Lavin loves where St. John's is going

[IDRAFT]

 I also love where it is going.

Yes, Moe might leave but that still leaves four sophmores next year who all played crazy minutes as freshman. One of who came in second for BE rookie of the year to his teammate. It's logical to expect all of them to improve. And Moe could very well be back. If so, we lose zero players from this years team. None.

Add to that a top 50-75 2011 player who plays a position (PG) where we have a huge need, who is not only signed but on campus and spent the second half of the season practicing. That's where we start before any other recruits come in.

As to recruits, time will tell, but worst case we get four "program players" like Gift. I will be shocked if we can't land that. Understand, that's not what I expect, but I truly believe that's all we need to become top 25, Moe or no
Moe. People are underestimating how good the other freshman are. They got better all year, that's how it works, and that will continue.

Last but not least, in fact most importantly, we get our coach back. Dunlap did a great job in a crazy tough spot (how did Conn. do while Calhoun was out?) but he is not our HC. Getting Lavin back will be another upgrade, like another recruit. The biggest one.

This is the most exciting time to be a fan since Jarvis blew up the program. I'm ready to enjoy the ride and it will start next year.

 

[we are sju]

Perhaps Lavin can't say anything -- bringing in a kid who hasn't broken the news to his old school that he won't be honoring a verbal from six months ago, for instance.

Or a kid who really wants no thunder stolen from his press conference a few weeks from now.

Or maybe he's bringing in one of the top non-U.S. amateurs in the world, and they are still sorting out logistics.

 

Or....maybe he's grasping at straws and that you would never hear from him. Odds are there are leftovers like Norm was able to get but the silence is deafening as far as big names are concerned. I just want to see a complete roster and take our chances on developing them. No more 6 man teams, please!

Do you really think we won't have at least a 10-man roster next season?

 

At this stage I do not think it is feasible that coach will be able to pull off any kind of recruiting class that some of you are still hoping for. This was a tough year and coach's health put him in a tough spot. As long as Harkless comes back and coach can gets some JUCO bigs we will make the tourney next year. Coach back for a whole season and a successful 20 win season and Lavin will go back to getting great recruits. Really for next year all I am hoping for is Moe coming back and coach bringing in 2 or 3 guys that can push GG for minutes up front.  

 

[LJSA]

Perhaps Lavin can't say anything -- bringing in a kid who hasn't broken the news to his old school that he won't be honoring a verbal from six months ago, for instance.

Or a kid who really wants no thunder stolen from his press conference a few weeks from now.

Or maybe he's bringing in one of the top non-U.S. amateurs in the world, and they are still sorting out logistics.

 

Or....maybe he's grasping at straws and that you would never hear from him. Odds are there are leftovers like Norm was able to get but the silence is deafening as far as big names are concerned. I just want to see a complete roster and take our chances on developing them. No more 6 man teams, please!

Do you really think we won't have at least a 10-man roster next season?

 

At this stage I do not think it is feasible that coach will be able to pull off any kind of recruiting class that some of you are still hoping for. This was a tough year and coach's health put him in a tough spot. As long as Harkless comes back and coach can gets some JUCO bigs we will make the tourney next year. Coach back for a whole season and a successful 20 win season and Lavin will go back to getting great recruits. Really for next year all I am hoping for is Moe coming back and coach bringing in 2 or 3 guys that can push GG for minutes up front.  

 

Lavin's given me no reason to doubt him yet regarding recruiting, so I'll believe his hints that a good class is coming until it's time not to believe him.

I think a lot of posters aren't looking at the whole picture. For all we know, Lavin could have three double-digit scorers on the college level eligible to transfer right away in his back pocket. Even the insiders aren't getting the entire scoop, so I'm a big proponent of letting the process play out before acting like 7-year-old girls.

The mods should put a stickie at the top of the page where everyone who carried on like a baby or a paranoid freak can leave their mea culpas.

 

[we are sju]

Perhaps Lavin can't say anything -- bringing in a kid who hasn't broken the news to his old school that he won't be honoring a verbal from six months ago, for instance.

Or a kid who really wants no thunder stolen from his press conference a few weeks from now.

Or maybe he's bringing in one of the top non-U.S. amateurs in the world, and they are still sorting out logistics.

 

Or....maybe he's grasping at straws and that you would never hear from him. Odds are there are leftovers like Norm was able to get but the silence is deafening as far as big names are concerned. I just want to see a complete roster and take our chances on developing them. No more 6 man teams, please!

Do you really think we won't have at least a 10-man roster next season?

 

At this stage I do not think it is feasible that coach will be able to pull off any kind of recruiting class that some of you are still hoping for. This was a tough year and coach's health put him in a tough spot. As long as Harkless comes back and coach can gets some JUCO bigs we will make the tourney next year. Coach back for a whole season and a successful 20 win season and Lavin will go back to getting great recruits. Really for next year all I am hoping for is Moe coming back and coach bringing in 2 or 3 guys that can push GG for minutes up front.  

 

Lavin's given me no reason to doubt him yet regarding recruiting, so I'll believe his hints that a good class is coming until it's time not to believe him.

I think a lot of posters aren't looking at the whole picture. For all we know, Lavin could have three double-digit scorers on the college level eligible to transfer right away in his back pocket. Even the insiders aren't getting the entire scoop, so I'm a big proponent of letting the process play out before acting like 7-year-old girls.

The mods should put a stickie at the top of the page where everyone who carried on like a baby or a paranoid freak can leave their mea culpas.

 

Everything gets leaked nowadays. So I don't know much about recruits "in his pocket". I really don't expect a recruiting bonanza and as long as Harkless comes back we don't really need one. I have confidence in Lavin and I think we will be fine. Coach has to talk up his recruiting for the coming year to counter all the rumors about him not coming back. In the same situation even Calipari would struggle recruiting. It is just a tough spot we are in. Once coach is back coaching things will change. As far as I am concerned our biggest recruit for next season is Maurice Harkless!   

 

[redmaninalbany]

 agree..
I guess the fear is that he might be infected with the false bravado our our NYJets coach, who tried to make up for mistakes in who he released and who he retained with a lot of bluster about winning the Super Bowl etc.
I don't think Lavin is that type of person. I believe we must remember he made no commitment he did say we were positioned to do well with recruiting. That work from him is credibile enough for me. I hope his persistence and dedication to the recruiting, when he couldn't sideline coach, turns out to be a great investment for all of us.

 

[salty dog]

If Lavin's confident than I'm confident. Go Johnnie's. 

 

[frank61]

I think we are going to have Christmas in April/May! 

 

[redken]

As ghostzapper pointed out in an earlier post, Lavin said we "could have" an outstanding recruiting class, not that we "will have." He usually picks his words carefully, so while I think he's being optimistic (which is part of his nature and a great selling tool to have), I get the feeling he's not exactly sure just how this recruiting class will turn out.

 

[DieHard Johnny]

Its time for him to be a fulltime headcoach & make the Johnnys into a winner.

Thank you doc. While you're here I've got this thing on my back....

Your welcome I can get that monkey off your back & remove that gerbil from your butt easy with my new laser D:

 

[Section3]

US Guard Wrote: Coach doesn't make a statement that next yrs recruiting class is the best he has ever had as a coach. So something big is coming unless I heard him wrong on the interview in the sky Box????


The actual quote from the sky box interview on yesterday's broadcast: "We are in position to sign a stellar recruiting class, could be one of the best of my career"

Clearly a very positive statement from the coach but he did not exactly say, that next yrs recruiting class is the best he has ever had as a coach.. I am very hopeful and reasonably confident that coach will bring in very good talent to add to our great group. However only time will tell how it will exactly play out.  

 

If you quoted him correctly, that is exactly what he is saying "best of my career".

 

[Sleek718]

please, please please...

do NOT compare Lavin to Toe-Fetishsaurus Rex.

The Ryans are trailer trash for a dumb sport. Lavin could never stoop so low or be so stupid.  

 

[ghostzapper]

I was at the game yesterday, so I recorded it just in case it was a classic. When I got home I listened to the Lavin interview twice. The quote is verbatim. 

"We are in position to sign a stellar recruiting class, could be one of the best of my career"

 

[Moose]

I was at the game yesterday, so I recorded it just in case it was a classic. When I got home I listened to the Lavin interview twice. The quote is verbatim. 

"We are in position to sign a stellar recruiting class, could be one of the best of my career"

 

Willing to think most of his classes were assembled in the early signing period. So even if he gets 1 great player this late in the game for a team that is desperate for bodies. It 'could' be considered one of his best yet purely on the short time frame.

 

[newsman13]

I was at the game yesterday, so I recorded it just in case it was a classic. When I got home I listened to the Lavin interview twice. The quote is verbatim. 

"We are in position to sign a stellar recruiting class, could be one of the best of my career"

 

"position" meaning in the top market...playing in the "mecca" of basketball...in the best college basketball conference in the country. i love lavin's salesmanship!!

 

[MCNPA]

 Lets put it ts way, if Lavin lands even one kid like Jakarr, he positions himself for an excellent class. With Jakarr and Branch we'd already have 2 top 50 players. Those are the beginnings of an excellent class, even if we add a few more solid kids.

 

[frank61]

 Lets put it ts way, if Lavin lands even one kid like Jakarr, he positions himself for an excellent class. With Jakarr and Branch we'd already have 2 top 50 players. Those are the beginnings of an excellent class, even if we add a few more solid kids.

 


I totally agree Marcus, I don't think Coach Lav would have said the class could be one one of the best in his career, unless he has a couple of tricks up his sleeve. I just don't think he is fishing.......

 

[upstate redman]

MCNPA, I really like your logic. Assuming Moe stays this team already has 5 very talented frosh to sophs. He has a very good 3/4, an excellent 2, a very good depth combo guard and 2 very very athletic but raw wings. He is adding a top 50 pg in Branch. It is obvious that breaking it down this team needs a shooter, and some bodies to bang in order to be very good. He really just needs to insert a good big guy and then he is set as long as he adds 2 or 3 more guys for depth that are 4 year players. 

 

[LJSA]

Hypothetically speaking, if Jakarr got in Shabazz's ear when they were visiting KU together, and Lavin ABC'd him by telling him he'd be the college equivalent of Lin if he came to New York, and then Amir convinced Bennett that he should come aboard, is a class of Sampson, Shabazz, and Bennett Lavin's best ever?

And no, I rarely drink and don't do drugs.

 

[Pray4change]

I have a man crush on Lavin. I'll admit it.

But considering he brought in the No. 1 recruiting class twice at UCLA, I have a hard time believing that this will be the best class he's ever signed, as he told Katz.

 

I have a man crush on Steve's wife. Omg... Luv her.....

 

[REB]

I have a man crush on Lavin. I'll admit it.

But considering he brought in the No. 1 recruiting class twice at UCLA, I have a hard time believing that this will be the best class he's ever signed, as he told Katz.

 

I have a man crush on Steve's wife. Omg... Luv her.....

 

Then its not a man crush. Geez