(POST GAME) NJIT, Sat., Nov. 27, 4p, FS-2

Ray Morgan post=444423 said:
Right now,  we could lose to anyone in the conference. Fortunately, we will get better. We have to. We can't get much worse. What does concern me the most is Posh.  He must have hit the deck hard 5 or 6 times. We need him for 30 minutes a game to win. No way around that.
He is turning into what I felt about Wayne Chrebet towards the end of his career.  Every time he hits the deck, I hold my breath hoping he gets up.  I cant do this for the next 3 years.
 


Had some things to do today. Was saving the replay to watch later. “Accidentally” heard the score. Looking here I guess it’s worse than I could even imagine.
 
Seems like we had no plan on offense or defense most of the game.  Not impressed with in game management.  We also do not seem to value the basketball.  Posh less careful with the ball this season, but I’m confident that he’ll straighten out before too long.
 
I'm mostly glass half full guy but after this afternoon, I became a glass full guy so my friend, Jameson< could comfort me when the glass full became glass empty--gimme a refill.  Very few positives.  When we went on the run in the second half at got up 16 with 11 to go, it appeared Posh was through for the day as the trainer brought out an ice pack for his ankle/foot area.  Mathis continues his good play and did not hoist up a 3; gets his role.  After game Posh spent about 10 minutes speaking with kids and signing autographs.  CA was a morgue with no energy-virtually no students there as all home for holiday-can be contributing to team's lack of energy.  Noticed Pinson no longer carrying arm in sling.
 
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Zach's opening line was funny

"St. John’s must not like dessert — because the cupcakes have not gone down smoothly. " 
 
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Champ The Man post=444365 said:
I know people probably don't want to hear this, but a win is a win, it's all about survive and advance.

I get that, but I thought this team the the best that sju had in years? Better players then last year's guys, but we blow a 16pnt lead in the 2nd half, and njit forces ot? Just wow.
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Who said that tho? Did coach? THe AD? Or was it a writer who has never coached and obsessed fans because they saw transfers come in. Fans put the expectation this team with out ever seening them play
 
Thank you JSJ for the amazing Seats!

I will say this, when you sit up close you see alot of things you dont on tv.

With all due respect to Coach/Coaches. I don't think these kids respond to him/them well. After the first shot of the game Champ yelled back at the bench because they were saying something to him. I saw the same in Indiana when I sat behind the bench.

Also seems like Posh doesn't really pay attention or "ignores" coach. Again Ive only sat this close twice.

The body language of the team is bad. Don't know if Coach rides them too hard or what. But this team is lacking something. They looked like a bunch of individuals out there tonight. It could be the opponent, they have no interest in playing.

 
 
Redman#13 post=444444 said:
Champ The Man post=444365 said:
I know people probably don't want to hear this, but a win is a win, it's all about survive and advance.

I get that, but I thought this team the the best that sju had in years? Better players then last year's guys, but we blow a 16pnt lead in the 2nd half, and njit forces ot? Just wow.
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Who said that tho? Did coach? THe AD? Or was it a writer who has never coached and obsessed fans because they saw transfers come in. Fans put the expectation this team with out ever seening them play
The general consensus within the athletic department was that when most of our team entered the transfer portal that we would upgrade the roster.    The coaching staff was prepared for the new rule and immediately began working on the kids within the portal that they were interested in.    The guys we lost mostly performed well as supporting cast in limited minutes.   I can definitely say that the coaching staff and the entire athletic department felt (and feel) that we significantly upgraded the roster in terms of talent, size, and depth. 

The real question is how long will it take (if ever) for this group to perform as well as a team, be as tough defensively, and as cohesive offensively as last year's team.   The best talent doesn't always win games.  Before that judgment is made, let's get through a half dozen Big East contests.   These kids are still learning and finding their roles.
 
 
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Beast of the East post=444452 said:
Redman#13 post=444444 said:
Champ The Man post=444365 said:
I know people probably don't want to hear this, but a win is a win, it's all about survive and advance.

I get that, but I thought this team the the best that sju had in years? Better players then last year's guys, but we blow a 16pnt lead in the 2nd half, and njit forces ot? Just wow.
​​​​​​



Who said that tho? Did coach? THe AD? Or was it a writer who has never coached and obsessed fans because they saw transfers come in. Fans put the expectation this team with out ever seening them play
The general consensus within the athletic department was that when most of our team entered the transfer portal that we would upgrade the roster.    The coaching staff was prepared for the new rule and immediately began working on the kids within the portal that they were interested in.    The guys we lost mostly performed well as supporting cast in limited minutes.   I can definitely say that the coaching staff and the entire athletic department felt (and feel) that we significantly upgraded the roster in terms of talent, size, and depth. 

The real question is how long will it take (if ever) for this group to perform as well as a team, be as tough defensively, and as cohesive offensively as last year's team.   The best talent doesn't always win games.  Before that judgment is made, let's get through a half dozen Big East contests.   These kids are still learning and finding their roles.


 
I agree we need wait to pass judgement on this team, I do not agree that the talent level is definitely better then last year's team. I'm not saying it's not, but I still need to see this team against better comp(more then 1 game) before deciding. We know what Champ, Posh, Mathis and Wusu are capable of doing against better comp on a consistent basis. For better or worse, we know what Wheeler can do based on his time at Purdue. To me, the jury is still out on every other player. 
 
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Glad we won this one, but simply winning against an awful team like this at home isn't enough. This game will hurt our overall resume in terms of NET (OT counts as +1 margin). The close margins against mediocre competition killed our OOC NET last year.

That right there is the problem. This team has a tremendous amount of pressure on them to beat Indiana and/or Kansas, and also to beat everyone else by 10+. All they've been hearing is about how bad their schedule is and the ridiculous expectations for any given game. Even HAD they beat NJIT by 10+ it wouldn't have helped their resume, just would've helped with treading water.

Don't get me wrong, this won't destroy their resume the same way as had they lost, but it will hurt it some. There are also plenty of Power teams that have lost games like this one. Fortunately the OOC schedule is now halfway over and we'll have plenty of chances in Big East play to get Q1/Q2 wins. Kansas would be great obviously, but will be tough.
 
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I don't see how anyone can watch last two games and feel confident this team will finish in top half of conference.  The fact they needed Champagnie on the floor at end of both games is incredibly troubling.

Neither team they played is remotely good. I am less worried about NET and more worried about how good this team really is.

Things can and hopefully will change but not impressed at all with this team right now.
 
We'll learn alot about this team next Friday.    

1.  a win - obvious expectations soar 

2.  a tough hard fought loss - then you feel they can play against the big boys and have been playing down to the competition

3.  a blowout  ugh
 
the observations of Redman#13 were very sad, troublesome, and eye opening.
is there a bad connection between coach and his players?
we keep hearing that - only by playing tough, practice defense gets one into a game.
as was pointed out - champ and posh are guaranteed starters minutes, every one else is playing for minutes.
how can a non champ/posh player not be up for any game?
 
Monte post=444454 said:
Beast of the East post=444452 said:
Redman#13 post=444444 said:
Champ The Man post=444365 said:
I know people probably don't want to hear this, but a win is a win, it's all about survive and advance.

I get that, but I thought this team the the best that sju had in years? Better players then last year's guys, but we blow a 16pnt lead in the 2nd half, and njit forces ot? Just wow.
​​​​​​



Who said that tho? Did coach? THe AD? Or was it a writer who has never coached and obsessed fans because they saw transfers come in. Fans put the expectation this team with out ever seening them play
The general consensus within the athletic department was that when most of our team entered the transfer portal that we would upgrade the roster.    The coaching staff was prepared for the new rule and immediately began working on the kids within the portal that they were interested in.    The guys we lost mostly performed well as supporting cast in limited minutes.   I can definitely say that the coaching staff and the entire athletic department felt (and feel) that we significantly upgraded the roster in terms of talent, size, and depth. 

The real question is how long will it take (if ever) for this group to perform as well as a team, be as tough defensively, and as cohesive offensively as last year's team.   The best talent doesn't always win games.  Before that judgment is made, let's get through a half dozen Big East contests.   These kids are still learning and finding their roles.




 
I agree we need wait to pass judgement on this team, I do not agree that the talent level is definitely better then last year's team. I'm not saying it's not, but I still need to see this team against better comp(more then 1 game) before deciding. We know what Champ, Posh, Mathis and Wusu are capable of doing against better comp on a consistent basis. For better or worse, we know what Wheeler can do based on his time at Purdue. To me, the jury is still out on every other player. 
Whether in fact the staff is correct that the talent level was upgraded remains to be seen. 
Clearly we should be playing better just because Champ, Posh and Wusu returned all with a year or two of experience with CMAs system and we added a low post presence in Soriano, but unfortunately that has not been the case. 
Wheeler has been a huge disappointment and to me that is on CMA and the staff. They have to piece the puzzle properly and have players refrain from doing what they want on the floor. We all know what Wheeler is capable of and I believe he could be a very good piece of the puzzle if he was to play to his strengths and not his weakness ( outside shooting ). Right now I am still hoping CMA can get him to play to his potential and where his skill set can best be used the way he did with Moore last season. 
The Smith we saw play against us is not the same player we have now, Coburn is radically inconsistent, Pinzon is injured( not his fault), our two first year big men are giving us next to nothing other than hustle and desire. Mathis has been a good defensive player which we thought and can score on layups , transition and fast breaks but we need more from the other 7 newcomers. 
What I find most distressing is that we lose to a good Indiana team by two on the road in a crazy hostile environment with a very good Mathis getting thrown out and then have back to back stinkers at home against low level teams,  something just doesn’t make sense. 
 
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Hopefully CMA proves us wrong, but this roster is entirely his and that means the quality on the floor and the results.

While I dont think we'll get blown out too much, if at all, I don't see this team being a well oiled machine that will come together long enough to be considered for top tier in the conference.

 
 
Seems quite fair to be concerned about how well this group is playing together thus far. I did feel initially with two All BE players SJ could have a very good season. I won’t abandon that opinion, but it is clear as early as it it, having some concerns is a natural reaction.

Playing down to the level of opponents is unhealthy, certain transfers may have been over hyped, absence of effective defense often when cold offensively and still searching for right combinations seem fair play for fans. The “vaunted” depth we anticipated may not materialize, but shortening the rotation with right combinations may be more important perhaps.

Anticipating a Kansas loss seems logical, but we’ll see. To me the true barometer on this team is the first five BE games. The league schedule early is less daunting than in recent years and if they can’t make hay there, it is apparent I for one badly missed on the upside of the team. Let’s give Kansas a run, don’t stumble v Colgate or Pitt and take the “one game at a time” approach in BE play & avoid digging a hole we have unfortunately have become accustomed to.
 
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Agree with much of what’s been said. But I’m taking solace until proven wrong that CMAs teams (here at least) came on as the seasons progress.   I do believe the talent level is better.  And we undoubtedly have more size.   But it’s a mish mash so far.   Maybe the injuries have stunted progress.   But I don’t see the cohesion, energy or urgency I’d like to.   
 
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Last years team if playing this years team today would beat them. Doesn't meant that will be the case a month from now if we gel but we miss Moore for sure ( tweets and instagram posts not included )
 
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