Seton Hall (UBS), Sun., Feb. 18, 5p, FS-1

[Silly Donovan]

The only thing you can point to is lack of discipline.

I guarantee he isn't drawing up plays that end with Ledlum shooting a three.

I honestly think it's the players are simply not good enough and not basketball smart to boot.

And there is no amount of coaching that can change that.

As for recruiting to blame Rick, there were slim pickings and not sure who specifically we shouldn't have gotten than what we got aside from Clayton.

You have a 19 point lead, you don’t need all world players to play enough D and score a few baskets to win the game. No excuse here, suspect game plan and half time adjustments.

 

[vegasman2000]

Well he didn't come through in his few opportunities

Right. He was throwing up bricks, he had his chances to keep his momentum going

 

[redmaninalbany]

I understand a leader having a style of high standards, tough discipline including punitive drills for repeat errors or elongated bench warming.
But you don't motivate by public shaming. You don't build toughness by reinforcing mental weakness. You don't elevate athleticism and speed by putting naturally slower players in positions where they have to press constantly. Mostly you don't provide leadership by failing to demonstrate poise in a crisis and self-accountability. Pitino's record makes him a hall of famer. Today, blasting his own selected players in the press makes him a hall of shamer.

 

[NCJohnnie]

He knows it too

Maybe I’m too old school and you can call it welcome transparency but to me it’s kind of classless.

 

[Bobby123]

I tell you, reading this (which is always dangerous, because you don't know context), and throw in his comments after the UCONN game, and I don't thinks it totally off the table that he hangs it up after this year. I think it's highly unlikely (say less than 1% likely), but I don't think it can be totally ruled out.

I think he will never retire on such a disappointing season. But who knows

 

[redmanwest]

It sucks but Pitino kinda has to say stuff like that at this point. He’s in recruiting mode now and is trying to communicate to potential players and their families/handlers that the same won’t happen when they’re here

If I’m a recruit that would turn me off.

 

[vegasman2000]

You have a 19 point lead, you don’t need all world players to play enough D and score a few baskets to win the game. No excuse here, suspect game plan and half time adjustments.

Yeah but come on, he isnt telling them "make sure all five of you are below the FT line after a made layup." Or "Chris, make sure you get beat to the basket every time."

You can tell some people what to do until you are blue in the face. But you still can't make them do it.

 

[sirvoo]

I cannot stand this coach’s substitution patterns. He may have effectively killed 2-3 players basketball careers with how he’s handled them.

But I also believe this coach recognizes the problem and will fix it by next year.

 

[Joedib]

Soriano …….. 2 points in the second half??? And that’s not on the staff that no one got him the ball????

Sure. Let’s fire the staff!!!

 

[lycidas]

Taylor played 3 minutes and was 2-2 from the line. Alleyne can’t even dribble and was 2-2. It’s not Rick who can’t draw contact.

Alleyne shot 2 technical foul free throws. He did not get himself to the line.

 

[Rocket]

Maybe I’m too old school and you can call it welcome transparency but to me it’s kind of classless.

It sounds like the lead recruiter for a few of these guys is out of a job.
Then again, the new world order of NIL basketball requires a pro level type scout.
I don't think Pitino makes this mistake with the next group.

 

[Ray Morgan]

After years of watching St. John's recruiting players with high major athleticism that was far ahead of their basketball skills, it feels no better watching mid major level athletes with basketball skills on par with their average athleticism.

 

[RedStormRising]

Maybe I’m too old school and you can call it welcome transparency but to me it’s kind of classless.

It’s totally classless. Also, it’s the way ‘We’ recruited not the way ‘I’ recruited. At least when Deion Sanders got rid of his whole team he a) supported his new team 100% b) we didn’t blame his players for his shortcomings and c) was fun to watch.

 

[Silly Donovan]

Sure. Let’s fire the staff!!!

Never said that but clearly, there was questionable game management in this one and that’s not the only issue.

 

[stromcloud]

Any SJU person that schedules a home game at UBS from this point forward should walk back to campus on the Cross Island

That’s right, blame the arena.

 

[MugCostanza]

That’s right, blame the arena.

Not blaming the arena but it is nonsensical that they played this game there instead of CA and I don’t expect them to play home games there ever again

 

[paultzman]

 

[stromcloud]

Correct.

The players who left are better than the ones who came. And that’s Rick’s fault.

 

[SJU61982]

I think he will never retire on such a disappointing season. But who knows

Do we think next year's going to be any better? Are we going to do another reset?

Even if we don't, half the team will be new next year, and it will be those new guys who will be pressured to turn this around.

Not good.

 

[MJDinkins]

Honestly a lot of truth to this

Pitino is "too honest," and he's better off taking the high road in his pressers. It's exacerbated after each and every grueling loss.