I have been out of the country for the past week so I haven't seen any of the games. I've been living vicariously through the posts on redmen.com and based on what I've read, I'm really encouraged. It seems like this team is actually running plays, playing with purpose, great energy and all being led by a coach who will expect and get the most out of the guys. I have no expectations this year other than to sit back and enjoy watching the players develop. Just bought 6 tickets for myself and some friends for New Year's Eve at Carnesecca against Creighton. First time back on campus in a long time and really looking forward to watching the team in person. Go Johnnies!!!
Rutgers, Thur., Nov. 19, 7PM, FS1 & WMCA 570 AM
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Brando, but especially Raft and Bilas should understand that bad calls happen all game and are always unfortunate. To post and harp on that is ridiculous IMO and they both should provide more intelligent, realistic analysis than that. But we have become a society of whiners and excuse makers, it is always someone else's fault. The fact is Raft was on the money when he started talking at about the 10 minute mark (give or take) the poor, unintelligent possessions Rutgers was having. That and poor foul shooting did Rutgers in, not bad calls (and they were bad) in an end of game scramble situation. Unfortunate IMO but I guess that is the way it is.
There should have been a foul against Felix on the next to last possession. If that had happened against us, we would have gone crazy. That said, as others have mentioned, Rutgers did about everything possible to blow that game in the last 10 to 12 minutes. The way they were shooting free throws, there is no guarantee that they make any of them. Also, we would have gotten the ball back with enough time to get down court for a decent look. Two made FT's and a stop is assuming a lot from a team that played the way they did down the stretch.
Not a Max Hooper SJU jersey to be found in Beast's closet I would assume.
When Jones got the ball he should have held it or gave it up not going to the rim and leave 6.5 secs left. The outcome would have been sealed
That's what I call a teaching moment. I'm sure coach will address it.
beast of the east
Active member
Not a Max Hooper SJU jersey to be found in Beast's closet I would assume.
When Jones got the ball he should have held it or gave it up not going to the rim and leave 6.5 secs left. The outcome would have been sealed
That's because Jones knew there 6.5 seconds left when he got fouled and that Rutgers needed 6.7 seconds to launch the winning 3.
A Euro critique;
"Sima And Mussini had ups and downs in their third game of the season and St. John’s is no where close to even an NIT level team at this point. But that’s not the point, this is a two, three, four year plan for them to get better and for the team to grow in Coach Chris Mullin’s first season.
But as two freshman from across the pond, it’s pretty damn cool that they are the ones that have been handed the keys to a Big East team. Surely big name recruits will come in and transfers too, Mussini will have to learn to play on and off the ball, Sima will have to deal with not getting as many touches and play less but more effective minutes. But in the end they’re getting the type of reps almost no other freshman in the country are getting and this will be invaluable experience as they continue to develop."
Full article;
http://euroleagueadventures.com/st-johns-rebuilds-behind-federico-mussini-and-yankuba-sima/
"Sima And Mussini had ups and downs in their third game of the season and St. John’s is no where close to even an NIT level team at this point. But that’s not the point, this is a two, three, four year plan for them to get better and for the team to grow in Coach Chris Mullin’s first season.
But as two freshman from across the pond, it’s pretty damn cool that they are the ones that have been handed the keys to a Big East team. Surely big name recruits will come in and transfers too, Mussini will have to learn to play on and off the ball, Sima will have to deal with not getting as many touches and play less but more effective minutes. But in the end they’re getting the type of reps almost no other freshman in the country are getting and this will be invaluable experience as they continue to develop."
Full article;
http://euroleagueadventures.com/st-johns-rebuilds-behind-federico-mussini-and-yankuba-sima/
Not bad points.
Last night's game was a ton of fun. Best atmosphere I've seen in CA in a long time, especially for the third game of the season.
As for the players, the team, and the season, as nice as the win was last night, there are miles and miles of development left. For those who like to watch works in progress become completed pieces, it's going to be a very enjoyable year. This is a very likable group, (with perhaps one exception).
The minutes that some guys are getting (even if out of position) should pay dividends next year. And hopefully as the year goes on they will continue to develop as a team and look for one another all the time. Last night there were too many moments when one player or another tried to do too much by himself. I'm sure that will improve by leaps and bounds as the season goes on.
On to Maui.
Dude, he hasn't made a single mistake passing the ball in against pressure. In fact hes been great. The first game against STAC was a horror show getting the ball in, and guess who wasnt inbounding the ball? Jones. This is the #1 observation you have coming off the game?
MarkRedman
Well-known member
Don't get me wrong - I was thrilled that we played with energy and enthusiasm down the stretch
This was not my #1 observation - just one of several that I made
As a former coach, I believe that you put players in position where they can do the most good
You also don't put players in situations that play to their areas of weakness
Jones is, in general, not a good ball handler
You want to have a more adept ball handler/passer taking the ball out of bounds
Felix should not have been in the game when he was fouled at the end of the game
I turned to my buddy and predicted that he would miss both FTs - which he did
beast of the east
Active member
Once Rutgers was down and bound to press like hell and then foul if they didn't steal, I immediately thought that we need at least 4 guards on the floor who were our best ball handlers. Then I realized we didn't have that many. The story of this season is that we have to go with what we have. Someone has got to teach Felix to at least put some arc on his FTs - it was sick how bad those shots were.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
Felix throws line drives at the basket from the FT line
It looks like Ron is our second best ball handler and he is a bit shaky
I really like the future of this program - these kids have a lot of potential
If LoVett played this year, we would definitely not be a last place team
The only solace is that we have a lot to look forward to next year and beyond
beast of the east
Active member
Stats always help thank you. But keep in mind that for both Felix and Federico, it's a lot tougher shooting FTs with the game on the line in raucous gym. They went 0-4, Ron went 1-3 (including the front end of a 1-1 missed), CJ went 1-2 down the stretch also. We got 2 points out of a possible 10 down the stretch.
I don't think the sky's the limit for these kids. Some will hit the wall when we play tough Big East competition. Perhaps Durand will look more like a Big East sub, Mussini a scrawny frosh, Sima a guy with miles to improve. In fact, I expect that. But already we are seeing signs that going forward, these younger guys will be contributors to a very good team. Which is exactly what we are hoping for.