I was a freshman at Niagara when Calvin was being recruited by Jim Maloney. He hung out with us on his visit during the Annual Spring Festival Weekend. Calvin won the Baton Twirling Championship at the New York Worlds Fair. As Otis stated, Calvin performed at the Bills gamre. What he didn't say is that Calvin was very nicely compensated, lol.
Niagara, Sat., Nov. 26, 2p, FS-2
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
- Status
10-9 in conference play was good enough for a tie for 4th place and then an overtime loss to Seton Hall in round 1 of the BET.
That’s just not good enough imo. I guess it’s just a difference in perspective. I want us to be better in actual league play before I start blaming OOC for lack of a bid. We haven’t finished above .500 once in the Mike A tenure. That year he won COY we went 10-9 and then 0-1 in the BET.
We need to be better
Folks the schedule is what it is, the teams job is to win. as to comment about mix of merrimack, cent cn, niagara and LIU--please take a look at Providence ((rider & northeastern (combined 1-8 to date), the same merrimack and stonehill)). The OCC is about getting ready for conference play. As to home and homes, lower level teams would prefer to play us at CA for a "guarantee" and Fox TV exposure.
SJU14
Well-known member
So what teams would you like to play? What good does it do if we play Duke and Kansas on a neutral floor and lose?
This is the piece of this I’m curious about. If we go 10-1 in OOC but the schedule is on the weaker side. Is that worse or better than if we loaded up on top 25 opponents and went 4-7 or something?
Like what would set us up for a better year
I understand wanting a better schedule but you also gotta be careful not to make it hard to the point where we’ve buried our chances of postseason play before we enter league play. Especially when Mike A’s teams seem to have a history with us of hitting a stride in the late January/Feb range
MugCostanza
Well-known member
SJU has everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing the stronger lower conference locals instead of those true cupcakes. Beating them would move the needle the same amount as a win over CCSU would (not at all) but the chances of losing are much greater
Old expression: a car is safe in the garage; but that’s not what cars are for.
We have something to lose by not playing fairly decent teams.
Major teams can’t expect free passes to the NCAA tournament for beating up the Salvation Army and Sisters of the Poor teams…and then doing just decently but not great with conference foes.
Our prior years’ experience proves there is something to lose with chicken little schedules.
MugCostanza
Well-known member
Not arguing that, but if you are going to replace the CCSU’s of the world to build your schedule you should do it with power conference off top tier A10s teams. Iona, Hofstra etc aren’t going to be wins that build a resume
I would suggest folks take a look at OOC scedules of the ACC teams. For example, UNC has opened with UNC Willmington, Charleston, Gardner Webb, James Madison and Portland and will play The Citadel in December. Their other OOC are Ohio State (CBS Classic), Michigan (Jumpman Invitational) and Indiana (ACC/Big10 challenge). 3 majors and 6 cupcakes. Our majors are Nebraska (picked by conference for Gavitt), Cuse (picked by Empire Classis), Iowa State (Big 12-Big East Battle selection) (221-13 last year) and Florida State (Florida Classic selection) (17-14 last year). OCC major schedule is mostly Luck of the Draw in inter conference games.
I feel if you look back over the years, you will similar scheduling of OOC games.
I feel if you look back over the years, you will similar scheduling of OOC games.
There was a brief period where Syracuse would play cupcakes and possibly a "decent" team (or two) for an entire month and a half WITHOUT leaving the dome.
I don't have much problem with our schedule. In a typical season, playing Florida State, Syracuse, Temple, and Iowa State is a solid-to-strong OOC schedule. Do our part and then all will be okay.
jerseyshorejohnny
Well-known member
Larry Wright
Well-known member
The problem last year was we lost to Pit
We lose some of the”easy” games then get off to bad BE start every year
We lose some of the”easy” games then get off to bad BE start every year
fan since 65
Well-known member
In honor of a certain day in 1984.
I’ll never forget listening to Dave Halberstam and Ed Ingles call the game on WCBS-AM. Total shock, Mike Moses was out, while sophomore Mark Jackson got the start. Off night for all our legends. Right after the game I went to the movies to see Beverly Hills Cop. About an hour into the movie I finally cracked a smile while the whole theater was laughing from the jump. My friends were like, it’s about time. Get over it.
Damn you have a good memory! The only thing I remember was the shock that night as I listened to the game. I know it’s a surprise to some younger fans but ALL games were not on TV and cable hadn’t been available in our part of Queens yet. I remember the crowd noise in their ”gym” was LOUD and the celebrated at our expense. I was in my first months as a Freshman at St. John’s but the boys picked it up after this disaster.
Johnny Rapper
Well-known member
I woukd much rather play a killer non conference schedule then the joke of the one they play now. If, as one poster said, the OOC schedule is supposed to get you ready for conference play, do you think that playing these terrible teams is preparing anyone for conference play? And whose to say we would lose those tough games. If you recall Anderson’s first year with a far weaker team, he beat two top 20 teams in the pre league season.
I think that the teams they played so far certainly won’t prepare them for a team like Iowa State which may be a reality check for this team. Hopefully we can play with them.
So, what will be your narrative if we beat or "play with" Iowa State?
- Status