Post Season Honors

R

Ray Morgan

Well-known member
The season is over, and the players should be recognized by us SJU basketball fans for exceeding all of our expectations.

Unsung Hero:
Nick Rutherford. No doubt in my mind. Never took a play off and his ability to disrupt on defense made him a key part of some of our wins. Played with great heart and enthusiasm, and made the most of his season here.

Most Improved Player:
Marcellus. No one even close. And he was getting better at the end of the season.

Most Courageous:
Mustapha Heron. Played hurt until he just couldn't anymore. he also didn't abandon the program when others would have. Extra points for being a good person and a good student.

Newcomer of the Year.
Penny. He embarrassed a lot of scouts who didn't think he was Big East material. He played with a certain calmness not usual for freshman, but also a quiet but obvious passion. may average a double double before his career is over. Great job by our current staff for seeing his talents.

Most Valuable Player:
We had an entire team of MVPs, and every one of them deserves our recognition and gratitude.

Most Valuable Person: Coach Mike Anderson. I finally believe we have the right coach at the right time.

I'm sure I missed a few categories, so feel free.
 
[quote="Ray Morgan" post=381630]The season is over, and the players should be recognized by us SJU basketball fans for exceeding all of our expectations.

Unsung Hero:
Nick Rutherford. No doubt in my mind. Never took a play off and his ability to disrupt on defense made him a key part of some of our wins. Played with great heart and enthusiasm, and made the most of his season here.

Most Improved Player:
Marcellus. No one even close. And he was getting better at the end of the season.

Most Courageous:
Mustapha Heron. Played hurt until he just couldn't anymore. he also didn't abandon the program when others would have. Extra points for being a good person and a good student.

Newcomer of the Year.
Penny. He embarrassed a lot of scouts who didn't think he was Big East material. He played with a certain calmness not usual for freshman, but also a quiet but obvious passion. may average a double double before his career is over. Great job by our current staff for seeing his talents.

Most Valuable Player:
We had an entire team of MVPs, and every one of them deserves our recognition and gratitude.

Most Valuable Person: Coach Mike Anderson. I finally believe we have the right coach at the right time.

I'm sure I missed a few categories, so feel free.[/quote]
Spot on RM
 
[quote="Ray Morgan" post=381630]The season is over, and the players should be recognized by us SJU basketball fans for exceeding all of our expectations.

Unsung Hero:
Nick Rutherford. No doubt in my mind. Never took a play off and his ability to disrupt on defense made him a key part of some of our wins. Played with great heart and enthusiasm, and made the most of his season here.

Most Improved Player:
Marcellus. No one even close. And he was getting better at the end of the season.

Most Courageous:
Mustapha Heron. Played hurt until he just couldn't anymore. he also didn't abandon the program when others would have. Extra points for being a good person and a good student.

Newcomer of the Year.
Penny. He embarrassed a lot of scouts who didn't think he was Big East material. He played with a certain calmness not usual for freshman, but also a quiet but obvious passion. may average a double double before his career is over. Great job by our current staff for seeing his talents.

Most Valuable Player:
We had an entire team of MVPs, and every one of them deserves our recognition and gratitude.

Most Valuable Person: Coach Mike Anderson. I finally believe we have the right coach at the right time.

I'm sure I missed a few categories, so feel free.[/quote] very well said
 
[quote="Ray Morgan" post=381630]The season is over, and the players should be recognized by us SJU basketball fans for exceeding all of our expectations.

Unsung Hero:
Nick Rutherford. No doubt in my mind. Never took a play off and his ability to disrupt on defense made him a key part of some of our wins. Played with great heart and enthusiasm, and made the most of his season here.

Most Improved Player:
Marcellus. No one even close. And he was getting better at the end of the season.

Most Courageous:
Mustapha Heron. Played hurt until he just couldn't anymore. he also didn't abandon the program when others would have. Extra points for being a good person and a good student.

Newcomer of the Year.
Penny. He embarrassed a lot of scouts who didn't think he was Big East material. He played with a certain calmness not usual for freshman, but also a quiet but obvious passion. may average a double double before his career is over. Great job by our current staff for seeing his talents.

Most Valuable Player:
We had an entire team of MVPs, and every one of them deserves our recognition and gratitude.

Most Valuable Person: Coach Mike Anderson. I finally believe we have the right coach at the right time.

I'm sure I missed a few categories, so feel free.[/quote]
Appreciate your including Mustafa Heron in your accolades. The guy gave it everything he had before having nothing left to give, and frequently took a lot of undeserved heat for his efforts. A great teammate, and I know we all wish him nothing but the best.
 
I don't post often, in fact rarely, but for me,I want to express my gratitude to the players and coaching staff for the efforts they put in this season. One can only ask that one gives their best in any situation, and I am more than proud of the effort put in by all this season. Sure, I would have loved to see them win every game, but it was just as important to see the camaraderie on the team. Looking forward to next year, and thank you for this year.
 
[quote="Ray Morgan" post=381630]The season is over, and the players should be recognized by us SJU basketball fans for exceeding all of our expectations.

Unsung Hero:
Nick Rutherford. No doubt in my mind. Never took a play off and his ability to disrupt on defense made him a key part of some of our wins. Played with great heart and enthusiasm, and made the most of his season here.

Most Improved Player:
Marcellus. No one even close. And he was getting better at the end of the season.

Most Courageous:
Mustapha Heron. Played hurt until he just couldn't anymore. he also didn't abandon the program when others would have. Extra points for being a good person and a good student.

Newcomer of the Year.
Penny. He embarrassed a lot of scouts who didn't think he was Big East material. He played with a certain calmness not usual for freshman, but also a quiet but obvious passion. may average a double double before his career is over. Great job by our current staff for seeing his talents.

Most Valuable Player:
We had an entire team of MVPs, and every one of them deserves our recognition and gratitude.

Most Valuable Person: Coach Mike Anderson. I finally believe we have the right coach at the right time.

I'm sure I missed a few categories, so feel free.[/quote]

Real good job, but IMO you have to find room and a category for Dunn. As much heart as you could possibly hope for.
 
[quote="ctstorm" post=381667][quote="Ray Morgan" post=381630]The season is over, and the players should be recognized by us SJU basketball fans for exceeding all of our expectations.

Unsung Hero:
Nick Rutherford. No doubt in my mind. Never took a play off and his ability to disrupt on defense made him a key part of some of our wins. Played with great heart and enthusiasm, and made the most of his season here.

Most Improved Player:
Marcellus. No one even close. And he was getting better at the end of the season.

Most Courageous:
Mustapha Heron. Played hurt until he just couldn't anymore. he also didn't abandon the program when others would have. Extra points for being a good person and a good student.

Newcomer of the Year.
Penny. He embarrassed a lot of scouts who didn't think he was Big East material. He played with a certain calmness not usual for freshman, but also a quiet but obvious passion. may average a double double before his career is over. Great job by our current staff for seeing his talents.

Most Valuable Player:
We had an entire team of MVPs, and every one of them deserves our recognition and gratitude.

Most Valuable Person: Coach Mike Anderson. I finally believe we have the right coach at the right time.

I'm sure I missed a few categories, so feel free.[/quote]

Real good job, but IMO you have to find room and a category for Dunn. As much heart as you could possibly hope for.[/quote]

I know that Dunn deserves accolades. I'm just drawing a blank. It would be great if someone can find an honor for a person that had to live through the ups and downs of waiting for NCAA clearance, and was ready to play from day 1 when given the chance.
 
[quote="nycfan" post=381681]Seeing Mustapha @57 in mock NBA draft to Celtics -

[URL]https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/[/URL][/quote]

not happening. He showed nothing that would indicate a player of his size would be worthy of a second round pick. Everything went wrong for him during his stay here, from injuries, to loss of confidence, and perhaps even discord or bad chemistry on the 2018-2019 team.

Mustafa must show he can hit outside shots with regularity (especially wide open looks), make much better decisions taking the ball to the hole (he was often out of control taking the ball into heavy traffic), get a better handle, and defend and rebound well at his expected position. HE is far from being on the pro radar in my opinion at this juncture. I still do believe he has a pro body and a much higher ceiling than what he showed here.
 
[quote="ELNAPLES70" post=381651]I don't post often, in fact rarely, but for me,I want to express my gratitude to the players and coaching staff for the efforts they put in this season. One can only ask that one gives their best in any situation, and I am more than proud of the effort put in by all this season. Sure, I would have loved to see them win every game, but it was just as important to see the camaraderie on the team. Looking forward to next year, and thank you for this year.[/quote]

Are you in Naples FL?
 
Lol. This has the Knicks taking a JUCO in the second round named Jay Scrubb. I can only imagine what will happen with the tabloids and IBB’s with that name!
 
Can you imagine how Rutherford felt with his career coming to an abrupt end at halftime? He was have a good game, probably hoping to play another BE game, and then his career is over. I give the guy a lot of credit for coming to a program in disarray.
 
Thanks Ray Morgan for initiating this great topic!
We are fortunate to be fans at a significant juncture of St. John’s basketball.: An outstanding and highly experienced head coach; a competent and hard working staff; a culture of kids keeping up with school work + putting in the time and effort to improve as players AND
Almost always “ leaving it all out in the floor “!
We have good to very good returning players + some exciting new comers AND
undoubtedly Mike Anderson and staff are building - before our fanatical eyes - strong nationwide and local recruiting pipelines. We are a better destination now than a mere 11 months ago when our coach was hired.
Are we fortunate or what?
Could any of us have predicted this tremendous improvement in the program?
All the best
( and reminding myself )
Wash our hands
Self quarantining as best we can
Stay safe so we’re all around to enjoy 2020-21!
 
Thanks for this thread Ray. I couldn't agree more with your awards. Perhaps Dunn can get the Patience is Rewarded award!
 
Beast , I think Herron has 2 years of bad luck here . Last year , he missed a couple of games due to injury . He also was clearly and rightfully a second option to Ponds . He also had to watch Marvin Clark shoot 2-16 or thereabouts in too many games . This season was disrupted as soon as he was injured in the Pan Am Games , playing for the USA . It was the kind of injury that isn’t good for basketball players especially . When he came back this year , it was clear he had been injured to the extent it hurt his game . He lost that explosion to the hoop he had last year . He couldn’t elevate on his jumper . And , like so many lefties , had trouble using his right hand . That being said , I think Anderson saw this wasn’t the same Herron he saw at Auburn and concealed the fact as much as possible . Until Herron injured himself again with the Ankle . Herron , when right , could have had a big year this season . Figgy would have been better too, with teams not keying on him as much . Was a healthy Herron a NBA player ? I don’t have a answer to that . But , I do think opposing Coaches knew Herron’s loss hurt our season .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=381707]Beast , I think Herron has 2 years of bad luck here . Last year , he missed a couple of games due to injury . He also was clearly and rightfully a second option to Ponds . He also had to watch Marvin Clark shoot 2-16 or thereabouts in too many games . This season was disrupted as soon as he was injured in the Pan Am Games , playing for the USA . It was the kind of injury that isn’t good for basketball players especially . When he came back this year , it was clear he had been injured to the extent it hurt his game . He lost that explosion to the hoop he had last year . He couldn’t elevate on his jumper . And , like so many lefties , had trouble using his right hand . That being said , I think Anderson saw this wasn’t the same Herron he saw at Auburn and concealed the fact as much as possible . Until Herron injured himself again with the Ankle . Herron , when right , could have had a big year this season . Figgy would have been better too, with teams not keying on him as much . Was a healthy Herron a NBA player ? I don’t have a answer to that . But , I do think opposing Coaches knew Herron’s loss hurt our season .[/quote]

If heron had the surgery after the ankle injury, I believe it was early enough in the season where he wouldnt have used a year of eligibility and could have come back next year.
 
[quote="Jeff Smith" post=381696]Can you imagine how Rutherford felt with his career coming to an abrupt end at halftime? He was have a good game, probably hoping to play another BE game, and then his career is over. I give the guy a lot of credit for coming to a program in disarray.[/quote]
Not to take anything away from Mr. Rutherford but in his fourth year of college ball he was not starting for Monmouth. Coming to St. John's gave him a tremendous opportunity to play big time college basketball and he took advantage of it by being an asset to our team. His decision was mutually beneficial.
 
Id add the “Potential to be a Star” award and give it to Greg Williams.

I just think if he puts it all together and stays healthy he can be a first team all BE guy. I’m looking forward to his junior season
 
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