Positives to think about after this game for the season

[Beasts of the East]

We had our chances. Most importantly for me though our effort was up dramatically and if we play with this intensity and keep improving on the defense we will win our share of Big East games. Sucks to lose but this one isn't going to eat at me. I'm more hopeful tonight about the rest of the season

RJ if healthy is going to help us a ton

Thank you for this thread. Immediately, you countered the unrestrained and undeserved name calling of kids who played UCONN to nearly a draw on their SOLD-OUT home court.

The word "choke" is perhaps the worst and most demeaning label you can assign to an athlete, even worse when directed at your own team, even worse when they are college kids.

A city kid, I started playing baseball at 15 (thusly admired Manny Sanguillen who did same at 14) and by 17 found myself playing in the PAL championship game in Staten Island on a team of hs all stars. In the first inning a kid hit a wicked line drive towards me in right with a man on 2nd. In baseball you have less than a second to read a liine drive as to whether it will sink or sail. I read sink and knew with a good jump i could either snare it on the fly or one hop and throw the runner out at the plate. I had about 8 outfield assists that year and was confident. The ball didn't sink, it sailed. With just 1 step in I was beat. I turned and tore ass, but it went far over my head took one bounce over a park bench and into a lake. I caught up with it immediately and made a strong throw holding the kid to a double - except the ump signaled Home run. We lost 2-1.

My teammates could have whispered choke, coaches too, but didn't. I didn't need them to. I told myself then and now.

Great teammates, and great fans don't do that. You think kids don't feel the pain of not executing in the last minute?

Learning to win is an important step. UCONN kids on the line swaggered confidently before putting the game away. CRP will use this as a learning experience.

I didn't choke way back when and neither did our kids last night. They lost, and i hope deal with it better than some of us did. And by the way I don't think i know more or am on higher ground than anyone else.

So yea Mike, Luigi, and the rest of you posting here - thanks. You are all great fans.

 

[monte]

I'm not looking for the name calling to be repeated but for someone who had to miss tonight's game can anyone share who the targets were? I'm guessing its Jenkins per usual and maybe Ledlum since he was 1-4 from the FT line.

As always, kids are built up with unrealistic expectations(it's happening right now with Luis) and then torn down when they don't meet those ridiculous expectations. Look, I was as disappointed in some of Jenkins' decisions as anyone, especially on that 2nd to last possession. And I think that Ledlum often tries to do to much, instead of having the game come to him. But both kids can play at this level but need some harnessing, and maybe a little less PT. But they're what we have and aren't going anywhere, so let's hope they continue to improve under Rick's tutelage as the seaon progresses.

 

[Johnnies_24]

Not going to look too far ahead but Hofstra and Butler next 2 games are must wins.

No doubt. I see us buzzing right through them as long as we D up!

Team is starting to hit its stride. IMO by February 1st there will be no doubt we are a tournament team.

In Pitino We Trust!️

 

[paultzman]

I guess I am a Luis “cult” guy according to some lol. I just remember his play at UMass and my hunch he will help with his quickness and athleticism. He obviously is still not in game shape and it showed a bit when he did not finish a few times. He certainly is not a super star, but looks like a solid piece, big minutes guy and we need that.

I always liked Ledlum back to high school. His rebounding is sound in an area we really need. He just has trouble finishing and hopefully that abates.

Re Jenkins, I don’t want him banned to Guam like others perhaps, but I must say his volume shooting with mediocre results is frustrating. I wish he could pull it back a bit and be more patient and get others involved. Hoisting shots often early to me is a rhythm breaker for an offense that could benefit from more ball movement.

 

[paultzman]

I take full responsibility for loss last night. Mrs P duct taped me in first half to stop me from cursing & posting on RM. In second half she released me to borrow $ & I started posting and rest is history.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Just a very tough one to let slip
away. Loads of positives starting with great team defense, that big confident three from Dingle, great all around game from Taylor and some nice minutes from Luis. A few rebounds we didn’t get near the end allowed them to get second chance points that killed us but on to Hofstra and Butler two, we should win. Happy holidays to all!

 

[monte]

I guess I am a Luis “cult” guy according to some lol. I just remember his play at UMass and my hunch he will help with his quickness and athleticism. He obviously is still not in game shape and it showed a bit when he did not finish a few times. He certainly is not a super star, but looks like a solid piece, big minutes guy and we need that.

I always liked Ledlum back to high school. His rebounding is sound in an area we really need. He just has trouble finishing and hopefully that abates.

Re Jenkins, I don’t want him banned to Guam like others perhaps, but I must say his volume shooting with mediocre results is frustrating. I wish he could pull it back a bit and be more patient and get others involved. Hoisting shots often early to me is a rhythm breaker for an offense that could benefit from more ball movement.

Ledlum is a scrappy rebounder, in the mold of a Charles Minland, but he's so undersized that he doesn't provide much of an inside presence on offense or defense, as PFs need to do. Joel is going to need help especially on the backside when going against bigger front lines. As we saw yesterday, anytime Joel went to help, Johnson had free reign. That's were maybe Rick needs to pair Zuby or Traore with Joel. Seems he plays Zuby and Traore more as a tandem together, then either of them with Joel.

 

[monte]

So, looking at Alleyne's career stats, he's a career 40% shooter from 2 and 35% shooter from 3. I never much cared for the form on his shot but could live with it if the results were there. He averaged 5 PPG last season. Granted he was a roll player on a national championship team, and yes he's long and good defender. But the idea that he should be getting substantial minutes and should be counted on as a big difference maker is not just folly, it's pure folly.

 

[Beasts of the East]

So, looking at Alleyne's career stats, he's a career 40% shooter from 2 and 35% shooter from 3. I never much cared for the form on his shot but could live with it if the results were there. He averaged 5 PPG last season. Granted he was a roll player on a national championship team, and yes he's long and good defender. But the idea that he should be getting substantial minutes and should be counted on as a big difference maker is not just folly, it's pure folly.

Isn't this thread about positives to think about?

 

[GeorgiaRed]

RP had a lot invested in Jenkins. He’s entire sales pitch was Joel is the only guy we want to keep and Jenkins is a first round pick.

Joel of course was going to live up to the billing.

Jenkins is just a little out of his depth (it’s an huge step up from second/third option on a MAAC to being the primary option on a Big East team) and coach has too much invested in him to put reigns on. It would require coach to admit he erred annd that’s never been a strong suit of RP.

Unfortunately, that will result in a lot of ill advised plays like our last possession.

The improvement of Dingle and Luis shaking off the rust will reduce Jenkins' ball dominance down the road. The evolution this team is gradual but evident.

 

[jimredd517]

This team is coming along. We lost last night because of foul shooting. That is fixable with a group that can shoot. Rick will drill this into them. As for the constant trashing of Jenkins and Ledlum. It really is enough. These two young men chose to come to St. John’s to help this team and coach win. They leave it on the floor every game. Hate to tell you but when they are off the floor this team goes nowhere. Let’s support these men and back this whole team. Remembered coach is still teaching this group and they are already leaps and bounds better than beginning of the year. We got your back guys!!

 

[Marillac2]

I'm not looking for the name calling to be repeated but for someone who had to miss tonight's game can anyone share who the targets were? I'm guessing its Jenkins per usual and maybe Ledlum since he was 1-4 from the FT line.

I didn’t have an issue with Ledlum. He missed some shots and a huge rebound go off his hand at pivotal moment late. The missed FTs were bad too, but he played very hard and made some big buckets.

Jenkins, though, I believe was hypnotized into thinking he could shoot well. His false confidence is absolutely shocking. Every game we have the same complaints and every game he has 3-4 shots before the under 16.

He does nothing to make anyone but Soriano better and it’s wearing thin on everyone else.

The defense in the first half was absolutely insane. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Jenkins included. I’ve literally never seen a team make that jump in 2 games.

Luis looked so good it was almost unreal. Super rusty but he looked like a late first round pick. His length for the position is almost comical and he had a finish that literally looked like it was in 2x speed.

 

[Marillac2]

So, looking at Alleyne's career stats, he's a career 40% shooter from 2 and 35% shooter from 3. I never much cared for the form on his shot but could live with it if the results were there. He averaged 5 PPG last season. Granted he was a roll player on a national championship team, and yes he's long and good defender. But the idea that he should be getting substantial minutes and should be counted on as a big difference maker is not just folly, it's pure folly.

I mean, this is the worst take you’ve ever had! He averaged over 30 minutes a game for two top 25 teams in the ACC. He won the ACC championship one of those years in NYC!

He shot 38% from 3 over 3 years at Va Tech and the year he had a drive and kick PG he shot 40.8%.

Jenkins kills Alleyne and Dingle.

 

[IDRAFT]

This team is coming along. We lost last night because of foul shooting. That is fixable with a group that can shoot. Rick will drill this into them. As for the constant trashing of Jenkins and Ledlum. It really is enough. These two young men chose to come to St. John’s to help this team and coach win. They leave it on the floor every game. Hate to tell you but when they are off the floor this team goes nowhere. Let’s support these men and back this whole team. Remembered coach is still teaching this group and they are already leaps and bounds better than beginning of the year. We got your back guys!!

There are fans on message boards who want to discuss the team, both positive and negative. And the tone stays respectful. But there are always people who are insecure and are trying to use the platform to show how smart they are. So if they take a negative slant on a player it’s important to them to highlight every mistake that player makes. It’s actually not about the player it’s about the poster.

Its all over social media and not just a SJU message board issue. Paul did a good job with the ignore button and it really helps. As those who can therefore not see this post would agree if they could see it.

 

[IDRAFT]

Another positive. If we are only going to beat UCONN once that’s not the one I want. And if we are going to beat them twice that’s still not one of the ones I want.

 

[Eric]

Another positive. If we are only going to beat UCONN once that’s not the one I want. And if we are going to beat them twice that’s still not one of the ones I want.

Good points about that. I’m with you. But maybe it could have been 3!

 

[Andrew]

I didn’t have an issue with Ledlum. He missed some shots and a huge rebound go off his hand at pivotal moment late. The missed FTs were bad too, but he played very hard and made some big buckets.

Jenkins, though, I believe was hypnotized into thinking he could shoot well. His false confidence is absolutely shocking. Every game we have the same complaints and every game he has 3-4 shots before the under 16.

He does nothing to make anyone but Soriano better and it’s wearing thin on everyone else.

The defense in the first half was absolutely insane. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Jenkins included. I’ve literally never seen a team make that jump in 2 games.

Luis looked so good it was almost unreal. Super rusty but he looked like a late first round pick. His length for the position is almost comical and he had a finish that literally looked like it was in 2x speed.

As I said earlier in the thread overall I thought it was a great effort. Many years ago I felt like we shared completely different views on things. Since you have come back to posting I feel like you are reading my mind and saying almost everything I think during the games just a little different then I want to as I want to try and stay positive. Perhaps I am being brainwashed but I don't think so. I like your perspective.

 

[paultzman]

Must say the team hung in there facing adversity, like Soriano sitting (at one point with Ledlum ), some questionable calls, crazed crowd as UConn took lead, etc., but character and good coaching kept Johnnies poised and scrapping to steal one on road. Impressive, teams in previous regimes often folded under such duress. I think that bodes well for us.

 

[paultzman]

 

[RedStormRising]

So i read Paultz's post and though, no way that this is true. It's just Zach being Zach using a "Postian" amount of hyperbole. I dug deep in my faded memory backs and said, i know we beat a ranked Marq and a ranked UConn. And I was sure we beat a ranked non conference game... And as it turns out. He was right only one big win in December since Lavin and it was Zona. The other 2 big Big East wins were in Jan. We've underwhelming for a while.