Perspective

[logen]

I do understand it is a lost cause ( keeping things in perspective) but Top 25 scores today:

#2 Kansas over #23 Baylor by 23
#6 Xavier over #9 Butler by 19
#15 Duke over BC by 17 - BC at home
#20 Texas A&M over Arkansas by 23
#22 Cincinnati over Tulsa by 19
#12 Providence over SJU by 18

Oh, and just for sh##s and giggles, Purdue leads Iowa by 17 at the half

 

[Ray Morgan]

Sometimes, the enormity of the task the staff is facing seems overwhelming. We need a major upgrade in talent, followed by the hope that the new talent stays together for 3 years or so to gain the experience you need to be a top tier Big East team. Meanwhile,all the good programs are reloading every year.

Watching us try to compete with Providence was sobering. I think many of us think, or hope, that Coach Mullin will wave a magic wand and it will be 1985 all over again. If it only worked that way. It is so tiring constantly playing catch up to programs we should be better than-programs that should be envious of us and not the other way around. We need a superstar on the floor to match our superstar staff. We need a 5 star player, a real game changer, to lead the way. Meanwhile, we have to paint a smile on our collective faces as we get our heads handed to us, game after game.

 

[logen]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

 

[Knight]

Coaching staff also a work in progress. I have seen St. Jean, Slice and Mullin actively head-coaching this season. Not sure what to make of this.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I agree with a lot of what you said and I thought we would stink this year anyway but to be fair it's not like the staff came here for charity. If you offered them half or even 3/4 of what they are getting paid most wouldn't have taken the jobs. So yes they knew what they were getting into and still took the jobs but also took the jobs because of what we were offering

But like you mentioned we need talent. Anyone who thought we were going to be decent this year might have been smoking crack. But also to be fair it's been pretty ugly to watch and teams can lose but still be fun to watch like I mentioned a few days ago about creighton last year. At least they were fun to watch the games I saw them

But I have no doubt the staff is busting their ass on the recruiting trail and I'm hoping that recruiting sustainability will be the difference between now and before

 

[dee]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

They need a point guard. If Lovett had qualified it wouldnt be that bad. We dont have one point guard. I think they should let Johnson play the 1 position and put Mussini where he belongs at 2. Balamou can sub for Johnson at 1 as long as he doesnt shoot. The guy cannot shoot. If he makes a basket it is a miracle. He should be a guard who handles the traffic. I really dont want to dream of improvement next year because right off the bat we lose several of this year's players and I can hear it now about the new recruits. Oh they are freshmen and need time to adjust. Yea I have heard that too often in the Roberts era.

 

[prjohnnies]

Posted this on the other site, as folks have been given props to Cooley (deservedly so), and I think it provides some context of the challenge facing our staff this year:

Cooley has done a good job there, even though (ironically) he lost a bunch of recruits to us early on. They have done a great job at filling holes with solid, under-the-radar players, when they miss out on the bigger fish.

That said, Cooley went 4-14 in the Big East his first year. Granted, the old Big East, but still they had a very down year. He was 1-9 on conference play to start, and went 3-5 in the latter part of the schedule (only Depaul had a worse record). Cooley had that record even though he INHERITED Vincent Council, an experienced upperclassmen and very solid Big East guard, who earned third-team All Big East that year. He ALSO inherited Bryce Cotton, who was a sophomore, and had a breakout year that season. So while he took over in March, like our coach, and had to fill out a roster (only 9 scholarship players), he had some very good pieces already in place. Cooley also snagged Henton, who had committed to Dayton but changed his mind after Brian Gregory left. Obviously a great job by Cooley and staff getting Henton on board at that stage.

Cooley's second year, 2012-2013, he won 19 games and went to the NIT, where they won a few games. The following year they beat us in the first round of the BE tourney, which was effectively a play-in game that those of us (like me) who attended will never forget, as Sampson missed a few chippies down the stretch after we made a crazy comeback and had a chance to win.

I'm noting the above to provide some context to our year and what this staff is facing, because I think we forget sometimes about the struggles other programs have had, and how it can take some time to get things going.

Mullin & Co. did not have the benefit of inheriting ANY player in the same ballpark as Council or Cotton. You put either of them on this year's team, and we are a much different (and better) squad, as either are better than the best guy we run out on a given night. And don't give me Jordan, because we know he wouldn't be eligible, nor Obekpa, because he was likely a goner as well.

I don't like giving passes, but the negative energy this year should be focused on the fake-tan Fox sports analyst for leaving us with a disastrous roster. As others have said, this year is about the young guys maturing, the staff maturing, and W's on the recruiting front.

 

[Section3]

HBO

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

They need a point guard. If Lovett had qualified it wouldnt be that bad. We dont have one point guard. I think they should let Johnson play the 1 position and put Mussini where he belongs at 2. Balamou can sub for Johnson at 1 as long as he doesnt shoot. The guy cannot shoot. If he makes a basket it is a miracle. He should be a guard who handles the traffic. I really dont want to dream of improvement next year because right off the bat we lose several of this year's players and I can hear it now about the new recruits. Oh they are freshmen and need time to adjust. Yea I have heard that too often in the Roberts era.

Johnson is a terrible ball handler...would never be able to play the 1. dribbles like he is wearing oven mitts.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Sometimes, the enormity of the task the staff is facing seems overwhelming. We need a major upgrade in talent, followed by the hope that the new talent stays together for 3 years or so to gain the experience you need to be a top tier Big East team. Meanwhile,all the good programs are reloading every year.

Watching us try to compete with Providence was sobering. I think many of us think, or hope, that Coach Mullin will wave a magic wand and it will be 1985 all over again. If it only worked that way. It is so tiring constantly playing catch up to programs we should be better than-programs that should be envious of us and not the other way around. We need a superstar on the floor to match our superstar staff. We need a 5 star player, a real game changer, to lead the way. Meanwhile, we have to paint a smile on our collective faces as we get our heads handed to us, game after game.

We need shooters!

 

[beast of the east]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

 

[Ray Morgan]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

Very few posters had any optimism for this season. What I see from almost everyone is optimism for the future. My point is that's it's hard to constantly play catch up to programs that have had it going on for a number of years. We can be good again, but it may take longer than we all want. What would expedite it is finding a superstar. And these days, you only get to keep them for a season. Otherwise, we may be looking at 3 years down the road, if recruiting is strong, for a NCAA tournament quality team. The Big East is very good. To be very good, we have to leapfrog every single school in the conference. We have a great staff that is working hard, and a school president that supports the program. We can't ask for more. I just hope it's enough.

 

[Andrew]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

Very few posters had any optimism for this season. What I see from almost everyone is optimism for the future. My point is that's it's hard to constantly play catch up to programs that have had it going on for a number of years. We can be good again, but it may take longer than we all want. What would expedite it is finding a superstar. And these days, you only get to keep them for a season. Otherwise, we may be looking at 3 years down the road, if recruiting is strong, for a NCAA tournament quality team. The Big East is very good. To be very good, we have to leapfrog every single school in the conference. We have a great staff that is working hard, and a school president that supports the program. We can't ask for more. I just hope it's enough.

I see no reason that we can't be very good in two seasons. Lavin was able to do acquire the talent and he had no one returning after his first year. The team underperformed but they got to the NCAA in year 4. I am confident that Mullin and staff will do even better with a balanced approach.

 

[paultzman]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

Very few posters had any optimism for this season. What I see from almost everyone is optimism for the future. My point is that's it's hard to constantly play catch up to programs that have had it going on for a number of years. We can be good again, but it may take longer than we all want. What would expedite it is finding a superstar. And these days, you only get to keep them for a season. Otherwise, we may be looking at 3 years down the road, if recruiting is strong, for a NCAA tournament quality team. The Big East is very good. To be very good, we have to leapfrog every single school in the conference. We have a great staff that is working hard, and a school president that supports the program. We can't ask for more. I just hope it's enough.

I see no reason that we can't be very good in two seasons. Lavin was able to do acquire the talent and he had no one returning after his first year. The team underperformed but they got to the NCAA in year 4. I am confident that Mullin and staff will do even better with a balanced approach.

Agree we can possibly be a middle of pack BE team next year, with solid additions & good player development over the summer. The following year, with hopefully a stable roster (no major players leaving), SJU should make some noise in the Big Dance.

 

[redfazed]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

Agree with most of your comments, but disagree about Sima and Yakwe being redshirted on any other D1 program. They both have tremendous raw talent, are in good shape physically and appear to have great attitudes. Big men need time to develop and them getting banged around this year is going to make them all the better next year.

 

[redmannorth]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

Very few posters had any optimism for this season. What I see from almost everyone is optimism for the future. My point is that's it's hard to constantly play catch up to programs that have had it going on for a number of years. We can be good again, but it may take longer than we all want. What would expedite it is finding a superstar. And these days, you only get to keep them for a season. Otherwise, we may be looking at 3 years down the road, if recruiting is strong, for a NCAA tournament quality team. The Big East is very good. To be very good, we have to leapfrog every single school in the conference. We have a great staff that is working hard, and a school president that supports the program. We can't ask for more. I just hope it's enough.

I see no reason that we can't be very good in two seasons. Lavin was able to do acquire the talent and he had no one returning after his first year. The team underperformed but they got to the NCAA in year 4. I am confident that Mullin and staff will do even better with a balanced approach.

Agree we can possibly be a middle of pack BE team next year, with solid additions & good player development over the summer. The following year, with hopefully a stable roster (no major players leaving), SJU should make some noise in the Big Dance.

Agree 1000%. We all knew this year would be very tough with Lovett and disastrous without. Unfortunately Williams has also been unable to play and his absence coupled with injuries to Felix and Malik has not helped. Next year we should return 6 players who got decent minutes ,Sima, Yakwe, Mussini , Ellison , AA and Jones and add Lovett, Ponds, Williams and Owens with perhaps one or two more recruits. We will be a much better team next year and could be a middle of the pack team. We should only loose Jones after 2017 and could add 1-3 top 30 recruits. We could dance deep in 2018 tourney.

 

[ADORAZ]

The Providence score was not at all surprising. That's right in line with what was expected.

What is surprising though is starting off in great shape at 7-3 (including a win vs Syracuse- although they are down this year), and then losing five in a row including at least two games we should've won. If we started 0-5 and then went 7-3 few would be complaining.

In a way beating Syracuse may have been a bad thing. I think it raised expectations for the team too high and too quickly. What made that win so great is nobody expected us to beat them (besides Lavin- and who knows if he really felt that way or said it as encouragement for the team). Immediately after that game they were faced with a game everyone expected them to win. In reality, after the first exhibition game nobody should've expected them to win any game this year. The Incarnate Word game was the first game they faced pressure of being the obvious favorites. At that point anything was still possible, but a loss to Incarnate Word would damage any shot at the NIT and the schedule would keep getting harder after that.

Early in the season we saw time and time again when we had the lead but nerves took over and we nearly blew the games. Yes, some of that has to do with poor ball handlers but a lot is nerves. I think the Incarnate Word game really shook the confidence of the team.

Basketball is in large part a mental game and a learning experience. We're a young team and the older players, while serviceable, don't have what it takes to take over a game. When the pressure kicks in and we need a ball handler or a big shot there's nobody to turn to. You can tell by their body language. Dunn has taken over games many times this year. There was also a game earlier this year where Providence was facing a weaker opponent (think it was Bryant) and both Bentil and Dunn were out of the game due to minor injuries/sickness. After the first ten minutes Providence was playing poorly and Bentil was put in. Not only did he take over the game but there was a MASSIVE difference in the body language and play of the other Friars on the floor as soon as he was put in.

Hopefully next year we have players who can step up in pressure situations. As for this year I hope to see at least two wins in Big East play and I'll be happy.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

We made it to the tourney last year because we had very good guards. We are going to win 10 or so games this year because we don't have any very good guards. You'll never win consistently in college ball without good guard play. Thankfully it looks like this will be the only year for a long while we will have to deal with that. Plenty of help on the way

 

[MarkRedman]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

Very few posters had any optimism for this season. What I see from almost everyone is optimism for the future. My point is that's it's hard to constantly play catch up to programs that have had it going on for a number of years. We can be good again, but it may take longer than we all want. What would expedite it is finding a superstar. And these days, you only get to keep them for a season. Otherwise, we may be looking at 3 years down the road, if recruiting is strong, for a NCAA tournament quality team. The Big East is very good. To be very good, we have to leapfrog every single school in the conference. We have a great staff that is working hard, and a school president that supports the program. We can't ask for more. I just hope it's enough.

I see no reason that we can't be very good in two seasons. Lavin was able to do acquire the talent and he had no one returning after his first year. The team underperformed but they got to the NCAA in year 4. I am confident that Mullin and staff will do even better with a balanced approach.

Agree we can possibly be a middle of pack BE team next year, with solid additions & good player development over the summer. The following year, with hopefully a stable roster (no major players leaving), SJU should make some noise in the Big Dance.

Agree 1000%. We all knew this year would be very tough with Lovett and disastrous without. Unfortunately Williams has also been unable to play and his absence coupled with injuries to Felix and Malik has not helped. Next year we should return 6 players who got decent minutes ,Sima, Yakwe, Mussini , Ellison , AA and Jones and add Lovett, Ponds, Williams and Owens with perhaps one or two more recruits. We will be a much better team next year and could be a middle of the pack team. We should only loose Jones after 2017 and could add 1-3 top 30 recruits. We could dance deep in 2018 tourney.

Don't forget about Ahmed - a big part of our future
This is the first year that i am totally relaxed watching the games
I don't even yell at the TV anymore (my wife is very happy about that)
I have no expectations for us to win - I am happy just to see us improve and compete
But I hope that my stomach will be churning on every possession again in a couple of years
Sorry, honey, I think that the yelling and chanting will once again be a part of your future

 

[ras]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

This is what you posted when in response to my suggestion that it was going to be a very rough season.

I posted this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season/edit/196467.html

Your response was this:

http://redmen.com/forum/4-redmentalk/43852-this-season-formerly-next-season.html?start=558#196472

You appear to be one of those people you are now criticizing.

Very few posters had any optimism for this season. What I see from almost everyone is optimism for the future. My point is that's it's hard to constantly play catch up to programs that have had it going on for a number of years. We can be good again, but it may take longer than we all want. What would expedite it is finding a superstar. And these days, you only get to keep them for a season. Otherwise, we may be looking at 3 years down the road, if recruiting is strong, for a NCAA tournament quality team. The Big East is very good. To be very good, we have to leapfrog every single school in the conference. We have a great staff that is working hard, and a school president that supports the program. We can't ask for more. I just hope it's enough.

I see no reason that we can't be very good in two seasons. Lavin was able to do acquire the talent and he had no one returning after his first year. The team underperformed but they got to the NCAA in year 4. I am confident that Mullin and staff will do even better with a balanced approach.

Agree we can possibly be a middle of pack BE team next year, with solid additions & good player development over the summer. The following year, with hopefully a stable roster (no major players leaving), SJU should make some noise in the Big Dance.

Agree 1000%. We all knew this year would be very tough with Lovett and disastrous without. Unfortunately Williams has also been unable to play and his absence coupled with injuries to Felix and Malik has not helped. Next year we should return 6 players who got decent minutes ,Sima, Yakwe, Mussini , Ellison , AA and Jones and add Lovett, Ponds, Williams and Owens with perhaps one or two more recruits. We will be a much better team next year and could be a middle of the pack team. We should only loose Jones after 2017 and could add 1-3 top 30 recruits. We could dance deep in 2018 tourney.

Don't forget about Ahmed - a big part of our future
This is the first year that i am totally relaxed watching the games
I don't even yell at the TV anymore (my wife is very happy about that)
I have no expectations for us to win - I am happy just to see us improve and compete
But I hope that my stomach will be churning on every possession again in a couple of years
Sorry, honey, I think that the yelling and chanting will once again be a part of your future

You have a nice outlook. My stomachs churning this year. . It is tough to watch. The only positive is hoping for the future. I'm thinking like Paultzman, mid level BE team next year and we will start making noise the following year. But like SSG says,and the youngsters have no idea what he is talking about, only the shadow knows.

 

[austour]

It is very surprising to me that so many people obviously expected us to be able to compete this year. I'd like it as much as anyone but it just doesn't work that way. We don't have a SINGLE player, not ONE, that would, without a doubt, no argument, start for ANY other BE team. We have no quickness, no experience, no player leadership. We do not have ONE player that had a regular starting position on a D1 team prior to this year. On any established program Sima, Yakwe, and Mussini would be red shirts. The horrific shape of the roster was unprecedented IMO. Yes, Mullin could have sacrificed what he and the staff are committed to building and looked the other way and tried to keep Obepka (Jordan was NEVER going to be eligible) but he rightfully did not. Does anyone really think Mullin, Barry R., Matt A., St. Jean, Richmond, Hamilton, etc. didn't KNOW what they were in for this year? But they all came anyway and all are working their asses off to turn this around, that is a fact and anyone remotely familiar with AAU and HS ball knows that; NO staff in the country is working harder. But this will be turned around in years, not months and certainly was NEVER going to happen in the first 6 months. You need players, plain and simple, and we don't have them, just as plain, just as simple. I really don't know the makeup of this board demographically but one thing is for sure, many on here are making a liar out of those that think NY sports fans are sophisticated and knowledgable.

All very true, though folks who pointed this out in August were close to being run out of town as a heretic (luckily I was already out of town) . Hell, try making this post here after the Syracuse game.