(POST-GAME) @Connecticut, Mon., Jan. 18, 2:30p, FOX / 970 AM WNYM

[SJU85]

Thrilled with the win, but what was Champ thinking on that last shot by UCONN? The only thing we couldn't afford to have happen was a 4 point play. Anyhow haven't been this excited all season. And not only won a few bucks, but helped my buddy Mike Maher win a few bucks too lol.  

Someone on the game thread asked "why call a time out and let Hurley diagram a play". You call one to tell your team not to let them roll the ball in thereby letting got to towards the front court with the clock not running, and to not even contest a three point shot risking a possible four point play.  And yet we contest.   Glad it was a clean block.  Not the first time IIRC that Champ has done this but clean blocks each time

 

[Amaseinyourface]

What a game by posh and the duke.  Wusu and roberts played big time as well.

I think gwill being out helped us as the rotation was shortened and it let wusu and the duke get into a groove.  Moving forward, coach should shorten the rotation and get some key kids more minutes.

id like to see less moore, dunn and cole and more roberts, duke and wusu.





 

Cant disagree (except for Dunn as he is tough and a great defender). . .I actually wanted Roberts in the game in place of Cole in 2nd half...Really disappointed in Cole...Today was all about the 2 OSL kids and Earlington...

We shouldn't spend another dime on Juco recruiting. The phrase "Juco All American" means about as much as "Luxury Condo". . .On toughness alone, OSL would have beaten the Juco teams

LJ was pretty tough

there are exceptions of course and he was originally going to New Mexico b4 a coaching change I believe...

I see potential in Cole and Moore and think they have some skills...but with a 2 year window (under normal circumstances) you want to see accelerated development. With Hardy and Brownlees it was apparent that they were 2 of the best players on the team. Only Norm didn't see it.

cant say the same with Cole and Moore yet and we probably should. Talents there but missing toughness right now. Hope they are hav8ng fire lit under them especially Cole.
 

Don’t disagree with what your saying. These two seem like offensive pieces CMA hoped would be able to supplement our roster but at this point we need some more legitimate pieces before we can see those benefits. I do like both players and really hope they stay here for their senior season. Moore had 26 & 14 in a BE game. Cole has won us a game or two. Right now they are just struggling a bit.

 

[paultzman]

This may be unpopular, but I am going stick with Cole.  He is definitely not going to be the player we thought we were getting, but I think he can contribute later this year and next.  The kid needs to stop being hesitant and just shoot.  Many times he doesn't think he has enough room to put the shot up, but that's all you get in the big league.  He will get better.

I have become critical of Cole and feel he is struggling with the physical play in the BE and really needs to get stronger over the summer. He also seems to carry his frustration when cold over to his defense. That said, we need scoring and hope he shakes off recent play and gets back on track. I am skeptical, but you are right, no sense getting too impatient.

 

[paultzman]

Zach B w interesting tidbit;

St. John's PG Posh Alexander's last four games: 11.2 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.5 RPG, 2.7 SPG and 5-of-13 from three. #sjubb

 

[mjmaherjr]

What a game by posh and the duke.  Wusu and roberts played big time as well.

I think gwill being out helped us as the rotation was shortened and it let wusu and the duke get into a groove.  Moving forward, coach should shorten the rotation and get some key kids more minutes.

id like to see less moore, dunn and cole and more roberts, duke and wusu.






 

Cant disagree (except for Dunn as he is tough and a great defender). . .I actually wanted Roberts in the game in place of Cole in 2nd half...Really disappointed in Cole...Today was all about the 2 OSL kids and Earlington...

We shouldn't spend another dime on Juco recruiting. The phrase "Juco All American" means about as much as "Luxury Condo". . .On toughness alone, OSL would have beaten the Juco teams

LJ was pretty tough

there are exceptions of course and he was originally going to New Mexico b4 a coaching change I believe...

I see potential in Cole and Moore and think they have some skills...but with a 2 year window (under normal circumstances) you want to see accelerated development. With Hardy and Brownlees it was apparent that they were 2 of the best players on the team. Only Norm didn't see it.

cant say the same with Cole and Moore yet and we probably should. Talents there but missing toughness right now. Hope they are hav8ng fire lit under them especially Cole.

 

Don’t disagree with what your saying. These two seem like offensive pieces CMA hoped would be able to supplement our roster but at this point we need some more legitimate pieces before we can see those benefits. I do like both players and really hope they stay here for their senior season. Moore had 26 & 14 in a BE game. Cole has won us a game or two. Right now they are just struggling a bit.

we have losing season without Cole. Granted it was early games but those were 2 early games we would have lost

 

[dalydoseofhoops]

http://dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com/2021/01/st-johns-grabs-massive-road-win-at.html

 

[boo haarvey]

This may be unpopular, but I am going stick with Cole.  He is definitely not going to be the player we thought we were getting, but I think he can contribute later this year and next.  The kid needs to stop being hesitant and just shoot.  Many times he doesn't think he has enough room to put the shot up, but that's all you get in the big league.  He will get better.

Right now he's an absolute liability on the floor.  He turns the ball over, he's a liability on defense, he can't drive and he's a below average shooter.  What have you seen that makes you want to stick with him?  

 

[ohiofan]

We made the AP Wire:

St. John's upsets No. 23 UConn 74-70 as teams renew rivalry (apnews.com)

 

[NCJohnnie]

JohnnyFan wrote:
 This may be unpopular, but I am going stick with Cole.  He is definitely not going to be the player we thought we were getting, but I think he can contribute later this year and next.  The kid needs to stop being hesitant and just shoot.  Many times he doesn't think he has enough room to put the shot up, but that's all you get in the big league.  He will get better.

It is unpopular on this board and I agree with you. I was very high on Cole coming into the year so watch him closely when he plays. IMHO, he is trying very hard to do the right thing, playing decent defense but thinking way too much and hesitating on his shot. I do believe he can help us next year if he just trusts his talent more which is clearly there and gets used to the speed of BE play.  OTOH, I do not believe Moore will be here next year. 

 

[room112]

What a win. Totally unexpected but man was I pumped. Could not stand to see UConn beat us their first game back against us and thank goodness it didn't happen. Just would have loved to see the UConn favs reaction on TV!!!

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[SJUhoopNUT]

Any win at Gampel is a big time win. Statement game from our guys I thought. Wusu, Earlington and Posh changed the whole complexion of this game. This is where the majority of the mins have to go. Cole and Moore can contribute here and there but if today proved anything it's how competitve and tough Wusu, Posh and Earlington are. If you dont have that, the BIg East will eat you alive. It was around this time last year Earlington started to come on...we need it again and today may have been the start. Use him and Wusu in the post because not many guards or small forwards can handle them down there. 



 

 

[MarkRedman]

JohnnyFan wrote:
 This may be unpopular, but I am going stick with Cole.  He is definitely not going to be the player we thought we were getting, but I think he can contribute later this year and next.  The kid needs to stop being hesitant and just shoot.  Many times he doesn't think he has enough room to put the shot up, but that's all you get in the big league.  He will get better.

It is unpopular on this board and I agree with you. I was very high on Cole coming into the year so watch him closely when he plays. IMHO, he is trying very hard to do the right thing, playing decent defense but thinking way too much and hesitating on his shot. I do believe he can help us next year if he just trusts his talent more which is clearly there and gets used to the speed of BE play.  OTOH, I do not believe Moore will be here next year. 

This is the problem with recruiting JUCO players. It's a crap shoot. You never know what you can expect from them. You only have them for 2 years and you need them to be "plug in and play" guys not developmental players. There is a world of difference in JUCO basketball vs. the style of play in big time D-1 basketball. Some JUCO's adjust quickly; others do not. I've seen enough of Cole and Moore to think that they both have ability and potential and have had some bright moments but neither of them are ready to be steady contributors night in and and night out at this point.

 

 

[MarkRedman]

Great win by a gritty and determined St John's team. We don't play "pretty" but we play hard
Posh and Duke were outstanding and Wusu was great .Those who doubted him were wrong

This win broke an 8 game losing streak at Yukon
Thank goodness - I hate their stinking fans - I only wish they were there to see it!!!!

 

[monte]

I get the love for Earlington and Wusu today. They picked up the slack for Champ and Williams, and helped lead us to a victory. But let's not get carried away here. Both have had games where they've given us nothing. Both are  good role players, but our best 5 right now are Champ, Williams, Posh, Dunn and probably Roberts and should get the bulk of the minutes.  Moore, Wusu and Earl should be 6-8 and also see decent minutes. 

 

[mjmaherjr]

I get the love for Earlington and Wusu today. They picked up the slack for Champ and Williams, and helped lead us to a victory. But let's not get carried away here. Both have had games where they've given us nothing. Both are  good role players, but our best 5 right now are Champ, Williams, Posh, Dunn and probably Roberts and should get the bulk of the minutes.  Moore, Wusu and Earl should be 6-8 and also see decent minutes. 

Dont be the 7am wake up go get a suasage egg mcmuffin buzz kill

 

[Mean Gene]

Great win today and a super effort by this team. It was around the same time last season that things finally started to come together. As far as Posh is concerned , the biggest improvement in him I see is he three point shooting the last couple of games. That is so important because with his ability to drive , being able to make the defense respect his outside shot just opens up so many more things for him and our offense. 

If you look at our schedule, if Williams is healthy, is see no reason why we can't win at least 3 of our next 5 games. 

 

[redfan25976l]

Moore needs some talking too...really is a liability on the floor....we need rebounds and post play...we need intimidation under than basket...Moore seems to lack desire and doesn't understand his role and responsibility to team...

 

[Demo]

Cole is not a Big East player, period.

I am not going to quit on Cole. He saved our asses against St. Peter's and Rider. 

I understand how you feel. Just don't like what I see. Can't get off his own shot (to slow), his decision making and passing is atrocious. I hope he gets better but he's not guy I want on the floor right now. Rather have Wasu.

 

[nycfan]

Well for today at least we can all agree on one thing - was a great decision to let UCONN back in the BE

 

[room112]

First time I have seen UConn play this year, and I know they are without their best player, but I was not impressed. Didn't look all that great of a team to me.