Providence Game Thread

[ghostzapper]

Just returned from the Garden, used a vacation day to go to the games. It was a mixed bag, a really exciting first game with a thrilling ending followed by a baffling performance by St. John's in the second game.

The crowd showing by St John's supporters was disappointing (psychic premonition by the faithful perhaps?). The building was filled with more Nova supporters than any other school, followed closely be Seton Hall supporters next, then there was a drop off but there were probably a bit more Friar fans in the building than St. John's fans. Given our proximity to the arena and the magnitude of the game for us I found the apathy somewhat surprising ( again psychic premonition by the faithful perhaps?)

As for the game it was disturbing to see us so flat for major chunks of the game. We struggled in the half court all game long and we were bad against the zone and did not have a good strategy for attacking it. While I am generally a Steve Lavin supporter I feel he did not have a good day coaching. He needed to change the game with the press early on and waited far too long to implement this strategy. Certainly once Cotton picked up his fourth foul it was essential that St. John's press their advantage and force the action by pressing. I am not sure if our exciting run to cut it from seventeen to one near the end did more to mask a poor effort than bolster the spirits of fans to say only if after the loss.

I enjoyed this season quite a bit and do not feel as some do that it would be a waste if we did not make the NCAA tournament, but there is no way to hide the disappointment of missing out on the opportunity to make the big dance with just a win or two in the Big East tournament.

 

[Marillac]

So I guess I'm glad I missed the game. The worst was leaving my iPad at halftime, coming back an hour later, checking the score, and finding us down 17, but it might've been a worse feeling when they cut it to one and gave me an ounce of hope before throwing it all away...

Sad, really, sad.

Harrison was blatantly fouled on a three and it was ignored. We were down three at the time under a minute. They hit both FTs at the other end. I then thought the ball was knocked out on Providence after a Harirson layup to get us down three again, but it wasn't even reviewed.

Very true but, it should not have come down to 1 call. Again, with the game on the line, we failed.As we have done in big games over the season.

I rarely blame the refs and don't here. We didn't deserve to win tonight. It would have felt wrong if they gave us those calls and they squeaked it out. Hit posted a picture of Postell and Bootsy on facebook and I wish we had kids with their guts. Postell was a freaking warrior. Sanchez went into beast mode tonight and it just pissed me off that he had that kid of game in him and didn't use it. I took this loss really hard.

 

[Redmen88]

If you actually have 9 players than press and run all game. If you have 6-7 players than don't go deeper. Why are we playing slow with athletes? Also We desperately need a shooter that can do a few other things, think Cooney firm Cuse. He is basically a shooter but can also dribble.

 

[Marillac]

I took a few hours off the board to enjoy the game. I was looking forward to it all week. Pointer missed two easy layups. He needs to forget this year and come back hungry. I know Marillac hates him but I think he will be a key part of our team next year.

If he is, we are screwed. There is one junior from Michigan I wanted tonight...Ladontae Henton. I love that kid. Beast. Pointer hates contact...how he was ever regarded as a shutdown defender is beyond me. I really hope the next time I see him, he is wearing an Eastern Michigan jersey.

Go get Antoine Mason and forget about Pointer.

I think it was you that mentioned that we supposedly have someone locked for 2014? Is it Mason that you think we will get? Maybe I am mistaken.

I think Mason will end up either at St. John's or Seton Hall. He is close with Gibbs, but they are loaded 1-3. We have a starting spot at the three waiting for him.

 

[Andrew]

I took a few hours off the board to enjoy the game. I was looking forward to it all week. Pointer missed two easy layups. He needs to forget this year and come back hungry. I know Marillac hates him but I think he will be a key part of our team next year.

If he is, we are screwed. There is one junior from Michigan I wanted tonight...Ladontae Henton. I love that kid. Beast. Pointer hates contact...how he was ever regarded as a shutdown defender is beyond me. I really hope the next time I see him, he is wearing an Eastern Michigan jersey.

Go get Antoine Mason and forget about Pointer.

He lead the team in steals and was tied for second in blocks and assists, playing less minutes than the guys he was tied with. He is not a big man like Henton, so why the comparison. He is not being used correctly and needs to learn how to finish.

 

[paultzman]

I took a few hours off the board to enjoy the game. I was looking forward to it all week. Pointer missed two easy layups. He needs to forget this year and come back hungry. I know Marillac hates him but I think he will be a key part of our team next year.

If he is, we are screwed. There is one junior from Michigan I wanted tonight...Ladontae Henton. I love that kid. Beast. Pointer hates contact...how he was ever regarded as a shutdown defender is beyond me. I really hope the next time I see him, he is wearing an Eastern Michigan jersey.

Go get Antoine Mason and forget about Pointer.

I think it was you that mentioned that we supposedly have someone locked for 2014? Is it Mason that you think we will get? Maybe I am mistaken.

I think Mason will end up either at St. John's or Seton Hall. He is close with Gibbs, but they are loaded 1-3. We have a starting spot at the three waiting for him.

Have you heard Mason is definitely leaving Niagara?

 

[SJUalum98]

I'm done watching. This is just a sad effort by our guys. Providence wants to play in the ncAa. Our guys probably bought Lavins bs that we have a bid locked up. I hope I check later and we won but I doubt it.

I agree 100%.

Mr. Joe Cool Lavin needs to go back to sunny California and feed his crap to the birds.

Say what you want, but as little desire and hustle you saw from the players is simply a reflection of the lack of urgency that starts at the top.

To stand on the sidelines with your arms folded for an entire game not adding anything but break in action pep talks is unacceptable.

Anyone who watched this team this season had to know that when you saw him sub in Greene and Dom at the same time, it was a wrap. We were up and had all the momentum. Cotton had 2 fouls and we never went at him. For a Providence team that runs 6 players, that is a flat out joke.

This is Lavin's team. Lavin's recruits.

They get fed daily a steaming bowl of you're better than you actually are and they believe it.

His recruiting philosophy is flawed. Check.
His coaching skills are non-existent. Check.

He's a PR guy. Plain and simple.

We need a coach. We need someone who doesn't mind getting their fingernails dirty. We need someone who doesn't mind walking into a Bronx gym, if need be, to scout a kid who plays with toughness and heart.

I watched Masiello coach against Iona the other night like his life was literally on the line. Guess what. His kids will give everything they've got because they know their head coach is.

Give Lavin a 5 or 6 year extension and we'll get nowhere of significance unless he changes his act. Because that's all it is. An act. He's acting as if he knows what he's doing out there.

I'll ask anyone to show me 2 set plays that we run that proves otherwise.

Flame on......

 

[Marillac]

I took a few hours off the board to enjoy the game. I was looking forward to it all week. Pointer missed two easy layups. He needs to forget this year and come back hungry. I know Marillac hates him but I think he will be a key part of our team next year.

If he is, we are screwed. There is one junior from Michigan I wanted tonight...Ladontae Henton. I love that kid. Beast. Pointer hates contact...how he was ever regarded as a shutdown defender is beyond me. I really hope the next time I see him, he is wearing an Eastern Michigan jersey.

Go get Antoine Mason and forget about Pointer.

I think it was you that mentioned that we supposedly have someone locked for 2014? Is it Mason that you think we will get? Maybe I am mistaken.

I think Mason will end up either at St. John's or Seton Hall. He is close with Gibbs, but they are loaded 1-3. We have a starting spot at the three waiting for him.

Have you heard Mason is definitely leaving Niagara?

He's leaving...that much I can verify.

 

[beast of the east]

For those of us stuck at work, doesn't anyone know of a good site that streams fox sports? I know they exist, but I feel like they constantly change names

Ignore all the pop ups.
Give it a good minute.

http://gofirstrowus.eu/watch/246472/1/watch-st-johns-vs-providence.html

Perfect. Thanks Tom


edit: listen to what he said about the pop-ups, you don't need super flash player or any of the crap that pops up... the video is underneath all that.

FOX Sports actually streams the game through their own website as long as you have a participating cable/service provider:http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsportsgo/

Just click "Sign In" on the upper right hand corner

Problem is they have like none of the mainstream carriers.

Is Fox sports kidding me with the cable companies they offer? NY is the biggest media market, the host of BE tourney and they don't offer Fios/TW/Cablevision? Just frustrated I can't get out of work today. Was at the games last night and was actually impressed with the turnout. Two solid games. Tons of people in Creighton gear.

ESPN Gamecast it is...

They do offer Optimum. I've been signing into FOX Sports Go with my Optimum login.

I can only seem to watch Optimum on my mobile device when I'm at home. What do I have to do to watch via Optimum whenever I'm away?

 

[Marillac]

I took a few hours off the board to enjoy the game. I was looking forward to it all week. Pointer missed two easy layups. He needs to forget this year and come back hungry. I know Marillac hates him but I think he will be a key part of our team next year.

If he is, we are screwed. There is one junior from Michigan I wanted tonight...Ladontae Henton. I love that kid. Beast. Pointer hates contact...how he was ever regarded as a shutdown defender is beyond me. I really hope the next time I see him, he is wearing an Eastern Michigan jersey.

Go get Antoine Mason and forget about Pointer.

He lead the team in steals and was tied for second in blocks and assists, playing less minutes than the guys he was tied with. He is not a big man like Henton, so why the comparison. He is not being used correctly and needs to learn how to finish.

Andrew2, I think you are a really good poster, but you are far off on this. Dom gets almost all of his blocks (not tonight, though) after his man beats him badly off the dribble. A better defender would not have to block that shot becuase he would have prevented the drive to begin with. Dom's steals come from gambling. He also has severla dumb fouls a game. He is weak. He hates contact. He has no role.

Henton is not a big man. He's the same height as Dom...maybe a half-inch taller. They are both SFs. Henton can shoot from three..has a better handle and is a warrior under the glass. It's his mentality that makes him superior.

Dom either needs a complete overhaul or needs to go. There is no reason he can't average 3 offensive boards a game...none. At this point, I'd rather see him go.

 

[Marillac]

For those of us stuck at work, doesn't anyone know of a good site that streams fox sports? I know they exist, but I feel like they constantly change names

Ignore all the pop ups.
Give it a good minute.

http://gofirstrowus.eu/watch/246472/1/watch-st-johns-vs-providence.html

Perfect. Thanks Tom


edit: listen to what he said about the pop-ups, you don't need super flash player or any of the crap that pops up... the video is underneath all that.

FOX Sports actually streams the game through their own website as long as you have a participating cable/service provider:http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsportsgo/

Just click "Sign In" on the upper right hand corner

Problem is they have like none of the mainstream carriers.

Is Fox sports kidding me with the cable companies they offer? NY is the biggest media market, the host of BE tourney and they don't offer Fios/TW/Cablevision? Just frustrated I can't get out of work today. Was at the games last night and was actually impressed with the turnout. Two solid games. Tons of people in Creighton gear.

ESPN Gamecast it is...

They do offer Optimum. I've been signing into FOX Sports Go with my Optimum login.

I can only seem to watch Optimum on my mobile device when I'm at home. What do I have to do to watch via Optimum whenever I'm away?

Nothing more to see this season Beast

 

[beast of the east]

Just got back home. I can't really say much that any of you who watched or attended haven't already said. This team had a lot of chances to right the ship this year and seal the NCAA deal. After clawing back to 8-6 after the 0-5, they blew a Golden opportunity by promptly losing to Villanova, then Xavier. Now this was the final chance at the brass ring, and they failed to convert. They didn't have a gilded path to the finals, but Seton Hall vs. Nova was a much easier path. Blown season. Big time players show up in games like this and make big shots. They didn't, and didn't.

NIT? I'm done till next season. I'm not down on these kids, but I can't drag myself to be interested in meaningless games.

 

[SJU85]

Just saying:

Providence was a finalist for Sanchez and I believe Sampson and we get both. They are not happy that we always seem to play them at CA instead of MSG. Well they got their shot today and made the most of it.

 

[kranmars]

I'm done watching. This is just a sad effort by our guys. Providence wants to play in the ncAa. Our guys probably bought Lavins bs that we have a bid locked up. I hope I check later and we won but I doubt it.

I agree 100%.

Mr. Joe Cool Lavin needs to go back to sunny California and feed his crap to the birds.

Say what you want, but as little desire and hustle you saw from the players is simply a reflection of the lack of urgency that starts at the top.

To stand on the sidelines with your arms folded for an entire game not adding anything but break in action pep talks is unacceptable.

Anyone who watched this team this season had to know that when you saw him sub in Greene and Dom at the same time, it was a wrap. We were up and had all the momentum. Cotton had 2 fouls and we never went at him. For a Providence team that runs 6 players, that is a flat out joke.

This is Lavin's team. Lavin's recruits.

They get fed daily a steaming bowl of you're better than you actually are and they believe it.

His recruiting philosophy is flawed. Check.
His coaching skills are non-existent. Check.

He's a PR guy. Plain and simple.

We need a coach. We need someone who doesn't mind getting their fingernails dirty. We need someone who doesn't mind walking into a Bronx gym, if need be, to scout a kid who plays with toughness and heart.

I watched Masiello coach against Iona the other night like his life was literally on the line. Guess what. His kids will give everything they've got because they know their head coach is.

Give Lavin a 5 or 6 year extension and we'll get nowhere of significance unless he changes his act. Because that's all it is. An act. He's acting as if he knows what he's doing out there.

I'll ask anyone to show me 2 set plays that we run that proves otherwise.

Flame on......

Stop trying to be so self important. You made a good post. Leave it at that. Adding the "flame on" makes it seem like you are inviting someone to dare and challenge you.

But since you asked, I will flame you on Masiello. Just because a coach jumps and rants during games, does not mean they want it more. If that were the only prerequisite, Gonzalez and Rice would still be employed.

 

[gymrat]

I'm absolutely sick right now. Another year, another non NCAA tourney bid. Lavin, while maintaining the group and keeping them motivated after 9-8, 0-5 start, never had a handle it seemed with how to coach this team. The 'everyone gets a chance to play' rotation is ridiculous. And I'm so upset that I have to watch 68 other teams gets bids on Sunday, but not mine. When this team is full of experienced players and some top recruits. Ruined my weekend. We can't beat Prov at home?? My word.
What's to say it won't be same merry go-round bs next year. This just sucks.

 

[gman]

I'm done watching. This is just a sad effort by our guys. Providence wants to play in the ncAa. Our guys probably bought Lavins bs that we have a bid locked up. I hope I check later and we won but I doubt it.

To stand on the sidelines with your arms folded for an entire game not adding anything but break in action pep talks is unacceptable.

I don't understand how he doesn't get upset when we were getting dominated on the offensive boards. Keady wouldn't have taken that crap when he was coaching. Dunlap wouldn't have taken it.

 

[Andrew]

I took a few hours off the board to enjoy the game. I was looking forward to it all week. Pointer missed two easy layups. He needs to forget this year and come back hungry. I know Marillac hates him but I think he will be a key part of our team next year.

If he is, we are screwed. There is one junior from Michigan I wanted tonight...Ladontae Henton. I love that kid. Beast. Pointer hates contact...how he was ever regarded as a shutdown defender is beyond me. I really hope the next time I see him, he is wearing an Eastern Michigan jersey.

Go get Antoine Mason and forget about Pointer.

He lead the team in steals and was tied for second in blocks and assists, playing less minutes than the guys he was tied with. He is not a big man like Henton, so why the comparison. He is not being used correctly and needs to learn how to finish.

Andrew2, I think you are a really good poster, but you are far off on this. Dom gets almost all of his blocks (not tonight, though) after his man beats him badly off the dribble. A better defender would not have to block that shot becuase he would have prevented the drive to begin with. Dom's steals come from gambling. He also has severla dumb fouls a game. He is weak. He hates contact. He has no role.

Henton is not a big man. He's the same height as Dom...maybe a half-inch taller. They are both SFs. Henton can shoot from three..has a better handle and is a warrior under the glass. It's his mentality that makes him superior.

Dom either needs a complete overhaul or needs to go. There is no reason he can't average 3 offensive boards a game...none. At this point, I'd rather see him go.

I understand your points but somehow I see his athleticism being an asset. Maybe this is not the right team for him, or the right coach but I have seen games where he has helped us pick up transition points and create havoc in an aggressive defense. He only has one year left, so it will be difficult to fix him.

 

[rcatalano]

I wish I could fast forward to 2016. Unfortunately next year will be no different!

 

[tom in salem]

I wish I could fast forward to 2016. Unfortunately next year will be no different!

Should surpass Creighton next year.
Unfortunately Marquette, Seton Hall and G'Town will be passing us by.
Thank goodness for DePaul.

 

[ZanMan]

Not sure what felt worse today. Being outnumbered by Nova, SH and PC fans (how is this even possible on OUR home court?!), or the soft, causal effort I mostly saw from my team.

I started to leave and caught a glimpse of the comeback on the screens and immediately walked back in. Stupid me, I was actually convinced that I was about to witness a memorable comeback that we'd be reliving for years.

POP, the air came out as Jakarr missed a bunny and I'm now left processing another disappointing season as a St. John's fan.

Sadly, I will watch them play in the NIT. This is my team and I will always root for them. But, I can't pretend that this season was a success. Was I entertained this season following them? Yes. But it has been one of the most disappointing seasons in a very long time.

Making it worse, I agree with what many of you are saying on here. There is nothing that has me thinking next year will be any better. If we had the recruits coming in like some of the other schools have, that would be different.

Damn, I was so looking forward to our run in the BET and a bracket on Sunday! Stupid me!

Opening day for baseball is just a couple of weeks away. Thank god.