Guys on Matt’s Radar

Paul Massel wrote: RedStormRising2 wrote: Also, I think we are being hard on Trimble. A freshman coming in and we expect him to be a world beater in the best conference in the land. It takes a special talent to do that. Let's see how he performs this year. Remember the 2011 class of seniors? They weren't world beaters freshman year either.

Agreed. He had some good moments for a freshman. I hope he sticks for 4 years. We need 4 year guys.

+1 - we absolutely need some 4 year guys to get off the transfer treadmill.
 
[quote="JohnnyFan" post=281924]I like all the players we have signed. However, I don't share the "aw shucks" attitude toward our puzzling inability to add a big man. I mean, we literally couldn't find on big man over the course of two years?

Folks can talk themselves into how the incoming talent will soften the need, but we have all seen this episode before. I am sure we can rip through the non-conference schedule looking strong. But, without some kind of consistent threat under the basket, we place undo pressure on our perimeter players.

I am still waiting in hopes the staff is continuing to "work" on this issue. Hopefully we will soon hear of another departure (i.e. Diakite or Trimble) and land a player that can help balance our offensive attack.[/quote]
Not really worried about our lack of bigs on the offensive end more worried about defensive end where teams that are long at the 3, 4, and 5 positions will shoot and rebound over the top of us all day. Maybe Diakite transfers because of his injury situation and we add some type of height for the front court.
 
Perhaps the most connected poster on the Seton Hall board, who has really good intel, said last year prior to Luther's commitment that there was no way he was going to St. John's because of the competition for PT at the guard slot. And while this individual is a Seton Hall fan, he is usually very positive about SJU because he has a connect to the school (no trolling). He said this repeatedly during the recruiting process when others on the board would lament that an in-state talent like Luther would choose SJU over the Hall.


[quote="Logen" post=281964][quote="redken" post=281918][quote="Logen" post=281907][quote="redken" post=281900][quote="alexander salem" post=281896][quote="redken" post=281895][quote="panther2" post=281878][quote="redken" post=281867]So basically we've written off recruiting any metro-area HS guards for the '19 and '20 classes. And here I thought that building strong ties with local programs and keeping talent at home was supposed to be the backbone of the CM era.[/quote]

While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.

At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I always value your opinion and I agree that the NY talent pool isn't as deep as it once was, but I'm not blown away by adding Wright, and the fact that Earlington is our only metro-area recruit (in our less than stellar recruiting class) is very disappointing given the 2018 names that were being talked about at the start of the season. (And if we don't do well this season, all those 2019 names optimistically being bandied about will similarly take it elsewhere.) And the way the staff mishandled Luther Muhammad's recruitment as well as the failure to land a badly needed big man frustrates the hell out of me. For the record, I'm not anti-Mullin (although I'm not happy with some of what I've heard recently), but it's obvious our staff needs a change and/or the addition of another recruiter to go along with Matt. (Time for a Xanax.)[/quote]

How did the staff mishandle Muhammad's recruitment?[/quote]
By telling him he was our primary target but not being able to offer substantial PT because he'd be part of a possible six-man backcourt that included the new additions Dixon and Trimble as well as three returning starters. (At the time, LoVett was still with the team.)[/quote]

Muhammad is a stoned competitor and would not at all be afraid to compete for court time. He picked another school, a great school in a power conference, one with better resources and facilities and offering more of the "college experience."[/quote]
And lots of PT. (We may not be in a power conference, but we are in one that's powerful.)[/quote]

If you say so. Me, I have seen Muhammad play many times, know of him from people close to his "career" and don't believe for a second he would even WANT a promise of PT without earning it. IMO, if Mullin had to promise him PT (which I don't believe and I don't believe Holmann would go there) then I don't want him. We just disagree.[/quote]
 
[quote="bamafan" post=281982][quote="Paul Massell" post=281980][quote="RedStormRising2" post=281972]
Also, I think we are being hard on Trimble. A freshman coming in and we expect him to be a world beater in the best conference in the land. It takes a special talent to do that. Let's see how he performs this year. Remember the 2011 class of seniors? They weren't world beaters freshman year either.
[/quote]

Agreed. He had some good moments for a freshman. I hope he sticks for 4 years. We need 4 year guys.[/quote]
Think most of the heat on Trimble was for not being in good shape. Look at his HS highlights, he was in much better condition. Agree that he can be a good player for us.[/quote]

I know my conditioning went to hell my freshman year.
 
Luther Mohammed will not be at Ohio State for long. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves after one year. Check out Ohio State recruiting, he’s clearly being recruited over as we speak.

Oh well.
 
[quote="bamafan" post=281985][quote="JohnnyFan" post=281924]I like all the players we have signed. However, I don't share the "aw shucks" attitude toward our puzzling inability to add a big man. I mean, we literally couldn't find on big man over the course of two years?

Folks can talk themselves into how the incoming talent will soften the need, but we have all seen this episode before. I am sure we can rip through the non-conference schedule looking strong. But, without some kind of consistent threat under the basket, we place undo pressure on our perimeter players.

I am still waiting in hopes the staff is continuing to "work" on this issue. Hopefully we will soon hear of another departure (i.e. Diakite or Trimble) and land a player that can help balance our offensive attack.[/quote]
Not really worried about our lack of bigs on the offensive end more worried about defensive end where teams that are long at the 3, 4, and 5 positions will shoot and rebound over the top of us all day. Maybe Diakite transfers because of his injury situation and we add some type of height for the front court.[/quote]

Maybe, if we lose out on Dachon Burke, the last Grad Big left in the country--from Yankton State--will accept Matt's offer!?!
Agree--given LJ's addition--I'm not worried about 'big' depth. In my view, LJ gives us potentially one more elite scorer that will disrupt other teams' defensive tactics. Plus, Dixon's entrance gives us one more very good 'shooter'. Teams will have to play us differently in 2018-19 than they did last season.
Plus, Keita will give us much more of an inside presence than last season, and Earlington/Roberts off the 'bench' seem an upgrade (how not!) from Ali/Yakwe. Add GW's athleticism and grit, and Trimble's slimmer/faster frame (assuming), and we should offer a different 'presence' to opponents.
 
"Congrats @Lj_Figueroa ! St Johns is getting a high level scorer who makes everyone around him better."

It's rapidly approaching that time where we should consider cheating our asses off to get a big. We are wasting a really strong group of guards and swingmen if we don't. Someone start filling a briefcase with Daum's name on it.

*And I just googled Daum and he declared for draft, which tells me we need to be quicker if we are going to cheat.
 
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ChicagoDays wrote: Agree--given LJ's addition--I'm not worried about 'big' depth. In my view, LJ gives us potentially one more elite scorer that will disrupt other teams' defensive tactics. Plus, Dixon's entrance gives us one more very good 'shooter'. Teams will have to play us differently in 2018-19 than they did last season.
Plus, Keita will give us much more of an inside presence than last season, and Earlington/Roberts off the 'bench' seem an upgrade (how not!) from Ali/Yakwe. Add GW's athleticism and grit, and Trimble's slimmer/faster frame (assuming), and we should offer a different 'presence' to opponents.

Chicago - you make me look like a pessimist!
I am worried about big man depth, especially on the defensive end as Bamafan says. The memories of getting destroyed on the offensive boards too many times this year are still too fresh. Unless we get that elusive big, we are going to need to get at least 28-30 minutes of strong rebounding and defense from Keita. One possible sliver lining is Clark's rebounding picked up over the last part of the season (6 per game over last 10 games as opposed to 4.7 over whole year) - we are going to need that effort from him all year. IMO anything we get from Roberts/Earlington as freshman will be a bonus.
 
[quote="Steve Knortz" post=281989]http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/ohio-state

Based on the above, I'd be surprised if Luther is being recruited over. The shooting guards Ohio State is recruiting are 3*.[/quote]

Ohio State top target is Jordan Mitchell high four star shooting guard out of Columbus Ohio.
 
[quote="redken" post=281969][quote="Logen" post=281964][quote="redken" post=281918][quote="Logen" post=281907][quote="redken" post=281900][quote="alexander salem" post=281896][quote="redken" post=281895][quote="panther2" post=281878][quote="redken" post=281867]So basically we've written off recruiting any metro-area HS guards for the '19 and '20 classes. And here I thought that building strong ties with local programs and keeping talent at home was supposed to be the backbone of the CM era.[/quote]

While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.

At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I always value your opinion and I agree that the NY talent pool isn't as deep as it once was, but I'm not blown away by adding Wright, and the fact that Earlington is our only metro-area recruit (in our less than stellar recruiting class) is very disappointing given the 2018 names that were being talked about at the start of the season. (And if we don't do well this season, all those 2019 names optimistically being bandied about will similarly take it elsewhere.) And the way the staff mishandled Luther Muhammad's recruitment as well as the failure to land a badly needed big man frustrates the hell out of me. For the record, I'm not anti-Mullin (although I'm not happy with some of what I've heard recently), but it's obvious our staff needs a change and/or the addition of another recruiter to go along with Matt. (Time for a Xanax.)[/quote]

How did the staff mishandle Muhammad's recruitment?[/quote]
By telling him he was our primary target but not being able to offer substantial PT because he'd be part of a possible six-man backcourt that included the new additions Dixon and Trimble as well as three returning starters. (At the time, LoVett was still with the team.)[/quote]

Muhammad is a stoned competitor and would not at all be afraid to compete for court time. He picked another school, a great school in a power conference, one with better resources and facilities and offering more of the "college experience."[/quote]
And lots of PT. (We may not be in a power conference, but we are in one that's powerful.)[/quote]

If you say so. Me, I have seen Muhammad play many times, know of him from people close to his "career" and don't believe for a second he would even WANT a promise of PT without earning it. IMO, if Mullin had to promise him PT (which I don't believe and I don't believe Holmann would go there) then I don't want him. We just disagree.[/quote]
Logen, I defer to you on Muhammad's personality and make up and I certainly value your opinion, but I wasn't suggesting he was looking for a guarantee of PT but rather that he saw that, with our having five other guards, including three returning starters, he probably wouldn't get as many minutes as he would at OSU (despite being told he was our No. 1 target). Another factor seems to be his bonding with Holtmann, who, as you know, had been recruiting him for Butler. As for his choosing a super power conference, I don't think either conference is measurably better than the other (championship game notwithstanding), and it's possible that had Holtmann not taken the OSU job, Muhammad would have ended in the BE at Butler. Bottom line: It's speculation on my part, and besides, it doesn't matter at this point. Much to my disappointment and frustration, he's there, not here. (Hope this doesn't sound hostile or snarky. If so, it's unintentional.)[/quote]

Not hostile nor snarky. I get good info, I get bad info. I posted during our recruitment of Muhammad my understanding from a person close to him basketball-wise was that if he stayed local it was SJU but he had not decided if he wanted to go away for college. He decided to go away which is why I don’t think PT entered into it at all, emphasis on think. Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Which is why I rarely post about player recruiting. I was standing in a group of a few people with Briscoe’s father a short time before his announcement and heard him say he was going to SJU. This reinforced the info I got from a Roselle Catholic staffer I had/have known for years. The same person later told me Kentucky swooped in with some $ and boom, Kentucky got him. True/False, honestly and obviously, I don’t know.
 
Panther2, If I may let me address your second point first by simply agreeing with you. Reclassifying is a bad thing for everyone involved. For players it’s bad because progress is delayed or halted both academically and athletically. For coaches, who are trying to build programs and scouts, who are trying to help kids find the “right fit” athletically, academically and socially it makes it very difficult to evaluate prospects in all three of those aspects. The one point I’ll make that will sound like disagreement is this; reclassifying is not a phenomenon unique to New York athletes and certainly not basketball players. My uncle was for many years an orthopedic surgeon in Jefferson City Missouri, and when he visited here he would lament to his sports crazed nephew that parents were coming to him looking for “medical exceptions” to be held back in school primarily because they were football (not basketball) players. I mention this not because reclassifying is a good thing (it isn’t) but simply to remind those who read this site that to single out “New York Guys” for doing it is not fair.
Addressing the second point is a bit more difficult as you mention many good players and kids from a previous era to demonstrate that the depth and quality of talent just isn’t here in 2017. While I don’t think you are wrong, I must say that given all the kids you mentioned and without getting into specifics because hindsight is always 20/20 those kids ran the gamut of what can happen in any given class; some were over-hyped and over-recruited, several were under rated and had great college careers and still others, like our good friend Curtis Sumpter, suffered difficult injuries that diminished their abilities.
What got me thinking about the “New York is down” thing was when somebody mentioned St. John’s failure to recruit Luther Muhammad whom I will concede was the best local shooting guard/wing prospect in this class. That said the second tier, if you will, of wing players in the region included Anthony Nelson, a Manhattan native who ended up at Seton Hall and is very good. Khalid Moore, the athletic wing at Molloy who ended up at Georgia Tech and perhaps Immaculate Concepcion’s Jalen Carey, who has a wing guard’s size but whom some project as a point guard. He will be at Syracuse next year. Alan Griffin always belonged somewhere in that second group even before his MVP performance at Torrey Pines and also before Step’s run to the city title. He had played very well in his first season at Step, ended his year with a strong playoff run as he played through a torn meniscus and had a fine summer which set the stage for a great senior year. Had St. John’s gotten involved earlier they might have improved their chances to secure someone like him who could have been an important puzzle piece as a freshman and grown into a larger role as time passed. Nova has won two national titles by recruiting a star (Jalen Brunson) and surrounding him with talented kids. St. John’s has the star (Shamorie) but it remains to be seen if they can put the right mix of players around him. You may be right that NYC basketball is not as deep or talented but good kids were there to be had. Time will tell if St. John’s made good choices during the spring signing period. I hope so, for the program’s sake and for Shamorie’s, who’s done and said all the right things since he’s been at St. John’s
 
Marvin was really becoming a nice offensive player late in season. To me being short a big only puts more pressure on him to avoid fouls when guarding bigger players down low. Was hoping he could get some time at the 3 spot this year, but absence of big to complement Keita may preclude that.

Roberts may give us minor minutes, but he is really rail thin & will get overpowered in the post at this juncture. I do believe in time he will be a solid piece however.
 
[quote="bamafan" post=281985][quote="JohnnyFan" post=281924]I like all the players we have signed. However, I don't share the "aw shucks" attitude toward our puzzling inability to add a big man. I mean, we literally couldn't find on big man over the course of two years?

Folks can talk themselves into how the incoming talent will soften the need, but we have all seen this episode before. I am sure we can rip through the non-conference schedule looking strong. But, without some kind of consistent threat under the basket, we place undo pressure on our perimeter players.

I am still waiting in hopes the staff is continuing to "work" on this issue. Hopefully we will soon hear of another departure (i.e. Diakite or Trimble) and land a player that can help balance our offensive attack.[/quote]
Not really worried about our lack of bigs on the offensive end more worried about defensive end where teams that are long at the 3, 4, and 5 positions will shoot and rebound over the top of us all day. Maybe Diakite transfers because of his injury situation and we add some type of height for the front court.[/quote]



If we don't add a biggie this year, perhaps Mullin goes zone. Less fouls and better rebounding position.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=281980][quote="RedStormRising2" post=281972]
Also, I think we are being hard on Trimble. A freshman coming in and we expect him to be a world beater in the best conference in the land. It takes a special talent to do that. Let's see how he performs this year. Remember the 2011 class of seniors? They weren't world beaters freshman year either.
[/quote]





Agree, always liked him. Gets the jumper off quickly and even started to drive to the basket, pulling up for a short jumper.Didn't see any nervousness for a freshmen.
Agreed. He had some good moments for a freshman. I hope he sticks for 4 years. We need 4 year guys.[/quote]
 
[quote="JackofVirginia" post=282001][quote="bamafan" post=281985][quote="JohnnyFan" post=281924]I like all the players we have signed. However, I don't share the "aw shucks" attitude toward our puzzling inability to add a big man. I mean, we literally couldn't find on big man over the course of two years?

Folks can talk themselves into how the incoming talent will soften the need, but we have all seen this episode before. I am sure we can rip through the non-conference schedule looking strong. But, without some kind of consistent threat under the basket, we place undo pressure on our perimeter players.

I am still waiting in hopes the staff is continuing to "work" on this issue. Hopefully we will soon hear of another departure (i.e. Diakite or Trimble) and land a player that can help balance our offensive attack.[/quote]
Not really worried about our lack of bigs on the offensive end more worried about defensive end where teams that are long at the 3, 4, and 5 positions will shoot and rebound over the top of us all day. Maybe Diakite transfers because of his injury situation and we add some type of height for the front court.[/quote]



If we don't add a biggie this year, perhaps Mullin goes zone. Less fouls and better rebounding position.[/quote]

IMO, our defense will not change, Mullin is a Nelson devotee which as TIS pointed out is pretty much positionless, somewhat scramble, basketball. We pretty much negated our rebounding deficiencies last year with turnovers and we will try to do the same this year. You can win small, plain and simple. Just a different type game you are trying to play. Losing LoVett last year had a much more profound effect on our season than our size. Loyola played very long stretches in the tourney with their one big on the bench. He had his moments, no question, but they played a lot without him. Not worth going to Nova, Wright wrote the book on playing small.
 
[quote="Knight" post=282006]How does Figueroa compare to Ahmed?[/quote]

Not sure. However, I do like that along with scoring, Figueroa seems to have a reputation for playing team ball and being a good passer.
 
Am I the only one a bit concerned in regard to signing 2019 kids? I know as they say these things tend to work themselves out. But won't we have only one scholarship to offer during the season? From what I've read on this site, we were in pretty decent shape with at least 2 or 3 highly rated guys, but now will we even have a scholarship to offer until after the season?
 
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