(POST GAME) DePaul, Wed., Jan. 5, 6:30p, FS-1

Interesting the way the Coach did and didn't answer the question about Stef Smith. His short answer made it clear he wasn't going to discuss the reason for him not playing.


was he available.
YES.

So it was a coach's decision?
silence
then, Yes.
silence
(next question)
 
It's been a while (and may be short lived) but we can say that right now St. John's is in first place in the Big East!

Nice game in that we have a good lead only to fall behind by 5 midway in 2nd half only to come back for the W.  Need some help in backcourt, we got away with only 3 players in the back court tonight
 
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I had DVR'd the game this evening because I had a Women's basketball game this evening. So when I got home I watched the game following along with the game thread here. You would have thought we were losing badly throughout the thread. Happy to see we pulled it out. In the game I did, there was a player that hit 10, yes 10 3s in the 1st half. Defense could never find her. Ridiculous switching by the defense. I could swear I was watching the Redmen play defense!
 
Mathis continues to do a lot of things well.  Soriano was tough last night. 

We continue to struggle w the foul shooting (both teams) and missed layups. I don’t know why?

what really kills me all year is we defend great for 20-25 seconds, have a miscommunication or poor switch and give up an open shot as the clock expires. Happens multiple times a game. Anyone know how to fix that?

any insiders know what happened w Smith? Hearing all types of rumors. From a lower left leg injury to COVID issues/conditioning to poor conduct? Hate to speculate but that’s floating around…
 
Soriano reminds me a lot of Shawnelle Scott as an underclass man who was a prototypical bull in a china shop… always doing 2 things wrong for everything right but oozing with potential.

last night he looked much more focused after the long layoff. Hope it continues.
 
Do we want to see more lineups with Champ at the 3 when we get back to full health? 

I would. Not full time but more than we saw prior to last game. 
 
Obviously opposing teams know Champ is our best player.

After last night, will he see even more double teams and extra pressure from defenses, I am afraid so.

Other guys will have to step up, Champ is not netting that many points every game.
 
Agree that Soriano played well, in addition to rebounding (notably a few timely offensive boards), he passes well to open guys, cutters. He seems to be developing after a slow start. Watson will be a good test.
 
Paultzman post=449351 said:
Not an alum post=449350 said:
What did everyone think of Wheeler? He got some good minutes. 
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Meh.                                                             The More I see of Wheeler , I understand why he is here and not , playing for potential   NCAA Contender , Purdue .    Im
sure Matt Painter gave him a heads up that he wasn’t going to be part of that Purdue rotation this season .   We are seeing why .  He’s basically a non factor . Despite having the Size , etc to be one .   Smith ? So far , a disappointment  too !   Mathis has been OK , not great .  Soriano has played well in spots but , getting only 17 minutes last night is a puzzle ?  Conditioning ? Or , just CMA Strategy ?       I do notice how much better the team plays when Champ is under the Basket on D . He gets rebounds that others don’t . And , can block shots too .     I do think that , even the most observant fan has to acknowledge finally that last Years team was a lot better .   If we replicate that  10-9 Record , we will be very fortunate . 
 
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Went to the game last night... wasn't a classic BE home crowd @CA (couple years ago- has been packed for those wins over Butler/Marq) - but everything going on- was pleasantly surprised by those that showed up (my bar is low for SJU fans attending home games lol)

Stating the obvious- Champ was amazing- we know he can score- but the rebounding! he went after everything he could- skying for boards- seems like that was an emphasis over his "break". solid D too

I honestly was expecting a loss.... 18 day layoff, players saying they hadnt practiced together.... i wouldnt call this team a "cohesive unit" prior to the break... so was expecting a lot of rust this game. Saw bits an pieces of rust- esp with layups in the first half- but they exceeded my expectations with how they played. 

Soriano- would have like to see him go up with the ball more when he got a rebound or interior pass...he seemed more intent on feeding others from the post- maybe that was a point coaches emphasized. Thought he played well- esp with his rebounding in traffic. Depaul had two taller dudes in there with him- Watson will be a Great* test. 

Posh- what a start to the 2nd half.... didnt think he was coming back in the game when he left. he was close to  my side of the court- Obvious cramp in his right calf.... thing looked like it was chiseled before he hopped his way to the tunnel. gotta make sure he stays hydrated - or massaged during his breaks. Do wonder why he didnt start. 

Stef Smith- really hope his DNP is nothing.... hes a good player and as the Indiana game showed- can be a solid scorer we desperately need as teams will def start doubling Champ. 

Fun win- good seeing the guys live again. 
 
Paultzman post=449352 said:
Agree that Soriano played well, in addition to rebounding (notably a few timely offensive boards), he passes well to open guys, cutters. He seems to be developing after a slow start. Watson will be a good test.
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Looked real good, but he was on the bench for much of the second half, why?
 
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Also- one more take away- not sure who we'll miss more next year.... Champ or the the Big dude on the dance team.... guy kills it every performance...
 
getting to the rim takes care of probles. Keeping the other guys from getting to the rim helps on the D end. thats been a problem.We do seem to score points. Giving up second chances is a killer.
 
I am happy with the win.  I will always be happy if we win.  My biggest issue was all of the missed layups and really the way they were missed.  If you have to take a circus shot that doesn't even touch the rim and is nowhere close to going in, don't take that shot.  It is really that simple.  Find a teammate for a better look.
 
Paultzman post=449352 said:
Agree that Soriano played well, in addition to rebounding (notably a few timely offensive boards), he passes well to open guys, cutters. He seems to be developing after a slow start. Watson will be a good test.


I'm afraid that Watson will eat him up
Hope I'm wrong but I don't think Soriano is up to the task
I would be very glad to eat my words after the game
Please prove me wrong, Joel

 
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Not an Alum wrote:
What did everyone think of Wheeler? He got some good minutes. 

I am admittedly an eternal optimist, but still not ready to give up on Wheeler. I only was able to watch the first half and last 6 minutes of second half but I thought Wheeler did what we want him to do last night - was very active on defense including being a factor when we pressed in the backcourt, was active in half court defense and didn't take a lot of bad shots. He still needs to play with more authority down low offensively, should have dunked that alley-oop from Posh. Will be interested to see what kind of minutes he gets against PC. He is quick enough to cover Horchler and keep him from getting open threes; he is PC's main three point threat with Reeves out. 
I agree with Amase that we need to see Champ at the three sometimes and I see that meaning some combination of Soriano, Wheeler and Stanley at the other two frontcourt positions. Just my view and realize I am in the minority on Wheeler. 
 
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