Loyola (Maryland), Tue. Nov. 6, 6:30p, FSN / 570 WMCA

[quote="Paul Massell" post=300760]I'm not writing off Keita but he pretty much disappeared in this game. I think they need to establish him inside on offense as soon as he gets in the game. The only time I want to see him on the perimeter is to draw out the big(s) to create room for everyone else but that should be the exception. First time I see him on the perimeter vs a zone I think I will stroke.[/quote]

We better not write him off because playing with a 6'7 center who is in the game to shoot threes is a recipe for losing the big games on the calendar. Sedee Keita, although a power forward, will have to learn to play inside, like it or not. I've been watching Clark long enough to realize he is not an inside presence in any shape, matter or form. Owens would have made this team a Big East title contender and a big loss by this staff. That we have lost every big man we have recruited or by transfer to date is very troubling. Hopefully this inability to retain or sign bigs changes by Spring.
 
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[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=300807][quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=300806][quote="MCNPA" post=300804]The only thing that can hold us back is not having one more big body. There will be games where that is our Achilles heel. I can’t figure out how we couldn’t land just one big guy to help us out.[/quote] I agree. Not only did we not land a big. We lost one, Owens. Fortunately ,LJ,Simon, and Heron are skilled and have nice size.[/quote][/quote]

One of the bigs we unsuccessfully recruited, the fifth year transfer, should be playing for DePaul tonight.
 
[quote="Las Vegan" post=300813][quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=300807][quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=300806][quote="MCNPA" post=300804]The only thing that can hold us back is not having one more big body. There will be games where that is our Achilles heel. I can’t figure out how we couldn’t land just one big guy to help us out.[/quote] I agree. Not only did we not land a big. We lost one, Owens. Fortunately ,LJ,Simon, and Heron are skilled and have nice size.[/quote][/quote]

One of the bigs we unsuccessfully recruited, the fifth year transfer, should be playing for DePaul tonight.[/quote]

We signed David Caraher who will compete for minutes vacated by Marvin Clark. Hopefully he will not have to start at center as Clark will be doing this season. I'm sure Marvin did not look forward to that when he transferred from Michigan State.
 
[quote="SJU85" post=300805][quote="we are sju" post=300780][quote="MCNPA" post=300775][quote="capmaker" post=300764]I honestly think we are gonna be a massive problem for them. Win or lose will maybe be the best college basketball game of the season. Duke is always more polished early season than we are but we have the athletes and depth to match. RJ Barrett was excellent, but Simon and Figueroa are studs, and Figueroa I think is going to explode really fast. Duke doesn’t play big either and they have no match for Ponds. Reddish and Barrett vs Simon and Heron? Crazy matchups... Zion is a monster, but Clark can take him outside and matches his strength if not his athleticism. I too am excited for that one. I think we match their athletes and have depth. They also play small...

[URL][URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us...d-duke-they-could-go-undefeated/ar-BBPrzU8?li[/URL][/URL]=BBnba9I[/quote]

They aren’t going undefeated. UK had a hard-look first game much like some of ours. I think our speed and depth match up well with them. And if I hype the game up and we lose at Duke, who cares? Everybody loses at Duke. I still think we have the horses to make them work for it.[/quote]

Zion looks like what would happen if Karl Malone and Lebron James had a baby.[/quote]

And plays like it too![/quote]


Love your enthusiam guys, But this Duke team will be one of the best Duke teams of all times. They crushed the #2 team in the country by 30 who had some vets and #2 recrutiting class. I love SJU but i dont see us having a chance against them and seeing Duke last night has made me second guess if i should really shell out the money for DUKE tickets at Cameron.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=300812][quote="Paul Massell" post=300760]I'm not writing off Keita but he pretty much disappeared in this game. I think they need to establish him inside on offense as soon as he gets in the game. The only time I want to see him on the perimeter is to draw out the big(s) to create room for everyone else but that should be the exception. First time I see him on the perimeter vs a zone I think I will stroke.[/quote]

We better not write him off because playing with a 6'7 center who is in the game to shoot threes is a recipe for losing the big games on the calendar. Sedee Keita, although a power forward, will have to learn to play inside, like it or not. I've been watching Clark long enough to realize he is not an inside presence in any shape, matter or form. Owens would have made this team a Big East title contender and a big loss by this staff. That we have lost every big man we have recruited or by transfer to date is very troubling. Hopefully this inability to retain or sign bigs changes by Spring.[/quote]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t one of the main reasons that Owens left is because he didn’t want to play down low?
 
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Not sure why anyone is surprised about Keita -- the stats from South Carolina were there for all to see. That said, I actually thought he'd have a big first game and then mostly revert back to his real self for all but one or two of the rest of the games. Hopefully that real self is capable of 5 p/rpg.

A bigger concern is Clark adapting to his role quickly enough.

I'd actually consider starting Ponds, Dixon, Simon, Figueroa, and Heron in some OOC games to see if we can blow teams away early. Then let Clark do what he's more comfortable doing.
 
[quote="Monte" post=300818][quote="Class of 72" post=300812][quote="Paul Massell" post=300760]I'm not writing off Keita but he pretty much disappeared in this game. I think they need to establish him inside on offense as soon as he gets in the game. The only time I want to see him on the perimeter is to draw out the big(s) to create room for everyone else but that should be the exception. First time I see him on the perimeter vs a zone I think I will stroke.[/quote]

We better not write him off because playing with a 6'7 center who is in the game to shoot threes is a recipe for losing the big games on the calendar. Sedee Keita, although a power forward, will have to learn to play inside, like it or not. I've been watching Clark long enough to realize he is not an inside presence in any shape, matter or form. Owens would have made this team a Big East title contender and a big loss by this staff. That we have lost every big man we have recruited or by transfer to date is very troubling. Hopefully this inability to retain or sign bigs changes by Spring.[/quote]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t one of the main reasons that Owens left is because he didn’t want to play down low?[/quote]
Wanted more touches on perimeter, yes.
 
[quote="Redman#13" post=300816]
Love your enthusiam guys, But this Duke team will be one of the best Duke teams of all times. They crushed the #2 team in the country by 30 who had some vets and #2 recrutiting class. I love SJU but i dont see us having a chance against them and seeing Duke last night has made me second guess if i should really shell out the money for DUKE tickets at Cameron.[/quote]

Things change over the course of the season especially with Freshman. I doubt very much that Duke would crush Kentucky 3 months from now. Kentucky had a team a few years back that I thought was unbeatable and better than this Duke team. They were crushing good and great teams. Spectacular win and maybe the two biggest hyped freshman of all time but yet to be seen if this is a great Duke team.

Not even sure Duke is best team in ACC.
 
[quote="Monte" post=300818][quote="Class of 72" post=300812][quote="Paul Massell" post=300760]I'm not writing off Keita but he pretty much disappeared in this game. I think they need to establish him inside on offense as soon as he gets in the game. The only time I want to see him on the perimeter is to draw out the big(s) to create room for everyone else but that should be the exception. First time I see him on the perimeter vs a zone I think I will stroke.[/quote]

We better not write him off because playing with a 6'7 center who is in the game to shoot threes is a recipe for losing the big games on the calendar. Sedee Keita, although a power forward, will have to learn to play inside, like it or not. I've been watching Clark long enough to realize he is not an inside presence in any shape, matter or form. Owens would have made this team a Big East title contender and a big loss by this staff. That we have lost every big man we have recruited or by transfer to date is very troubling. Hopefully this inability to retain or sign bigs changes by Spring.[/quote]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t one of the main reasons that Owens left is because he didn’t want to play down low?[/quote]

We will miss his uncanny shot blocking and playing with 100% intensity. He and pops didn't feel to be a part of the offensive schemes but no one knows what really drove the transfer bus other than playing time.
 
Just got finished watching a replay of the game since I couldn't watch it last night. I agree with consensus that we have loads of talent and can be very good. I like Keita despite the 5 fouls. He showed good defensive lateral movement and I thought at least two of the foul calls made against him were extremely questionable. Looking forward to watching him against Bowling Green. Also, Clark, Ponds & Figgy were all off from long range (other than Shamorie's half court heave); expecting better three point shooting on Friday.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=300812][quote="Paul Massell" post=300760]I'm not writing off Keita but he pretty much disappeared in this game. I think they need to establish him inside on offense as soon as he gets in the game. The only time I want to see him on the perimeter is to draw out the big(s) to create room for everyone else but that should be the exception. First time I see him on the perimeter vs a zone I think I will stroke.[/quote]

We better not write him off because playing with a 6'7 center who is in the game to shoot threes is a recipe for losing the big games on the calendar. Sedee Keita, although a power forward, will have to learn to play inside, like it or not. I've been watching Clark long enough to realize he is not an inside presence in any shape, matter or form. Owens would have made this team a Big East title contender and a big loss by this staff. That we have lost every big man we have recruited or by transfer to date is very troubling. Hopefully this inability to retain or sign bigs changes by Spring.[/quote]Not just a big loss, but actually mind boggling. Furthermore , we have lost Owens,Yakwe and Sima to transfer. I really wish one of our sit out transfers was a big. Worried about next year. Can’t count on Cockburn. Hopefully , before all is said and done, we will pick up a talented big. I think because we have talented , athletic players, w good size for their positions, a group effort will make up for our lack of bigs this year.
 
[quote="Adam" post=300799][quote="Room112" post=300747][quote="Adam" post=300700]Only thing that matters for margin of victory is getting 10+ (for NET), which we did.

Happy with the results tonight. Entire Big East won by 10+, as well. Perfect day.

Loved seeing Heron and Fig finally play. Can't wait for the next game.[/quote]

Can some explain how this works? In what games do we have to win by 10+?[/quote]

Unlike RPI, NET factors in margin of victory or loss. However, that margin is capped at 10. So winning games by 10 or 70 points doesn't matter, but winning by 6 or 10 points does matter. Same applies to losses.

Providence actually was up 10 yesterday and applied intense pressure defense on Siena's final possession, keeping the margin at 10.

Assume that staff is aware of this, but it appears other coaches are fully embracing NET. We need to as well when we're leading or losing by single digits end of game.[/quote]

That's interesting. So for every poor team we play we have to root for this.
 
[quote="ron s m" post=300811]That has been a problem with our "big" men for the last 3 years.[/quote]

Wonder if it has to do with the NBA mentality of attempting to block every single shot?
 
[quote="Room112" post=300827][quote="Adam" post=300799][quote="Room112" post=300747][quote="Adam" post=300700]Only thing that matters for margin of victory is getting 10+ (for NET), which we did.

Happy with the results tonight. Entire Big East won by 10+, as well. Perfect day.

Loved seeing Heron and Fig finally play. Can't wait for the next game.[/quote]

Can some explain how this works? In what games do we have to win by 10+?[/quote]

Unlike RPI, NET factors in margin of victory or loss. However, that margin is capped at 10. So winning games by 10 or 70 points doesn't matter, but winning by 6 or 10 points does matter. Same applies to losses.

Providence actually was up 10 yesterday and applied intense pressure defense on Siena's final possession, keeping the margin at 10.

Assume that staff is aware of this, but it appears other coaches are fully embracing NET. We need to as well when we're leading or losing by single digits end of game.[/quote]

That's interesting. So for every poor team we play we have to root for this.[/quote]

Really, we should root for it in every game. Even against Villanova or Duke, margin will mean something, though obviously, if we beat either of them by one, then any negative will be outweighed by positives.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=300821][quote="Redman#13" post=300816]
Love your enthusiam guys, But this Duke team will be one of the best Duke teams of all times. They crushed the #2 team in the country by 30 who had some vets and #2 recrutiting class. I love SJU but i dont see us having a chance against them and seeing Duke last night has made me second guess if i should really shell out the money for DUKE tickets at Cameron.[/quote]

Things change over the course of the season especially with Freshman. I doubt very much that Duke would crush Kentucky 3 months from now. Kentucky had a team a few years back that I thought was unbeatable and better than this Duke team. They were crushing good and great teams. Spectacular win and maybe the two biggest hyped freshman of all time but yet to be seen if this is a great Duke team.

Not even sure Duke is best team in ACC.[/quote]

This is not your typical Five star freshman team. Three of the top 4 picks in the 2019 NBA Draft will be Duke freshmen. IMO, they are legit NBA players NOW. Kentucky may have more talent top to bottom but Duke has coach K. The only challenge in the ACC may be Virginia and UNC. Give St. John's just Reddish and we are a Final Four team. Keita however is not in the same galaxy.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=300830]
This is not your typical Five star freshman team. Three of the top 4 picks in the 2019 NBA Draft will be Duke freshmen. IMO, they are legit NBA players NOW. [/quote]

Maybe so but all I am saying is that winning one game at the beginning of the season does not make a great team nor does having all the talent in the world for that matter. Let them prove they are one of the greatest teams of all time before the grand Duke anointing.
 
[quote="Chris7" post=300828][quote="ron s m" post=300811]That has been a problem with our "big" men for the last 3 years.[/quote]

Wonder if it has to do with the NBA mentality of attempting to block every single shot?[/quote]

It's definitely a factor. Plus incompetent officials. The only way to keep big men out of foul trouble is college is to tell them not to play defense sadly.
 
I would like to throw my 2 cents in, some of SJU's better teams didn't play with a true center, we should just let it play out, its only 1 game in. I've been following this team for over 40 years and the talent that's been assembled could be really special.now we just need to win games and everyone will forget that we need a big! On to Bowling Green!
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=300833][quote="Class of 72" post=300830]
This is not your typical Five star freshman team. Three of the top 4 picks in the 2019 NBA Draft will be Duke freshmen. IMO, they are legit NBA players NOW. [/quote]

Maybe so but all I am saying is that winning one game at the beginning of the season does not make a great team nor does having all the talent in the world for that matter. Let them prove they are one of the greatest teams of all time before the grand Duke anointing.[/quote]

They are a Fab Four for sure but definitely have to prove they can be as devastating as the Fab Five. My only complaint is R. J, Barrett would have been a first round lottery pick no matter where he played his one year of college basketball. How Mullin and Mitch could not get on his list is disappointing.
 
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If a team plays solid defense the need for a shot blocker is greatly diminished.
 
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