Joel Soriano Piece

I'm pretty happy. I've long said that most of the stud big men are dispersed among a small handful of schools, while 300+ others have to get really lucky or do remarkable coaching/strength and conditioning. And these days that doesn't even help you because vultures are circling the portal.

I think Soriano will be good enough to keep top big men honest, which is what you need to go deep in the tournament. I think our team turns heads this season. I'm sure I say this every year, but this time I'm right. (I probably say that every year too.)
 
L J S A said:
I'm pretty happy. I've long said that most of the stud big men are dispersed among a small handful of schools, while 300+ others have to get really lucky or do remarkable coaching/strength and conditioning. And these days that doesn't even help you because vultures are circling the portal.

I think Soriano will be good enough to keep top big men honest, which is what you need to go deep in the tournament. I think our team turns heads this season. I'm sure I say this every year, but this time I'm right. (I probably say that every year too.)
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For thé first time in what seems like over 20 years I feel we are in really good shape at the 5. As I said earlier I believe the two headed monster of Soriano and Nyiewe has the potential to be very good this season. The 7 3 freshman does not need to contribute a lot this season but only learn , improve and get stronger. Hopefully Soriano comes back for a fifth season where he can play 25 minutes a night and our sophomore Center can play 15. Then he takes over 2 years from now with whoever else the staff recruits the next two seasons. Truth be told we seem to be in good shape at all 5 positions over the next two seasons. If we add the other Brandon and Carl we are smoking.
 
Dan V said:
Curbelo’s ability in the the pick & roll will really benefit the big guys especially Soriano. When he entered a game at Illinois it was noticeable how he worked with Cockburn in the PnR, it’s probably his best skill.
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Agree 100% , it will be amazing if he can assist our 3 big men in getting simple easy dunks around the basket. Would add an offensive dimension we havé lacked for years that tends to really inspire a team and it’s fans.
 
A much improved Soriano would really elevate this team and make us a serious contender for the upper half of the Big East
The more I read about our new guys and anticipated improvement of our returnees, I'm really excited for the season to begin
This could be the best St John's team that we've had in years
And, if recruiting for 2023 continues at a high level, look out Big East........................
 
I know this is a Soriano thread but Im just going to say this about Curbelo; he was excellent his freshman year when he was a role player. Not so good last year when he was expected to be "the man". Yes I know about the injury. Here's my feeling about him this year; as long as he realizes that he doesn't need to be "the man", and does not try to do more then he's capable of, then he will have a very good season and we will have a very good season. As previously mentioned, he needs to focus on things like PNR, driving and dishing(not forcing up a shot), etc. I trust that he did not come here expecting to be "the man", and expect that CMA made that clear to him before he commited. My guess, this year we will see a very under control and productive Curbelo.
 
monte said:
I know this is a Soriano thread but Im just going to say this about Curbelo; he was excellent his freshman year when he was a role player. Not so good last year when he was expected to be "the man". Yes I know about the injury. Here's my feeling about him this year; as long as he realizes that he doesn't need to be "the man", and does not try to do more then he's capable of, then he will have a very good season and we will have a very good season. As previously mentioned, he needs to focus on things like PNR, driving and dishing(not forcing up a shot), etc. I trust that he did not come here expecting to be "the man", and expect that CMA made that clear to him before he commited. My guess, this year we will see a very under control and productive Curbelo.
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I agree Monte. I think that Andre and Posh could make a lethal back court and cause havoc on defense
 
monte said:
I know this is a Soriano thread but Im just going to say this about Curbelo; he was excellent his freshman year when he was a role player. Not so good last year when he was expected to be "the man". Yes I know about the injury. Here's my feeling about him this year; as long as he realizes that he doesn't need to be "the man", and does not try to do more then he's capable of, then he will have a very good season and we will have a very good season. As previously mentioned, he needs to focus on things like PNR, driving and dishing(not forcing up a shot), etc. I trust that he did not come here expecting to be "the man", and expect that CMA made that clear to him before he commited. My guess, this year we will see a very under control and productive Curbelo.
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Good post -I definitely share your vision on how Curbelo can best impact the team.
 
With established guys like Posh and Jones, alone, I’d hope he already realizes this. And that’s not including all other potential contributors including guys he’s played with or against for a long time.
 
hardytime said:
With established guys like Posh and Jones, alone, I’d hope he already realizes this. And that’s not including all other potential contributors including guys he’s played with or against for a long time.
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As we continue to go off topic 😀this year it seems we have multiple players who can contribute offensively being Posh , Belo, Jones, Soriano , Wusu, Pinzon, Storr and a bunch of guys who can average 5 points a game. Very excited to watch this team play.
 
hardytime said:
With established guys like Posh and Jones, alone, I’d hope he already realizes this. And that’s not including all other potential contributors including guys he’s played with or against for a long time.
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He had talent around him at Illinois also. I think that after his successful freshman season coming off the bench, he may have tried to do too much his sophomore year when he was handed the PG reigns. He obviously shined in HS and as a freshman, so it's understandable that he was expecting to have a AA caliber soph season and may have been pushing too hard. Of course the injury set him back and that too may have added to him trying to do to much when he came back.. I'm just speculating on some of this stuff, but I believe that with the fresh start here, and the lowered expectations(except by some of our fan base lol), he will have a very productive season for us.
 
redmannorth said:
As we continue to go off topic 😀this year it seems we have multiple players who can contribute offensively being Posh , Belo, Jones, Soriano , Wusu, Pinzon, Storr and a bunch of guys who can average 5 points a game. Very excited to watch this team play.
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Sorry RMN, my bad
 
Soriano is obvious choice for frontcourt leader and stable force. I think our ceiling has as much to do with the improvement of Stanley and Nyiwe. Outside of Soriano we essentially have a 3/4 in Jones and a bunch of other 6’5 ish wings. Those two will have to play, and without Champ and Wheeler, mitigate some of that length we lost. They were capable bench bigs last year and even with slight improvement could be nice players. Can one or both take the jump from serviceable to difference maker?

There will be times where CMA will want to go big with 2 of those 3 on the court. There will inevitably be many times where Soriano or Jones need to be off the court. And there are always injuries. No one is looking at these two as top 7-8 guys but if we want to be a legitimate tourney team and BE contender, we will be relying on them plenty.
 
Step one for Joel was getting into best shape possible and kudos for that. Step 2 is to become more confident in his play and in leadership role. He seems on track for that.

The last piece is to avoid fouling. Staff can play a role in that by addressing switching strategy and avoiding to many isolation situations with him at mercy of quicker players, guards. Mase’s point re Stanley and Nyiwe is on point re Joel and fouls. You obviously do need solid play from those two defensively in such situations.
 
paultzman said:
Step one for Joel was getting into best shape possible and kudos for that. Step 2 is to become more confident in his play and in leadership role. He seems on track for that.

The last piece is to avoid fouling. Staff can play a role in that by addressing switching strategy and avoiding to many isolation situations with him at mercy of quicker players, guards. Mase’s point re Stanley and Nyiwe is on point re Joel and fouls. You obviously do need solid play from those two defensively in such situations.
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But Paultz with his improved shape and added athleticism, perhaps Soriano will be able to defend guards on the perimeter this year..

Kidding of course, hopefully done with that experiment.
 
Dan V said:
Curbelo’s ability in the the pick & roll will really benefit the big guys especially Soriano. When he entered a game at Illinois it was noticeable how he worked with Cockburn in the PnR, it’s probably his best skill.
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completely agree, I think Nyiwe with how quick he is and his ability to slash / cut in the lane will also be a benefactor
 
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