Roster

[quote="Paultzman" post=287602]I should have noted Scottie Lewis is obviously a stud, but based on staff’s long term work and relationship with him, I sense we will make his final 5 & get an official visit. We know our historical disappointments with like circumstances, but you have to hang in there with a player of his caliber. You never know. :)[/quote]

I’m probably wrong, but if Mustapha plays in 2018-19, he is the game-changer with that very talented guard / wing roster, and we have 25+ wins going into the Dance, I was thinking that St. John’s would have regained a ‘glow factor’ with a few of our 2019 targets.
Que sera sera.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=287596][quote="Room112" post=287595][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.[/quote]
Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.[/quote]

Good points. I've said the same about winning. We won't even have a chance to show we've built a winner until months down the road. I'm just happy that things are moving in the right direction and we've been able to bring so much talent in here. For all of the complaints of how bad a season we had last year, it's a stark contrast to some calling this our most talented team in two decades. Someone must be doing something right.
 
Irrespective of their status as juniors, you can be sure that recruits, their advisors, parents, coaches, etc, know that Ponds and likely Herron (assuming he plays) are turning pro next year. I wouldn't worry about the PT concerns like you may have had with Luther Muhammed's recruitment.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=287599][quote="NCJohnnie" post=287598]Paultzman wrote: Room112 wrote:
fordham96 wrote: As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.

Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.

Paultz, do you think we still have a decent/good shot with Gaffney? Thanks.[/quote]
He has really come on, so a cautious yes seems realistic.

Btw re: post about recent transfer additions having a negative impact on early 19 recruiting, many kids will still wait until Spring to commit. Programs by then will have a decent sense who may leave and know how many spots & what positions they have to offer late signees. I never worry about numbers & doubt staff does. Louisville model for years.[/quote]

Fair response and makes sense. Thanks
 
[quote="Room112" post=287612][quote="Paultzman" post=287596][quote="Room112" post=287595][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.[/quote]
Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.[/quote]

Good points. I've said the same about winning. We won't even have a chance to show we've built a winner until months down the road. I'm just happy that things are moving in the right direction and we've been able to bring so much talent in here. For all of the complaints of how bad a season we had last year, it's a stark contrast to some calling this our most talented team in two decades. Someone must be doing something right.[/quote]

Yes 112 someone must be doing something right. And behind the scenes someone (or ones) and some thing (or things) are positive and effective or else we would not be celebrating a clear turning of the corner - 20 wins (more likely than 15) in 2018-19; a tournament appearance( is so much more likely) in 2018-19; same with recruiting - 2018-19-20 could well be significantly better than 2015-16-17-18 when Chris Mullin inherited NOTHING but a Div 3 roster.

There is certainly room for disparagement and disappointment. But few if any of us know what is really happening behind the SJU coaching scenes. It is poster speculation.
AND - always a key for me - Chris Mullin is a driven winner - his entire life he made the most of the situation - and overcome bad situations - so I can only believe that he is taking the same approach (granted slower than some of us would prefer) to making SJU great again (lol). Chris wants to win more than we do. Winners do not suddenly turn into losers.

And notice, Chris does not whine from what I have seen. He does not make excuses. He does not blame others. That sounds good to me. Was it last BE tournament when he took responsibility saying the bad seed/obstacles is what happens when you lose so many games.
And, yes, we are peeking around the corner which corner we are turning. Gradually. Small steps. But turning nevertheless.
All the best!
Let's enjoy the season!!
and finally, let's go Red Storm!!!
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=287607]
I am under impression he is tight with Sice. Btw, Arbitello is no day at the beach, arrogant.[/quote]

Even if we had no other issues with Mullin and Mitch, the one big problem that will never go away is that they've both accomplished way too much to kiss the ass of someone like Arbitello. And I don't blame them, but it might remove entire schools from the recruiting equation. I don't think either guy would have any problem connecting to parents of my age group, though, so that's why they need to be present -- to go completely over the heads of pain in the ass coaches, if need be.
 
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And that's my hope, that with the burst of energy that winning provides to all--players, coaches, fans--Chris & Mitch will use the obvious glow of their NBA careers with both parents and recruits to "be present and go over the top of pain in the ass coaches, if need be."
Their creds scream it.
 
IF Heron plays in 2018-19, it's my very humble view that this team might score high 80s - low 90s on most nights, and on off nights, low - mid 70s.
Combine that with a better & more consistent D--where guys aren't dog-tired in the 2nd Half--and that could equal beaucoup wins--more than anybody, at this point, reasonably expects.
That might bring excitement to new levels.
Just sayin'.
 
There is clear momentum with the program right now especially with the signing of Heron. Could be more with what I anticipate will be a staff change soon. That momentum can and needs to be turned into some early 2018-19 recruiting success even before the season.

You don't need to play and have a good season before you can capitalize on momentum. A good season will just enhance the idea that the program is turning the corner and help even more. But July recruiting will tell us a lot about how much SJU wants to capitalize on the recent good news.
 
I was thinking about that however, seems 80s reasonable but a lot depends how coach handles playing time and putting in the players that jell. Excited about the up-coming season
Coach now has to up his game
 
[quote="fordham96" post=287637]There is clear momentum with the program right now especially with the signing of Heron. Could be more with what I anticipate will be a staff change soon. That momentum can and needs to be turned into some early 2018-19 recruiting success even before the season.

You don't need to play and have a good season before you can capitalize on momentum. A good season will just enhance the idea that the program is turning the corner and help even more. But July recruiting will tell us a lot about how much SJU wants to capitalize on the recent good news.[/quote]
One particular staff change certainly would help imo.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=287637]There is clear momentum with the program right now especially with the signing of Heron. Could be more with what I anticipate will be a staff change soon. That momentum can and needs to be turned into some early 2018-19 recruiting success even before the season.

You don't need to play and have a good season before you can capitalize on momentum. A good season will just enhance the idea that the program is turning the corner and help even more. But July recruiting will tell us a lot about how much SJU wants to capitalize on the recent good news.[/quote]
One particular staff change could be a positive imo.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=287634]IF Heron plays in 2018-19, it's my very humble view that this team might score high 80s - low 90s on most nights, and on off nights, low - mid 70s.
Combine that with a better & more consistent D--where guys aren't dog-tired in the 2nd Half--and that could equal beaucoup wins--more than anybody, at this point, reasonably expects.
That might bring excitement to new levels.
Just sayin'.[/quote]

To get into a consistent high tempo offense the team will need defensive rebounding and defensive stops.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=287647][quote="Chicago Days" post=287634]IF Heron plays in 2018-19, it's my very humble view that this team might score high 80s - low 90s on most nights, and on off nights, low - mid 70s.
Combine that with a better & more consistent D--where guys aren't dog-tired in the 2nd Half--and that could equal beaucoup wins--more than anybody, at this point, reasonably expects.
That might bring excitement to new levels.
Just sayin'.[/quote]

To get into a consistent high tempo offense the team will need defensive rebounding and defensive stops.[/quote]

True Paul. And I think IF Heron plays, the starting 5 will be very fast, skilled, athletic, and intense on D. Figgy is also viewed to play intense D. I expect many defensive stops by us--disrupting the opponent's game flow.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=287647][quote="Chicago Days" post=287634]IF Heron plays in 2018-19, it's my very humble view that this team might score high 80s - low 90s on most nights, and on off nights, low - mid 70s.
Combine that with a better & more consistent D--where guys aren't dog-tired in the 2nd Half--and that could equal beaucoup wins--more than anybody, at this point, reasonably expects.
That might bring excitement to new levels.
Just sayin'.[/quote]

To get into a consistent high tempo offense the team will need defensive rebounding and defensive stops.[/quote]
Paul Westhead disagrees, and is available. I say we bring him on board!
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=287644][quote="fordham96" post=287637]There is clear momentum with the program right now especially with the signing of Heron. Could be more with what I anticipate will be a staff change soon. That momentum can and needs to be turned into some early 2018-19 recruiting success even before the season.

You don't need to play and have a good season before you can capitalize on momentum. A good season will just enhance the idea that the program is turning the corner and help even more. But July recruiting will tell us a lot about how much SJU wants to capitalize on the recent good news.[/quote]
One particular staff change certainly would help imo.[/quote]

Would be a very nice and timely addition--a kind of exclamation !--to what has been some surprising recruiting news.
 
WCJF wrote: Days - Low 90 on most nights? If we averaged in the mid 80's we'd likely be a top 5-10 offense nationally. Low 90's would be Loyola Marymont territory LOL.

There were 5 teams in the country last year who averaged 85 or more ppg; Nova was #1 at 87.1. I'd be delighted if we are a top 25 team next year with MH playing. Won't ask for more than that. Let's see how things unfold. Cause for optimism, but a lot still has to go right.
 
[quote="Spocky Ramone" post=287649][quote="Paul Massell" post=287647][quote="Chicago Days" post=287634]IF Heron plays in 2018-19, it's my very humble view that this team might score high 80s - low 90s on most nights, and on off nights, low - mid 70s.
Combine that with a better & more consistent D--where guys aren't dog-tired in the 2nd Half--and that could equal beaucoup wins--more than anybody, at this point, reasonably expects.
That might bring excitement to new levels.
Just sayin'.[/quote]

To get into a consistent high tempo offense the team will need defensive rebounding and defensive stops.[/quote]
Paul Westhead disagrees, and is available. I say we bring him on board![/quote]

To quote Paul Westhead: "The perception that the Lions played poor defense was a myth," "Defense sparked offense"
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=287645][quote="fordham96" post=287637]There is clear momentum with the program right now especially with the signing of Heron. Could be more with what I anticipate will be a staff change soon. That momentum can and needs to be turned into some early 2018-19 recruiting success even before the season.

You don't need to play and have a good season before you can capitalize on momentum. A good season will just enhance the idea that the program is turning the corner and help even more. But July recruiting will tell us a lot about how much SJU wants to capitalize on the recent good news.[/quote]
One particular staff change could be a positive imo.[/quote]

I would think that for a staff change to occur, that roles would have to be defined, or redefined. Does Rice (or anyone else) get involved with X's and O's? If so, does that nudge St. Jean into a lower, acceptable role? Or does Rice (or any other addition) focus primarily on recruiting, where there is plenty of room for 2 or more assistants to really a beat a path to bring in top talent? We certainly don't want a repeat of year 1, where Mullin by choice or outcome was basically relegated to general manager who had a cushy seat on the scorer's table while slice and st. Jean ran the show (visually at least).

I don't know if we've discussed roles before. Would be interested in thoughts and not snipes. My concern is that is St. Jean's was not all in on such a change at this point he could depart for greener pastures (the NBA, HC at a lower rung, or assistant somewhere else)
 
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