(PRE-GAME) DePaul, Sat. Jan. 12, 6p, CBS SN / 970 AM

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Per SJU press release

Jan. 10, 2019) – St. John’s will honor the late great Solly Walker on Saturday with a pregame ceremony for the newly created Solly Walker Academic Support Services Fund and dedication of the Solly Walker Academic Study Hall, before an on-court recognition featuring several of his family members during the Red Storm’s contest against DePaul inside Carnesecca Arena. Walker, who was the first African American player to ever wear a St. John’s varsity uniform, lettered from 1951-54 and was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

Walker came to St. John’s from Boys High School in Brooklyn and played in 78 games, scoring 573 points and grabbing 496 rebounds during his collegiate career. In his first year at St. John’s in 1950-51, Walker led the freshman team to a 17-2 record by averaging 15.1 points per game.

His first year on the varsity squad was a memorable one, as Walker helped lead St. John’s to the NCAA Championship game, which marked the first of two Final Four appearances in program history. He played in 30 games and averaged 4.4 points and 3.8 rebounds during the 25-6 campaign under Hall of Fame coach Frank McGuire.

In 1952-53, Walker helped St. John’s advance to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title game by averaging 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. He played in all 23 games as the team posted a 17-6 overall record.

Walker enjoyed his finest season as a senior in 1953-54, leading the team in both scoring (14.0 ppg) and rebounding (12.2 rpg).

After college, Walker was drafted by the New York Knicks, but chose to pursue a long career with the New York City Board of Education, starting as a teacher and eventually serving as principal of the Manhattan School for the Multi-Handicapped.

Walker was always focused of the athletic success of St. John’s student-athletes and was deeply interested in their academic progress. The Shannon family, in tribute to Walker’s vision, developed and funded the Solly Walker Academic Support Service Fund to enhance the academic profile of the University’s student-athletes.

-- Red Storm –
 
Don't sleep on DePaul. First, they came into our building last year and kicked our butt. Second, they are improved this year. Notre Dame was the only game that really got away from them.

Here are the other losses:
75-68 @ Northwestern: led by 15 with 10 min to go.
65-62 Boston College: led by 5 with 2 min to go.
74-65 Xavier: led by 6 with 5 min to go.
73-68 @ Villanova: led by 11 in 2nd half and by 8 with 11 min to go.

This looks to be a team that has talent, but has not yet learned how to win or close out games and not a pushover that can be looked at as an assumed win. They have also had a bye during the mid-week and have had extra time to prepare for us.
 
[quote="RJGBOOTSY" post=314014][quote="Marillac" post=313999][quote="SJU1512" post=313993]Big team up and down rotation. They run physical offense compressed to basket and look to beat you up on the interior. Reminds me of some of Cooley's Providence teams a few years back where they were big particularly 2-5 and tried to just wear you down running condensed flex for the better part of 40 minutes.

Apologies for the repetition, but for a physical team like this that wants to play at rim and does so effectively (56% from 2 as a team) and shoots the 3 so poorly (31%) the game is screaming for zone for meaningful stretches.

Was happy to see more of Trimble last night and think he's important in this game. He checked someone out into the stands (literally) at a key moment in the 2nd half to wrap up a defensive possession, had multiple above the rim rebounds in traffic, and after Ponds/Figgy might have the 3rd highest basketball IQ on the team. If he tosses in a few 3s in friendly confines of CA he can give us the 20+ productive minutes we desperately need right now.[/quote]

As for Trimble, I agree. He was throwing around the 6'8 260 Paschal like a rag doll on more than one occasion. He had four big boy boards too. He has a good offensive IQ... needs some minutes to get there defensively, but his strength negates mismatches against PFs.[/quote]

He played really well on defense and grabbed some rebounds. On offense he certainly played within his limitations and understands his role. But to say he threw Paschal around like a rag doll at any stage is a stretch. Paschall is a helluva player. Any team would in the country would be delighted to have him. he is big time.[/quote]

What drives me nuts about Simon not playing within his limitations is exactly what I love about Trimble. As a freshman I believe he was fourth in the entire country in turnover % and he was #61 in assist:turnover ratio.
 
Per Zach B
St Johns was off yesterday, practices later today, so Chris Mullin didn’t have an update during conference call on LJ Figueroa who was hurt late against Villanova
 
Chris Mullin said he doesn’t know the reasoning for lack of late-game offensive execution in 2 losses: “We get off to a good start and we get a little lax thinking we’ll get those shots all night.” #sjubb
Per Marley Paul
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=314137]Per Zach B
St Johns was off yesterday, practices later today, so Chris Mullin didn’t have an update during conference call on LJ Figueroa who was hurt late against Villanova[/quote]

I thought he returned to the game, with about a minute to go?
 
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Nice recap of the great Solly Walker. Always been proud of him and St. John’s in those early years. Thanks Paultz.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=314138]Chris Mullin said he doesn’t know the reasoning for lack of late-game offensive execution in 2 losses: “We get off to a good start and we get a little lax thinking we’ll get those shots all night.” #sjubb
Per Marley Paul[/quote]

I know a few thousand fans who have an idea of what it might be.
 
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[quote="JohnnyFan" post=314150][quote="Paultzman" post=314138]Chris Mullin said he doesn’t know the reasoning for lack of late-game offensive execution in 2 losses: “We get off to a good start and we get a little lax thinking we’ll get those shots all night.” #sjubb
Per Marley Paul[/quote]

I know a few thousand fans who have an idea of what it might be.[/quote]

I luv the guy but, with all due respect, that comment is laughable.
And worrisome.
If the rotation doesn't 'expand' beyond Trimble to include Keita and Williams, we should brace ourselves for roller-coaster finishes and into the 'fates' of allowing refs to dictate the final score, the rest of this BEC season.
 
Jeez, what the hell is that quote from CM? You have no idea? well that’s just great. Hopefully St Jean does
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=314156]Jeez, what the hell is that quote from CM? You have no idea? well that’s just great. Hopefully St Jean does[/quote]

I don't see what's so hard to understand. What he is saying that defenses stiffen, and in crunch time make you extend beyond the 21 foot threes you were getting earlier, contest the ones you do take from 24 feet, and gang up on you when you take it to the whole. In other words, your offense slows down waiting for the kind of shots you got earlier, and they are no longer there, resulting in forced drives to the hoop and long threes. For Mullin the player, that kind of stuff was instinctual, and he didn't have to be told to adjust. Our guys seemed bewildered at the additional pressure, so have stood around and launched lower percentage three with 5 guys watching the shot instead of crashing, wild drives to the hoop that were rejected, highly contested, or charges.

Now of course, it's on the coaches to work on this, and it is still early season. If we are to be good, or are good, good players will adapt.
 
I'm less concerned about Mullin's statement than I am about Figgy's injury status. It's hard to say what the exact quote was or the context and I wouldn't expect him to say it's because they get tired due to not playing the bench more or it's because we doesn't make adjustments to counter the other team's adjustments. The proof will be in the pudding (i.e. does this alarming trend change going forward).
 
No doubt, hope Figgy is okay for the DePaul game. Isn't there also a question about Ponds being 'banged up' late in Nova game?
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=314174]No doubt, hope Figgy is okay for the DePaul game. Isn't there also a question about Ponds being 'banged up' late in Nova game?[/quote]
Apparently SP is fine as per Zach B
“His back was sore playing a lot of minutes”
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=314179][quote="Chicago Days" post=314174]No doubt, hope Figgy is okay for the DePaul game. Isn't there also a question about Ponds being 'banged up' late in Nova game?[/quote]
Apparently SP is fine as per Zach B
“His back was sore playing a lot of minutes”[/quote] figgy?
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=314179][quote="Chicago Days" post=314174]No doubt, hope Figgy is okay for the DePaul game. Isn't there also a question about Ponds being 'banged up' late in Nova game?[/quote]
Apparently SP is fine as per Zach B
“His back was sore playing a lot of minutes”[/quote]

Bad news is Williams is being treated for a sore ass and splinters from sitting a lot of minutes. When asked about Williams condition Mullin shrugged his shoulders and said he would ask Greg St. Jean for his opinion.
 
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[quote="Marillac" post=314135][quote="RJGBOOTSY" post=314014][quote="Marillac" post=313999][quote="SJU1512" post=313993]Big team up and down rotation. They run physical offense compressed to basket and look to beat you up on the interior. Reminds me of some of Cooley's Providence teams a few years back where they were big particularly 2-5 and tried to just wear you down running condensed flex for the better part of 40 minutes.

Apologies for the repetition, but for a physical team like this that wants to play at rim and does so effectively (56% from 2 as a team) and shoots the 3 so poorly (31%) the game is screaming for zone for meaningful stretches.

Was happy to see more of Trimble last night and think he's important in this game. He checked someone out into the stands (literally) at a key moment in the 2nd half to wrap up a defensive possession, had multiple above the rim rebounds in traffic, and after Ponds/Figgy might have the 3rd highest basketball IQ on the team. If he tosses in a few 3s in friendly confines of CA he can give us the 20+ productive minutes we desperately need right now.[/quote]

As for Trimble, I agree. He was throwing around the 6'8 260 Paschal like a rag doll on more than one occasion. He had four big boy boards too. He has a good offensive IQ... needs some minutes to get there defensively, but his strength negates mismatches against PFs.[/quote]

He played really well on defense and grabbed some rebounds. On offense he certainly played within his limitations and understands his role. But to say he threw Paschal around like a rag doll at any stage is a stretch. Paschall is a helluva player. Any team would in the country would be delighted to have him. he is big time.[/quote]

What drives me nuts about Simon not playing within his limitations is exactly what I love about Trimble. As a freshman I believe he was fourth in the entire country in turnover % and he was #61 in assist:turnover ratio.[/quote]

That is because his game is limited to open jump shooting, Never handles the ball nor does he do any dribble/drive and create for others. I would expect these numbers. He is a fine player on our team who knows his role.
 
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I will be very disappointed if we don't see a good second half on Saturday and an eight man rotation. I'm betting we will see both, but am admittedly an optimist when it comes to St. John's basketball.
 
Weather forecast calling for chance of snow Saturday night.
 
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