Is Obekpa Next? No! He's staying!
- Thread starter tom in salem
- Start date
I don't think either will take away schollies from recruited players. If the rides are available coming into the season I imagine they'd be offered to one or both of these guys. And Joey's a senior I believe so the ride would be available for class of '15 (with all the others). Joey played 2 full seasons and then 7 games last year. Can't see where he has more than all or part of one season of eligibility which would be next season unless he redshirts.
If Cunningham, Thomas, Jones and/or the Cali JC kid come they would obviously take the available rides before either Joey D or Lipscomb. I would also imagine if Lipscomb took a ride but then it was needed for class of '15 he'd be asked to give it back.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...-okafor-best-college-big-man-since-tim-duncan
2. Chris Obekpa's return to St. John's makes the Red Storm a legitimate contender in the Big East.
The 6-9 Obekpa took a step back as a sophomore (2.9 blocks) after averaging 4.0 blocks as a freshman and now Obekpa's decision to return to Steve Lavin's program for his junior season makes St. John's -- at least on paper -- the biggest challenger to Villanova in the Big East next season.
The Red Storm will return a veteran perimeter of Rysheed Jordan, Phil Greene and D'Angelo Harrison plus a savvy fourth guard in veteran Jamal Branch. St. John's also has the premier shot blocker in college basketball manning the pivot in Obekpa and Dom Pointer could be primed for a breakout season up front at power forward.
The Red Storm have been a different team over the past two years when the 6-5 Pointer (5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds last season) has played expanded minutes at power forward and he should now have that type of opportunity next season with the departure of JaKarr Sampson, who left St. John's early for the NBA. The Red Storm narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last year but should be in position to challenge for a bid in 2015 thanks to a returning core that features multiple years of collegiate experience.
Another thing to keep in mind: Other than Villanova, there isn't a true proven commodity heading into the Big East next season. Xavier and Providence are both in transition mode after losing Semaj Christon and Bryce Cotton respectively, while Georgetown is also trying to retool after a 17-14 season that ended in the NIT.
2. Chris Obekpa's return to St. John's makes the Red Storm a legitimate contender in the Big East.
The 6-9 Obekpa took a step back as a sophomore (2.9 blocks) after averaging 4.0 blocks as a freshman and now Obekpa's decision to return to Steve Lavin's program for his junior season makes St. John's -- at least on paper -- the biggest challenger to Villanova in the Big East next season.
The Red Storm will return a veteran perimeter of Rysheed Jordan, Phil Greene and D'Angelo Harrison plus a savvy fourth guard in veteran Jamal Branch. St. John's also has the premier shot blocker in college basketball manning the pivot in Obekpa and Dom Pointer could be primed for a breakout season up front at power forward.
The Red Storm have been a different team over the past two years when the 6-5 Pointer (5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds last season) has played expanded minutes at power forward and he should now have that type of opportunity next season with the departure of JaKarr Sampson, who left St. John's early for the NBA. The Red Storm narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last year but should be in position to challenge for a bid in 2015 thanks to a returning core that features multiple years of collegiate experience.
Another thing to keep in mind: Other than Villanova, there isn't a true proven commodity heading into the Big East next season. Xavier and Providence are both in transition mode after losing Semaj Christon and Bryce Cotton respectively, while Georgetown is also trying to retool after a 17-14 season that ended in the NIT.
stjohnschris
Active member
This reads like a press release directly from SJU. If we land one or two of the last minute 2014 prospects we're going for, I don't see Dom getting much playing time. I would love to think Dom could do a 180 from this past season, but to me that's not realistic.
If Lavin gets Thomas and Cunningham, it will change the dynamic of the team. They will have a couple of lunchpail kids. And this team desperately needs that.
The hope then is their unselfish and dogged tenacity in practice will rub off on the others, especially Pointer.
The hope then is their unselfish and dogged tenacity in practice will rub off on the others, especially Pointer.
I'd love to see Branch-Jordan-Harrison-Pointer-Obekpa out there if they are going to play fast and control the pace of the game. Matchup zone press with Obekpa back no further than 10 feet from the basket to allow the outher four to go crazy. I hope they learned their lesson with that stupid man press that pulls Obekpa out 30+ feet from the basket against good teams. Utilize Thomas when the game becomes a half court contest...work Cunningham in slowly.
Deandre Daniels played a lot of four his entire career at Uconn and he is a SF that is not much bigger than Dom.
guinness77
Well-known member
If having Pointer at the 4 means I never have to see him dribble the ball up court again, then hallelujah. He should be playing on the blocks, especially the way we'll be set up next season.
The three guard lineup with CO and Dom would get destroyed on the boards in league play. Sampson, God's Gift and Sanchez are all stronger rebounders than Dom and SJU was far from a good rebounding team this past year. How could Dom cover strong forwards?
I hope Rothstein was looking at the list of players returning when he came up with that lineup. If either Jones or a recruit can't beat out Dom at the power forward spot that will be trouble.
I hope Rothstein was looking at the list of players returning when he came up with that lineup. If either Jones or a recruit can't beat out Dom at the power forward spot that will be trouble.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Your suggestion reminds me of a CHSAA Playoff game between Power Memorial and Rice H.S. held at St.John's. While four P.M. players pressed full court Alcindor was stationed at the opponents foul line ready and willing to swat every attempted shot. And he did.
In sheer numbers yes, but in MIN/REB he was actually behind Gift, Sanchez AND Obekpa. So the truth is he wasn't the best rebounder on the team, far from it, but he did lead the team in rebounds per game. It's not like any of them were proficient rebounders though.