Kudos Posh

[prjohnnies]

Ed Cooley doesn't seem to be a fan

https://twitter.com/kevinmcnamara33/status/1353769189350252544?s=21

He's had a hard on for SJU for a long time now.  He lost recruiting battles to Lavin and Mullin and it didn't sit well with him.

Sampson, Sanchez and Ponds.  You'd think he be over that.  His staff clearly did not like the Lavin staff.  He also didn't like when Mullin beat up him there that game when Lovett was unstoppable (before he went AWOL).  But you have to think Cooley both likes and respects Anderson, especially as one of the longest tenured (and successful) minority college coaches, because everyone else does.  So a bit surprised he's so aggressive on this.  Maybe he just needs to defend his guy.
 

 

[QueensBall]

Really glad we took him when we did and didn't try to hold out for Curbelo.

Yeah, great move jumping on Posh once Curbelo seemed to be slipping away. Curbelo looks pretty good at Illinois but certainly not clearly better than our guy at this point. The other two heavily-recruited lead guards (both Top 75 types) we were after that class were Hassan Diarra and AJ Hoggard (not sure how involved we actually ended up being with Hoggard but his name was around) and I'll just say that while there's no shame in the way those guys are performing in their first year at big time programs, I'm confident we ended up with the right freshman PG. Especially after seeing that interview where Posh talked about his dad being a big fan of the program and that contributing to him wanting to stay home at St. Johns. That felt somewhat genuine to me. Not just the usual, "Yeah I love the school, blah blah" That combined with the trust and responsibility Anderson places in him makes me think we got a good one who is unlikely to wander. He seems to realize he's in a better situation than many of his freshman peers.

 

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

Really glad we took him when we did and didn't try to hold out for Curbelo.

Yeah, great move jumping on Posh once Curbelo seemed to be slipping away. Curbelo looks pretty good at Illinois but certainly not clearly better than our guy at this point. The other two heavily-recruited lead guards (both Top 75 types) we were after that class were Hassan Diarra and AJ Hoggard (not sure how involved we actually ended up being with Hoggard but his name was around) and I'll just say that while there's no shame in the way those guys are performing in their first year at big time programs, I'm confident we ended up with the right freshman PG. Especially after seeing that interview where Posh talked about his dad being a big fan of the program and that contributing to him wanting to stay home at St. Johns. That felt somewhat genuine to me. Not just the usual, "Yeah I love the school, blah blah" That combined with the trust and responsibility Anderson places in him makes me think we got a good one who is unlikely to wander. He seems to realize he's in a better situation than many of his freshman peers.

Posh is a role model and pioneer for steering other talented NYC area kids to St. John's - and for all the right reasons.
"Go Posh - we are fortunate to have you here!!!"
 

 

[MCNPA]

A bit of an aside, but Posh and Andre Curbelo have nearly identical stats as both freshmen in major conferences.  Posh actually averaging 2 ppg more with more minutes per game, and Curbelo actually shooting 16% from trey though compared to Posh's 33%.  I'd say we did ok with Posh and got a pretty comparable PG if different style. 

 

[boo haarvey]

A bit of an aside, but Posh and Andre Curbelo have nearly identical stats as both freshmen in major conferences.  Posh actually averaging 2 ppg more with more minutes per game, and Curbelo actually shooting 16% from trey though compared to Posh's 33%.  I'd say we did ok with Posh and got a pretty comparable PG if different style. 

Not suggesting you're  wrong, but think it may be a bit premature.  Let's have this discussion in two years.

 

[MCNPA]

Wrong about what? That they're comparable
at this point?  The stats are comparable. Not sure that we need to extrapolate further. I saw Posh destroy UConn's guards the other day, some of whom were highly recruited and we recruited.  Curbelo isn't much taller than Posh and while he's a bit more slick with his handle and passing, Posh is
much stronger and little better athlete.  Both averaging about same number of assists as well.  While both are very different style-wise, I think both will have very good college careers.  Curbelo definitely doing a lot with limited minutes.  Posh has had to shoulder a bit more with maybe less of a team right off the bat. Curbelo's main limitation thus far is his shooting.  I think Curbelo will have a great career at Illinois.  Reminds me of one nod those Gonzaga-type guards. Needs to find his shot. 

 

[L J S A]

Wrong about what? That they're comparable
at this point?  The stats are comparable. Not sure that we need to extrapolate further. I saw Posh destroy UConn's guards the other day, some of whom were highly recruited and we recruited.  Curbelo isn't much taller than Posh and while he's a bit more slick with his handle and passing, Posh is
much stronger and little better athlete.  Both averaging about same number of assists as well.  While both are very different style-wise, I think both will have very good college careers.  Curbelo definitely doing a lot with limited minutes.  Posh has had to shoulder a bit more with maybe less of a team right off the bat. Curbelo's main limitation thus far is his shooting.  I think Curbelo will have a great career at Illinois.  Reminds me of one nod those Gonzaga-type guards. Needs to find his shot. 

I feel like someone in this conversation is secretly hoping Curbelo is better so he has one more thing to complain about, and it's not MCNPA.

 

[Section3]

We've had some great defenders. 

But I've never seen a kid try so relentlessly for a steal.

His ability to sneak behind big man who just got a defensive rebound, swipe it from him, and lay it up is just phenomenal. And it can be such a back-breaking, demoralizing play for the opponent .   

And what's important he has already made adjustments - over committing much less than he did earlier in the season. Growth

 

[Ray Morgan]

I don't know how high his ceiling can be as a 3 point shooter, but he has improved a lot due to hard work. He is gaining confidence in both his mid range game and from 3. That addition will make him a real 2 way threat. He is a leader already because he gives up his body for the team, plays hurt, and never seems to take a play off. It would be great to have him for 4 years, as he has been a pleasure to watch even for half a season.

 

[MCNPA]

I don't know how high his ceiling can be as a 3 point shooter, but he has improved a lot due to hard work. He is gaining confidence in both his mid range game and from 3. That addition will make him a real 2 way threat. He is a leader already because he gives up his body for the team, plays hurt, and never seems to take a play off. It would be great to have him for 4 years, as he has been a pleasure to watch even for half a season.

I think he's gonna be a 4-year player.  His motor will drive Anderson's style if we can get enough capable offensive players and some size around him for the next few years.  Champagnie is already an All Big East forward.  Add another one or two (maybe Pinzon?) and we grow as a team. 

 

[MarkRedman]

Posh plays like a junkyard dog and I mean that in the most complimentary way. He is fearless and plays with reckless abandon. As a frosh, I think that he deferred to others early in the season. But, as time has gone on, he has asserted himself as the floor leader of the team and is taking charge of the team as a true point guard should.

Posh is going to get better and better and should be an outstanding four year player for us. He is an easy guy to root for. Posh is going to be a real crowd favorite once we have fans back in the seats.

 

[MCNPA]

As far as Ed Cooley goes, what a bitch... He hasn't figured out until this week that Alyn Breed should even be playing, and he coaches the kid.  Cooley buried him all season and he had a good week, Posh maybe an even a better one, and he's mad at the Big East?  That's on YOU coach. Maybe you should have figured out the kid could play before a few days ago... what a dope.

 

[Mullins Revenge]

Curbelo had the early advantage but posh is coming on strong now.  And posh is leaps and bounds better defensively and is so much stronger then curbello.

Id take posh.

 

[beast of the east]

It is difficult to compare stats against competing players.   Some are inarguable: FT % for one.   PPG is very much arguable.  Where it's very nice to have Champ as the Big East scoring leader, no one would deny that on a very good balanced team, his PPG might decrease considerably without diminishing his contribution.    Assists in laudable, but again, there are other stats not as visible.  CMA tracks the pass that leads to the assist, and again, if one PG has the ball in his handmore often than on a team with a skilled 5 that move the ball, he will likely have more assists.   Conversely, a PG who has the ball more often, will likely commit more turnovers, even if turnovers is a raw number that you want to minimize.   Even rebounds are suspect to some degree.  I always favor guys with great fundamentals who always work hard to box out underneath.  Often, they don't get the rebound, but by boxing out another big man, one of their teammates might.

 

[monte]

It is difficult to compare stats against competing players.   Some are inarguable: FT % for one.   PPG is very much arguable.  Where it's very nice to have Champ as the Big East scoring leader, no one would deny that on a very good balanced team, his PPG might decrease considerably without diminishing his contribution.    Assists in laudable, but again, there are other stats not as visible.  CMA tracks the pass that leads to the assist, and again, if one PG has the ball in his handmore often than on a team with a skilled 5 that move the ball, he will likely have more assists.   Conversely, a PG who has the ball more often, will likely commit more turnovers, even if turnovers is a raw number that you want to minimize.   Even rebounds are suspect to some degree.  I always favor guys with great fundamentals who always work hard to box out underneath.  Often, they don't get the rebound, but by boxing out another big man, one of their teammates might.

So what you're saying is that there are "lies, damned lies, and statistics". lol 
 

 

[beast of the east]

It is difficult to compare stats against competing players.   Some are inarguable: FT % for one.   PPG is very much arguable.  Where it's very nice to have Champ as the Big East scoring leader, no one would deny that on a very good balanced team, his PPG might decrease considerably without diminishing his contribution.    Assists in laudable, but again, there are other stats not as visible.  CMA tracks the pass that leads to the assist, and again, if one PG has the ball in his handmore often than on a team with a skilled 5 that move the ball, he will likely have more assists.   Conversely, a PG who has the ball more often, will likely commit more turnovers, even if turnovers is a raw number that you want to minimize.   Even rebounds are suspect to some degree.  I always favor guys with great fundamentals who always work hard to box out underneath.  Often, they don't get the rebound, but by boxing out another big man, one of their teammates might.

So what you're saying is that there are "lies, damned lies, and statistics". lol 

 

Something like that.   I know CMA keeps about 15-20 extra stats that are not part of the official record.   It encourages and rewards guys who do the little things to win, and not just look at the obvious and glamor stats - points, rebounds, assists.

 

[boo haarvey]

Wrong about what? That they're comparable
at this point?  The stats are comparable. Not sure that we need to extrapolate further. I saw Posh destroy UConn's guards the other day, some of whom were highly recruited and we recruited.  Curbelo isn't much taller than Posh and while he's a bit more slick with his handle and passing, Posh is
much stronger and little better athlete.  Both averaging about same number of assists as well.  While both are very different style-wise, I think both will have very good college careers.  Curbelo definitely doing a lot with limited minutes.  Posh has had to shoulder a bit more with maybe less of a team right off the bat. Curbelo's main limitation thus far is his shooting.  I think Curbelo will have a great career at Illinois.  Reminds me of one nod those Gonzaga-type guards. Needs to find his shot. 

You added "at this point" to your previous post.    I agree with that statement.

 

[boo haarvey]

Wrong about what? That they're comparable
at this point?  The stats are comparable. Not sure that we need to extrapolate further. I saw Posh destroy UConn's guards the other day, some of whom were highly recruited and we recruited.  Curbelo isn't much taller than Posh and while he's a bit more slick with his handle and passing, Posh is
much stronger and little better athlete.  Both averaging about same number of assists as well.  While both are very different style-wise, I think both will have very good college careers.  Curbelo definitely doing a lot with limited minutes.  Posh has had to shoulder a bit more with maybe less of a team right off the bat. Curbelo's main limitation thus far is his shooting.  I think Curbelo will have a great career at Illinois.  Reminds me of one nod those Gonzaga-type guards. Needs to find his shot. 

I feel like someone in this conversation is secretly hoping Curbelo is better so he has one more thing to complain about, and it's not MCNPA.

I take no pleasure in complaining although it's easy to do given our repeated lack of success.  Some of us are homers and struggle to remain objective after one or two wins.   Posh has been good at times this year as a freshman.  No question.  Not ready to say he is comparable to anybody based on the small body of work.  It seems premature and imprudent.

 

[BrookJersey Redmen]

There is a way Cooley could have complimented both guys, promoting his kid, but not going so far the other way as to insult our guy.

Not a classy way to handle it, Ed.

 

[paultzman]

Difficult to believe anyone would have predicted a level of play to date beyond what Posh has shown. He's not perfect, but playing PG in BE is no easy task and his hard play, improved shooting, willingness to get after it on both ends of the court and evolving grasp of his position seems a great development to me.

He, his buddy Julian, Greg, Dylan and gut tells me Pinzon probably will be a solid group to put out there next season. Hopefully interior play improvement is also part of that mix.

Btw - Posh was named All-Met Player of Week.