(POST GAME) (#8 / #10) Villanova (MSG) Tues. Jan. 28, 6:30p, FS-1 / 570 AM

[quote="otis" post=374773]I am not sure whether posters appreciate just how much this team lacks overall Big East talent and depth. It is easy to arm-chair criticize missed shots and player error but in the end well coached talent (see Villanova) beats well coached hustle (see StJ’s).

For example, above posters complain about Nick Rutherford’s performances. Not to single out Nick but he is an example of someone who is playing in a league that is above his skills. Last season at Monmouth he was not a regular starter, starting 15 games of Monmouth’s 35 games. He averaged 5.3 points per game against far less talent than this season.

I am not posting this to demean Nick Rutherford who I am told is a great kid but the fact is he is the best St. John’s has at the moment . It is not Nick’s fault, nor is is CMA’s failure that Mr. Mullin’s departure left the roster bare and made CMA scramble to even fill a roster.

The reality is that this team’s results exceed the sum of its parts.

As a StJohn’s fan I have learned to stay optimistic about the always promising “next year” which more times than not also disappoints. Keep hope alive.[/quote]

Rutherford is the one guy that I do think plays too much, not because he's much worse then everyone else (he's not, like you said), but because he's a graduate student, and not a part of this team's future. Since the year is probably lost anyway, I'd like to see us go bigger, and see the combination of Williams, Roberts, and/or Champagnie cut into his minutes. I don't know if it will make this team better, but it might make those guys better down the road. In Rutherford's case, there is no "down the road", not here, anyway.
 
was at the game aside from halftime show garden lacked energy. One thing I noticed that during second half shoot around Nova kids were making almost all their practice shots and our guys were missing most of them. When I saw that I knew the second half was going to be ugly. Also I think I understand now why Heron barely played at his last school.
 
Not much to say really, just another disappointing game. Feels like those Arizona and WVU games were played by a different squad.
 
[quote="Roamer" post=374776]was at the game aside from halftime show garden lacked energy. One thing I noticed that during second half shoot around Nova kids were making almost all their practice shots and our guys were missing most of them. When I saw that I knew the second half was going to be ugly. Also I think I understand now why Heron barely played at his last school.[/quote]

Barley played? He was 2nd-team All-SEC. If he barley played, he certainly made the most of those minutes.
 
In the post-game press conference, Anderson mentioned that Sears and Williams were less then 100% health-wise (Williams didn't practice for two days, so he was probably limited in the minutes he could give us.). He didn't use it as an excuse, but this upcoming stretch of just 4 games over the next 25 days, may be coming at just the right time, for some of our guys.
 
Villanova has so much talent and experience. The Johnnies just didn't have an answer for Nova's 3 point shots.

The Johnnies inconsistent shooting is a liability and there's no solution this season. Dunn played really well against Nova. But, will he shoot well against Georgetown? CMA can't plan his offense based around Heron. It must be very frustrating for Mike and his staff.

Fatigue and mid season bruises is just adding to the problem. It's been a very long season. A lot of effort and hustle with disappointing results.

Reaching the NIT is still possible. There's still some winnable games left in the schedule. Let's see if the Johnnies play better in the rematch with Georgetown.

Recruiting better talent is the only answer.
 
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we are so undermanned and for the time being outcoached it was ridiculous
 
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SJU61982 hit the nail on the head. Lack of talent. Expecting Rutherford, Dunn and Caraher to contribute in one of the toughest leagues in the country coming from mid major leagues rated in the twenties or a lower division has proven to be too much.
Add the mystery man Steere to those three resulted in too much reliance on the sophs who are very inconsistent .
Twice in five years starting to fiill out a roster in Apr ended up with Mullin having a roster of bare bones and Anderson with two proven talents who have underachieved.It can take a couple of years to get the program in a position to compete in the big east.
 
[quote="Enright" post=374784]SJU61982 hit the nail on the head. Lack of talent. Expecting Rutherford, Dunn and Caraher to contribute in one of the toughest leagues in the country coming from mid major leagues rated in the twenties or a lower division has proven to be too much.
Add the mystery man Steere to those three resulted in too much reliance on the sophs who are very inconsistent .
Twice in five years starting to fiill out a roster in Apr ended up with Mullin having a roster of bare bones and Anderson with two proven talents who have underachieved.It can take a couple of years to get the program in a position to compete in the big east.[/quote]

Well, it was otis who flat out said that, I was just responding.

To add to his point though, you could see it in the offense. I don't think we ran terrible sets tonight. I don't think we took a lot of what would be considered "poor" shots. Not significantly less then Villanova had. But, they have guys who can make open looks, and we don't (plus, their defense was better, tonight at least).
 
[quote="James Ray Lamb" post=374782]Villanova has so much talent and experience. The Johnnies just didn't have an answer for Nova's 3 point shots.

The Johnnies inconsistent shooting is a liability and there's no solution this season. Dunn played really well against Nova. But, will he shoot well against Georgetown? CMA can't plan his offense based around Heron. It must be very frustrating for Mike and his staff.

Fatigue and mid season bruises is just adding to the problem. It's been a very long season. A lot of effort and hustle with disappointing results.

Reaching the NIT is still possible. There's still some winnable games left in the schedule. Let's see if the Johnnies play better in the rematch with Georgetown.

Recruiting better talent is the only answer.[/quote]

"Reaching the NIT is still possible. There's still some winnable games left in the schedule. Let's see if the Johnnies play better in the rematch with Georgetown. "

Not if we lose to G-town (0-4 on the road in the B,E.), this game is an absolute must if they're want their postseason hopes to stay alive. This a week off. I would give them 2 days off, no practice or anything just rest up.

I was expecting a loss vs. Nova, just was hoping, but I wasn't expecting a 20pnt blowout.

Very frustrating.
 
Published attendance was 10,155. So, just a half full MSG with a decent start time against a #8 ranked team.

Better off at Carnesecca.
 
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Disappointing but not unpredictable result. Nova, even in a down year, has superior firepower and coaching. At this juncture, I would probably get the guys we know are coming back next year the most experience as possible, even if it costs a few games including Champ, Roberts, Dunn and Earlington. I would limit the minutes that Caraher and Sears get, and I assume that the coaching staff is sending Steere the transfer signal, so I doubt we will see any of him.


Despite the disappointment (mostly generated from the good OOC performance), this is and always was a rebuilding year (again), so we have to resign ourselves to that and hope for improvement next year with new talent.
 
First time I haven't watched back to back games since I really started being a big time fan in 2011. To already go through so many of these types of seasons with Mullin and now rebuilding again...hard to watch. Can't justify a $30 LIRR ticket and $50+ ticket on a work night to see this team right now. Our conference performance has been so horrendous the last 5 years that we have been totally outclassed by every other program except DePaul. I realize much if not all of this is because we have almost no talent at this level. Heron is not a good player, I'm sorry. Just can't get it done for us. I mentioned several weeks ago that I bet this is just what we get from him and that seems to be the case. It's not injury. He's a 2nd or 3rd option on a good team. Not a 1st. This is what 4-5 star guys vs. 2-3 star guys looks like most of the time. So recruiting absolutely does matter to an extent. It's cool to go after some dark horses as role players and stuff, but our main guys need to be studs. I'm still waiting to see CMA bring in a legit consensus 4 star and wouldn't really count Posh since he's 3 star on some sites plus an injury. If he can't get regular 4 stars he will probably last as long as Lavin/Mullin. If he can, he gets an extension.
 
Last night was the first time all season that I felt as if we were outclassed by a team and a coach all year. I still think this team plays hard for coach and they are trying but it might be time to shorten this rotation. Saying you have depth doesn't mean anything if the guys you have out on the floor are not talented enough to play at this level. It was a really tough watch but at the same time I did find myself enjoying the way Villanova was sharing the ball and the brand of basketball they play. ( don't kill me guys ) :)
 
[quote="Happy" post=374792]Last night was the first time all season that I felt as if we were outclassed by a team and a coach all year. I still think this team plays hard for coach and they are trying but it might be time to shorten this rotation. Saying you have depth doesn't mean anything if the guys you have out on the floor are not talented enough to play at this level. It was a really tough watch but at the same time I did find myself enjoying the way Villanova was sharing the ball and the brand of basketball they play. ( don't kill me guys ) :)[/quote]

You’re right. We simply don’t have the talent which is why we lost this one. This group plays as hard as ive seen a SJU team play. Just not enough when we need parlor tricks to figure out how to score the ball. Gotta get that talent in here and hopefully sooner rather than later.
 
[quote="Section3" post=374769][quote="Ken Shark" post=374766]
Now to the comedy portion of the show, Sears, on 2 consecutive 5 foot shots, caught all backboard, no rim. Forget bricks, they were concrete blocks, made me yearn for the days of Yakwe and Sima.[/quote] think you are overlooking the positive...they were actually very soft 10 footers from 2 feet.[/quote]

Actually his release on both those bunnies reminded me of a dodgeball throwing motion
 
Heron has played for 3 Coaches in 4 years . Pearl , Mullin Anderson . 3 different styles . At Auburn , he was on the floor with a much more talented supporting cast than he has had here in 2 years . One would assume his game was more suited to Pearl’s style ., Figgy is and has been streaky his 2, years here . HIs game is outside oriented . His role would be part of the puzzle on a Nova or SH, not the puzzle . Which is what we need here ., Ths BE requires long, Lean front court players who can shoot . Big men who are bulky and tall , I. E., 7’ or close . And , a top 5 in Conference PG . A PG who can , in 4 years be the number 1 or 2 in the BE . A Erick Barkley clone would be perfect .
 
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We have more boneheaded turnovers than any team I can remember. Passing it into the stands multiple times a game,and travelling when picking up their dribble is hard to overcome when you lack talent like we are. Those things have got to get cleaned up.
 
Last night really showed how far away we are. I think this team will go into a tailspin now as they realize it to.

But what is the future?
Champaignie is losing confidence by the minute and is half the guy he was 2 months ago. Caraher has cement in his shoes. Earlington is a nice piece but he needs to lose 10-15lbs this offseason. Greg Williams is ok in spurts but shows no consistancy. Dunn played well last night but how far can you go with an undersized shooting guard who cant shoot?

It is going to take 3 full recruiting classes to turn this around. Remember after year 3, jay wright finished 11th in the big east.
 
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