(POST GAME) @Xavier, Wed., Jan. 6, 8p, CBS SN / 970AM

[fordham96]

How could we have had a fair amount of new talent come in, which significantly upgraded the roster, yet be a team that is not nearly as good right now as the one that finished last season for us?

1) Second tier players had a clear path to playing time and making their mark last season.    Dunn, Earlington, Caraher, JC, and Rutherford all responded to the opportunity without any fear of looking over their shoulder and having guys on the bench who would take their time.   

2) Of all of those players (Rutherford graduated), only JC has continued to play at a level worthy of pt this year.    Each of the others have taken a step backwards, with IMO, confidence eroded.

3) LJ was a much bigger loss, 12 foot finger roll floater included, than we would have admitted.   In reality, on a much better team, LJ is getting 29 minutes per game, taking half as many 3's, and only shooting 18% from three.   He is getting 7.5 rebounds per game, which is a lot more than he got for us.   His role is being defined differently, but he is not killing it there, avergaing 9.5 ppg on 41% shooting.   Still and all we could have used him.   We are rudderless without his 15ppg here.

These are fair points but remember adding talent is a relative thing.  It is relative to what OTHER teams are adding or alreay have.  And the fact is relative to that SJU's recruiting class was mediocre at best.  Everyone who adds players from previous year could argue they added "talent."  Your point about LJ is spot on.  I said this how in the workd could anyone expect this team which was already NOT GOOD lose it's best player and add no major recruit and think they would be BETTER.  What?

I mean I remember people claiming UCONN was overrated at number 4 and that they should not be getting that type of respect.  I was dumbfounded.  Really?  Take their roster and incoming class and take SJU roster and incoming class and tell me who any objective person would take SJU roster over UCONN roster.  Then my favorite response was they were in the AAC last year  as if that is a put down.  As if teams like Houston and Memphis and Cncinnati could not compete in the BE.  They made it sound like the AAC was the MAAC.


 

 

[beast of the east]

I'm not particularly concerned about points scored or allowed.    If you race the ball up the court and have short possessions, you and the opposition scores more.   If you have long possessions and walk the ball up, both team score less points.   

When you don't have guys who can consistently make wide open shots in a half court offense, you pretty much have to push the ball upcourt for better looks.

Our defense is just plain bad right now.    I don't think a zone is necessarily the answer.   Good coaches always say, if you can't play good man to man defense, don't think you can play good zone.    There isn't a ton of difference between a collapsing, helping man defense and a zone anyway.   Right now we could not do either.

 

[Knight]

We were averaging more than 80 points per game.

Beast-I think Dunn has upped his game this season.

 

[fordham96]

We were averaging more than 80 points per game.

Beast-I think Dunn has upped his game this season.

I don't know who we is but that "scoring" includes two games against Georgetown including one that went extra frames and BC.  Need to score on the road against good teams.
 

 

[mm52]

We handed this game to X. Too many missed layups, stupid turnovers, and dumb fouls. Guys looked lethargic out there. It was an odd game to watch, but as usual the other team pulls it out. 
...

im glad to be watching sjubb tho.
 

This season is much like last year, where they were in most games but could not pull it out.  That said, I still am optimistic about the team and even the season.  I think they can at least split with Butler, DePaul, Providence, perhaps with Marquette and and eek out a win against Xavier.  IDK yet about Nova or UConn. 

We all get frustrated when guys like Earlington and Wusu shoot long shots because they're inconsistent.  But remember, they have, at times, helped us sustain runs. 

I would continue to allow Champ, Williams, Dunn, to some extent Moore, to shoot, and let the chips fall where they may.  Much of our success, as with others, depends on the streakiness of its scorers.  I also like when Cole gets into an early rhthym, which he was unable to do tonight because of the early fouls.  I thought they may have had Moore playing down low, which I like.  He was more effective yesterday and against G'town playing that way.

Keep your heads up.

 

[lawmanfan]

I thought the team came out rusty but competed well on the road against a tough team.  They had multiple chances to create a real lead which were squandered by the same three things that have been problems all year:  failure to stop the ball, boneheaded passes, and missing shots in key situations (some poor decisions, some good shots that just didn't go in).

The failure or inability to capitalize on the opportunities they had for three-quarters of the game set the stage for the stretch where Xavier put it away by (1) crushing us in the paint; and (2) switching to a 2-3 zone that we chose to attack by throwing the ball to cutters in the post (mostly without any success) instead of getting the ball to the free-throw line (the tried-and-true way to handle that zone). 

It's a shame, because it was a winnable game that for most of the time was played the way we want to play instead of the way X wanted to.  But I wouldn't read too much into it other than that this team is still a work in progress and that it needs more serviceable size - X has 4 or 5 totally useful frontcourt players and we don't really have a single complete frontcourt player.

 

[Redmen88]

I have but one word, disappointed.  Our play is sloppy and as many pointed out our defense is awful.  I realize we are young but there always seems to be an excuse.  The excuses need to stop and we need better play and better players.  I really thought we would take a big step forward this year but I am not seeing it. 

I am niot suggesting to change coaches, but we need to figure out a way to up the program significantly and soon.  This is the first time I really feel like not watching the games because I cannot stand seeing the horrible play.  Disappointed, again!

 

[newsman13]

We handed this game to X. Too many missed layups, stupid turnovers, and dumb fouls. Guys looked lethargic out there. It was an odd game to watch, but as usual the other team pulls it out. 
...

im glad to be watching sjubb tho.

 

This season is much like last year, where they were in most games but could not pull it out.  That said, I still am optimistic about the team and even the season.  I think they can at least split with Butler, DePaul, Providence, perhaps with Marquette and and eek out a win against Xavier.  IDK yet about Nova or UConn. 

We all get frustrated when guys like Earlington and Wusu shoot long shots because they're inconsistent.  But remember, they have, at times, helped us sustain runs. 

I would continue to allow Champ, Williams, Dunn, to some extent Moore, to shoot, and let the chips fall where they may.  Much of our success, as with others, depends on the streakiness of its scorers.  I also like when Cole gets into an early rhthym, which he was unable to do tonight because of the early fouls.  I thought they may have had Moore playing down low, which I like.  He was more effective yesterday and against G'town playing that way.

Keep your heads up.
Let's say your optimism bears fruit.  So what?  Mediocrity is mediocrity.  So let's all root for mediocrity.  For the newbies out there...you win in the recruiting wars.  If you bring in players who can't shoot...they can't shoot.  We're not even competing for top players.  Kudos to our fans who are still on board.  I used to lose sleep over St John's games.  Now, I could care less.  Sadly, I'm a summer soldier and sunshine patriot.  For those staying on board during another winter of discontent...you're better than me...
 

 

[monte]

I don't get CBSSN so thankfully I didn't watch the game.  In the old days, I would have subscribed for the night, then cancelled. No more. Apathy has officially set in. Don't see us salvaging much of what's left of this season. We're grossly undermanned and CMA is no miracle worker. Once again, get better talent here and we'll win. CMA is a good enough coach. Continue to think we can win with lower tier talent and 40 minutes of hell, and I got a bridge to sell you. 

 

[mm52]

It is so embarrassing that Xavier did not hit one dan 3 and still beat us easily.
 

Xavier went on a run when they went up 51-50 with about 8 mintues left.  We missed too many lay ups and put backs.  Had someone gotten hot, or some of those shots went in, it might have been a different story.  We're in every game.  There's decent talent here, albeit lacking in the frontcourt.

That said, I watched a little of the Utah State v. New Mexico game that followed on the telecast, and Utah State has a big, Neemias Queta, apparently from Portugal, who seems like the type of big I would love St. John's to get.

 

[Mullins Revenge]

What is real disaapointing is I had hope for these new kids.  I thought posh would be great for us, Cole would be the sniper we were looking for.  Outside of a few games, these 2 seem to be regressing as the season goes on.

 

[mm52]

3) LJ was a much bigger loss, 12 foot finger roll floater included, than we would have admitted.  

 

I hate to admit it, but I think that's true

 

[ras]

Let's not forget the rebounding differential.

 

[SJU85]

3) LJ was a much bigger loss, 12 foot finger roll floater included, than we would have admitted.  


 

I hate to admit it, but I think that's true

I always felt not having him this year was going to be a loss.  Was hoping Cole and Williams would both pick up the slack.  That hope along with hope for this season has dissipated.
 

 

[Notanalum]

Cole is a lot slower than I thought. He also doesn't work hard enough to get open. Watch how hard Dunn works then watch cole stand in the corner or wing. 

he's a shooter. Which is fine. But he's gonna have to do more defensively to play

posh is battling. His effort is there. Don't bet against him. 

Moore's playing well. He would be so much better w some help down low. 

The staff continues to recruit for next season in anticipation of more openings.

 

[WillyDilly]

What is real disaapointing is I had hope for these new kids.  I thought posh would be great for us, Cole would be the sniper we were looking for.  Outside of a few games, these 2 seem to be regressing as the season goes on.


You can't put it on the new players. It's their first year in D1 basketball. That transition is hard and typically takes a while to adjust in a normal year, and this year is obviously anything but normal. Each newcomer has had their moments, but unless you are Duke or Kentucky, relying a ton on new players is not a good recipe for success.

The fault relies on the upper classmen.  Other than Champaigne, the rest are just too inconsistent. Williams can shine at times, but also disappears at times, and is not giving us the production we need. Dunn missed multiple games.  Roberts has been a non-factor.  And Earlington has been mostly awful for the entire season.   Unless the upperclassmen step up, it's going to be a long year.
 

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

The Announcers last Night , which included Steve  Lappas , kept  mentioning the number of 5 year transfers and just regular transfers and how much they can contribute to a team's success .  Xavier had several that played a lot .  They observed that Recruiting that category of player was becoming almost as important as getting the HS kids . And , some of them are quality players that are on the so called Open Market .  One of the things that hasn't happened much this season is that if we don't get a turnover from the Press , our 1/2 Court defense isn't all that intense or effective . Forget X's shooting woes last night as a aberration . They got the looks , just didn't make them .  I think CMA is frustrated that he doesn't have players that he's had in the past . Arkansas pretty much would get their share of 4 star and occasional 5 star player . That hasn't happened here . And , maybe that isn't his fault . We haven't been on a lot of top tier players list for a long time .  Maybe we have stopped being a good Program for so long that kids just look elsewhere . Look how long Rutgers has struggled to be competitive .  We are pretty much on that path right now . 

 

[jerseyshorejohnny]

What is real disaapointing is I had hope for these new kids.  I thought posh would be great for us, Cole would be the sniper we were looking for.  Outside of a few games, these 2 seem to be regressing as the season goes on.

Apparently Posh has been struggling with some foot issues
 

 

[boo haarvey]

What is real disaapointing is I had hope for these new kids.  I thought posh would be great for us, Cole would be the sniper we were looking for.  Outside of a few games, these 2 seem to be regressing as the season goes on.

Apparently Posh has been struggling with some foot issues

His jump shot is bad and it has nothing to do with feet.

 

 

[GardenCity62]

This years team is playing pretty much like last years with one major exception, the pressure defense that kept SJU in many games last year is non existent this year. SJU has been a terrible half court offensive team for years but last year in many games the opposition had double the turnovers than SJU, not so this year which has deprived SJU of those easy baskets.
The loss of Rutherford and LJ hurts in that area and the opposition seems better prepared for it this year.