Chicago Days , I disagree with you and other posters on here referring to lack of depth as a major part of the problem for our recent slide. As I said in previous post, SMU ran six guys all last season and they won 25 games and were ranked all season. The difference was that Tim Jankovich is the best coach in the country that no one really knows about. This team doesn’t play defense, they don’t block out and are never in good position to rebound , they don’t fight through screens defensively or switch effectively which leads to wide open threes for the other team, they don’t do all dirty work that’s needed to win in the Big East. That’s why they lose, not because of lack of depth. Offensively they always try to make the flashy pass or flashy play instead of just playing sound basketball. The offense has very little structure. That’s why they lose. Their basketball IQ is very low. This is on everyone staff and players. But lack of depth is just an excuse.
LoVett
- Thread starter Joe Tempesta
- Start date
Chicago Days , I disagree with you and other posters on here referring to lack of depth as a major part of the problem for our recent slide. As I said in previous post, SMU ran six guys all last season and they won 25 games and were ranked all season. The difference was that Tim Jankovich is the best coach in the country that no one really knows about. This team doesn’t play defense, they don’t block out and are never in good position to rebound , they don’t fight through screens defensively or switch effectively which leads to wide open threes for the other team, they don’t do all dirty work that’s needed to win in the Big East. That’s why they lose, not because of lack of depth. Offensively they always try to make the flashy pass or flashy play instead of just playing sound basketball. The offense has very little structure. That’s why they lose. Their basketball IQ is very low. This is on everyone staff and players. But lack of depth is just an excuse.
boo haarvey
Active member
I’m too old to fully get this social media stuff and shame on all of us for putting so much stock into the tweet of a 21 year old kid.
All that said, what’s the deal with LoVett’s tweet? I mean, the kid knows full well that the fan base is dying to know if and when he’s coming back. So what does he do? He tweets some vague crap about his injury that reads like a fortune cookie. I mean, if you’re going to shut it down for the year, come out and say it. Put us out of our misery.
All that said, what’s the deal with LoVett’s tweet? I mean, the kid knows full well that the fan base is dying to know if and when he’s coming back. So what does he do? He tweets some vague crap about his injury that reads like a fortune cookie. I mean, if you’re going to shut it down for the year, come out and say it. Put us out of our misery.
Hi Mean Gene. I agree that there are many reasons for our terrible start, but lack of depth and injuries must be among the most key. I agree that our staff is inexperienced and Mullin a bit unconventional in his strong belief in shoot/shoot/shoot. And I don’t recall the structure of SMU’s team last year. Was it a senior-dominated team—like Seton Hall is this year?
Because, another of my points is that our team is inexperienced as well: It’s only the second full year for LoVett, Ponds, and Ahmed in major Division 1 competition, the most PT for Owens in his college career, as well as for Simon and Clark.
Which is why LoVett’s injury is so damaging. Ponds is in a major slump offensively and so far not up to running the team effectively. Lousy ball movement and many 1-and done shots.
I doubt Coach K could win with this team—sans LoVett, and with Ponds in his current playing funk.
Again, It’s possible this team rights itself and plays effective and winning hoops the remainder of the BE Season. They must regroup. We shall see.
Because, another of my points is that our team is inexperienced as well: It’s only the second full year for LoVett, Ponds, and Ahmed in major Division 1 competition, the most PT for Owens in his college career, as well as for Simon and Clark.
Which is why LoVett’s injury is so damaging. Ponds is in a major slump offensively and so far not up to running the team effectively. Lousy ball movement and many 1-and done shots.
I doubt Coach K could win with this team—sans LoVett, and with Ponds in his current playing funk.
Again, It’s possible this team rights itself and plays effective and winning hoops the remainder of the BE Season. They must regroup. We shall see.
Hey Chicago, appreciate the response. I think that Mullin is giving this team way too much freedom on offense. There's no structure to it. That might be fine if you're Calipari at Kentucky and you 8 or 9 NBA caliber players or more on your roster every year. But, we don't have that kind of talent where kids get just get by on ability alone. This team needs structure which this staff is not providing. The defense is whole other story. I agree though, it's possible they can right the ship but Mullin has to realize that these kids need some structure,
boo haarvey
Active member
I agree that Yakwe played well in limited minutes against DePaul. Outside of that one game, I think it's a real stretch to suggest that Yakwe is playing within himself.
It certainly appears that the three guard defensive pressure of LoVett,Simon and Ponds caused more problems than we thought. Must have made opposition work harder bringing ball up the court and tired them out which must have made shooting threes a little more difficult.
Earlier in our schedule when LoVett was playing we were playing far less talented guys than we are facing in the BE. So earlier we looked much stronger than we really were on defense. I don't think our defense is causing our losses. We are taking bad shots, settling for jump shots. We have no sets and we just look ugly, right now.
Per Zach B
St John’s guard Marcus LoVett had another MRI this weekend, per source, and saw doctor again yesterday. Nothing has changed with original prognosis. He can practice when he feels up to it, which has yet to happen. #sjubb
Issue clearly is ML does not feel he is ready, right or wrong.
St John’s guard Marcus LoVett had another MRI this weekend, per source, and saw doctor again yesterday. Nothing has changed with original prognosis. He can practice when he feels up to it, which has yet to happen. #sjubb
Issue clearly is ML does not feel he is ready, right or wrong.
That would be devastating.
boo haarvey
Active member
A knee injury is a funny thing. I recall Darryl Hill being cleared to play with a knee injury his junior and senior year. He was a shell of himself before finally having to “shut it down” both years. I believe he ultimately opted for surgery.
I’m not saying LoVett’s injury is comparable bc I don’t know the facts. I doubt any of us do and so I caution that we should not be quick to judge.
I’m not saying LoVett’s injury is comparable bc I don’t know the facts. I doubt any of us do and so I caution that we should not be quick to judge.
Class of 72
Active member
This has been very frustrating for Chris Mullin who is a player's coach. It is out of his hands. As was stated in previous threads he was and is cleared to practice in non contact situations and has chosen not to even in shoot arounds which is befuddling. My feeling is it is not his decision alone so it gets more complicated. Regardless they played some games very competitively without him when Shamorie is on top of his game. The problem is we have been getting next to zero contributions from the bench and the staff making the necessary adjustments as the games progress. Whether that is making defensive adjustments, offensive adjustments or inspiring our guys to attack the boards is the subject of debate. Tonight will be a very good barometer to see if anyone from the players to the staff is getting the message. One thing is obvious and that is that the level of frustration by the staff is very high.
redfan259999888
Active member
So the doctors cleared him to practice, he must be healthy then.
He's screwing the team.
If MRI is negative and doctors say he can at least attempt to practice and assess the post practice response, and he continually refuses, they should consider pulling scholarship or at least not traveling w/ team, unless he is committed to returning to school next year and not playing us.
we are sju
Active member
Great Post. First of it's kind on these boards. I just don't see what Lovett would have to gain from not playing if ok?
I do appreciate the way people on these boards are so knowledgeable about another person's body part though.