Starters and minutes

We are not going to roll out Sampson, Sanchez, and Obekpa at the same time very often. Coach Lavin has proven that he likes to play with a smaller, quicker lineup. Sampson does not have the perimeter skill set to be playing substantial minutes at the three.

I don't like guessing starting lineups with Coach Lavin, but I think it will be:

Branch
Harrison
Pointer
Sampson
Sanchez

I am confident CO will come off the bench. He doesn't mind it, as he says it gives him a chance to analyze the game. Anytime you have a quality player that doesn't mind coming off the bench, that is a huge asset for a coach. I could see Jordan starting ala Polee, but I don't think he'll garner many more minutes than either Branch or Greene.

One thing is for sure in my mind, and that is that Harrison will get the most PT.
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Maybe in the beginning of the season Branch will start over Sheed. But as the season progresses Sheed will be the starter. IMO, still say Hooper will be important off the bench as a contributor.
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Having Hooper and Bourgault will help more this season than it would hsve/did last year. We had to integrate too many freshmen last year. I expect our two "shooters" to be true role player's this year and both have a lot more time playing with each other and feeling out where they fit. When we need some outside shooting, they'll get some time. Neither will be part of our core lineup but both can help.
 
We are not going to roll out Sampson, Sanchez, and Obekpa at the same time very often. Coach Lavin has proven that he likes to play with a smaller, quicker lineup. Sampson does not have the perimeter skill set to be playing substantial minutes at the three.

I don't like guessing starting lineups with Coach Lavin, but I think it will be:

Branch
Harrison
Pointer
Sampson
Sanchez

I am confident CO will come off the bench. He doesn't mind it, as he says it gives him a chance to analyze the game. Anytime you have a quality player that doesn't mind coming off the bench, that is a huge asset for a coach. I could see Jordan starting ala Polee, but I don't think he'll garner many more minutes than either Branch or Greene.

One thing is for sure in my mind, and that is that Harrison will get the most PT.
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You are underestimating Jordan. He's a prime timer. Neither Branch nor Greene have his speed, athleticism, handle nor shooting all combined.
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I value experience over talent. I prefer to keep my expectations for freshmen low and be happy when they are exceeded. Branch is a top 50 recruit that has two years of college basketbal and two years of weight training under his belt. Greene has played huge minutes for two years. Those are not going to be easy guys to beat out for minutes.
 
Hooper never got off the bench for Harvard- if we are as good and deep as everyone thinks how is he going to see minutes here
 
PG- "The Prince of North Philly" RJ
SG- D'LO
SF- JaKarr Sampson
PF- God's Gift
C- Obekpa

National 6th Man of the Year: Sir'Dominic

Gift put up 18 pts and 10 rebs (38 mins) against national champion Kentucky w/ Davis in 2011. Our God's Gift also matched Andre Drummond's 16 pts in 2011. Even though both of these games were Johnnie losses Gift held his own head to head against NBA lottery picks. After sitting out a year and maturing Gift should get the nod as our PTP'er at PF. There has been quite a bit of speculation on Mr. Sanchez being a difference maker this up coming season. It is our hope he plays like a man among boys in 2013-14. On pure speculation I can't give him the starting job or more run than Gift as of today July 20. 2013. I would love to hear the opposite argument for Sanchez based on his talents. Watching Orlando take college hoops by STORM would be the best story of the year. Love this guys story baby!!! :)

All JMHO...xo

Oh ya nice thread!!! Thanks! :)
 
We are not going to roll out Sampson, Sanchez, and Obekpa at the same time very often. Coach Lavin has proven that he likes to play with a smaller, quicker lineup. Sampson does not have the perimeter skill set to be playing substantial minutes at the three.

I don't like guessing starting lineups with Coach Lavin, but I think it will be:

Branch
Harrison
Pointer
Sampson
Sanchez

I am confident CO will come off the bench. He doesn't mind it, as he says it gives him a chance to analyze the game. Anytime you have a quality player that doesn't mind coming off the bench, that is a huge asset for a coach. I could see Jordan starting ala Polee, but I don't think he'll garner many more minutes than either Branch or Greene.

One thing is for sure in my mind, and that is that Harrison will get the most PT.
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Re; Sampson. Totally disagree. He was pretty money from about 17 feet last year. I think he was undersized as a 4, and it's pretty amazing he put up the numbers he did. I think he's more lethal as a 3.

Re: Obekpa. Everything you say about him coming off the bench is true. But I don't care if he wants to come off the bench. His shotblocking is one of our best assets. Leave him in there until he fouls out , minus a couple of blows each half. You're idea plays to the "punish the good guy" mentality, so that the "bad guys" don't complain, and that's a total pet peeve of mine.

Re: Jordan. If he's seeing the same minutes at point guard as Branch and/or Greene are, then it's 1 of 2 things:
1. He's not that good
2. Lavin has really screwed up

Re: Harrison getting the most playing time - That's up to him. Definatly a weapon when he's on, but when he's not, we need the Harrison we saw in the first Notre Dame game last year, as opposed to the one we saw in the Pitt game.
 
PG- "The Prince of North Philly" RJ
SG- D'LO
SF- JaKarr Sampson
PF- God's Gift
C- Obekpa
National 6th Man of the Year: Sir'Dominic
Gift put up 18 pts and 10 rebs (38 mins) against national champion Kentucky w/ Davis in 2011. Our God's Gift also matched Andre Drummond's 16 pts in 2011. Even though both of these games were Johnnie losses Gift held his own head to head against NBA lottery picks. After sitting out a year and maturing Gift should get the nod as our PTP'er at PF. There has been quite a bit of speculation on Mr. Sanchez being a difference maker this up coming season. It is our hope he plays like a man among boys in 2013-14. On pure speculation I can't give him the starting job or more run than Gift as of today July 20. 2013. I would love to hear the opposite argument for Sanchez based on his talents. Watching Orlando take college hoops by STORM would be the best story of the year. Love this guys story baby!!! :)
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Interesting point about Gift but for the same reasons he was redshirted and for last year's drama I believe the spot is Sanchez to lose. CO likes coming off the bench as Marillac pointed out. What great problems we have in the front line. All the sudden we have experience and depth and the best shot blocker in the nation coming off the bench. The little I saw of Sheed was great seeing him pass first. Reminded me a bit of when I saw Erick Barkley as a prep and then in the McD AA game where he played with quiet confidence while Curry was way over-hyped. This group could have a lot of fun together if all of the egos are kept in check and it stays team first mentality.
 
PG- "The Prince of North Philly" RJ
SG- D'LO
SF- JaKarr Sampson
PF- God's Gift
C- Obekpa
National 6th Man of the Year: Sir'Dominic
Gift put up 18 pts and 10 rebs (38 mins) against national champion Kentucky w/ Davis in 2011. Our God's Gift also matched Andre Drummond's 16 pts in 2011. Even though both of these games were Johnnie losses Gift held his own head to head against NBA lottery picks. After sitting out a year and maturing Gift should get the nod as our PTP'er at PF. There has been quite a bit of speculation on Mr. Sanchez being a difference maker this up coming season. It is our hope he plays like a man among boys in 2013-14. On pure speculation I can't give him the starting job or more run than Gift as of today July 20. 2013. I would love to hear the opposite argument for Sanchez based on his talents. Watching Orlando take college hoops by STORM would be the best story of the year. Love this guys story baby!!! :)
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Interesting point about Gift but for the same reasons he was redshirted and for last year's drama I believe the spot is Sanchez to lose. CO likes coming off the bench as Marillac pointed out. What great problems we have in the front line. All the sudden we have experience and depth and the best shot blocker in the nation coming off the bench. The little I saw of Sheed was great seeing him pass first. Reminded me a bit of when I saw Erick Barkley as a prep and then in the McD AA game where he played with quiet confidence while Curry was way over-hyped. This group could have a lot of fun together if all of the egos are kept in check and it stays team first mentality.
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Hi Paul,

Thanks! :) Pretty soon it will be time to rock and roll on our way to Cowboy's Stadium! Woooooohoooo!!!!!!!! :)

I also like the idea of creating our own version of Havoc implementing the 94 feet attack game with CO as the human backstop!!!. We should have some flexibility now with 'The Prince" & others to throw down in full court mode while going for the jugular against soft opposing back courts.

Have a good day! :)
 
Hooper never got off the bench for Harvard- if we are as good and deep as everyone thinks how is he going to see minutes here
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Watching his you tube video's, he looks like the second coming of Ron Rowan :)
 
Hooper never got off the bench for Harvard- if we are as good and deep as everyone thinks how is he going to see minutes here
Click to expand...

Watching his you tube video's, he looks like the second coming of Ron Rowan :)
Click to expand...

I didnt see it-- but is it him shooting three's with nobody on him?
 
Hooper never got off the bench for Harvard- if we are as good and deep as everyone thinks how is he going to see minutes here
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Watching his you tube video's, he looks like the second coming of Ron Rowan :)
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I didnt see it-- but is it him shooting three's with nobody on him?
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- yes but that's a start - right?
 
http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/mens-basketball/top-144-previews?page=2

I just finished vetting almost the whole country! If I had a gun to my head which thankfully I don't my final AP ranking for St. Johns right before Selection Sunday 2014 would be between #7 and #12 in the national polls. Johnnies get a #3 seed and then head to Texas for the Final4. It is going to happen for us this year! Final4! Final4! Final4!!!
.
Have a blessed night!
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Love your optimism and entire attitude. Hope u r correct about next season. Go johnnies!
 
I love our roster! Michigan State in my opinion should be the overall #1 seed on Selection Sunday setting them up in Indy for the Regional Final assuming they don't get knocked off (which we are hoping they do since we could end up in the Midwest Regional). The return of A. Payne really solidified that roster and IZZO can flat out coach IMO. MSG East is out for us (UConn would like that region but their body of work should prevent that from happening this year). If Boatright doesn't put the T in team they will underachieve.

In my opinion we are ready to Salsa our way to Texas with just a little good fortune. We are primed and overdue for a BIG run! It is Johnnie time! :)

Have a beautiful day....

EDIT: Message above response to REB!
 
I love our roster! Michigan State in my opinion should be the overall #1 seed on Selection Sunday setting them up in Indy for the Regional Final assuming they don't get knocked off (which we are hoping they do since we could end up in the Midwest Regional). The return of A. Payne really solidified that roster and IZZO can flat out coach IMO. MSG East is out for us (UConn would like that region but their body of work should prevent that from happening this year). If Boatright doesn't put the T in team they will underachieve.

In my opinion we are ready to Salsa our way to Texas with just a little good fortune. We are primed and overdue for a BIG run! It is Johnnie time! :)

Have a beautiful day....

EDIT: Message above response to REB!
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Great weed?
 
Branch and Rysheed will man the Pg spot. Branch might start, but I think Rysheed will earn lion's share over the course of the season because he can dribble penetrate which will be the difference maker. D'Lo and Phil will man the SG spot. I think Phil will be improved as he will be healthy without his hip problem hopefully.

Pointer has to start. He is such a dynamic presence that he needs to be out there, especially defensively. Frontcourt is tough to figure out but I think it will change per opponent. Our center spot should be manned by Obekpa and Gift, but I can see us going with a more offensively charged lineup at times with Orlando at center. Orlando is definitely a combo forward more so than a center though. Jakarr is our PF and when he's not in, it will be Orlando.

I think it is futile to try to figure out "starters" because I think there wont be any 40-minute per game types. We will likely have 10 guys at least getting good minutes. We have never had this type of depth before. We are starting to get the the point, much like Cuse has, where they go deep in the bench with guys who could easily be starters. Cuse had guys like C.J Fair and Southerland coming off the bench. We could have similar scenario.
 
Dear Paultz,

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain."
Author Unknown

This STORM (2013-14 season for the Johnnies) is gonna be a BIG RED 1 baby! Just wait on the date 4/20/14 (420...) we can bump this post and get high on the success our great season brought. What better way than a Final4 appearance in Arlington, TX? Who else is a believer!????

I will be dancing in the rain that this Red Storm created!!!!!

This is our year!!!
 
Dear Paultz,

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain."
Author Unknown

This STORM (2013-14 season for the Johnnies) is gonna be a BIG RED 1 baby! Just wait on the date 4/20/14 (420...) we can bump this post and get high on the success our great season brought. What better way than a Final4 appearance in Arlington, TX? Who else is a believer!????

I will be dancing in the rain that this Red Storm created!!!!!

This is our year!!!
Click to expand...






I agree with you Johnnie GirlXO on one point. I think people are missing the boat when it comes to God's Gift. I think he's going to be a beast this year. A man playing against boys. Much like the way Trevor Mbakwe was for Minnesota last year. Only he's going to have a better supporting cast here. With regard to us making the Final Four, like some on this board, I'm not saying it's totally out of the question, but everything would have to break right for us. Much the same way it did for Villanova when they beat Georgetown. For us, Jordan would have to be the real deal, Sampson would have to play like a lottery pick, Sanchez would have to be as good as advertised, Obepka's offensive game would have had to improve dramatically, Greene's hip can't be an issue, Pointer has to take that next step as a Junior ala Oladipo, Harrison has to come back on a mission, Branch would have to play like a top 50 player and Hooper and Borgault have to be money from three when called upon. That's a ton. I think a lot of it will happen but not all of it and in the end I think we will wind up a top 20 team and reach the Sweet Sixteen but sadly I think that's where it ends. But, who knows. The talent is there if everything breaks right.
 
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