Maui Invitational

paultzman

paultzman

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@RogRubin: St. John's will face Vanderbilt to open Maui Invitational. A path to title might have Indiana next and the Kansas. #sjubb
 
Just read the article as you were posting

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...ana-hoosiers-anchor-maui-invitational-bracket
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Playing on the opposite side of the bracket from the far and away best team (Kansas), and the D2 host team no one wants to face (Chaminade)? Hey, it will probably be a tough few days, but this draw could have been a lot worse, IMO.

I'm guessing the tournament views us as the #6 seed, ahead of Chaminade and Wake (since those guys got Kansas and Indiana first round).
 
@Ari_Kramer: For St. John's fans wondering about Vandy, 'Dores return nearly everyone from young team that went 21-14 last year.
 
@Ari_Kramer: For St. John's fans wondering about Vandy, 'Dores return nearly everyone from young team that went 21-14 last year.
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Clearly, they are the #3 seed in this tournament, with us as the #6. Maybe we can surprise.
 
Eamonn Brennan has his preview up. The only comment on STJ:

And while St. John's is a good bet to be the worst 2015 Maui participant save Chaminade, the tournament will effectively serve as new coach Chris Mullin's introduction to the world of college hoops coaching.

Didn't he use to be on the STJ beat? Could have been a little nicer.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/108100/bracket-reveal-maui-invitational-3
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You thinking of Kieran Darcy, also of ESPN?
 
Eamonn Brennan has his preview up. The only comment on STJ:

And while St. John's is a good bet to be the worst 2015 Maui participant save Chaminade, the tournament will effectively serve as new coach Chris Mullin's introduction to the world of college hoops coaching.

Didn't he use to be on the STJ beat? Could have been a little nicer.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/108100/bracket-reveal-maui-invitational-3
Click to expand...
You thinking of Kieran Darcy, also of ESPN?
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All those Irish names start to look alike after a while. Thanks for pointing out what an idiot I am as if y'all didn't know already. ;)
 
Sadly, the reporter is being honest. We are going to have really tough time this year. Coach knows one of Lew's favorite sayings, " the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." Remarkably, Louie first said that when Mullin was here.
Coach Chris has found himself in Norm Roberts shoes with a lot more fanfare and better initial recruits. Chris is not, and never will be, facing an NCAA ban like Norm faced, and he has an 'automatic' on fan and press support. Still, I think we had better get our ten wins next year mostly in the pre season. Beyond that, wins will b e amazing for a couple of years to come..
Don't get me wrong, this is my 48th year living and breathing StJ during season and traveling to almost every and all venues we play regularly to support the team. Were all going to need patience this year. ....even the sports writers. We Are.........St. John's.
 
Clearly those of us with reasonable expectations aren't too hurt by that article. I'd rather have our young, rebuilding team with a new coach be overlooked than over-hyped. I'm psyched this team will play a couple of good, tough teams early on.

I really think the way this off-season has played out will help speed up the rebuild. Losing Obekpa and Jordan removed my hopes for a run at the 64 but even if we'd snuck in we weren't going further than we did this year. Losing those two means that Sima and LoVett are going to see a ton of minutes this year (assuming everyone is eligible. Fingers crossed!). Regardless of how things play out with Alkins, Herron, Ponds and the other big targets for 16, those two guys seem like they may have potential to be the foundation for a really good team after they get a little experience under their belts.
 
Sadly, the reporter is being honest. We are going to have really tough time this year. Coach knows one of Lew's favorite sayings, " the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." Remarkably, Louie first said that when Mullin was here.
Coach Chris has found himself in Norm Roberts shoes with a lot more fanfare and better initial recruits. Chris is not, and never will be, facing an NCAA ban like Norm faced, and he has an 'automatic' on fan and press support. Still, I think we had better get our ten wins next year mostly in the pre season. Beyond that, wins will b e amazing for a couple of years to come..
Don't get me wrong, this is my 48th year living and breathing StJ during season and traveling to almost every and all venues we play regularly to support the team. Were all going to need patience this year. ....even the sports writers. We Are.........St. John's.
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Patience from the fan base will be important. We are all excited to have CM returning to SJU to coach but no one has a clue what to expect from this team. Will Lovett and Sima be eligible, Williams is coming off two injuries, Durand johnson didn't play last season, how will Mussini adapt to college in the USA. how will CM do his first year of coaching. Lots of questions but it does seem like we have some very exciting players joining the team and CM does have a great basketball mind. I'm sure we'll have ups an downs but it will be a exciting season. Hopefully we can add Rowan to the mix.
 
Patience from the fan base will be important. We are all excited to have CM returning to SJU to coach but no one has a clue what to expect from this team. Will Lovett and Sima be eligible, Williams is coming off two injuries, Durand johnson didn't play last season, how will Mussini adapt to college in the USA. how will CM do his first year of coaching. Lots of questions but it does seem like we have some very exciting players joining the team and CM does have a great basketball mind. I'm sure we'll have ups an downs but it will be a exciting season. Hopefully we can add Rowan to the mix.
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That is essentially my attitude. I think some are pounding the bar low because it IS reasonable and they don't want to see Mullin get reamed by the unreasonable.

however that doesn't also mean that we have to write off the season before it has even started. I'm looking forward to this season more than I have in a long time even though realistically it is all but a complete rebuild. There are some potentially exciting options and there are elements to the game of basketball, especially at the college level, beyond the obvious. So yes, no unreasonable expectations but no, to accepting only a handful of wins as a foregone conclusion without even seeing the guys play together once.
 
Patience from the fan base will be important. We are all excited to have CM returning to SJU to coach but no one has a clue what to expect from this team. Will Lovett and Sima be eligible, Williams is coming off two injuries, Durand johnson didn't play last season, how will Mussini adapt to college in the USA. how will CM do his first year of coaching. Lots of questions but it does seem like we have some very exciting players joining the team and CM does have a great basketball mind. I'm sure we'll have ups an downs but it will be a exciting season. Hopefully we can add Rowan to the mix.
Click to expand...

That is essentially my attitude. I think some are pounding the bar low because it IS reasonable and they don't want to see Mullin get reamed by the unreasonable.

however that doesn't also mean that we have to write off the season before it has even started. I'm looking forward to this season more than I have in a long time even though realistically it is all but a complete rebuild. There are some potentially exciting options and there are elements to the game of basketball, especially at the college level, beyond the obvious. So yes, no unreasonable expectations but no, to accepting only a handful of wins as a foregone conclusion without even seeing the guys play together once.
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Agree, I also feel we are going to surprise people. I think Lovett and Mussini will turn heads
 
Still think we are short a backup 5's fouls and pounding on the other teams skilled bigs. The moment Sima or Amar has foul trouble the whole game will feel at risk. Where is God's Gift when we really need him?
 
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