Season Goals

6 wins will still be challenging. Giving one back to DePaul on our home court would have really hurt, so I understand the enthusiasm that inevitably occurs every time we put together a 1 game winning streak. I'd be okay with 6 BE reg season wins, 7 would be outstanding, and 5 would be subpar.
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There is no "1-game enthusiasm" here, nor is there total panic when we put up a stinker at Xavier or even at Georgetown. I just think that we are equal to or better than Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, and Georgetown, and better than DePaul. That amounts to an opinion that we should be able to sweep DePaul, and split with the rest by winning our home games, or picking up a road win to account for a home loss someplace.

That adds up to 6 wins, Butler is in the bank which is 7, and it wouldn't shock me if we jumped up on Xavier in the rematch. Stranger things have happened in the course of a college season.

If you think that the four teams I mentioned are better than us, then you would get to a different conclusion, and that's fine. YMMV. But I think some are underestimating the ceiling of this team, which is understandable given recent history. But this team has never heard of Phil Missiere or Eugene Lawrence or even Malik Boothe, so they don't share the same burden as the fan base does.

Let's see how the games turn out over the course of the year. I happen to think that the team is getting better game by game, and that the profit from playing Xavier, Creighton and Nova will show up against the others.
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I wouldn't say you aren't entitled to an opinion backed by your own critical analysis, but to me this team has a short usable bench vs. Big East competition, very thin front line, credible backcourt where our top 3 guards will be challenged to guard tall backcourts, and the guys we play at the 3 are not reliable offensive contributors. If you are correct and we get to 7 BE conference regular season wins, this season would be a resounding success after the prior one and an important building block. Again, you are entitled, but I just don't see it that way.
 
The day SJU lost to LIU, I concluded that on April 3, SJU will not be going to Arizona to play Villanova for the National Championship. Given that disappointing development, over the balance of the season, I would like to see the team win a few (two?) more games so the staff can demonstrate to recruits that the team is “on the rise”. Furthermore, I would like to see the front court improve. I would like to see Freudenberg at least get his sweats off. I don’t think the guy has gotten any minutes during the last two games, which suggest that the staff doesn’t see him as a future contributor. I have not written him off, but recognize the staff sees these guys every day and may actually be correct. Freudenberg has an important summer coming up, to say the least.

It looks like next year the front court will be some combination of Yakwe, Williams, Owens, Ahmed and Clark. At this point, Alibegovic seems like a scholarship and a good teammate but not much more. Brown is probably a goner. I don’t see us getting help from a junior college transfer as the highly rated kids are already committed to other schools. A graduate transfer would seem like the most likely spot for help but the list of guys that can help SJU next year will be pretty limited (maybe 3 or 4 guys) and there will be close to 300 teams soliciting them What could we expect of this mystery man? Ten points and six rebounds per game? If he was that good, wouldn’t he enter the draft or go abroad?
 
This year's goal: to be significantly better than last season. Overall goal: to be a quality program again capable of competing for the dance year in year out, with an occasional deep run. In other words, the Looie years. Realistic time frame: Year 4 of the rebuild, where the roster can have a mix of upperclassmen including senior leadership, and a few dynamic freshman. Methodology: Fight hard for the best players in NY and NJ, and sprinkle in some transfers and overseas players.

Recruiting is everything. We do not have the type of front court to make the dance in year 4 unless significant upgrades in talent occur. Added experience and the weight room will not likely be enough.Only MC is added next season in the front court., so 2017 isn't bringing with it any significant changes. Is 2018 a make or break year, whatever that means? i think so.
 
Not for nothing, the atmosphere in Carnesecca has been the best this yr since I was in school / started closely following the team.
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I was at the Butler game and really felt like the energy has amped up since Chris took over. I think that the crowds are enjoying watching the team and are trying to play their part in creating a true home court advantage....
 
The day SJU lost to LIU, I concluded that on April 3, SJU will not be going to Arizona to play Villanova for the National Championship. Given that disappointing development, over the balance of the season, I would like to see the team win a few (two?) more games so the staff can demonstrate to recruits that the team is “on the rise”. Furthermore, I would like to see the front court improve. I would like to see Freudenberg at least get his sweats off. I don’t think the guy has gotten any minutes during the last two games, which suggest that the staff doesn’t see him as a future contributor. I have not written him off, but recognize the staff sees these guys every day and may actually be correct. Freudenberg has an important summer coming up, to say the least.

It looks like next year the front court will be some combination of Yakwe, Williams, Owens, Ahmed and Clark. At this point, Alibegovic seems like a scholarship and a good teammate but not much more. Brown is probably a goner. I don’t see us getting help from a junior college transfer as the highly rated kids are already committed to other schools. A graduate transfer would seem like the most likely spot for help but the list of guys that can help SJU next year will be pretty limited (maybe 3 or 4 guys) and there will be close to 300 teams soliciting them What could we expect of this mystery man? Ten points and six rebounds per game? If he was that good, wouldn’t he enter the draft or go abroad?
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If all we are adding to the front line for next season is Clark, this team is in deep trouble
 
a tremendous accomplishment for this team would be to finish top 6 in the conference and not have to play on the first day of the BET. That finish would deserve much praise, despite the terrible non conference results.

Many may think it is not possible, i don't really either.. but it is something to root for. We are 7 games in, and we are currently in the 6th spot. A win tomorrow would make us 4-4 and right in the mix. That is what i have been rooting for for a couple of weeks now. Top 6 finish
 
Not for nothing, the atmosphere in Carnesecca has been the best this yr since I was in school / started closely following the team.
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This is very true... Its my first year as a student so i don't have much to compare it to, but i have read you guys complaining about the crowds for years now. The games have been fun, the atmosphere has been great, and the place is full.

Part of me wants to start playing more Big East home games here. I think Butler, Xavier, CU, DePaul, Marquette, should be played at CA and GTown, Nova, SHU, and PC should be MSG games
 
Not for nothing, the atmosphere in Carnesecca has been the best this yr since I was in school / started closely following the team.
Click to expand...


This is very true... Its my first year as a student so i don't have much to compare it to, but i have read you guys complaining about the crowds for years now. The games have been fun, the atmosphere has been great, and the place is full.

Part of me wants to start playing more Big East home games here. I think Butler, Xavier, CU, DePaul, Marquette, should be played at CA and GTown, Nova, SHU, and PC should be MSG games
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This makes sense on a lot of levels. Playing two quality out of conference opponents and including them in the season ticket package would help.
 
Not for nothing, the atmosphere in Carnesecca has been the best this yr since I was in school / started closely following the team.
Click to expand...


This is very true... Its my first year as a student so i don't have much to compare it to, but i have read you guys complaining about the crowds for years now. The games have been fun, the atmosphere has been great, and the place is full.

Part of me wants to start playing more Big East home games here. I think Butler, Xavier, CU, DePaul, Marquette, should be played at CA and GTown, Nova, SHU, and PC should be MSG games
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A loud, rowdy sell out crowd at CA provides much more of a home court advantage for our team than playing at a half empty MSG. Until we are at a level of success where we can come close to selling out the Garden, I would schedule as few games there as possible for the short term just to preserve our relationship with MSG.
 
Not for nothing, the atmosphere in Carnesecca has been the best this yr since I was in school / started closely following the team.
Click to expand...


This is very true... Its my first year as a student so i don't have much to compare it to, but i have read you guys complaining about the crowds for years now. The games have been fun, the atmosphere has been great, and the place is full.

Part of me wants to start playing more Big East home games here. I think Butler, Xavier, CU, DePaul, Marquette, should be played at CA and GTown, Nova, SHU, and PC should be MSG games
Click to expand...


A loud, rowdy sell out crowd at CA provides much more of a home court advantage for our team than playing at a half empty MSG. Until we are at a level of success where we can come close to selling out the Garden, I would schedule as few games there as possible for the short term just to preserve our relationship with MSG.
Click to expand...
I don't remember who, but one of our players said playing at Carneseca arena energizes the team There are so many alumni of other schools living in NYC. I.E. Villanova and Syracuse fans could fill up more than half of MSG making it in reality a neutral site, negating our home court advantage. Of course you have to play those games at MSG. I also think until we turn it around, more games should be played at Carneseca. Would save SJU money also. I'm not sure why, but it does seem like the crowds have been very good at Carneseca for a team w a poor record. I'm guessing it's the Mullin affect.
 
at this point, retain any quality players ( Ponds, LoVett, and Owens ) and recuit our ass's off and pick up another seasoned coach!
 
at this point, retain any quality players ( Ponds, LoVett, and Owens ) and recuit our ass's off and pick up another seasoned coach!
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May be easier said than done on all three counts. Players leaving for various reasons more prevalent than ever, solid recruits may not want to join a losing program, so far Mullin too stubborn to bring in a seasoned coach. Guess we shall see.
 
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