16-10 and 10-9 in the Big East, definitely a successful season. Even my eternal optimistic self would not have predicted this with all the obstacles the team faced during this season.
Mike Anderson is a leader and we are Blessed to have him at St. Johns. In this season of the Pandemic, St Johns has not had to shut down. Do we really realize how significant this is. We are talking about Asst coaches, players, and support staff adhering to guidelines set down to ensure the safety of everyone. This, in itself, was not an easy accomplishment.
During the season our four most important players, Julian, Posh, Rasheem, and Greg each missed time due to injury. Every time, Coach Anderson was able to pull the team together, and someone stepped up. This is truly a testament to the culture Coach Anderson has built at St. Johns. NO EXCUSES.
While there are probably no guaranteed lottery picks on our roster, what we do have is a TEAM. Managing the playing time and egos of 11 players is not an easy task. Coach Anderson has done this and when players were called upon, they stepped up. Against Seton Hall, McGriff played significant minutes and held his own in a game that was very important for us. At one point in the second half, we had a lineup of McGriff, Wusu, Toro, Earlington, and Dunn on the floor and they held there own. Toro may not have been what we were expecting, but after having been on the bench, contributed to the win. As for next year, if Posh plays 30 minutes, I will be happy to see McGriff play the other 10.
Forget rankings, Posh and Julian can play with anyone in the country and they are a freshman and sophmore. What they have accomplished so far is a credit to player development and their work ethic. Rasheem is Brooklyn tough. I ain't gonna lie, sometimes watching him play I say, WTF? However, he has heart, determination, and is a warrior. Greg has battled through injuries the past two years without complaining. He is quiet, but leads by example, plays hard, and sacrifices his game for the team. At times, maybe too much. Marcellus continues to play hard and come through in whatever way is needed. He defends bigger players and has a knack to make timely baskets. Josh may be limited offensively but understands that is not why he is in the game. He gives us a presence around the rim and has has started to make better decisions with the ball. His assist to Wusu against Seton Hall was textbook.
Dylan reminds me of an old school player who has an innate knowledge of how the game should be played. To think that he is just a freshman, makes me smile. Looking forward to the next three years. I have no idea what his high school ranking was, but am happy that he is at St. Johns.
Vince has shown an ability to score when we need it, has anyone forgotten his late 3 against St Peters. Against Seton Hall, he also came through with timely baskets. Isaih is a force down low offensively, dunks everything. I can't comment on why he did not play more against Seton Hall because I have absolutely no idea. As someone noted in another thread, after being benched against Seton Hall, Isaih continued to root for his teammates. Hopefully, things will be resolved since he is an integral part of the team.
Coach Anderson and staff, much respect for the job they have done. There were times during the season when it all could have fallen apart. The 1-5 start to the Big East season, they held the team together. Injuries to key players, they held it together. Disappointing losses to Butler and DePaul towards the end of the season, they held it together. While I haven't seen any games in person, watching on television, I see a familial bond in the program. That comes from the top. As Otis stated previously, seeing Coach Anderson kiss his wife after the game, is a lesson in itself for the players.
Mike Cragg has to be commended for guiding the program through a difficult transition. His decision to hire Mike Anderson was the beginning of the process of building a successful program.
Now, on to the Big East tournament where we won't be playing on opening night for the first time in a while
Mike Anderson is a leader and we are Blessed to have him at St. Johns. In this season of the Pandemic, St Johns has not had to shut down. Do we really realize how significant this is. We are talking about Asst coaches, players, and support staff adhering to guidelines set down to ensure the safety of everyone. This, in itself, was not an easy accomplishment.
During the season our four most important players, Julian, Posh, Rasheem, and Greg each missed time due to injury. Every time, Coach Anderson was able to pull the team together, and someone stepped up. This is truly a testament to the culture Coach Anderson has built at St. Johns. NO EXCUSES.
While there are probably no guaranteed lottery picks on our roster, what we do have is a TEAM. Managing the playing time and egos of 11 players is not an easy task. Coach Anderson has done this and when players were called upon, they stepped up. Against Seton Hall, McGriff played significant minutes and held his own in a game that was very important for us. At one point in the second half, we had a lineup of McGriff, Wusu, Toro, Earlington, and Dunn on the floor and they held there own. Toro may not have been what we were expecting, but after having been on the bench, contributed to the win. As for next year, if Posh plays 30 minutes, I will be happy to see McGriff play the other 10.
Forget rankings, Posh and Julian can play with anyone in the country and they are a freshman and sophmore. What they have accomplished so far is a credit to player development and their work ethic. Rasheem is Brooklyn tough. I ain't gonna lie, sometimes watching him play I say, WTF? However, he has heart, determination, and is a warrior. Greg has battled through injuries the past two years without complaining. He is quiet, but leads by example, plays hard, and sacrifices his game for the team. At times, maybe too much. Marcellus continues to play hard and come through in whatever way is needed. He defends bigger players and has a knack to make timely baskets. Josh may be limited offensively but understands that is not why he is in the game. He gives us a presence around the rim and has has started to make better decisions with the ball. His assist to Wusu against Seton Hall was textbook.
Dylan reminds me of an old school player who has an innate knowledge of how the game should be played. To think that he is just a freshman, makes me smile. Looking forward to the next three years. I have no idea what his high school ranking was, but am happy that he is at St. Johns.
Vince has shown an ability to score when we need it, has anyone forgotten his late 3 against St Peters. Against Seton Hall, he also came through with timely baskets. Isaih is a force down low offensively, dunks everything. I can't comment on why he did not play more against Seton Hall because I have absolutely no idea. As someone noted in another thread, after being benched against Seton Hall, Isaih continued to root for his teammates. Hopefully, things will be resolved since he is an integral part of the team.
Coach Anderson and staff, much respect for the job they have done. There were times during the season when it all could have fallen apart. The 1-5 start to the Big East season, they held the team together. Injuries to key players, they held it together. Disappointing losses to Butler and DePaul towards the end of the season, they held it together. While I haven't seen any games in person, watching on television, I see a familial bond in the program. That comes from the top. As Otis stated previously, seeing Coach Anderson kiss his wife after the game, is a lesson in itself for the players.
Mike Cragg has to be commended for guiding the program through a difficult transition. His decision to hire Mike Anderson was the beginning of the process of building a successful program.
Now, on to the Big East tournament where we won't be playing on opening night for the first time in a while
