St. John’s (2020-21)

[quote="Paultzman" post=400988]Don’t envy the ADs & hoops staff, complicated & fluid stuff;

Sources: The Big East is intensifying its plans for a January bubble due to recent spikes in COVID-19. League is currently exploring multiple locations.
Rothstein[/quote]

With the mandatory 14-day shut down with all positive tests, I don’t see how the season happens without a bubble.
 
I remember being out at a bar for dinner with a bunch of people for Thanksgiving Eve a few yrs back. Had the waiter change TV to FS1 for our game against Michigan State. Hung around for a bit, but in the end they were too much. Excited just to be able to watch our team in spite of all the craziness in this world the last year or so.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=400990]I remember being out at a bar for dinner with a bunch of people for Thanksgiving Eve a few yrs back. Had the waiter change TV to FS1 for our game against Michigan State. Hung around for a bit, but in the end they were too much. Excited just to be able to watch our team in spite of all the craziness in this world the last year or so.[/quote]
Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, I was there with my wife on Thanksgiving day which was quite a feat as Thanksgiving is my wife's favorite time to spend with her family (she did like the sun though).
 
Zach B
If the Big East does go to bubbles, sites I’ve heard the most are Omaha, Providence and Mohegan Sun.
 
[quote="Monte" post=400986][quote="Paultzman" post=400983]Rothstein’s breakout players

https://collegehoopstoday.com/index...-radar-breakout-players-for-the-20-21-season/

Julian Champagnie, St. John’s: The Red Storm did a tremendous job evaluating the 6-7 Champagnie, who produced averages of 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman. With Mustapha Heron and LJ Figueroa no longer a part of St. John’s program, expect Champagnie to emerge as the Red Storm’s go-to guy as a sophomore.[/quote]


"go-to guy"! From his mouth.......[/quote]

I always worry about sophomore slump, plus other guys will hopefully be ready to step up. But I think he was such a heady player as an unheralded freshman that even if numbers stay same he'll be doing a lot of things that don't show up on a basic stat sheet.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=401009][quote="Monte" post=400986][quote="Paultzman" post=400983]Rothstein’s breakout players

https://collegehoopstoday.com/index...-radar-breakout-players-for-the-20-21-season/

Julian Champagnie, St. John’s: The Red Storm did a tremendous job evaluating the 6-7 Champagnie, who produced averages of 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman. With Mustapha Heron and LJ Figueroa no longer a part of St. John’s program, expect Champagnie to emerge as the Red Storm’s go-to guy as a sophomore.[/quote]


"go-to guy"! From his mouth.......[/quote]

I always worry about sophomore slump, plus other guys will hopefully be ready to step up. But I think he was such a heady player as an unheralded freshman that even if numbers stay same he'll be doing a lot of things that don't show up on a basic stat sheet.[/quote]

Could def see him being our leader, would be pleasantly surprised if he became our " go-to" guy this year. I view a "go-to" guy as someone who can score a big basket and/or carry an offensive, when needed. Like Ponds. Sometimes the team leader and go-to guy are one and the same. Not sure Champ will be ready for that this year, but again I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
 
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I don't see him as a go to guy, but that's with no disrespect to him. Go to guys more often than not can create their own shot, and manage to deliver more often than not in crunch time even though the defense knows that they are the player to stop. I see him more as that type of player Villanova recruits, program type players for lack of a better phrase, who does all things well, and in the framework of an offense, will stick open shots, score on put backs through great anticipation and positioning, play hard nosed defense, and handle the ball and pass well for their position. Off the top of my head, he is one guy on our roster that Villanova would like to have, or any competitor looking to solidify their roster in search of a national championship.

I guess that makes him our one "franchise player" without necessarily him being the go to guy.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=401053]I don't see him as a go to guy, but that's with no disrespect to him. Go to guys more often than not can create their own shot, and manage to deliver more often than not in crunch time even though the defense knows that they are the player to stop. I see him more as that type of player Villanova recruits, program type players for lack of a better phrase, who does all things well, and in the framework of an offense, will stick open shots, score on put backs through great anticipation and positioning, play hard nosed defense, and handle the ball and pass well for their position. Off the top of my head, he is one guy on our roster that Villanova would like to have, or any competitor looking to solidify their roster in search of a national championship.

I guess that makes him our one "franchise player" without necessarily him being the go to guy.[/quote]

I agree with much of what you said. The one thing I would point out is that he is only starting his Sophomore season. I would like to see what improvements he makes to his game and perhaps he can still become that player.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=401053]I don't see him as a go to guy, but that's with no disrespect to him. Go to guys more often than not can create their own shot, and manage to deliver more often than not in crunch time even though the defense knows that they are the player to stop. I see him more as that type of player Villanova recruits, program type players for lack of a better phrase, who does all things well, and in the framework of an offense, will stick open shots, score on put backs through great anticipation and positioning, play hard nosed defense, and handle the ball and pass well for their position. Off the top of my head, he is one guy on our roster that Villanova would like to have, or any competitor looking to solidify their roster in search of a national championship.

I guess that makes him our one "franchise player" without necessarily him being the go to guy.[/quote]

I think of him more as a silent assassin/ quiet leader than a go to guy. That said, I would have zero problem with him getting the call when we needed a basket. Small distinction but I think we are on the same page.
 
With all due respect to Champ, there is only one returning player who could create on his own last year, and that's Dunn. In spite of the fact made a few poor decisions down the stretch in a couple of games last year. Assuming all players improve this season(no guarantee) , I'm not writing off Dunn as our go-to player this season.
 
I dont think Dunn shoots it well enough to be our go to guy. And I agree with Beast regarding JC being better suited as somewhat of a super role player opposed to a primary scorer so to speak. I’m starting to think more and more that Marcellus gives is us our best chance at an easy bucket. Against bigger guys he can space them out, against lighter forwards he can really get to the spot he wants. Pick and pop or a mid/low post by him I think will be the way to go.

Of course, the reason we are having this discussion is because we don’t really have the “go to” type.
 
I am probably in the minority here, but I am not unhappy with the idea of not having a "go to guy".

Realize we do not compare in talent with either the SJU final 8 team or the Nova 2016 championship team, but neither of those teams had a real go to guy, rather several guys who you'd be happy making a play at the end of the game. Depending on who is playing in the final minutes, I see any of Champ, Dunn, Williams, Earlington or Cole being guys you'd have faith making a big shot. To me what will make a huge difference is having Posh in there to create and make the right pass w/o turning the ball over.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=401081]I dont think Dunn shoots it well enough to be our go to guy. And I agree with Beast regarding JC being better suited as somewhat of a super role player opposed to a primary scorer so to speak. I’m starting to think more and more that Marcellus gives is us our best chance at an easy bucket. Against bigger guys he can space them out, against lighter forwards he can really get to the spot he wants. Pick and pop or a mid/low post by him I think will be the way to go.

Of course, the reason we are having this discussion is because we don’t really have the “go to” type.[/quote]

Greg Williams finished last season on a super high note after he got comfortable coming back from his early season back injury. I for one can really see a break out season on his part , both offensively and defensively.
It’s true we don’t have that go to guy from where we sit today but it could be Williams, or Earlington, or Dunn or Cole or Toro who has had a few fantastic games in his career. Or perhaps they will just all be good. Interesting discussion we are having with many a possibility.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=401081]I dont think Dunn shoots it well enough to be our go to guy. And I agree with Beast regarding JC being better suited as somewhat of a super role player opposed to a primary scorer so to speak. I’m starting to think more and more that Marcellus gives is us our best chance at an easy bucket. Against bigger guys he can space them out, against lighter forwards he can really get to the spot he wants. Pick and pop or a mid/low post by him I think will be the way to go.

Of course, the reason we are having this discussion is because we don’t really have the “go to” type.[/quote]

Greg Williams finished last season on a super high note after he got comfortable coming back from his early season back injury. I for one can really see a break out season on his part , both offensively and defensively.
It’s true we don’t have that go to guy from where we sit today but it could be Williams, or Earlington, or Dunn or Cole or Toro who has had a few fantastic games in his career. Or perhaps they will just all be good. Interesting discussion we are having with many a possibility.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=401081]I dont think Dunn shoots it well enough to be our go to guy. And I agree with Beast regarding JC being better suited as somewhat of a super role player opposed to a primary scorer so to speak. I’m starting to think more and more that Marcellus gives is us our best chance at an easy bucket. Against bigger guys he can space them out, against lighter forwards he can really get to the spot he wants. Pick and pop or a mid/low post by him I think will be the way to go.

Of course, the reason we are having this discussion is because we don’t really have the “go to” type.[/quote]

Greg Williams finished last season on a super high note after he got comfortable coming back from his early season back injury. I for one can really see a break out season on his part , both offensively and defensively.
It’s true we don’t have that go to guy from where we sit today but it could be Williams, or Earlington, or Champ, or Dunn or Cole or Toro who has had a few fantastic games in his career. Or perhaps they will just all be good. Interesting discussion we are having with many a possibility.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=401081]I dont think Dunn shoots it well enough to be our go to guy. And I agree with Beast regarding JC being better suited as somewhat of a super role player opposed to a primary scorer so to speak. I’m starting to think more and more that Marcellus gives is us our best chance at an easy bucket. Against bigger guys he can space them out, against lighter forwards he can really get to the spot he wants. Pick and pop or a mid/low post by him I think will be the way to go.

Of course, the reason we are having this discussion is because we don’t really have the “go to” type.[/quote]

Greg Williams finished last season on a super high note after he got comfortable coming back from his early season back injury. I for one can really see a break out season on his part , both offensively and defensively.
It’s true we don’t have that go to guy from where we sit today but it could be Williams, or Earlington, or Champ, or Dunn or Cole or Toro who has had a few fantastic games in his career. Or perhaps they will just all be good. Interesting discussion we are having with many a possibility.
 
If we have a good year our mvp will be out mvd. Defense will create opportunities and you don’t need to be a game changer offensively to thrive. Play D
 
[quote="Monte" post=401062]With all due respect to Champ, there is only one returning player who could create on his own last year, and that's Dunn. In spite of the fact made a few poor decisions down the stretch in a couple of games last year. Assuming all players improve this season(no guarantee) , I'm not writing off Dunn as our go-to player this season.[/quote]

There is more at stake this season, and I believe Dunn will have to up his game as we hope to turn tough losses into hard fought wins. The challenge for him is that if we've already seen the very best of him, he will slip in the rotation from starter and a team leader to a valuable backup who was passed in the rotation by a more reliable player.

He needs to be a more refined version of the guy we saw last season, retaining and enhancing the positive things we saw, and reducing mistakes while still playing with the same or better intensity.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=401084]I am probably in the minority here, but I am not unhappy with the idea of not having a "go to guy".

Realize we do not compare in talent with either the SJU final 8 team or the Nova 2016 championship team, but neither of those teams had a real go to guy, rather several guys who you'd be happy making a play at the end of the game. Depending on who is playing in the final minutes, I see any of Champ, Dunn, Williams, Earlington or Cole being guys you'd have faith making a big shot. To me what will make a huge difference is having Posh in there to create and make the right pass w/o turning the ball over.[/quote]

Maybe they will write a book about this team called, "The Open Man", or "30 seconds to shoot". Or maybe those titles have been taken already by books about another local team.
 
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