I DVR'd the game for after work and just watching it now. I know we won but its pretty cool to get Mo and Fraschilla (ok he really let me and his pants down). It will make watching this W fairly unique. I was also just watching a little of the Knicks game and Mo Harkless is doing SJU proud. Good day for St. John's hoops all around.
Post Game Thoughts
- Thread starter tom in salem
- Start date
Agree with all your points MJ...
Obekpa was absolutely MVP...In 38 years of attending these games I dont think I have seen us have a shotblocker like him. He is a game changer.
In general, I was very happy with the team. I think Detroit is a good team...Yes, we had some sloppy moments. But they are young and were without two key weapons.
Christian Jones handled himself like an upperclassman.
Great 1st win
+100
Spot on. Phil has looked very good in the preseason games and especially today. I don't if Branch will unseat him or come off the bench, I'm guessing they'll both play a lot and it won't matter much who the "starter" is.
Make no mistake about it, Phil is a very important part of this team right now. Best ball handling on the team by far, and court vision that is improving more and more every game.
Section is also right about the tixx. First game of the season, mid-day start time... they should have made a major push to get students to turn out. Giving away tixx is tough because it screws the students who buy a season package, but there has to be another way to fill the place.
jerseyshorejohnny
Well-known member
Greene is arguably our most consistent shooter. D'Lo can put the team on his back any given game. Obekpa is what I thought he would be...a monster. As I said before, it doesn't matter how good his opponents are...it's all about timing for him. He times his blocks so perfectly...he might be 6'8 but plays like a 7 footer. I LOVED watching McCallum get stuffed...I had to yell "Meet Mr. Obekpa" at my TV 
. I could only watch the first half because I had class, but when I checked the score after I was very proud to see we pulled it out. Keep in mind we just beat an NCAA team with Sampson doing absolutely nothing. Just wait until Sampson gets going. The kid was anxious we should all give him a break he will get going.
Also, Harkless was a monster vs. the Knicks tonight 4 blocks 10 points! He blocked Melo twice in a row at one point very fun to see.
. I could only watch the first half because I had class, but when I checked the score after I was very proud to see we pulled it out. Keep in mind we just beat an NCAA team with Sampson doing absolutely nothing. Just wait until Sampson gets going. The kid was anxious we should all give him a break he will get going. Also, Harkless was a monster vs. the Knicks tonight 4 blocks 10 points! He blocked Melo twice in a row at one point very fun to see.
Fun game to watch on replay - though, I must admit that it was a lot easier to stomach knowing the final score in advance.
One think I liked about our offense: we didn't jack up a ton of threes. They only took 10 shots from three-point distance, making four of them. That's a nice Goldilocks type of number: Not too many, not too few...
It was also nice to see some interior passing (particularly by Jones) - and I think that if we are somehow lucky enough to get Sanchez playing this season then we'll be even better at it.
There is a lot talent on this team, it is nice to see solid recruiting after a long time of waiting.....
One think I liked about our offense: we didn't jack up a ton of threes. They only took 10 shots from three-point distance, making four of them. That's a nice Goldilocks type of number: Not too many, not too few...
It was also nice to see some interior passing (particularly by Jones) - and I think that if we are somehow lucky enough to get Sanchez playing this season then we'll be even better at it.
There is a lot talent on this team, it is nice to see solid recruiting after a long time of waiting.....
Greene is arguably our most consistent shooter. D'Lo can put the team on his back any given game. Obekpa is what I thought he would be...a monster. As I said before, it doesn't matter how good his opponents are...it's all about timing for him. He times his blocks so perfectly...he might be 6'8 but plays like a 7 footer. I LOVED watching McCallum get stuffed...I had to yell "Meet Mr. Obekpa" at my TV
Also, Harkless was a monster vs. the Knicks tonight 4 blocks 10 points! He blocked Melo twice in a row at one point very fun to see.
i REALLY DONT KNOW ABOUT " doing absolutely nothing " Joe as 5 boards and 2 blocks is a very good starting point in a first collegiate game.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
We have the athletes to compete with anybody. If Sanchez gets cleared, we may lead the nation in blocked shots. May lead the nation without him. Outside shooting and the half court game our weak points. What else is new? Recruiting shooters isn't our thing. If anyone chooses to debate these weaknesses, then bring it up with Mullin and Fran. Both stressed it on several occasions. The points have to come from Harrison. He is such a throwback NBA player. I think Chris enjoys watching him because there is some of Chris in his game. Garrett just loves playing. His enthusiasm jumps off the screen. So glad he stuck with the program. Greene played well, but hope Branch is an upgrade. His handle gets a little loose at times, and I question his strength. I am not yet sold on him being a consistent outside shooter. Kept losing his footing, and was out-muscled for the ball on several occasions in second half. Still, his unorthodox game makes him tough to defend in the open court. Beating a nice team with little from Sampson is a good sign. You don't get recruited by Kansas if you can't play. Just seemed like first game jitters. Whatever the case, wish Moe was still here. That's life in the college game. At least it gives me a reason to watch the NBA this season.
Bottom line. If Sanchez clears, I expect to be dancing. If not, it will be a wild and interesting ride. This team should be fun to watch.
Bottom line. If Sanchez clears, I expect to be dancing. If not, it will be a wild and interesting ride. This team should be fun to watch.
Here is my Mahercap without readinf everyone else ( no offense )
Phil looked great
Great meeting Salty Dog and peeps.
The 1st security guard women molested me and she practically demanded a semen sample. But she was butt f'ing ugly
Obepka wtf ? I went to the 1 freaking concession line to buy a bottle of water and In the 10 minutes it took to get past the 6 people on line I heard 3 blocks. wow
Amir will be one of my favorite all time players
Harrison-Learn your lesson and welcome back because you are the heart and soul of this team
BTW they sell churros now. Unfortunately I'm trying to diet other than my beer intake
Phil looked great
Great meeting Salty Dog and peeps.
The 1st security guard women molested me and she practically demanded a semen sample. But she was butt f'ing ugly
Obepka wtf ? I went to the 1 freaking concession line to buy a bottle of water and In the 10 minutes it took to get past the 6 people on line I heard 3 blocks. wow
Amir will be one of my favorite all time players
Harrison-Learn your lesson and welcome back because you are the heart and soul of this team
BTW they sell churros now. Unfortunately I'm trying to diet other than my beer intake
BTW it wouldnt be the same without Sleavlessguy in the student section
I truly believe he has as much heart of that section as Harrison is of our team.
No matter how f'ing old you get you cant sit with us. You should be forever behind the basket
I truly believe he has as much heart of that section as Harrison is of our team.
No matter how f'ing old you get you cant sit with us. You should be forever behind the basket
Player of the game was Dlo, we don't make that comeback without him lighting it up down the stretch.
Coliste going down with a cramp late in the game was huge for us. He was their most efficient player and second leading scorer.
Amir playing up top on the second half zone against McCallum made a huge difference.
Three players from the women's team came in late and sat behind us, they went nuts when Chris hit that jumper with under two to go.
Coliste going down with a cramp late in the game was huge for us. He was their most efficient player and second leading scorer.
Amir playing up top on the second half zone against McCallum made a huge difference.
Three players from the women's team came in late and sat behind us, they went nuts when Chris hit that jumper with under two to go.
Again, not many talking about it but I also think Lavin coached a really good game. We made adjustments in the second half that really worked. Subbing was good and well timed. We used zone at the right part of the game and it really spurred our comeback to take the lead.
1. Last year, I watched Phil stroke shots during an exhibition and maybe an early regular game, and didn't see it the rest of year. He did look confident and played well yesterday.
2. Hopefully it was just Sampson's nerves and he will be alright.
3. Obekpa was a man in the middle and will allow us to be agressive up top knowing he will be back there. The great thing about shot blockers, they are can be on the other teams mind even when they are not blocking shots, causing them to rush shots or alter them.
4. If DLo is not here next year, it won't be because he is transfering. Let's get over this fear that everytime someone is disciplined, they are going to transfer. If they can't get with the program with their coach and their teammates, it becomes disruptive and a problem. I don't see that happening with DLo who is doing and saying the right things and I love his fire. He will be fine and as stated yesterday, is a stone cold scorer. He will be a leader on this team no doubt.
5. I love Amir. He has intangibles that he seems to just do what the team needs and does it quitely and then you look at the box score and you're amazed. Really how many actually realized had a double double.
6. Pointer is at his best when he is not trying to force things and stays in a flow. Yesteday, he tried to force things.
7. Jones has a nice look to his game, but I would like to see him more aggressive on the boards.
8. Half of the teams in America have or will look sloppy during their first game, including Michigan State (who were still sloppy last night and had already played.). Do we need more work? Absolutely. But when Branch becomes available, that will definitely help in some areas as will Sanchez and Bougault.
All in all, the team could have folded, but didn't and came away with a win.