Rick’s Targets
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
Year 3. Year 2. Year 1. All can be realistic to me.
Then please don't. Let's just appreciate this year's team.
Exactly right. No idea what is going to happen. However, the sky is now the limit. ANYTHING is now possible. I am going to buckle up and enjoy the ride.
L J S A
Well-known member
We have a center who can score and rebound, which puts us ahead of most teams right off the bat. And a stud shooting guard. And a PF who can do a little of everything. And now a stud freshman who probably won't even start. Plus a whole bunch of athletic shooters. And one of the greatest coaches of all time. I'm all in on Year 1 and don't care if anyone thinks I'm crazy. (No crazier than my past preseason predictions anyway.)
Have the same thoughts as you ljsa!!! Have the pieces for this year to do it. Now go do it!!! LolWe have a center who can score and rebound, which puts us ahead of most teams right off the bat. And a stud shooting guard. And a PF who can do a little of everything. And now a stud freshman who probably won't even start. Plus a whole bunch of athletic shooters. And one of the greatest coaches of all time. I'm all in on Year 1 and don't care if anyone thinks I'm crazy. (No crazier than my past preseason predictions anyway.)
I heard that young kid Pitino has the chance to be a hell of a Coach.
Larry Wright
Well-known member
Here is my take that is more on conservative side.We have a center who can score and rebound, which puts us ahead of most teams right off the bat. And a stud shooting guard. And a PF who can do a little of everything. And now a stud freshman who probably won't even start. Plus a whole bunch of athletic shooters. And one of the greatest coaches of all time. I'm all in on Year 1 and don't care if anyone thinks I'm crazy. (No crazier than my past preseason predictions anyway.)
Sure things:
-one of the best coaches of all time(again I have seen Larry Brown, Phil Jackson and now Buck Showalter get old and fail, but still counting him as gimme)
-one of top 2 or 3 big men in the conference.
-even though the upgrade in competition does make me hesitant, Dingle should be one of top players in the conference.
-two top 50 promising players who if deserve it will get PT
- very solid Championship proven player in Alleyne that will be very good no matter his role.
- I was not sold on Jenkins as starting point guard. As 3rd or 4th guard he will be a good rotation piece.
Question marks for me:
- though both appear to be talented, not really sure what we should expect from Luis or Taylor.
-Power forward spot to me is still a big question
-whole new team that needs to mesh
For me the floor is winning an NCAA game
Ceiling would be Sweet 16
Haven’t seen this posted. This guy (CBS) has us at #26.
www.cbssports.com
College basketball rankings: Rick Pitino lands ex-UNC signee Simeon Wilcher to put St. John's in Top 25 And 1
Wilcher, a four-star recruit, joined the Red Storm, who have now cracked the early preseason rankings
www.cbssports.com
Gary Parish is one of the biggest name out there for college bball info, especially rankings. He updates this constantly throughout the year so it will be good pub to be on it, obviously lol.Haven’t seen this posted. This guy (CBS) has us at #26.
College basketball rankings: Rick Pitino lands ex-UNC signee Simeon Wilcher to put St. John's in Top 25 And 1
Wilcher, a four-star recruit, joined the Red Storm, who have now cracked the early preseason rankings
L J S A
Well-known member
I actually am viewing Taylor as our likely third leading scorer, but there are so many pieces everyone might cannibalize each other's minutes and ppg outside of the big two.
My main concern with Slazinski is health, but I assume he's 100 percent now. He looks to have good court vision and passing skills, and I'm hoping he can give something on the boards to relieve pressure on Soriano. I actually would get Luis minutes at PF, but not sure how staff is viewing lineup combos. Not sure if Ejiofior will be primary backup to both C and PF.
Reasonable and all fair points. Addressing the question marks. Luis and Taylor Jr. both were double-digit scorers at the Major D1 level at 11.5 and 11.6 Ppg respectively. At minimum we have 2 well-rounded SF’s who should hopefully continue to improve under Pitino.
PF is going to be a mix of players. We will play “small” quite a bit and utilize our sf’s there and spread defenses out. Then we have a stretch Pf in Slazinski who also played at a high major level and was a double digit scorer before getting injured last year at Iona. Kid can play. Then there’s Ejiofor who seems to be a beast, but will need work. He will likely slide to the C slot quite a bit as well this season by necessity. Traore also slots in at PF.
Meshing is going to be a whole process. Whole new offense and defense for most of these guys, except the Iona crew. Having those few Iona guys around should help with that and getting the rest of team into a rhythm.
We have a massive talent upgrade this year, and coaching as well. Only exciting things ahead.
Larry Wright
Well-known member
When I list Luis and Taylor as question marks it is not necessarily a negative. They do seem redundant but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them became the 3rd best player. Just don’t think both can be and have no idea which will have the bigger role.
We will certainly have a lot of competition. I don’t think any of us know who will prevail in PT competition etc. I do know that we will be a bear for other teams though. Lots of experienced and talented players.
You guys might want to reread what Pitino said about Ejiofor. Not sure how it shakes out but Pitino was clear that Ejiofor will get a shot at the ”4”. His comments can be found here. I can only take him at his word and backup was not what I heard.
An inside look at Rick Pitino’s two-month St. John’s overhaul
The final buzzer of Iona’s season was the starting gun for Rick Pitino.
nypost.com
Rocket
Well-known member
One of the most talented St. John's teams in years.
However, let's all temper our expectations. Eleven new players need to be molded into a team.
It takes a great coach and staff to pull off such a quick turnaround with only one starter returning.
I just pinched myself and realized that our coach is Rick Pitino!
God is good.
However, let's all temper our expectations. Eleven new players need to be molded into a team.
It takes a great coach and staff to pull off such a quick turnaround with only one starter returning.
I just pinched myself and realized that our coach is Rick Pitino!
God is good.
Why would PF be a question mark ? You do know that no one in college basketball plays 2 bigs at the same time anymore , just look at the last 5 champions .
Uconn- Karaban 6’8 on a good day
Kansas- Braun 6’7
Baylor - Vital 6’5
Virginia - Hunter 6’8
Pascal- 6-5
basketballjones
Well-known member
Coach Pitino’s first season at Kentucky, albeit on probation as they were, I think they won 14 games. So this is not going to be easy.One of the most talented St. John's teams in years.
However, let's all temper our expectations. Eleven new players need to be molded into a team.
It takes a great coach and staff to pull off such a quick turnaround with only one starter returning.
I just pinched myself and realized that our coach is Rick Pitino!
God is good.
Larry Wright
Well-known member
If go by what has been written and read between lines of what it may have taken to get certain kids:You guys might want to reread what Pitino said about Ejiofor. Not sure how it shakes out but Pitino was clear that Ejiofor will get a shot at the ”4”. His comments can be found here. I can only take him at his word and backup was not what I heard.
An inside look at Rick Pitino’s two-month St. John’s overhaul
The final buzzer of Iona’s season was the starting gun for Rick Pitino.
Soriano, Ejofor, Luis, Dingle, Wilcher
Alleyne 6th man
Slaz, Taylor, Dunlap & Jenkins 7-10 in no order
I think Taylor is higher up splitting some time with Luis. This is based off what RP has indicated. I am sure he’ll change things as he sees fit but that is from the horses mouth so to speak. I would take him at his word at this point. He is the only voice that counts.