Guys on Matt’s Radar
- Thread starter paultzman
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Paultzman wrote: Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.
I agree Spring 2018 recruiting has been abysmal so far. Not only have we not brought anyone in since season ended, we've had two walk away. Out of 8 scholarship players we had at season's end, we have lost 4 front court players to transfer or graduation. No way playing time should be an issue in trying to attract a front court player or two to help us next year. To top lack of results to date, it is unclear if our coach has been at all involved in recruiting in the past month. It is time to pull out the stops. School (and fans) could really use some good news soon with regard to recruits and staff. Hopefully staff will make something happen.
I agree Spring 2018 recruiting has been abysmal so far. Not only have we not brought anyone in since season ended, we've had two walk away. Out of 8 scholarship players we had at season's end, we have lost 4 front court players to transfer or graduation. No way playing time should be an issue in trying to attract a front court player or two to help us next year. To top lack of results to date, it is unclear if our coach has been at all involved in recruiting in the past month. It is time to pull out the stops. School (and fans) could really use some good news soon with regard to recruits and staff. Hopefully staff will make something happen.
tom in salem
Well-known member
[quote="Paultzman" post=280256]Evans
St. John's will host 2018 Oak Hill big man Maurice Calloo for an official visit on April 27, per source[/quote]
Ranked #313 in the nation.
https://247sports.com/Player/Maurice-Calloo-46040933
St. John's will host 2018 Oak Hill big man Maurice Calloo for an official visit on April 27, per source[/quote]
Ranked #313 in the nation.
https://247sports.com/Player/Maurice-Calloo-46040933
[quote="Tom in Salem" post=280264][quote="Paultzman" post=280256]Evans
St. John's will host 2018 Oak Hill big man Maurice Calloo for an official visit on April 27, per source[/quote]
Ranked #313 in the nation.
https://247sports.com/Player/Maurice-Calloo-46040933[/quote]
FWIW I see he’s visiting Illinois this coming weekend. At this point, we’re desperate.
St. John's will host 2018 Oak Hill big man Maurice Calloo for an official visit on April 27, per source[/quote]
Ranked #313 in the nation.
https://247sports.com/Player/Maurice-Calloo-46040933[/quote]
FWIW I see he’s visiting Illinois this coming weekend. At this point, we’re desperate.
[quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
Really disappointing to hear. Anything new or just more of same?
'18 recruiting seemed critical for a while mostly due to potential for Ponds to go pro. Now the addition of Simon as a potential grad transfer which you've made mention of. Which makes sense, there are maybe 10-20 programs that would pass on Simon as a 5th year senior. Limited in ability to shoot and can be turnover prone at times, but a versatile gamer / glue guy that brings it every game and does almost everything else somewhere between well and elite, in addition to seeming like a really high character kid. Had high expectations and he's even better than I thought. Hope we can keep him but he's probably going to have his pick from everything between a rotation player on a team with Final 4 aspirations and a central piece at other programs.
These were probably our two most impactful players last year, and if both are back I don't expect that to change this year. Very difficult to replace one let alone two guys like that with newcomers, no matter HS, JUCO, transfer or grad transfer. Which is why it would have been nice to have reasonable replacements rostered this coming year. At this point a Ponds type HS kid for '19 and a Simon type transfer in the next 4-8 weeks probably best bet, both of which would be getting recruited, so not encouraging to hear prospects don't currently look positive.
Really disappointing to hear. Anything new or just more of same?
'18 recruiting seemed critical for a while mostly due to potential for Ponds to go pro. Now the addition of Simon as a potential grad transfer which you've made mention of. Which makes sense, there are maybe 10-20 programs that would pass on Simon as a 5th year senior. Limited in ability to shoot and can be turnover prone at times, but a versatile gamer / glue guy that brings it every game and does almost everything else somewhere between well and elite, in addition to seeming like a really high character kid. Had high expectations and he's even better than I thought. Hope we can keep him but he's probably going to have his pick from everything between a rotation player on a team with Final 4 aspirations and a central piece at other programs.
These were probably our two most impactful players last year, and if both are back I don't expect that to change this year. Very difficult to replace one let alone two guys like that with newcomers, no matter HS, JUCO, transfer or grad transfer. Which is why it would have been nice to have reasonable replacements rostered this coming year. At this point a Ponds type HS kid for '19 and a Simon type transfer in the next 4-8 weeks probably best bet, both of which would be getting recruited, so not encouraging to hear prospects don't currently look positive.
I would call the term desparate in regard to securing a big man actually sugar coating the situation . It must be much worse than that. It must be almost a year and a half since Sima , SJU's second big man at that time decided to leave and SJU has played since then with one big.
Last year at this time it was obvious SJU needed another big for the upcoming season and was unable to produce and helped screw up the whole season. That's why we all feel desparate regarding this situation.It just seems a problem we cannot solve. Hopefully Keita can play forty minutes a game, never get into foul trouble or sprain an ankle.
Last year at this time it was obvious SJU needed another big for the upcoming season and was unable to produce and helped screw up the whole season. That's why we all feel desparate regarding this situation.It just seems a problem we cannot solve. Hopefully Keita can play forty minutes a game, never get into foul trouble or sprain an ankle.
redfan259999888
Active member
[quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
I know I said I won't be back until May 30th, but I have a serious question.
Slice is still under contract and we're paying him, so if we want him back on the staff then he has to come back, if he says no, then we can void the contract. He's under contract to word, so if he says nope then we don't have to pay him.
Am I correct, or is there something that I don't know about?
Now we're going after some 6'8 bigman that's ranked #313, and also plays SF?
There's something wrong whena 6'8 guys is playing SF.
I really thought that Matt was this elite recruiter, who did we get last? When is his contract up?
To me at this point, the only reason to watch sju next year is if Ponds returns, I need something to watch.
Yeah Simon and Clark are nice players, but who else?
I guess we were better off with Lavin.
I know I said I won't be back until May 30th, but I have a serious question.
Slice is still under contract and we're paying him, so if we want him back on the staff then he has to come back, if he says no, then we can void the contract. He's under contract to word, so if he says nope then we don't have to pay him.
Am I correct, or is there something that I don't know about?
Now we're going after some 6'8 bigman that's ranked #313, and also plays SF?
There's something wrong whena 6'8 guys is playing SF.
I really thought that Matt was this elite recruiter, who did we get last? When is his contract up?
To me at this point, the only reason to watch sju next year is if Ponds returns, I need something to watch.
Yeah Simon and Clark are nice players, but who else?
I guess we were better off with Lavin.
Zach B
Assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih met with North Carolina AT&T graduate transfer Femi Olujobi, a Long Island native and 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last year, on Sunday, and a visit is expected to follow, sources said.
St. John’s will also host three-star Oak Hill Academy (Va.) forward Maurice Calloo from April 27-29, according to a source. The plan is to take one immediately eligible forward, and two sit-out transfers to fill out the roster.
Assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih met with North Carolina AT&T graduate transfer Femi Olujobi, a Long Island native and 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last year, on Sunday, and a visit is expected to follow, sources said.
St. John’s will also host three-star Oak Hill Academy (Va.) forward Maurice Calloo from April 27-29, according to a source. The plan is to take one immediately eligible forward, and two sit-out transfers to fill out the roster.
[quote="oldschool Redmen" post=280285][quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
I know I said I won't be back until May 30th, but I have a serious question.
Slice is still under contract and we're paying him, so if we want him back on the staff then he has to come back, if he says no, then we can void the contract. He's under contract to word, so if he says nope then we don't have to pay him.
Am I correct, or is there something that I don't know about?
Now we're going after some 6'8 bigman that's ranked #313, and also plays SF?
There's something wrong whena 6'8 guys is playing SF.
I really thought that Matt was this elite recruiter, who did we get last? When is his contract up?
To me at this point, the only reason to watch sju next year is if Ponds returns, I need something to watch.
Yeah Simon and Clark are nice players, but who else?
I guess we were better off with Lavin.[/quote]
I would imagine that Slice had a pretty favorable separation agreement. Forget Slice.
I know I said I won't be back until May 30th, but I have a serious question.
Slice is still under contract and we're paying him, so if we want him back on the staff then he has to come back, if he says no, then we can void the contract. He's under contract to word, so if he says nope then we don't have to pay him.
Am I correct, or is there something that I don't know about?
Now we're going after some 6'8 bigman that's ranked #313, and also plays SF?
There's something wrong whena 6'8 guys is playing SF.
I really thought that Matt was this elite recruiter, who did we get last? When is his contract up?
To me at this point, the only reason to watch sju next year is if Ponds returns, I need something to watch.
Yeah Simon and Clark are nice players, but who else?
I guess we were better off with Lavin.[/quote]
I would imagine that Slice had a pretty favorable separation agreement. Forget Slice.
[quote="Section3" post=280324][quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
If so, inexcusable.[/quote]
At this point if we get Femi, I can live with that. If they take Calloo, I don’t agree. The sit out guys may surprise us, but I am more focused on next season while “Dance” window is open.
If so, inexcusable.[/quote]
At this point if we get Femi, I can live with that. If they take Calloo, I don’t agree. The sit out guys may surprise us, but I am more focused on next season while “Dance” window is open.
Coaster1955
Member
Can't they get both?
[quote="Paultzman" post=280329][quote="Section3" post=280324][quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
If so, inexcusable.[/quote]
At this point if we get Femi, I can live with that. If they take Calloo, I don’t agree. The sit out guys may surprise us, but I am more focused on next season while “Dance” window is open.[/quote]
[quote="Paultzman" post=280329][quote="Section3" post=280324][quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
If so, inexcusable.[/quote]
At this point if we get Femi, I can live with that. If they take Calloo, I don’t agree. The sit out guys may surprise us, but I am more focused on next season while “Dance” window is open.[/quote]
Class of 72
Active member
[quote="Coaster" post=280344]Can't they get both?
[quote="Paultzman" post=280329][quote="Section3" post=280324][quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
If so, inexcusable.[/quote]
At this point if we get Femi, I can live with that. If they take Calloo, I don’t agree. The sit out guys may surprise us, but I am more focused on next season while “Dance” window is open.[/quote][/quote]
If we get no transfers of significance and Shamorie Ponds doesn't return I see no sense in keeping Matt Abdelmassih. If players like Sima, Williams and Owens are leaving I see no sense in keeping Mitch Richmond. If next year we struggle to be .500 I see no sense in keeping Mullin because if all of the above were to happen year 5 may be a total rebuild again. Next time spend $3 million but don't hire a dunce.
[quote="Paultzman" post=280329][quote="Section3" post=280324][quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
If so, inexcusable.[/quote]
At this point if we get Femi, I can live with that. If they take Calloo, I don’t agree. The sit out guys may surprise us, but I am more focused on next season while “Dance” window is open.[/quote][/quote]
If we get no transfers of significance and Shamorie Ponds doesn't return I see no sense in keeping Matt Abdelmassih. If players like Sima, Williams and Owens are leaving I see no sense in keeping Mitch Richmond. If next year we struggle to be .500 I see no sense in keeping Mullin because if all of the above were to happen year 5 may be a total rebuild again. Next time spend $3 million but don't hire a dunce.
[quote="Paultzman" post=280249]Can’t sugar coat this. The recruiting this Spring 18 has been abysmal & does not appear we get any “fresh troops” of consequence.[/quote]
This is awful news and if it turns out to be the case, a total fail by Coach Mullin at a most critical juncture for the program. Without adding a big of consequence this year I don't see this team doing much which means losing next year's potential strong recruits and continuing to slide backward and compete with DePaul for the BE cellar. Tough to be a fan of that, especially for those of us who are not alums, just fans for the past 35 years.
This is awful news and if it turns out to be the case, a total fail by Coach Mullin at a most critical juncture for the program. Without adding a big of consequence this year I don't see this team doing much which means losing next year's potential strong recruits and continuing to slide backward and compete with DePaul for the BE cellar. Tough to be a fan of that, especially for those of us who are not alums, just fans for the past 35 years.
This feels exactly the same as the last couple years under Lavin, where we got last minute players like Adonis and Keith Thomas who didn't even play. Every single year we go into the off-season with at least one major need and it is NEVER met by opening night.
We aren't asking for five star players to fill the voids, just BE caliber players.
There's still time left, but I'm not optimistic we find a quality big.
We aren't asking for five star players to fill the voids, just BE caliber players.
There's still time left, but I'm not optimistic we find a quality big.