(POST GAME) Monmouth, Thu., Dec. 9, 8:30p, FS-1

otis post=446282 said:
Making Plays post=446249 said:
Quality win.  Monmouth is going to get a lot of wins this year, their guards are legit.  

 
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yep, I agree that Monmouth will get a lot of wins this year in the MAAC but I disagree if anyone believes that Monmouth has Big East talent, or the ability to have a winning record in the Big East or any other P6 conference.

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Shavar Reynolds literally came from the Big East and made a game winning shot with Seton Hall to beat St. John's a few years ago. Also their starting center transferred from UNC.  And 2 of the other starters is 5th year guys.  Their current NET is better than the half of Big East teams, and they've already beaten Cincinnati on the road, who would be one of the top tier Big East teams.

I'm not saying Monmouth is world beaters.  But this is the type of team if they get that one bid in their league has the ability to win games in the NCAA tournament, we see teams like this do it every single year.
 
The defense is still not there.  We are giving up way too many offensive rebounds.  Also giving up way too many wide open threes.  Fixable but, for now, maddening.

 
 
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Im not going to rack my brain over this because we really do not know what this team is until we play Seton Hall in 2 weeks.  As long as we win the next 2 games, thats all that really matters.  We come to play and beat seton hall, none of these past games matter.

I have a strange feeling that this team will play there best vs better competition.  Lets just get the next 2 and then its on.
 
Posh is God.  Just back and can say I have never seen a more relentless player at St John's over many seasons.  I would love to see a stat on the number of times he dives to the floor.  He is truly unique and you must see him in person to appreciate the all out effort.  Him and Dylan are like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid--they play off each other on both ends.
 
Our offense isn’t catered to get Champ a bunch of looks and Champ’s game isn’t built on him going to get his own baskets. When he is hot he is capable of hitting shots in bunches and when he gets a look at the rim he rarely misses. My only wish is that we used him more as a threat. Doesn’t mean he has to take any more shots or dribble the ball more than he already does. He draws so much attention I think anytime we don’t at least make the defense worry about him, on or off the ball, every trip down it’s close to a waste. That’s on him, the guards, and coach.

He has made a handful of great back door cuts this season and that’s a nice touch. We also got it to him in the mid post a couple times tonight which I like. If he’s getting screened for think of how much attention both defenders have to pay him. We can open up some slips for our bigs. I’d love to see him set more screen off the ball where the same is true. He is such a weapon and I think he could be utilized more to help everyone else get going. 

With all that said..20,7,2,2,2 on 40% 3pt shooting. 
 
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otis post=446282 said:
Making Plays post=446249 said:
Quality win.  Monmouth is going to get a lot of wins this year, their guards are legit.  


 
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yep, I agree that Monmouth will get a lot of wins this year in the MAAC but I disagree if anyone believes that Monmouth has Big East talent, or the ability to have a winning record in the Big East or any other P6 conference.

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While SJ should have won that game by 10 (not a blowout), Monmouth has a starting 5 all of whom are in their 5th year of play. Senior laden teams are better than the sum of their parts.
 
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You know who wouldn't be complaining about a win against Monmouth?

Cincy fans. 
St. Joe's fans. 
Princeton fans. 

This was Trap Game #1 and we survived (despite our best efforts to throw it away in the final 90 seconds)

Trap Game #2 is Sunday. 
 
It would have been nice if they could have closed it out without needing to make us all sweat but ultimately I’m just glad we came out with the win. And I do think there’s been some positive progression the past 2 games. Monmouth isn’t Big East caliber but they’re a sneaky, dangerous team. Quad 2 win which yes probably drops further into the season. 

It’s annoying to see Rutgers & Hall capitalize on the big opportunities they’ve given themselves but we have to remember that our crappy schedule is what it is at this point. Have to play the hand we’ve been dealt (or frustratingly dealt ourselves I guess) Beating Colgate & Pitt may  just end up being Quad 4 wins but more importantly we’d be avoiding bad losses which is our road to the tournament right now. 

The key is going to be not digging ourselves a hole early in the Big East schedule. Yes Anderson’s teams play better in the 2nd half of the season but the past two seasons they started 1-6 & 1-5 in conference play. Gotta do better than that to really capitalize on any late season run.
 
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As far as I'm concerned very important game in our progression.

Teams are doubling up on Champ.  Stop him and stop SJU strategy.   Champ let the game come to him .  Early in 2nd half only had 5 or 6 points, then went on a little roll.

Stef Smith hitting 3s, and Mathis strong to him hole open things up for Champ.  If we make teams pay for giving Smith room, and collapsing on Champ, we are formidable.

Wusu is a little sloppy with the ball and can play more efficiently but had a solid stat line with 6 boards and 6 assists.

Posh has an uncanny ability to make room to get off a shot close to the rim in traffic.   I don't think he is in his best shape.  He is not the lightning bolt of speed he was last year picking pockets but is plenty good enough.

Soriano looks lost and overmatched.  He's got to find his groove.  Meanwhile Nyiwe is making progress.

Stanley logged some solid minutes.

Stay tuned.   We are getting there.
 
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Soriano is too passive ,needs to be more aggressive and develop a hook shot that works consistently.The team is not yet there but hopefully they can work on their deficiencies before Big East games.If and when they can get their act together, they can be a very good team.
 
I thought Soriano was much more active last night minus the dumb pass and weakness w the ball on the rebound he lost. He’s still learning what competing at the top level consists of.

Besides the stupid crap turnovers we pull each game (at least 3 errant highlight real passes) the lack of ANYONE on the offensive glass has to change. We miss a long shot, give them an easy rebound and momentum into the front court while we’re sitting back waiting. I hate that. 

im glad coach shortened his bench. We have 9 we’re gonna roll with. Coburn and Wheeler haven’t shown enough to take minutes from guys right now. 
 
Bottom line for Champ to be recognized as a potential NBA player. He has to establish himself early in the game. He can't star games slowly. 4 point in the first half doesn't cut it. We've been know to have slow starts in games. Last night was a pleasant surprise and he need to be part of that. Would like to see him ask for the ball when we are struggling. Also liked that he went to the basket with a purpose last night. They all need to do that rather than passing the ball around the perimeter. 
 
Glass half full: The team is 3 for 3 in close games that could have been losses.
Glass half empty: All 3 games were at home in games where the spread was close to or higher than double digits.
Realist view: Team needs to improve in a number of areas to beat big East teams. Road games are going to be really challenging. But its doable.
 
Brief observations from last night game:

1.  Unlike far too many of our "fans," I actually went to the game.  Our fan base is very disappointing.

2.  Coach is playing the effort guys, which I heartily approve of.  For an Anderson team to win, it has to compete the full length of the floor from wire to wire.  So he is properly starting and giving most of the playing time to the players who are willing to do that.

3.  Interesting decision to play Wusu at the point and Posh off the ball.  I am honestly not sure what that gets us - I don't think Posh can do anything off the ball that Wusu can't, and Posh is a better ball handler.  It wasn't a disaster against Monmouth, and I'm not saying that I hate it, but it just seemed odd.  Posh and Wusu obviously play very well together regardless of who brings the ball up, though.

4.  Champagnie has been off all year and continues to be off.  I would speculate that it relates to his audition for the pros and that he's either feeling pressure or trying too hard to be something he isn't.  It could also be that the new players don't know how/when to feed him so he isn't getting the looks he wants, but I don't think that's it.  Hopefully he will settle in and just play his game - we are going to need it if we are going anywhere this season.

5.  Unfortunately the team overall is a work in progress, and I don't think it's ready for league play at the moment.  There are too many turnovers, too many empty possessions, not enough rebounding, not good enough defense.  I don't think any of those things are due to a lack of ability or players - I think that in trying to play the style and pace Coach wants the new pieces are just slightly out of sync and that is root of the problem.  I had hoped they would be further along at this point but they're running out of time.  Hopefully it will click in.

6.  The only thing I can say about Posh (other than "my goodness!!") is that he is without question the toughest player I've seen in a St John's uniform since Anthony Glover.  If you saw Glover play then you know that is saying something.  And Posh is doing it as a (short) guard, which is even more jaw dropping.  Just wow.
 
lawmanfan post=446314 said:
Brief observations from last night game:

1.  Unlike far too many of our "fans," I actually went to the game.  Our fan base is very disappointing.

2.  Coach is playing the effort guys, which I heartily approve of.  For an Anderson team to win, it has to compete the full length of the floor from wire to wire.  So he is properly starting and giving most of the playing time to the players who are willing to do that.

3.  Interesting decision to play Wusu at the point and Posh off the ball.  I am honestly not sure what that gets us - I don't think Posh can do anything off the ball that Wusu can't, and Posh is a better ball handler.  It wasn't a disaster against Monmouth, and I'm not saying that I hate it, but it just seemed odd.  Posh and Wusu obviously play very well together regardless of who brings the ball up, though.

4.  Champagnie has been off all year and continues to be off.  I would speculate that it relates to his audition for the pros and that he's either feeling pressure or trying too hard to be something he isn't.  It could also be that the new players don't know how/when to feed him so he isn't getting the looks he wants, but I don't think that's it.  Hopefully he will settle in and just play his game - we are going to need it if we are going anywhere this season.

5.  Unfortunately the team overall is a work in progress, and I don't think it's ready for league play at the moment.  There are too many turnovers, too many empty possessions, not enough rebounding, not good enough defense.  I don't think any of those things are due to a lack of ability or players - I think that in trying to play the style and pace Coach wants the new pieces are just slightly out of sync and that is root of the problem.  I had hoped they would be further along at this point but they're running out of time.  Hopefully it will click in.

6.  The only thing I can say about Posh (other than "my goodness!!") is that he is without question the toughest player I've seen in a St John's uniform since Anthony Glover.  If you saw Glover play then you know that is saying something.  And Posh is doing it as a (short) guard, which is even more jaw dropping.  Just wow.
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Good post lawman

Point #3. Posh is averaging 22 points these past two games while playing off the ball. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. On the other hand wusu has had 18 assists and 4 TOs. So added scoring punch and no let down in passing in this small sample size.  

 Both him and Wusu are great passers but they do it in different ways. Posh makes great passes when he is able to attack the basket. And playing him away from the ball has freed him up to attack more. Wusu can make more “general” passes to wings and cutters from the top of the key that sometimes posh struggles to see because of his height. Just my opinion. But it’s clear theyre a damn good duo regardless who’s at the 1/2 and they certainly enjoy playing together.
 
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