Obekpa Suspended
- Thread starter mattc
- Start date
If Chris Obekpa played in the game last night, he would not have nullified the outside shooting of Polle
and O'Brien, we might have had a much closer game but the 3's killed us, along with the boards they controlled. Obekpa is not a great rebounder.
and O'Brien, we might have had a much closer game but the 3's killed us, along with the boards they controlled. Obekpa is not a great rebounder.
L J S A
Well-known member
That was the act of an A-hole. I think smoking pot when you know there will be testing is more an act of an idiot. Not sure you should ban a kid for being an idiot. Though I guess you could argue that letting down your teammates on the eve of the biggest moment of their careers makes you an A-hole.
Frank61 wrote: If Chris Obekpa played in the game last night, he would not have nullified the outside shooting of Polle
and O'Brien, we might have had a much closer game but the 3's killed us, along with the boards they controlled. Obekpa is not a great rebounder.
I think your points are valid but it is hard to say how the game would have played out if we had Obekpa. Personally I believe his absence had a serious negative domino effect.
First of all if he had played, those 18 first half minutes never would have gone to Alibegovic and Jones (who were overmatched and total non-factors on both ends of the court).
Second with him as a rim protector we would have defended the perimeter differently and San Diego State might have shot threes like they usually do (poorly)
Third because we would have defended differently our foul trouble would have likely been lessened significantly.
Lastly having six players in the rotation instead of only five would have reduced fatigue and those tired legs really seem to effect our shooters negatively.
Of course we will never what would have happened if Obekpa had played. The only thing I do know is that this was a shame for the St. John's fans but more importantly for the players. They worked their tails off for their careers and dedicated themselves to the team to lay it on the line against very adverse circumstances. They deserved better!
and O'Brien, we might have had a much closer game but the 3's killed us, along with the boards they controlled. Obekpa is not a great rebounder.
I think your points are valid but it is hard to say how the game would have played out if we had Obekpa. Personally I believe his absence had a serious negative domino effect.
First of all if he had played, those 18 first half minutes never would have gone to Alibegovic and Jones (who were overmatched and total non-factors on both ends of the court).
Second with him as a rim protector we would have defended the perimeter differently and San Diego State might have shot threes like they usually do (poorly)
Third because we would have defended differently our foul trouble would have likely been lessened significantly.
Lastly having six players in the rotation instead of only five would have reduced fatigue and those tired legs really seem to effect our shooters negatively.
Of course we will never what would have happened if Obekpa had played. The only thing I do know is that this was a shame for the St. John's fans but more importantly for the players. They worked their tails off for their careers and dedicated themselves to the team to lay it on the line against very adverse circumstances. They deserved better!
Class of 72
Active member
Frank, I am not sure if Obekpa would have been the difference but you are correct that the 3's killed us with the prayers Polee threw up. It was the classic case of the chicken coming home to roost.
Many will remember Lav starting Polee as a freshman and eventually pulling him, never to be seen again in the game. Popular belief was Polee Sr. did not like the way junior was treated and concocted the hardship transfer. Since he was not granted a hardship it became apparent the reason had more to do with minutes than miles from mama.
Polee shot 5-7, all threes and it was his best shooting of the year. He took as many 3's as all the last 4 games combined and his usual output was 1-6, 1-8, 0-6 in previous games. Call it dumb luck but he is 6'7 shooting over a 6'1 Phil Greene or 6'3 Harrison both of whom are poor perimeter defenders.
Their height advantage was obvious and they exploited it at every position. Had they advanced against SDST the outcome against Duke sans Obekpa may have been embarrassing on national television. That was the only positive in the end result.
redfan259999888
Active member
True, and maybe he'll be good, may even improve alittle. Then in March he'll be an idiot/A-hole, and not play again. Nah, I'll pass.
southernjohnny2
Member
You had pointer playing the 5 when his expertise is blocking shots from the weakside, so not only did we miss our shot blocking center, we lost our weakside defender! It's a double whammy