NCAA Tournament Thread

[logen]

Neither of us was in the locker room at half time and neither of us knows if and what was said to RJ, by Coach or by any other assistant coach or teammates during the game. You just do not know that Pitino did not read him the riot act. Pure assumption on your part that he did not because you did not see it happen before your eyes. I respect your opinion but I do not agree with it here.

More than fair, BUT, let’s assume that happened.
So Pitino has lit into Luis before, but lets him play the whole 2nd half, waits until Richmond has fouled out AND they have climbed back to within 2 on Luis foul shots, THEN decides to pull the plug. Not buying it for a single second.
IMO there was no other card to play than go with Luis, absolutely none,

 

[NCJohnnie]

More than fair, BUT, let’s assume that happened.
So Pitino has lit into Luis before, but lets him play the whole 2nd half, waits until Richmond has fouled out AND they have climbed back to within 2 on Luis foul shots, THEN decides to pull the plug. Not buying it for a single second.
IMO there was no other card to play than go with Luis, absolutely none,

Reasonable folks can disagree on this point. All I can say that in watching the game with my buddy BJR I was not the least bit surprised when Pitino did what he did. Doesn't mean it was right, but is an indication it wasn't shocking - been watching the Johnnies religiously for 60 plus years.

 

[Redzing1969]

Did you watch the video on you tube that focused on the lack of defense by RJ ? That was probably the final straw, not necessarily the missed shots.

 

[SJUWillRockNYC]

I would agree with you 20 years ago but now it’s hard to teach these lessons and there is a generational gap. NIL and open transfer has changed the landscape. All the posters on here have a strong personal connection to SJU but I do not think that the same connection is felt by CRP or the players. Let’s be real our team is assembled by way of Frankenstein, we get who we can (not necessarily who we want) because for 25 + years we have sucked. Hopefully that will soon change given the buzz and exposure the past 2 seasons.

Look, Rick demands team first players, and if they wanna mess around and try to show off then Rick will stop that bs 1, 2, 3 and bench them like JR in a heartbeat. We aren't dealing with Mikey running the show, now we have the best coach in the game.

RJ doesn't want to be a team first player then good bye and he'll get someone better than RJ.
People want to cry aweee poor RJ got benched. Well what about Zuby who tried waking RJ up because he wanted to beat Arkansas? He played his heart out 23pnts and 9 boards, but he needed help.

Rick will talk with RJ and whatever Rick wants to do, I'm 100% with.

 

[vegasman2000]

Here's something that would be unpopular with many on here

What if Pitino says to RJ: " you screwed the team on the biggest stage of the season, therefore I don't want you back."

Don't know what he'll do but who could fault him if he told RJ Luis good bye?

No one is bigger than the team.

I hate to say it but I would be ok with it. I trust Rick more than my opinion that's for sure.

 

[Jack Williams]

Michigan state is the other top team in the country that had 3pt efficiency numbers comparable to us. You can really feel it so far in this game against Ole Miss

 

[Jack Williams]

Michigan state is the other top team in the country that had 3pt efficiency numbers comparable to us. You can really feel it so far in this game against Ole Miss

Sure enough they hit their next two 3s to get back in it. Thats why they’re here and we’re not

 

[vegasman2000]

Michigan state is the other top team in the country that had 3pt efficiency numbers comparable to us. You can really feel it so far in this game against Ole Miss

They also were a #2 seed unranked in the preseason. Zero final fours. So I bet ole miss on ML. On average such teams last 1.48 rounds.

 

[lawmanfan]

Tennessee is legit. Have thought so all year. Between them, Duke, Houston, Bama, Florida, Auburn some really high quality college basketball to see.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Holloman for Mich St is perfect example of a guy you can’t just judge by the numbers.

 

[lawmanfan]

Holloman for Mich St is perfect example of a guy you can’t just judge by the numbers.

This is a great game

 

[paultzman]

Ole Miss v Michigan St a good one, tied w 2 minutes to go, 2 great coaches

 

[Amaseinyourface]

This is a great game

Wallet is rooting for ole miss but any more sec love is making me root against my own money.

 

[lawmanfan]

Pedulla is the whole show for Ole Miss. I don't know if Sparty has given up an offensive rebound. Tough, competitive, fun game

 

[lawmanfan]

Down goes an SEC team. Good. Sorry, Mase.

 

[MugCostanza]

Ole Miss 3 at the buzzer to cover the 3.5

 

[paultzman]

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Man looked like Michigan had auburn on the ropes for a second but a 10-0 runs puts the tigers up 1. Broome is such a load down low

 

[MugCostanza]

Only one of the 8 1/2 seeds failed to make the elite 8

 

[Beasts of the East]

Only one of the 8 1/2 seeds failed to make the elite 8

The paradox of our spectacular 31-5 season is that beyond a simple loss, the team failed when it counted most. Your post illuminated that ugly fact.

I still blamed the refereeing, but my biggest fear was that we would run into a crew that would prevent us from playing the smothering, physical defense that was our best asset, and took two of our starters off the court with fouls.