was afraid to use him, so he was kept on ice.

So you're saying this loss was Lavin's fault?

 

[beast of the east]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options. When Plumlee and Okafar were in the game at the same time, we did not have another serviceable big to bring in to combat that. Just one example

Plumlee is a stiff that gave them rebounds and not much more. I think Amar could have battled him to a standstill and maybe even scored a bucket or two. I think Lavin made a mistake in not giving Amar first half minutes, and with the game on the line was afraid to use him, so he was kept on ice.

So you're saying this loss was Lavin's fault?

I'll stop short of that, because he wasn't the guy hitting only iron for a prolonged stretch, but I would have given Amar some run.

 

[MJDinkins]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options.

This is true, but sometimes it's all about making plays.

The '85-'86, '86-'87, '98-'99, and '99-2000 teams didn't have any depth, either. No, those teams didn't win it all, but they were certainly won their share of games over formidable competition.

Granted, those teams were probably more talented than this current squad, there are also other factors that can come into play besides depth.

As, I stated earlier today.... Depth has hurt us this season. But, IMO, today wasn't the case.

 

[Class of 72]

I

Debilitating loss for SJU.

I think when the book is closed on this season we will look back to this game and see that we had given up 53 innthe first 32 minutes vs Duke and 24 in the last 8 minutes And we will say "that's where we lost the chance to right the ship this season."

I think that it's absurd that our conference record is 2-4 based on the way we played for the majority of this game. We had a top 5 team on the ropes the whole day, so the 2-4 conference record is a reflection on an inept coach. We ca t finish games because our guys get tired. Same thing happened vs Nova. I know, I am rehashing but this goes to Lavin recruiting 6 big east players (and I don't even think we can call Phil Greene a BE player).

For once I cant say the refs did a bad job. They actually gave us the gift three pointer befor half where the shot clock expired. Even Ray Charles can see that.

So now we play out the string. Yes there's still 12 games plus the BET but this team is too inconsistent despite the talent being there to offer any hope of a resurgence this year. We prob go to Creighton and lose Wednesday. They are due for a win and have been close on a few occasions. Is there a team other than us they are happier to see?

I feel for the kids. they play their hearts out especially Harrison and Pointer. Jordan is brilliant then he commits a critical foul when a Duke player is shooting a three and he also completely disappeared second half and comitttedfour turnovers. NBA ready my ass. Obekpa today too ZERO blocks. He better not go pro either. Not ready. Oakafor was way superior today.

So it was a great performance for 32 minutes with the ending we all wish never happened. I would've been happier with my 98-71 prediction I wouldn't be this frustrated at least.

Thought you'd emerge and knew you'd be happy.
Lavin probably saved his job today so you and your boys can remain angry for many years to come.
Thanks for dropping by.

Make sure u tweet that sweetie. You've done well with that.

Still pissed I was correct Jordan?

Right it's too bad he transferred.

Thank God we had a guy that looked just like him playing today.

He was history and got talked out of it.
You question my Diallo tweet from last month at the PC game?

I didn't see ur Diallo tweet I hope it's good news for the program. But if u think today's game saved Lavin's job you are mistaken. It's already a done deal and SJU cannot afford to continue paying his salary and his staff's salaries. They are in the jay wright/jt3 area and we don't get those results. hes out.

If you are going to come on here and make those statements about Lavin's job, please cite your sources. Or stop with the rumor mongering. It's not very ethical.

Tony nothing is final imo. However, talk or rumors started as soon as we missed the dance last year and failed to show up for our NIT game at Carnesecca. When the recruiting went south last year the wishful thinking by some fans became louder as evidenced on all the fan boards.
Personally, I don't think Lavin and Chris Monasch have a great relationship and both are trying to keep their jobs with our AD more than willing to throw Lavin under the bus. A few old influential fans have not been supportive of the Lavin record but imo the final decision by the President will be based more on future potential than past mediocrity. Lavin can argue mitigating circumstances such as his illness, loss of parent, players leaving unexpectedly early which clearly has affected continuity and his record.
If he puts together a strong recruiting class there is no incentive to fire him this year. The wild card that will hurt Lavin is his team imploding so unfortunately every game will be a play in game to the post season. I think money is the least of the factors at present.

 

[MarkRedman]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options. When Plumlee and Okafar were in the game at the same time, we did not have another serviceable big to bring in to combat that. Just one example

Plumlee is a stiff that gave them rebounds and not much more. I think Amar could have battled him to a standstill and maybe even scored a bucket or two. I think Lavin made a mistake in not giving Amar first half minutes, and with the game on the line was afraid to use him, so he was kept on ice.

Amar had been playing well in recent games
I was very surprised that Lav inserted JDR into the game instead of Amar
Amar can do anything JDR can do on defense and can contribute on offense as well

 

[Class of 72]

The game was just as I expected. We came to play and were the better team for most of the game. The final margin is deceiving since we led with 6 minutes to go and were down by only 3 with 4 minutes left in the game.

 I have not replayed the game yet so I can only critique what I saw with all the distractions and my eyes wandering but to me this game was ours to give away when we were up 10 and as our luck would have it, we slowly gave Duke the game with critical turnovers, mostly unforced, and another horrible game by Harrison. It took just 3 or 4 bad rushed plays and weak rebounding to let Duke back in. It did not help that seniors Green, Branch and Harrison could not defend Tyus Jones shadow who was perfect from the line when fouled. Sound familiar? It should as we have a knack for  fouling the other team's best foul shooer.
Okafor was as contained as humanly possible by Obekpa but it was the Duke guards I worried about and they beat us with critical plays under 4 minutes to play. This is not a great Duke team and we were a D'Angelo Harrison away from having them leave the Big Apple with a blue tail up their blue demon asses.
Of course my critique would not be complete without some criticism of Steve Lavin and in this game it is the failure to put in our resident thug, Joey D to bang up Marshall Plumlee when they went big a few times in the second half. At that point I would have put in JDR or Amar and removed the ineffective Harrison who, by the 8 minute mark, was forcing his game. Other than that I thought Lavin did a decent job.
As for those who thought we would have a small handful of fans, there was plenty of red around the arena and St. John's greats Louie, Chris Mullin, Felipe Lopez and of course the Maven were in the house. As erroneously reported by some doom and gloomers most students did not scalp their seats.
In the end of course, this is another game we let slip away near the end on tired legs due to lack of front court depth that led to mental mistakes. Thank you Mr. Thomas and Mr. Delarosa.
As I feared, Mrs. coach K was in attendance and her charming face must have also played a role in our loss. Sorry Logen I could not resist.

Damn, the maven was in the house? personally? how lucky we are as st johns fans

The Maven is a very opinionated fan but a huge fan nonetheless. He had better seats than those that sold theirs on stubhub!

 

[MarkRedman]

I

Debilitating loss for SJU.

I think when the book is closed on this season we will look back to this game and see that we had given up 53 innthe first 32 minutes vs Duke and 24 in the last 8 minutes And we will say "that's where we lost the chance to right the ship this season."

I think that it's absurd that our conference record is 2-4 based on the way we played for the majority of this game. We had a top 5 team on the ropes the whole day, so the 2-4 conference record is a reflection on an inept coach. We ca t finish games because our guys get tired. Same thing happened vs Nova. I know, I am rehashing but this goes to Lavin recruiting 6 big east players (and I don't even think we can call Phil Greene a BE player).

For once I cant say the refs did a bad job. They actually gave us the gift three pointer befor half where the shot clock expired. Even Ray Charles can see that.

So now we play out the string. Yes there's still 12 games plus the BET but this team is too inconsistent despite the talent being there to offer any hope of a resurgence this year. We prob go to Creighton and lose Wednesday. They are due for a win and have been close on a few occasions. Is there a team other than us they are happier to see?

I feel for the kids. they play their hearts out especially Harrison and Pointer. Jordan is brilliant then he commits a critical foul when a Duke player is shooting a three and he also completely disappeared second half and comitttedfour turnovers. NBA ready my ass. Obekpa today too ZERO blocks. He better not go pro either. Not ready. Oakafor was way superior today.

So it was a great performance for 32 minutes with the ending we all wish never happened. I would've been happier with my 98-71 prediction I wouldn't be this frustrated at least.

Thought you'd emerge and knew you'd be happy.
Lavin probably saved his job today so you and your boys can remain angry for many years to come.
Thanks for dropping by.

Make sure u tweet that sweetie. You've done well with that.

Still pissed I was correct Jordan?

Right it's too bad he transferred.

Thank God we had a guy that looked just like him playing today.

He was history and got talked out of it.
You question my Diallo tweet from last month at the PC game?

I didn't see ur Diallo tweet I hope it's good news for the program. But if u think today's game saved Lavin's job you are mistaken. It's already a done deal and SJU cannot afford to continue paying his salary and his staff's salaries. They are in the jay wright/jt3 area and we don't get those results. hes out.

If you are going to come on here and make those statements about Lavin's job, please cite your sources. Or stop with the rumor mongering. It's not very ethical.

Tony nothing is final imo. However, talk or rumors started as soon as we missed the dance last year and failed to show up for our NIT game at Carnesecca. When the recruiting went south last year the wishful thinking by some fans became louder as evidenced on all the fan boards.
Personally, I don't think Lavin and Chris Monasch have a great relationship and both are trying to keep their jobs with our AD more than willing to throw Lavin under the bus. A few old influential fans have not been supportive of the Lavin record but imo the final decision by the President will be based more on future potential than past mediocrity. Lavin can argue mitigating circumstances such as his illness, loss of parent, players leaving unexpectedly early which clearly has affected continuity and his record.
If he puts together a strong recruiting class there is no incentive to fire him this year. The wild card that will hurt Lavin is his team imploding so unfortunately every game will be a play in game to the post season. I think money is the least of the factors at present.

I am certainly not a Lavin fan by any stretch of the imagination
But I give him credit for the kids continuing to play hard this year
They certainly gave it their all today
It's tough to win when most of them have to play 32-40 minutes almost every game

 

[Class of 72]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options.

This is true, but sometimes it's all about making plays.

The '85-'86, '86-'87, '98-'99, and '99-2000 teams didn't have any depth, either. No, those teams didn't win it all, but they were certainly won their share of games over formidable competition.

Granted, those teams were probably more talented than this current squad, there are also other factors that can come into play besides depth.

As, I stated earlier today.... Depth has hurt us this season. But, IMO, today wasn't the case.

Sloppy passes, poor 3 point defense in the last 8 minutes and our guards going silent hurt us today.

 

[SJU61982]

For anyone who thinks the lack of depth wasn’t a problem today, here are the bench stats for each team:

Duke bench:
55 minutes
10 points
15 rebounds


SJU bench:
15 minutes
0 points
1 rebound

I rest my case.

Stats can also be deceiving. The only case you rested was your opinion.

I, and a few others on here saw the game differently. Personally, the bench, or lack of, wasn't the issue. Again.... Our opinion.

An injured or off Harrison was the difference, IMO.

i agree plus their were so many game stops and commercials that it was impossible to get tired.

Lack of depth manifests itself in many ways beyond just not being able to spell tired or injured players. It effects coaching strategy and match ups. It limits a coach's options.

This is true, but sometimes it's all about making plays.

The '85-'86, '86-'87, '98-'99, and '99-2000 teams didn't have any depth, either. No, those teams didn't win it all, but they were certainly won their share of games over formidable competition.

Granted, those teams were probably more talented than this current squad, there are also other factors that can come into play besides depth.

As, I stated earlier today.... Depth has hurt us this season. But, IMO, today wasn't the case.

Those teams had Mark Jackson and Erik Barkley running the point. They knew exactly how to make everyone else on those teams better (and, in the case of 85-86, Walter Berry was superhuman).

The closest thing we have to a true PG is Jamal Branch, and he actually plays the least minutes out of the top six. Even if he did play more minutes (and he should), he's not Jackson or Barkley.