New Players

[Russ2374]

On the topic of new players, I want to be excited but I still have a couple of concerns:
1- I don't see a true PG on the team yet. Some see Rysheed at the point but he will need to score and I just don't want him there while trying to be the scorer. I know we are still looking but I think this is a bigger problem than most acknowledge. I know we are said to be interested in Lovett but people here who know better than I seem to think eligibility is a huge issue. Doesn't sound like he would be an immediate answer.
2- It is interesting (at least to me) that whenever people talk about what they look for from the new guys the offensive stats are mentioned. I guess its hard to predict or measure but I wonder how good we could be on defense.

I will keep the faith in this staff. However, I think we need to be realistic.

Great points. For #1, I'd feel much better if we had a pure point like Malik Boothe backing Jordan up. He was a whipping boy, but played an unheralded role in the 2011 run filling in for Hardy, controlling the tempo, and playing nasty defense. Of course, I'd rather have Lovett or Mussini.

For #2, defense will be the key this year. We return two of our best three defenders in Jordan and Obekpa. Balamou was probably fourth. Durand Johnson, coming from Pitt, must be solid himself. Malik will need some work, and his lack of strength could be a problem. I have no idea what to expect from Williams outside of the occasional block. I suspect he'll be solid in the low block based on the little I've seen. Amar will still likely be a below average in this category even with some improvement. Defense is much harder to evaluate than offense.

I think we could be good defensively due to our length and Obekpa and Sima on the backline. I think we may struggle with smaller more athletic teams so I hope we play more zone next year.

 

[usguard]

Disagree defensive ability is easy to spot harder to improve but can be done imo

 

[doodyny33]

On the topic of new players, I want to be excited but I still have a couple of concerns:
1- I don't see a true PG on the team yet. Some see Rysheed at the point but he will need to score and I just don't want him there while trying to be the scorer. I know we are still looking but I think this is a bigger problem than most acknowledge. I know we are said to be interested in Lovett but people here who know better than I seem to think eligibility is a huge issue. Doesn't sound like he would be an immediate answer.
2- It is interesting (at least to me) that whenever people talk about what they look for from the new guys the offensive stats are mentioned. I guess its hard to predict or measure but I wonder how good we could be on defense.

I will keep the faith in this staff. However, I think we need to be realistic.

Great post, sjc88. Completely agree with you regarding the PG position. Although I do believe we are going to see a quantum leap in RySheed's game next year, the reality is he's shown himself to be more of a combo guard instead of a true point guard. When St. John's needed to slow the game down this past season, that's when Branch had to get involved. I'm pretty sure they'll end up adding another PG (LoVett or Mussini), but it's definitely a position that needs added depth.

It's so hard to predict defense for incoming players. But I do love the fact that the team has added some legitimate height to the roster. Next year, you are looking at a team that has 6-10 Chris Obekpa, 6-9 Amar Alibegovic, 6-11 Yankuba Sima, 6-8 Darien Williams. Even the wings they've brought in have length (6-6 Durand Johnson, 6-6 Malik Ellison, 6-6 Ron Mvouika). Now, none of this guarantees good defense at all. But at least you aren't going to be outsized in every single game.

 

[monte]

http://nypost.com/2015/05/02/good-times-keep-rolling-for-chris-mullin-st-johns/

I am not taking a shot a Zach because I dislike him, but this line is absurd: "Next season’s roster now has depth, balance, versatility and size — qualities that were severely lacking last season."

Obviously, the depth and size issues are very true, but last year's roster was not imbalanced at all, and versatility was the hallmark of last years squad--actually of all of Lavin's squads. Dom Pointer was the most versatile player we've had since Ron Artest. Harrison could play the 1-3 effectively and shined at the four for periods. Greene played 1-3 as did Jordan. In terms of roster balance we were 4-2-2-2. It doesn't get too much more balanced than that. Right now we are 5-1-2-3.

I love the roster and what the staff has done, but there is no need to go back and take shots at Lavin. But if you are going to, at least choose something he did wrong.

That "slow plodding" San Diego State team turned out to be the most athletic team we faced all season by a wide margin.

When I was reading the article, I took balance to mean a mixture of upper and under classmen.

Roster balance is really not susceptible to more than one interpretation. It is even distribution of scholarships among the four classes. Last year we were 4-2-2-2. That is pretty damn balanced. The reason it seemed imbalanced to some is because they incorrectly assumed Obekpa and Jordan were goners. So in their minds it was 6-1-1-2 . I love what the staff is doing, but we are more imbalanced in the short term (5-1-2-3) than we ever were under Lavin. If things work out the way most of us would like (Lovett/Mussini and Larrier) it will be 5-1-2-5. I'd take that in a heartbeat.

I'll heed Pault's advice and try to back off of Zach, and perhaps even contact him directly to ask him to end the Lavin slights. No need to create negativity during a very good time for St. John's basketball.

The reason it was imbalanced to Zach and many others is because even if you assumed CO and Sheed were coming back, they were the only clear high D1 players on the roster when the seniors departed. In spite of some people's wishful thinking, no one else on last season's roster would be a sure fire contributor next year. I know your feelings on Amar and Felix, but neither have shown enough to know whether they can contribute significant minutes next year. That is not roster balance.

 

[beast of the east]

http://nypost.com/2015/05/02/good-times-keep-rolling-for-chris-mullin-st-johns/

I am not taking a shot a Zach because I dislike him, but this line is absurd: "Next season’s roster now has depth, balance, versatility and size — qualities that were severely lacking last season."

Obviously, the depth and size issues are very true, but last year's roster was not imbalanced at all, and versatility was the hallmark of last years squad--actually of all of Lavin's squads. Dom Pointer was the most versatile player we've had since Ron Artest. Harrison could play the 1-3 effectively and shined at the four for periods. Greene played 1-3 as did Jordan. In terms of roster balance we were 4-2-2-2. It doesn't get too much more balanced than that. Right now we are 5-1-2-3.

I love the roster and what the staff has done, but there is no need to go back and take shots at Lavin. But if you are going to, at least choose something he did wrong.

That "slow plodding" San Diego State team turned out to be the most athletic team we faced all season by a wide margin.

When I was reading the article, I took balance to mean a mixture of upper and under classmen.

Roster balance is really not susceptible to more than one interpretation. It is even distribution of scholarships among the four classes. Last year we were 4-2-2-2. That is pretty damn balanced. The reason it seemed imbalanced to some is because they incorrectly assumed Obekpa and Jordan were goners. So in their minds it was 6-1-1-2 . I love what the staff is doing, but we are more imbalanced in the short term (5-1-2-3) than we ever were under Lavin. If things work out the way most of us would like (Lovett/Mussini and Larrier) it will be 5-1-2-5. I'd take that in a heartbeat.

I'll heed Pault's advice and try to back off of Zach, and perhaps even contact him directly to ask him to end the Lavin slights. No need to create negativity during a very good time for St. John's basketball.

The reason it is imbalanced to Zach and many others is because even if you assumed CO and Sheed where coming back, they were the only clear high D1 players on the roster and the seniors departed. In spite of some people's wishful thinking, no one else on last year's roster would be a sure fire contributor next year. And I know your feelings on Amar and Felix, but neither have shown enough to know whether they can contribute significant minutes next year. That is not roster balance.

Good points. That's not even to mention that last year's squad played 7 guys, and the 7th, Amar, played only out of necessity and not because he was a valuable reserve. Of the six who played when it counted most, 4 were most certainly guards and Dom a swingman. Abusrdly imbalanced. Dom didn't have a great senior year because Lavin had some sort of revelation and used him correctly. It was all borne out of the necessity of a razor thin rotation that need Dom to rebound, push the ball in transition, and provide interior roaming to block shots. On a stacked roster, Dom would have been utiilized as a small forward with limited range on his jumper, and wouldn't have had the ball in his hands in transition quite so much. He had a great season that showcased all his skills, but the roster was horribly balanced, without even considering that 4 of the main 6 in rotation were seniors. That much is on Lavin.

 

[usguard]

And because of that Dom maybe gets to the next level

 

[sjc88]

On the topic of new players, I want to be excited but I still have a couple of concerns:
1- I don't see a true PG on the team yet. Some see Rysheed at the point but he will need to score and I just don't want him there while trying to be the scorer. I know we are still looking but I think this is a bigger problem than most acknowledge. I know we are said to be interested in Lovett but people here who know better than I seem to think eligibility is a huge issue. Doesn't sound like he would be an immediate answer.
2- It is interesting (at least to me) that whenever people talk about what they look for from the new guys the offensive stats are mentioned. I guess its hard to predict or measure but I wonder how good we could be on defense.

I will keep the faith in this staff. However, I think we need to be realistic.

Great post, sjc88. Completely agree with you regarding the PG position. Although I do believe we are going to see a quantum leap in RySheed's game next year, the reality is he's shown himself to be more of a combo guard instead of a true point guard. When St. John's needed to slow the game down this past season, that's when Branch had to get involved. I'm pretty sure they'll end up adding another PG (LoVett or Mussini), but it's definitely a position that needs added depth.

It's so hard to predict defense for incoming players. But I do love the fact that the team has added some legitimate height to the roster. Next year, you are looking at a team that has 6-10 Chris Obekpa, 6-9 Amar Alibegovic, 6-11 Yankuba Sima, 6-8 Darien Williams. Even the wings they've brought in have length (6-6 Durand Johnson, 6-6 Malik Ellison, 6-6 Ron Mvouika). Now, none of this guarantees good defense at all. But at least you aren't going to be outsized in every single game.

A good conversation. I would add here that I would agree that I expect Rysheed to really take a leap not only because he needs to but he is capable of doing it. I think the burden would be lessoned if he is not chasing the opposing teams PG around. Not only to help avoid foul trouble but to help not tire him out. Even if we get a true PG that's only one. Right now on our roster, I don't think we have any.

 

[ras]

I'm not unhappy w Sheed at PG. Just need an adequate backup. Of course ID LOVE TO ADD Lovett or Mussini.Who on our roster at this time, other than Sheed has the best PG skills?

 

[Andrew]

This seems to be our biggest problem at this point. Someone needs to step in and it's not only a case of giving Jordan a rest. He has a propensity to pick up fouls and will need to sit on the bench when that happens.

 

[southernjohnny2]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

 

[MarkRedman]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

 

[Russ2374]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

We have 2 ships currently. One of them has to be used on a PG even if it's not Lovett or Mussini. The other hopefully goes to Lanier or Papa. If neither we can potentially save one. We should have plenty of openings regardless thanks to the 5th year transfers.

 

[monte]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

We have 2 ships currently. One of them has to be used on a PG even if it's not Lovett or Mussini. The other hopefully goes to Lanier or Papa. If neither we can potentially save one. We should have plenty of openings regardless thanks to the 5th year transfers.

If Larrier (I assume that's who u meant) is not eligible till 2015-2016, he still counts towards a scholarship slot next year?

 

[Russ2374]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

We have 2 ships currently. One of them has to be used on a PG even if it's not Lovett or Mussini. The other hopefully goes to Lanier or Papa. If neither we can potentially save one. We should have plenty of openings regardless thanks to the 5th year transfers.

If Larrier (I assume that's who u meant) is not eligible till 2015-2016, he still counts towards a scholarship slot next year?

Yes he would count. Transfers count even in the year they have to sit out. So both Owens and Larrier would be part of the 13 total for next year.

 

[boo haarvey]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

We have 2 ships currently. One of them has to be used on a PG even if it's not Lovett or Mussini. The other hopefully goes to Lanier or Papa. If neither we can potentially save one. We should have plenty of openings regardless thanks to the 5th year transfers.

If Larrier (I assume that's who u meant) is not eligible till 2015-2016, he still counts towards a scholarship slot next year?

Yes he would count. Transfers count even in the year they have to sit out. So both Owens and Larrier would be part of the 13 total for next year.

Never seen him play but wonder if allocation of precious schollie to Owens was prudent. I am schocked that Christian Jones has not transferred.

 

[frank61]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

We have 2 ships currently. One of them has to be used on a PG even if it's not Lovett or Mussini. The other hopefully goes to Lanier or Papa. If neither we can potentially save one. We should have plenty of openings regardless thanks to the 5th year transfers.

If Larrier (I assume that's who u meant) is not eligible till 2015-2016, he still counts towards a scholarship slot next year?

Yes he would count. Transfers count even in the year they have to sit out. So both Owens and Larrier would be part of the 13 total for next year.

Never seen him play but wonder if allocation of precious schollie to Owens was prudent. I am schocked that Christian Jones has not transferred.

+1

 

[monte]

Save the schollie for next year's class which is stocked with talent!

We need another PG for this season
If Lovett or Mussini are available to play next year, I would grab one of them
I would agree that, if we can't get a quality guy, we should hold the 'ship
I have full faith that this staff will only offer schollies to kids that can really play

We have 2 ships currently. One of them has to be used on a PG even if it's not Lovett or Mussini. The other hopefully goes to Lanier or Papa. If neither we can potentially save one. We should have plenty of openings regardless thanks to the 5th year transfers.

If Larrier (I assume that's who u meant) is not eligible till 2015-2016, he still counts towards a scholarship slot next year?

Yes he would count. Transfers count even in the year they have to sit out. So both Owens and Larrier would be part of the 13 total for next year.

Never seen him play but wonder if allocation of precious schollie to Owens was prudent. I am schocked that Christian Jones has not transferred.

I guess the staff sees enough potential in CJ to make them feel that they can turn him in to a serviceable roll player. Or I think he would have been gone by now. I've long felt that he has enough ability and size/strength to be a contributor here. As for Owns, likewise the staff, who have seen him play, sees something in the kid. Time will tell.

 

[ras]

If we get Larrier , Mussini or Lovett and Pappa, it probably will be adios to Jones. Unless Sima doesn't qualify. Owens started BB late and the redshirt will help him. Regrettably, Christian has had plenty of opportunity to show what he can do, IMO has not shown to be a BE player. It is a shame he is built like a bull.

 

[Andrew]

My concern is that Jones might need to play next season if Sima is not eligible.

 

[monte]

If we get Larrier , Mussini or Lovett and Pappa, it probably will be adios to Jones. Unless Sima doesn't qualify. Owens started BB late and the redshirt will help him. Regrettably, Christian has had plenty of opportunity to show what he can do, IMO has not shown to be a BE player. It is a shame he is built like a bull.

Agree that he has not yet shown to be a Big East caliber player, but I still think that under the right tutelage, he can develop in to a serviceable PF off the bench. IMO someone like Eddie Pinkney, if he were hired, could do a lot with CJ.