LaPhonso Ellis picks SJU as his SURPRISE team

[Moose]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

To reiterate what you're talking about as far as talent on ESPN today Goodman lists the 10 teams with the most NBA prospects and its the usual suspects plus Oklahoma St primarily due to Marcus Smart.

St Johns is listed amongst a dozen that "nearly cracked the list"

We are only BE team on there I think

 

[Redmen07]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

 

[juniorRed]

LaPhonso is his name. Played at ND. Now ESPN analyst.

Also a 12 pt 7 reb guy for his 11 year NBA Career.

Thanks cr... pretty sure SJU played Notre Dame with LaPhonso back in 89 or 90(??) at their place. Remember watchin' the game on nbc while I was in Vermont on a ski trip... think we won but not sure... great college player, pretty good pro and a decent commentator.

Looks like I was wrong... Feb. 1992.. ND - 79.. SJU - 70... Ellis was 16-16 from the foul line!

 

[MCNPA]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Bourgault isn't bad and can make some shots. He was only a first year Juco last year. He's another kid though, that can hit from the outside and can help us in situations.

 

[juniorRed]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Bourgault isn't bad and can make some shots. He was only a first year Juco last year. He's another kid though, that can hit from the outside and can help us in situations.

btw - saw Felix Balamou about a week or two ago coming out of double j's as I was going in... looks to be a solid 6'4- 6'5 and told me he's been hitting the weights... don't sleep on this dude, imo, he might be the best "swingman" on the team... nice kid too... although his Mohawk could use a little work!..lol

 

[juniorRed]

]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Bourgault isn't bad and can make some shots. He was only a first year Juco last year. He's another kid though, that can hit from the outside and can help us in situations.

What's up with this hooper kid? Can he play at this level or what?.. Thx!

 

[ras]

IMO ,Hooper is going to be the real deal from 3 pt range. He wont start but he will be helpful giving us offence and he will have to be guarded opening up other players.

 

[fuchsia]

Thanks for the Balamou update. Possible development (frosh to soph) of Felix, Chris O, and Chris J plus new and returning players, projects to a very high ceiling for next year's team.

 

[ras]

I keep forgetting about Chris J. I hope he really develops. With next years loss of Gift ,Sanchez and probably Sampson, we could really use a another BE calaber big.

 

[doodyny33]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Bourgault isn't bad and can make some shots. He was only a first year Juco last year. He's another kid though, that can hit from the outside and can help us in situations.

btw - saw Felix Balamou about a week or two ago coming out of double j's as I was going in... looks to be a solid 6'4- 6'5 and told me he's been hitting the weights... don't sleep on this dude, imo, he might be the best "swingman" on the team... nice kid too... although his Mohawk could use a little work!..lol

Couldn't agree more. A lot of fans are sleeping on this kid.

He has a ton of athleticism and easily is one of the best defenders on the team. As he gets more playing time under his belt, I think he's going to become a very valuable member of this team.

 

[doodyny33]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Trust me, I didn't include him for a reason

 

[simplyred]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Trust me, I didn't include him for a reason

Whoa, not so fast! What does that mean?

 

[Moose]

... team this year on ESPNU's draft special last night. Said lavin loves this team and that he expects big things from this group. He talked up Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa and Sanchez... just good to see us finally being discussed on these type of shows... God Bless u coach!!

I said it at the end of last season and I'll say it again. If the team improves its shooting, it will be extraordinarily dangerous. Between Sampson, Obekpa, Sanchez, and God's Gift, the post player will be very good. And I expect Dom to keep improving and become a force on the wing. But you need Harrison, Greene, Branch, Jordan, and Hooper to keep the defenses honest.

I'm not saying you are going to shoot 35-40% from the outside. But you need to hit your open shots to stop defenses from collapsing in the middle on you.

You for got Balgaruolt LOL

Trust me, I didn't include him for a reason

Whoa, not so fast! What does that mean?

It means he doesn't like him. Nothing more nothing less

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

 

[juniorRed]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

No doubt Joe... IMO, this might be the most talented roster(1-13) we have ever had at SJU... and if Jordan is legit we got a shot at the sweet 16 or better!!

 

[redmannorth]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

No doubt Joe... IMO, this might be the most talented roster(1-13) we have ever had at SJU... and if Jordan is legit we got a shot at the sweet 16 or better!!

First off RJ is the real deal. Ever recruiting analyst has him real high.
The talent is very, very good on paper and we are very, very deep.
It is now up to the staff to get the most out of this group. Lets hope they can because the sky would then be the limit for this group.

 

[juniorRed]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

No doubt Joe... IMO, this might be the most talented roster(1-13) we have ever had at SJU... and if Jordan is legit we got a shot at the sweet 16 or better!!

First off RJ is the real deal. Ever recruiting analyst has him real high.
The talent is very, very good on paper and we are very, very deep.
It is now up to the staff to get the most out of this group. Lets hope they can because the sky would then be the limit for this group.

From your mouth to God's ear Mr. North... Go Redmen!

 

[1and1sju]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

No doubt Joe... IMO, this might be the most talented roster(1-13) we have ever had at SJU... and if Jordan is legit we got a shot at the sweet 16 or better!!

This team looks to be very very talented, but the 84-85 team had two guys that were national players of the year.

But I completely agree with you about the importance of Jordan. He can get into the lane, whether he's scoring or dishing that's actually his best skill, or was in HS at least - and that's what we were missing last year.

 

[redmannorth]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

No doubt Joe... IMO, this might be the most talented roster(1-13) we have ever had at SJU... and if Jordan is legit we got a shot at the sweet 16 or better!!

This team looks to be very very talented, but the 84-85 team had two guys that were national players of the year.

But I completely agree with you about the importance of Jordan. He can get into the lane, whether he's scoring or dishing that's actually his best skill, or was in HS at least - and that's what we were missing last year.

Desco80 you are correct in that the 1985 team had 2 superstars but it is very possible that Jakaar could put up numbers this season equivalent to those of Berry. I love DLo but he will not have Mullinesque numbers. CO could be better than Wennington and Sir Dom and Orlando should be a huge improvement over Willie Glass. I have to think the trio of Rysheed, Jamal and Phil will be an improvement over Moses and Jackson. This team could be very, very good. October 15th cant come quickly enough.

 

[juniorRed]

Totally forgot about Felix in the hype machine of Sanchez and Jordan. If we have no (or only minor) injuries next season and most of the team shows improvement as well as more Big East ready bodies (i.e. Sampson adds some weight) this team is amazing on paper. Let's really hope Rysheed is the real deal, because if he turns out to be a fluke we will have a much lower ceiling. Jordan, Harrison, and Sampson need to consistently take games over if we are going places.

No doubt Joe... IMO, this might be the most talented roster(1-13) we have ever had at SJU... and if Jordan is legit we got a shot at the sweet 16 or better!!

This team looks to be very very talented, but the 84-85 team had two guys that were national players of the year.

But I completely agree with you about the importance of Jordan. He can get into the lane, whether he's scoring or dishing that's actually his best skill, or was in HS at least - and that's what we were missing last year.

Desco80 you are correct in that the 1985 team had 2 superstars but it is very possible that Jakaar could put up numbers this season equivalent to those of Berry. I love DLo but he will not have Mullinesque numbers. CO could be better than Wennington and Sir Dom and Orlando should be a huge improvement over Willie Glass. I have to think the trio of Rysheed, Jamal and Phil will be an improvement over Moses and Jackson. This team could be very, very good. October 15th cant come quickly enough.

Agree with just about everything u posted red, except for the Glass part... when either sanchez or sir D scores 18 points, grabs 8 boards and shuts-down the other teams second best player to help us win the Big East title... plus, Willie did most of the "dirty work" down lo on that team as well... regardless, should be a FUN ride this year!!