@Providence, Sat. Mar. 3, 12 NOON, FOX SN (YES?), 570AM

[quote="Boo Harvey" post=274420][quote="Chicago Days" post=274418][quote="Danny Noonan" post=274415]Ponds has a minor oblique strain. Medically he was cleared to play before the game last night.[/quote]

That’s great news! I was out and missed game (although checking it frequently and making noises, with my wife hushing me!), but a poster or two noted he was looking somber and uncomfortable.
But that’s fabulous news! I do hope ‘cleared to play’ means fully healed.
Praying we go on a mini roll here.[/quote]

I don't think "cleared to play" means fully healed since according to Danny's post, Ponds was "medically" cleared to play before yesterday's game yet he did not play.

The fact that Paultz suspects that Ponds will not play against Providence makes me concerned that Ponds may not be 100 percent next week.[/quote]

Correct call it 50/50 for Saturday.
 
Okay, that was my fear.
And it gained traction from what was conveyed, that he was looking ‘somber and uncomfortable’ on the bench.
If not fully healed, the way that magician plays, he’ll ‘tweak’ It again.
If he’s still out, we’ll need another couple of ‘miracles’.
No biggie.
Everybody on this board believes in miracles for our guys, right?!!?
Let’s go Johnnies.
 
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Roll call who else is making the trip ? Maybe mjmaherjr will drink a providence pale ale with you with the 114 crew :)
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=274399]This is sort of a trap game for us. Providence over the last 5-6 years has been our Miami Marlins, a team that will beat us when we'd really like or need a win. A win would be amazing, 6-2 over the back 8 of conference play.

[/quote]

Especially late in the season, 2015 in BET cost STJ a seed or two. 2014 BET might have cost STJ a bid.
 
And to clarify, I'm not stunned because I thought this staff were world beaters. It's just that the only other time STJ failed to win more than 12 conference games in any three year stretch were the Norm year's (from his first to his last) and I despite my low expectations I didn't think the Mullin year's would be as bad as the Norm year's.
 
im gonna call it, and say what we all fear. Ponds is day to day and doesn't play vs Providence and first BE game. We need one to qualify for NIT- we lose both, and Ponds declares and is drafted late first round. Sorry but you know we are all thinking that....years of torment are ingrained. Hope I'm wrong on all accounts, or is it counts?
 
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[quote="Boo Harvey" post=274450]So under that rosy scenario, Ponds has played his last game in a SjU uniform. Yikes![/quote] Wont be his last game
 
[quote="austour" post=274440]And to clarify, I'm not stunned because I thought this staff were world beaters. It's just that the only other time STJ failed to win more than 12 conference games in any three year stretch were the Norm year's (from his first to his last) and I despite my low expectations I didn't think the Mullin year's would be as bad as the Norm year's.[/quote]

Another view is to look at the 30 game season and the upward trend of the RPI from year to year. I'm too lazy to look at our RPI during the Norm years, but I don't think his third year team had so many close losses, quality wins and a respectable RPI. I recall walking into an empty MSG at that time. As stated dozens of times here, year four is the key. Norm's team struggled in year four. Mullin's team is not likely to struggle next season. He fixed the unbalanced class while improving as a game coach. The 11 game funk certainly sucked for us. The remarkable thing is that he brought them through it and has won five of seven when most teams fizzle out. I think that is what the enthusiastic crowds at recent games are appreciating.
 
[quote="OLV72" post=274452][quote="austour" post=274440]And to clarify, I'm not stunned because I thought this staff were world beaters. It's just that the only other time STJ failed to win more than 12 conference games in any three year stretch were the Norm year's (from his first to his last) and I despite my low expectations I didn't think the Mullin year's would be as bad as the Norm year's.[/quote]

If Ponds does not return next year, we will struggle.

Another view is to look at the 30 game season and the upward trend of the RPI from year to year. I'm too lazy to look at our RPI during the Norm years, but I don't think his third year team had so many close losses, quality wins and a respectable RPI. I recall walking into an empty MSG at that time. As stated dozens of times here, year four is the key. Norm's team struggled in year four. Mullin's team is not likely to struggle next season. He fixed the unbalanced class while improving as a game coach. The 11 game funk certainly sucked for us. The remarkable thing is that he brought them through it and has won five of seven when most teams fizzle out. I think that is what the enthusiastic crowds at recent games are appreciating.[/quote]
 
I luv Ponds. I think—at his best— he’s a ‘magical’ college guard—who is unguardable—and often that translates into solid NBA timber.
But, I don’t think he’s shown enough this year to date, to combat NBA reservations about his size, physique, staying power, and defense.
And even if he heals from this groin strain and leads us deep into the BET and we get an NCAA bid (which I pray happens!), I do not know, don’t have a clue, if that would be enough for an NBA team to draft him in the 1st Round.
Don’t think anyone knows that at this point—because maybe he'll show so much ‘game’ in that run over the next 5-7 games that one team will take a shot.
But the conventional wisdom, at present, seems to be that yeah he’s oozes skills and potential but needs 1 more year.
We shall see which parallel dimension prevails.
 
[quote="OLV72" post=274452][quote="austour" post=274440]And to clarify, I'm not stunned because I thought this staff were world beaters. It's just that the only other time STJ failed to win more than 12 conference games in any three year stretch were the Norm year's (from his first to his last) and I despite my low expectations I didn't think the Mullin year's would be as bad as the Norm year's.[/quote]

Another view is to look at the 30 game season and the upward trend of the RPI from year to year. I'm too lazy to look at our RPI during the Norm years, but I don't think his third year team had so many close losses, quality wins and a respectable RPI. I recall walking into an empty MSG at that time. As stated dozens of times here, year four is the key. Norm's team struggled in year four. Mullin's team is not likely to struggle next season. He fixed the unbalanced class while improving as a game coach. The 11 game funk certainly sucked for us. The remarkable thing is that he brought them through it and has won five of seven when most teams fizzle out. I think that is what the enthusiastic crowds at recent games are appreciating.[/quote]

Depending on which one you're using the RPI is in the high 70s/low 80s. That's not respectable, it's not awful, but it's not respectable. It is what the program is at this point, mediocre.

And if we as a fan base think being better than Norm's years is an acceptable measuring stick then we're more pitiful than I thought.

So for the future, where is the bar? Is the bar now set to correspond with the disappointments of the last 3 years? If we all knew at the time of the hire the ceiling was being a bubble team in year 4 after no tourney appearances including the NIT the first three would those who didn't think the hire was dubious have still been positive simply because it's Chris freaking Mullin? I don't think that would have been good enough at the time of the hire so I don't think that should be good enough now. That's MVHO.

But like I said in some other post, Wait'll next year!
 
I’m not waiting till next year till after the buzzer sounds and the last loss is in the books for this season

Wednesday night was a blast for most of us.

This year’s team still has some life left.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=274459]I luv Ponds. I think—at his best— he’s a ‘magical’ college guard—who is unguardable—and often that translates into solid NBA timber.
But, I don’t think he’s shown enough this year to date, to combat NBA reservations about his size, physique, staying power, and defense.
And even if he heals from this groin strain and leads us deep into the BET and we get an NCAA bid (which I pray happens!), I do not know, don’t have a clue, if that would be enough for an NBA team to draft him in the 1st Round.
Don’t think anyone knows that at this point—because maybe he'll show so much ‘game’ in that run over the next 5-7 games that one team will take a shot.
But the conventional wisdom, at present, seems to be that yeah he’s oozes skills and potential but needs 1 more year.
We shall see which parallel dimension prevails.[/quote]

Groin strain? I thought it was an abdominal strain.
 
Ponds or no Ponds this is going to be a very tough game for us. It's Senior night/day and PC is fighting for an NCAA bid. I'm hoping we go into the BE tourny on a 2 game win streak, but I'm not confident.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=274423]Okay, that was my fear.
And it gained traction from what was conveyed, that he was looking ‘somber and uncomfortable’ on the bench.
If not fully healed, the way that magician plays, he’ll ‘tweak’ It again.
If he’s still out, we’ll need another couple of ‘miracles’.
No biggie.
Everybody on this board believes in miracles for our guys, right?!!?
Let’s go Johnnies.[/quote]

Chicago - I was reflecting - our kids - sans a bench and no room for error - are playing their hearts out! What guts and determination - no wonder most of we posters admire what they are accomplishing.

And even if no further Ws arrive (especially if SP is out of order), there is reason to be proud of the bunch and be patient as we await 2018-19.

Among the attitudes and attributes that Chris Mullin possesses ( and I will leave the critique of his shortcomings to others, CM is not perfect) is his healthy
spirit throughout losses and disappointments, leading this team and encouraging them to keep on which they have done!
I liked when CM said these tough often close losses will lead to the collective team ability to succeed in the future on other days in other games.
I like that Chris has not whined despite injuries, departures.
I appreciate that he has held his team and himself together in a season that many of us, many others would have crumbled.
AND I see how he is evolving as a head coach, recruiter, mentor to his players and staff.

Clearly Chris Mullins is a winner and clearly he cares deeply about our program.

Finally Chris came through on his two promises when in April 2015 he took this job (I believe in part doing his mentor Louie and his alma mater "a favor" as we needed him more than he needed this position):

Promise # 1 his team would be hard working;
Promise #2 his team would be in great shape capable of long minutes.

We regular posters, I believe Boo H alluded to this, we may disagree or whatever, but we are here because we care, we have a loyal rooting interest, and will keep onward with our support and excitement of the Redstorm...
Finally...(drumroll)
I bet even the most cynical of use could agree that 2018-19 might well be a fabulous year with a tournament in the offering.
All the best.
 
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Used groin instead of abdomen. Apologies. Ain’t they kind of in proximity to one another?!!!? Gotta laugh.
 
[quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=274485][quote="Chicago Days" post=274423]Okay, that was my fear.
And it gained traction from what was conveyed, that he was looking ‘somber and uncomfortable’ on the bench.
If not fully healed, the way that magician plays, he’ll ‘tweak’ It again.
If he’s still out, we’ll need another couple of ‘miracles’.
No biggie.
Everybody on this board believes in miracles for our guys, right?!!?
Let’s go Johnnies.[/quote]

Chicago - I was reflecting - our kids - sans a bench and no room for error - are playing their hearts out! What guts and determination - no wonder most of we posters admire what they are accomplishing.

And even if no further Ws arrive (especially if SP is out of order), there is reason to be proud of the bunch and be patient as we await 2018-19.

Among the attitudes and attributes that Chris Mullin possesses ( and I will leave the critique of his shortcomings to others, CM is not perfect) is his healthy
spirit throughout losses and disappointments, leading this team and encouraging them to keep on which they have done!
I liked when CM said these tough often close losses will lead to the collective team ability to succeed in the future on other days in other games.
I like that Chris has not whined despite injuries, departures.
I appreciate that he has held his team and himself together in a season that many of us, many others would have crumbled.
AND I see how he is evolving as a head coach, recruiter, mentor to his players and staff.

Clearly Chris Mullins is a winner and clearly he cares deeply about our program.

Finally Chris came through on his two promises when in April 2015 he took this job (I believe in part doing his mentor Louie and his alma mater "a favor" as we needed him more than he needed this position):

Promise # 1 his team would be hard working;
Promise #2 his team would be in great shape capable of long minutes.

We regular posters, I believe Boo H alluded to this, we may disagree or whatever, but we are here because we care, we have a loyal rooting interest, and will keep onward with our support and excitement of the Redstorm...
Finally...(drumroll)
I bet even the most cynical of use could agree that 2018-19 might well be a fabulous year with a tournament in the offering.
All the best.[/quote]

Great post General. Yes, these kids have not given up. There is no quit in them. The win against Butler—without Shamorie— was one for the ages. These type of wins against all odds (Duke, Nova), combined with the tough and close losses build character and future success. CM nailed that.
I’m a big fan of Chris Mullin and have admired his total inability to ever quit and his consummate work ethic to wear out the gym floor to hone his shooting. He brings that to these guys. They get it.
Yes, I agree. Next year could be the sweet beginning of special times for the St. John’s Community.
 
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