SJU Portal Targets

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SJUDave said:
I'm sorry but this is SO stupid. What team ISN'T trying to make a pitch to get a prospect they love commit before they leave? Like no shit.

I know Trilly has said he puts "everything" he hears in the discord, but the problem with that is that it's watered down so much info, and so much of it is nonsense and bs. And people just take it as gospel and obsess over it.
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I find the entire Trilly Donovan existence nauseating
 
If we add the USC kid or someone similar than Pitino likely tries to bolster the 4 spot with a kid that could potentially play some 5 and hold his own like Karaban did on the title game against Edey. Perhaps someone built like Bryce Hopkins and skilled.

We’re not going to carry 3 centers and a 5/4 in Zuby. I know there has been a lot of chatter from Pitino about Zuby playing the 4, but we can’t be naive here. Pitino says a lot of stuff that has other purposes, and this could easily be filed under the defensive portion of the NIL/Portal era.

I don’t think Pitino cares if his center can score. Just set screens, roll and make yourself available for lobs, hit the glass like a maniac, and don’t clog the lane. And obviously block shots and move well on defense.
 
Moose said:
You're not alone. Many hate Woj, or Schefter as well. I don't get why and think its just deep down jealousy but that's a discussion for another day.
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i think those guys are just trying to outscoop each other but i find trilly's discord and intel have a more insidious nature
 
Zuby, at 6'9" (listed), will have his hands full against some of the bigger centers in CBB. I like his motor, but I don't know if you want to start the season with him pencilled in at the 5.
 
SJUDave said:
I'll play along and jump the gun for the sake of the argument because I see a lot of people all over saying similar things.

IF we get a commitment from Vince Iwuchukwu, I find it incredibly hard to believe they don't add another center / formidable big. Think about the roster construction. Zuby is going to alternate between the 4 and 5 this year, with a strong emphasis on the 4. He's already working on that. Maker is a 7'1 freshman that probably won't play much all year.

Think back to what Rick talked about all year: St. John's was thin upfront. They only had Joel and Zuby. It doesn't make sense to me that they would essentially go into the season with the same "problem"

ESPECIALLY when you can go over the 13 roster number like they did last year.

For the sake of this argument, lets say Vince commits. That leaves with four or five spots to fill. Look at this with the kind of voids that are left

Guards - Wilcher, Lefty
Wings/Forwards - Luis, Dunlap, Glover, Ayo
Bigs - Vince/Zuby/Maker

Those spots feel like they should be:

1. On ball guard likely older point guard to help run the offense. You'll want 10pts out of this position
2. HIGH end scoring guard who can also be on the ball (Dingle coming back would fill this void but would still take up a spot)
3. Legit 6'8-6'9 Power Forward who can shoot (Ledlum I guess fills this void but again same issue as last year undersize and Rick not happy with it so why do it again. I would bring Ledlum back but change his role)
4. Scoring wing
5. Scoring big (Vince has not developed into a starting caliber center yet. He played 15 min per game, and plagued with some injury issues from the cardiac issue to the back surgery. Can he get there given his pedigree and freakish athleticism hell yea. That's why he was a five star prospect with every blue blood after him. Does he fit what Rick looks for in a big, hell yea - supreme athlete, long, defensively locking down the paint and quick enough to switch. But are you comfortable with him as your starting center right away? I don't know. Plus given his injury history, you'll need insurance besides Zuby...asking that to be a freshman in Maker goes against what Pitino has shown for 40 years.

I think he's a very very exciting and interesting potential addition, but it shouldn't take St. John's out of the big market from a logistics perspective. But hey, what do I know? Not much just spit balling on a Thursday morning.
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Good insight.

Center - I don’t think we need much scoring in RP’s system. Iwu, Zuby, and Maker (in limited minutes) could suffice.

PF - Zuby will get time at PF. I’d love a stretch four at 6’10” to compliment this big man group. If Ledlum stays instead, probably need another body. Maybe a project. If Ledlum could improve 3pt % to 35%, it would be huge. But history says he is a 30% guy.

SF - I feel like Luis gets 30+ minutes next year. Hard to see getting a high caliber wing to be a back up. This could be Dunlap if he develops. Maybe Glover gets minutes.

G - I think Witcher gets 25+ minutes as a combo ( soley based on RP’s comments). If it were me, my #1 target would be Roach. I would go all in on Roach. Then add another guard to supplement. Hard to believe RP would get 2 studs at guard and block Wilcher. Freshman could provide nice depth.

HS recruiting - Need to add at least 2 top 100 type recruits for 2025 to continue to build core. Preferably a PG and PF.
 
KG44 said:
Agreed. But prefer to have bigger C, and see Zuby on 2nd unit at V in smaller lineup.
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I always want a couple 6’10+ 220+ guys on the roster. You never want to be outgunned going against a huge center.

Cliff to me is ideal because he played 27 mpg last year. That leaves room for Zuby to play 25 at two spots…more if he’s killing it.

I’m just not seeing with Amari Williams…not even in the same conversation as Cliff.
 
Marillac2 said:
I always want a couple 6’10+ 220+ guys on the roster. You never want to be outgunned going against a huge center.

Cliff to me is ideal because he played 27 mpg last year. That leaves room for Zuby to play 25 at two spots…more if he’s killing it.

I’m just not seeing with Amari Williams…not even in the same conversation as Cliff.
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Cliff has much better portal leveraging skills and “coaching” than Amari 😇
 
I keep hearing patience. But per On3, all but 15 of the top 50 transfers are either committed or crystal balled to colleges not located in Jamaica, NY. Of course, more could enter and/or become available. But, it’s about time to jump into the deep water and get it done.
 
Storm Tracker said:
i think those guys are just trying to outscoop each other but i find trilly's discord and intel have a more insidious nature
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It is pretty cool in the fact its a one stop shop for every team's message board... interact with other fans etc... wets the beak for offseason college bball banter...
 
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