On paper are the Iona players better than the current SJU roster?
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- Thread starter MugCostanza
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On paper are the Iona players better than the current SJU roster?
L J S A
Well-known member
Definitely not overall better roster talent wise, but they absolutely have at least three players who would bump those at the bottom of our roster completely from the team.
I watched the game and I think there's a few players St. John's could use. Walter Clayton Jr. (MAAC POTY), Nelly Junior Joseph (MAAC 1st team), and Daniss Jenkins (MAAC 2nd team) could all be options. Clayton for instance shoots 95% FT (!!!) and 44% from 3 (!!!). The FT would obviously fully translate to the BE.
Also, Iona's NET is #59. Not as high as we'd want St. John's to be, but FORTY spots above St. John's at #99. The coach can only do so much and Iona as a team clearly outperformed St. John's as a team this year.
I'd say if we can take their top 2-3 players, keep our top 2-3 players, and get a few transfers we'd be in really good shape next year. Not sure how likely that is, but there's definitely solid existing pieces Pitino can work with.
L J S A
Well-known member
Agree with the players named, but I think the honorable thing is probably not to completely raid the roster of the one program who gave you a chance to rebuild your reputation, especially when the portal allows you to raid everyone else.
He seemed to make it a point of announcing that they'd probably lose Quinn Slazinski, which was unusual but also makes him most likely player, I think.
Good point, and raiding former players would actually be a first for St. John's in a long time. I was critical of Anderson at the time for not bringing in any Arkansas players or recruits, and of course Mullin and Lavin didn't have teams to raid from. I do agree though that it wouldn't be a good look to take all of Iona's best players, though I would love for Clayton or someone else to follow him here!
I hope the great Rick Pitino could draw interest from better players than the ones playing for Iona.
I have a problem with Pitino, if he is hired, bringing some players from Iona with him. He is a great coach and recruiter, he should be able to attract transfers without screwing over the school that gave him an opportunity to get back into college coaching.
Someone, I am not sure who, stated that we need to get away from the win at all costs mentality. To take players away from a program that gave Pitino an opportunity to restart his career, should not even be an option.
Someone, I am not sure who, stated that we need to get away from the win at all costs mentality. To take players away from a program that gave Pitino an opportunity to restart his career, should not even be an option.
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Those three would definitely at least be worth a look and who are we to deny the kids of following their HOF coach they want to play for?
Of course on a serious note I understand your opinion on this and either way if SJU gets it’s guy it will work out well regardless.
No (IMO)
SJUWillRockNYC
Well-known member
What if they wanted to leave anyway for a better school, Rick should say no and let them go to another school and help that school to become better?
As you know better than anyone, a player almost always signs with a coach not the school.
So shouldn't these players be allowed to follow their coach to a higher level if all sides think it's right?
Happened last year with Shaheen and St Peters.
As great a coach and recruiter as Pitino is, don't you think he can get better players than these three? Let's say Pitino comes, keeps Van, and all the core players and recruits stay, who are these players beating out. The constant theme throughout the season was we have talent, just need the right coach. Y'all can't have it both ways.
But they always want it both ways. I have stated that I don't think the talent on this years team was not nearly as good as many on this site think. I was told that it was Coach Anderson's fault for not recruiting better players. If Pitino is such a great coach, he should be able to attract players through the transfer portal and recruiting them from high school without dismantling the Iona program by taking their players. Players who are clearly worse than our own players, or are they.
Student athletes (just like other students) should be free to transfer wherever they want. Take Soriano as an example; he clearly blossomed under Anderson, who also recruited him. If Anderson were to get another job and Soriano wanted to play his last year for Anderson, why should he be denied that opportunity? It would obviously be frustrating for sju fans to lose a great player, but he should play where he wants.
It’s good that we’re finally getting away from the system where coaches were free to move and do whatever they want whereas athletes were heavily restricted. I don’t know who the coach will be or what transfers he wants, but I don’t think any kids should be denied the right to transfer here if they’re eligible.
It’s good that we’re finally getting away from the system where coaches were free to move and do whatever they want whereas athletes were heavily restricted. I don’t know who the coach will be or what transfers he wants, but I don’t think any kids should be denied the right to transfer here if they’re eligible.
Speaking of both ways
I'd gladly take Clayton and Jenkins over Curbelo and Wusu.