Off Season Tidbits

paultzman

paultzman

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https://twitter.com/tj_cleveland/status/1137005625257398272?s=21

Anderson is known for setting a high bar re intensity of practices and conditioning. Not a knock at previous staffs, just opinion of those with first hand experience. It appears CMA can safely be categorized as a disciplinarian. We’ll see how that translates to having a winning program, but I welcome that.
 
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McGriff said on Twitter he was very sore, so I'll take that as a good thing. I think Anderson can do quite well here if he proves he can get the occasional 4 star kid here once he has time to get in on the ground level of these recruits.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=351647]McGriff said on Twitter he was very sore, so I'll take that as a good thing. I think Anderson can do quite well here if he proves he can get the occasional 4 star kid here once he has time to get in on the ground level of these recruits.[/quote]

I am hoping that with all 4 coaches recruiting that we can bring in more than the occasional 4 star recruit.
In my opinion We need a player of Ponds level ( top 50 ) more than once every four years. I am hoping we can start bringing in a top 50 -100 player every season going forward. As previously mentioned for now I would avoid investing too much time and energy with the top 25 players until we can consistently flirt with top 25 rankings.
 
I'm impressed with the drive and commitment of the staff regarding early recruiting efforts. The staff seems well balanced and focused on constructing a roster to work CMA's 40-Minutes of Hell attack. I'm encouraged that we are on the right course, if followed, for long-term success.
 
[quote="Knight" post=351656]I'm impressed with the drive and commitment of the staff regarding early recruiting efforts. The staff seems well balanced and focused on constructing a roster to work CMA's 40-Minutes of Hell attack. I'm encouraged that we are on the right course, if followed, for long-term success.[/quote]

I agree and a thought came to me while reading your post, we were so conditioned to the lackluster effort of our last two staffs that we are reveling in a staff interested in working and earning their money. This is not your Chris Mullin style of coaching and hopefully we reap the rewards.
 
[quote="Logen" post=351657][quote="Knight" post=351656]I'm impressed with the drive and commitment of the staff regarding early recruiting efforts. The staff seems well balanced and focused on constructing a roster to work CMA's 40-Minutes of Hell attack. I'm encouraged that we are on the right course, if followed, for long-term success.[/quote]

I agree and a thought came to me while reading your post, we were so conditioned to the lackluster effort of our last two staffs that we are reveling in a staff interested in working and earning their money. This is not your Chris Mullin style of coaching and hopefully we reap the rewards.[/quote]

Not all of us were "conditioned"...several of us rightfully called it out because it needed to be known it was not normal. Some were not lulled into another dimension. You work your butt off, get high character kids, play defense, stop wasting time on 5 stars going to Kentucky anyway unless they are realistic, get a great staff, and put the max effort in. The recipe for success has not changed IMO and it's no surprise. Oh, and we actually need real big men too...and no more projects. Time to get polished nearly completed products who are 6'10 or above and not sticks. I've yet to see us have any bigs in my nearly 10 years or watching closely who had any real semblance of an inside game and could routinely finish through traffic. You need some bigs to get you those hard-earned points the gritty way when the 3's aren't falling. If last season didn't prove you need at least 1 real big man with real skills and size to succeed nationally, I don't know what will. If they're 6'8 including their hair and they look like a skeleton, then hard pass.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=351661][quote="Logen" post=351657][quote="Knight" post=351656]I'm impressed with the drive and commitment of the staff regarding early recruiting efforts. The staff seems well balanced and focused on constructing a roster to work CMA's 40-Minutes of Hell attack. I'm encouraged that we are on the right course, if followed, for long-term success.[/quote]

I agree and a thought came to me while reading your post, we were so conditioned to the lackluster effort of our last two staffs that we are reveling in a staff interested in working and earning their money. This is not your Chris Mullin style of coaching and hopefully we reap the rewards.[/quote]

Not all of us were "conditioned"...several of us rightfully called it out because it needed to be known it was not normal. Some were not lulled into another dimension. You work your butt off, get high character kids, play defense, stop wasting time on 5 stars going to Kentucky anyway unless they are realistic, get a great staff, and put the max effort in. The recipe for success has not changed IMO and it's no surprise. Oh, and we actually need real big men too...and no more projects. Time to get polished nearly completed products who are 6'10 or above and not sticks. I've yet to see us have any bigs in my nearly 10 years or watching closely who had any real semblance of an inside game and could routinely finish through traffic. You need some bigs to get you those hard-earned points the gritty way when the 3's aren't falling. If last season didn't prove you need at least 1 real big man with real skills and size to succeed nationally, I don't know what will. If they're 6'8 including their hair and they look like a skeleton, then hard pass.[/quote]

No worries, you are never considered part of my ‘we”.
 
[quote="redmannorth" post=351651][quote="Mike Zaun" post=351647]McGriff said on Twitter he was very sore, so I'll take that as a good thing. I think Anderson can do quite well here if he proves he can get the occasional 4 star kid here once he has time to get in on the ground level of these recruits.[/quote]

I am hoping that with all 4 coaches recruiting that we can bring in more than the occasional 4 star recruit.
[/quote]

Agree. Outside of Norm Roberts, St. John's has always been able to attract 4-star recruits. I don't think attracting 4-star recruits will be an issue with this staff, either. Bringing in the "occasional" 5-star recruit will suffice. But I think attracting top 50-100 players, as I mentioned yesterday, shouldn't be a problem.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=351693]Anderson pod cast interview w Rothstein

https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1138161017207304192?s=21[/quote]

Great interview with Coach Anderson. I like him the more I hear him. Here are some interesting highlights for those who may not be podcast types...
(Note- not word perfect, just my best interpretation of words & intent...)

Rothstein asked him about never having had a losing season:
"I don't like to brag but I know how to win...I can have the raggediest looking team that you can imagine but we always find a way to win...My teams embody what I'm all about. I may not always have the most talented team but we're gonna be a team."

About the philosophy he learned from Nolan Richardson on how to prepare his team:
He puts the emphasis on focusing on what his team needs to do more than game-planning for the opponent. "We spend a lot of time doing the things that we're gonna do. Trying to get more guys ready to play at that level. It's pretty demanding but kids enjoy playing the style that we play. Up and down pace, exciting basketball,..Want to be able to play multiple defenses. Man, zone, whatever will work. Predicated on defense creating easy offense...Gonna hang our hats on our defense."

Mentions he and staff have been reaching out in person and by phone to local coaches. Know it's important to have those relationships to keep good local talent home.

"We've added some pieces but we want to add some more...to get older." (Maybe that points to prioritizing grad transfers over incoming freshman?)

On Heron & Figueroa. Rothstein points out how they're similar to guys who he's used on past successful teams. Likes to play undersized at 3/4? (I think they just meant versatile...)
Gushing with praise. They'll obviously be a huge part of what we do and how we play. Heron and Figueroa fit into the system we play. Said they can each play 3 positions- Point (interesting), off guard and swing. they both can even post up.. Long, athletic versatile guys pefect for what we do, etc.

Very briefly mentions Greg WIlliams-
"Didn't play much but this year he'll have an opportunity to showcase his talent."

Rothstein asked about Steere:
Got the sense he thinks Steere is a bit rusty and needs to keep getting in shape from his year off. Being able to go up and down the way Anderson wants to play. Seemed like a conditioning issue over motor or ability (my interpretation) Mentioned being impressed with his work ethic and also how skilled he is for a guy his size.

Didn't mention any other players.

Other things:
Depth is gonna be big. It’ll be a work in progress as everyone learns and embraces what we’re trying to accomplish so he’ll play a lot of combinations. Mentioned that if you watch his teams suddenly in Jan and Feb you see them start coming together. He finishes strong. The more guys he can get involved, the more guys are ready to go down the stretch. All about putting yourself in position to be playing your best basketball late.

Realistic goals for the upcoming season:
"I”ve always been on the fast track. We have a lot of new parts but there’s a good core here. We’re gonna be in the hunt for something. I don’t know what but we’ll be in the hunt for something when it’s all said and done. I like the attitude of this team."
 
Thanks for the report on the podcast interview Queensball. Love the emphasis on defense, team play and defense creating easy offense. Can't wait to watch our team play.
 
Coach MA says all the right things. I am sure he is as eager to see how it all fits together. Just like us he has to wait.
Interesting comments on Steere. Sounds like MA is going to really want these guys in top physical condition. Not surprised by that. Guys just better not slack off in the summer. In my experience Mr. Steere was just given a not so subtle hint. :(
 
[quote="sjc88" post=351711]Coach MA says all the right things. I am sure he is as eager to see how it all fits together. Just like us he has to wait.
Interesting comments on Steere. Sounds like MA is going to really want these guys in top physical condition. Not surprised by that. Guys just better not slack off in the summer. In my experience Mr. Steere was just given a not so subtle hint. :([/quote]

I don't think there's any danger of Steere slacking off. It's been noted he's a good, low-maintenance kid. Plus, his dad doesn't look like he'd let his kid slack off. I think it's simply a matter of a rusty 260 lbs. being run ragged by the staff so far. Once he gets acclimated to what MA does, I think he'll be fine.
 
I did enjoy this part:

"I don't like to brag but I know how to win...I can have the raggediest looking team that you can imagine but we always find a way to win...My teams embody what I'm all about. I may not always have the most talented team but we're gonna be a team."
 
[quote="sjc88" post=351711]Coach MA says all the right things. I am sure he is as eager to see how it all fits together. Just like us he has to wait.
Interesting comments on Steere. Sounds like MA is going to really want these guys in top physical condition. Not surprised by that. Guys just better not slack off in the summer. In my experience Mr. Steere was just given a not so subtle hint. :([/quote]

Not only does he say the right things but more importantly he backs it up by doing the right thing.
He is on campus with his staff and holding workouts while hosting visitors and recruiting. What a welcome relief from the prior staff who were 3,000 miles away as soon as school ended. I am no fortune teller but all this hard work has to pay dividends.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=351715][quote="sjc88" post=351711]Coach MA says all the right things. I am sure he is as eager to see how it all fits together. Just like us he has to wait.
Interesting comments on Steere. Sounds like MA is going to really want these guys in top physical condition. Not surprised by that. Guys just better not slack off in the summer. In my experience Mr. Steere was just given a not so subtle hint. :([/quote]

I don't think there's any danger of Steere slacking off. It's been noted he's a good, low-maintenance kid. Plus, his dad doesn't look like he'd let his kid slack off. I think it's simply a matter of a rusty 260 lbs. being run ragged by the staff so far. Once he gets acclimated to what MA does, I think he'll be fine.[/quote]

Just to be clear, it didn't seem at all like Anderson was making a judgment or disappointed in the kid. He hemmed and hawed a bit and that's just what I took away from it. Polite. He said good stuff about him too. Upon further reflection perhaps even trying to help out by lowering initial expectations for his guy who has played 1 real game in the past couple of years.
 
Reading all the posts about Coach Anderson I have the impression that the combination of Andersons defensive philosophies and the cozy confines of CA will make a trip to SJU a tough experience.
 
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