(PRE-GAME) @Xavier, Sat. Mar. 9, 5pm, FOX / 970 AM

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[quote="BOB BARKER" post=327717]MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS AND NO TECHNICALS...[/quote]

No Techs, just me they'll find a way to give us a tech, maybe mullin will fart a wet one next to a ref and it'll be a T
 
From The ATHLETIC:

St. John’s (20-10, 8-9 — NET: 61, SOS: 66): Just last week, the Red Storm were listed as “should be in,” and even if they weren’t anywhere near a lock, their at-large odds felt as short as they had at any point during the season. Two losses later — one at home to Xavier, then Sunday’s 92-83 defeat at DePaul — and they look destined to spend the days between now and the selection show in a state of at least mild uncertainty, even if we still think they’re in the bracket at the moment. That uncertainty could be heightened on Saturday, when they visit a raucous Cintas Center to face the same uber-hot team that beat the Johnnies in New York just nine days before.
 
If we don’t change our approach in this game, we never will.

Need to

1) force the pace by pressing them. Marshall can’t handle ball and should be challenged
2) treat Marshall like Howard and Powell - face guard him
3) play tight on perimeter to mak entry passes difficult. We’ve done this b4 but don’t have the discipline to stick to it

Would be a shame for Ponds to miss Tournament for entire career
 
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Xavier does not like playing fast. We need to come out and play like we are down double digits from the jump
 
Let’s not get our hopes up. Think our ncaa hopes are over and rightfully so let’s once again hope next yr in a charm
 
[quote="usguard" post=327934]Let’s not get our hopes up. Think our ncaa hopes are over and rightfully so let’s once again hope next yr in a charm[/quote]

I understand that rooting for St. John’s has been something that hasn’t given us a lot of joy over the years, but why do some of you blatantly ignore the facts about where this team is.

We are on the right side of the bubble right now, and with one more win we will dance. Tough game @X but we also have the Big East Tournament at MSG where we will have another opportunity to seal a bid.

Giving up now after all these games that have taken years off of our lives, defies logic. We have supported this team all year and the time has come to win a game and lock up a bid and some of you are giving up. Stop. Xavier is a horrid matchup but let’s go out there and hit some shots and win the game. It’s not impossible. LETS GO
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=327941][quote="usguard" post=327934]Let’s not get our hopes up. Think our ncaa hopes are over and rightfully so let’s once again hope next yr in a charm[/quote]

I understand that rooting for St. John’s has been something that hasn’t given us a lot of joy over the years, but why do some of you blatantly ignore the facts about where this team is.

We are on the right side of the bubble right now, and with one more win we will dance. Tough game @X but we also have the Big East Tournament at MSG where we will have another opportunity to seal a bid.

Giving up now after all these games that have taken years off of our lives, defies logic. We have supported this team all year and the time has come to win a game and lock up a bid and some of you are giving up. Stop. Xavier is a horrid matchup but let’s go out there and hit some shots and win the game. It’s not impossible. LETS GO[/quote]

A lot of people like to use the eye test, and nothing else. I don't know, as a fan of our team, if I can ever use the eye test to evaluate us, especially when compared with other bubble teams. I just know our strengths and weaknesses all too well, much more then I would know those of any team going against us.

Using results/quad 1 wins/etc., is also far from perfect, but it's more objective. St. John's fans (as are fans of any team) are far from objective.
 
Face the reality, we cannot beat a team that is bigger than us. We did not recruit a big man...why , knowing we were losing the only big man we had ?????? Mind boggling. We must stop the stupid fouling and play defense. Fouling is the lazy mans defense. Keep Simon on the bench, he is killing us every game with turnovers and horrible play. He has no clue how to run a fast break. If he starts i turn the game off.
 
[quote="tac" post=327947]Face the reality, we cannot beat a team that is bigger than us. We did not recruit a big man...why , knowing we were losing the only big man we had ?????? Mind boggling. We must stop the stupid fouling and play defense. Fouling is the lazy mans defense. Keep Simon on the bench, he is killing us every game with turnovers and horrible play. He has no clue how to run a fast break. If he starts i turn the game off.[/quote]

You want better defense but also for us to bench our best defender
 
To sssume there is no chance Saturday seems steeped in frustration. With Heron ready, hopefully inconsistent Johnnies could once again surprise. Operative word being “could”.
 
Of course we can win Saturday. If the Big East has proven anything this year it is that precious little separates teams 3 through 10. If you watched Xavier last night, they have weaknesses, namely turning the ball over and not playing well when the game is speeded up.
Also we essentially played last week's game w/o Heron. I give us a 50/50 chance of winning this game so long as refs do not make it a foul fest - the Butler game was reffed such that free throws didn't determine the outcome. All we can hope for is that our game is reffed in similar fashion and our guys are coached to press but not reach in for ticky-tac fouls.
 
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Yes if he is truly ready because if he is not100% it will not matter much.he did not show last game due to injury but than again who can take his place and give us offensive production.We are in a bit of a bind.We would need higher pt production from more than just ponds and oh yes what do we do about rebounds.?But what a way to go into a most important game.Ater 4 yrs we should have been in a better place .We all hope for the best but it is tough on fans
 
[quote="tac" post=327947]Face the reality, we cannot beat a team that is bigger than us. We did not recruit a big man...why , knowing we were losing the only big man we had ?????? Mind boggling. We must stop the stupid fouling and play defense. Fouling is the lazy mans defense. Keep Simon on the bench, he is killing us every game with turnovers and horrible play. He has no clue how to run a fast break. If he starts i turn the game off.[/quote]

So what are your plans for Saturday at 5?
 
I like a lot of the previous posts. I’m optimistic but realistic and want to come up with a word or phrase that describes our current situation.
Nothing is surfacing yet.
Maybe it’s simply “ mixed emotions “.
If Ponds and Heron are healthy and on top of their game - which hasn’t been the case - we have a nice opportunity.
How I long for a feel good opportunity after a W.
Mixed emotions on whether that - a W - will transpire.
I need to remind myself, it’s only college basketball.
All the best.
 
Butler had great success last night against Xavier by going Zone with the game on the line in the last 5 minutes . Granted , the game was at Hinkle but, Xavier turned it over repeatedly down the stretch . Perhaps something for our staff to consider . Clark Heron and Figgy should also be positioned more at the top of the Key , instead of buried in the Corners . As soon as the ball passes into front Court , Ponds or Simon needs to give it up to one of these 3, to either shoot from straight on or go to the basket . Ponds and Simon should be in motion not standing still . I think Heron and Figgy are better going to the hoop from the Key than the Corner . They also shoot better. This way Ponds isn’t doubled as soon as he crosses half court since he doesn’t have the Ball in his hands constantly . We could also throw in some modest full court pressure once in a while , especially when Williams is in to give someone a breather . He’s quick enough to harass the ball and. Xavier can be turned over . Having almost a week to prepare , hopefully a decent game plan can be implemented to negate Xavier inside . Simon needs to shut down Marshall too. Let him concentrate on D and forget about offense .
 
[quote="tac" post=327947]Face the reality, we cannot beat a team that is bigger than us. We did not recruit a big man...why , knowing we were losing the only big man we had ?????? Mind boggling. We must stop the stupid fouling and play defense. Fouling is the lazy mans defense. Keep Simon on the bench, he is killing us every game with turnovers and horrible play. He has no clue how to run a fast break. If he starts i turn the game off.[/quote]
Couldn't agree with you more about the lack of a quality big man, but I think you're painting with a very broad stroke when you say "Fouling is the lazy man's defense." Whatever shortcomings guys like Clark and Simon have, I don't see laziness as one of them. Clark, for example, is typically forced to guard true low-post players like Jessie Govan, guys who often have a 4-to-6 inch height advantage. As a result, he resorts to making foolish fouls like reaching in or trying to block shots that he doesn't stand a chance of stopping. Bad judgment, yes; questionable coaching, yes; but laziness, I don't think so.
 
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Tyrique Jones is a Marillac favorite. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the country. I’d let Earlington loose on him.

With Roberts, Keita, Earlington, and Steere going at in practice between these last two games I’d think we would be ready to battle.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=328000]Tyrique Jones is a Marillac favorite. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the country. I’d let Earlington loose on him.

With Roberts, Keita, Earlington, and Steere going at in practice between these last two games I’d think we would be ready to battle.[/quote]

Earlington has been a nice surprise late in the season, but he is no match for Tyrique Jones.
 
[quote="JohnnyFan" post=328003][quote="Marillac" post=328000]Tyrique Jones is a Marillac favorite. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the country. I’d let Earlington loose on him.

With Roberts, Keita, Earlington, and Steere going at in practice between these last two games I’d think we would be ready to battle.[/quote]

Earlington has been a nice surprise late in the season, but he is no match for Tyrique Jones.[/quote]

What’s the alternative? Earlington would be the first guy he’s faced all year that is stronger than him.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=328004][quote="JohnnyFan" post=328003][quote="Marillac" post=328000]Tyrique Jones is a Marillac favorite. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the country. I’d let Earlington loose on him.

With Roberts, Keita, Earlington, and Steere going at in practice between these last two games I’d think we would be ready to battle.[/quote]

Earlington has been a nice surprise late in the season, but he is no match for Tyrique Jones.[/quote]

What’s the alternative? Earlington would be the first guy he’s faced all year that is stronger than him.[/quote]

I don't feel like Earlington is stronger than Jones.
 
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