The next 10 games

[quote="P1NSTR1PEZ" post=373893]I'm having a whale of a time finding any game we win the rest of the season. Look at the narratives the last few games. Georgetown was flat out embarrassing like I've never seen before. Providence, one possession game with under 2 mins to go and lose. We have a 13 pt lead vs Seton Hall and lose, the story after the game - "play like that vs anyone else in the conference and they win." Ok Great, you lost to the #10 team in the country fine...Marquette...you hang around through horrible play by Dunn and LJ, get it to a 2 pt game on the road with 8 mins to go, while having the opposing team shooting 33 free throws to your 9. Can't get over the hump. Can't close games. Can't hit free throws (when we even get to the line), shooting the ball atrociously each and every game.

Asking for wins in the big east for us right now, or hoping for them seems like inevitable disappointment. It really sucks, the players are simply not playing well and that's an understatement. LJ and Mustapha have regressed tremendously now that they have been asked to carry the load. We waited half a year for Steere to be eligible and he has proved to not be ready / not earned the trust or given the effort to be on the court. Positives have been with Earlington, Champaigne in flashes, Greg Williams here and there and Dunn sans last few games.

I watch other big east match ups and teams just move the ball so much better than us in the half court, we are so damn stagnant. No one moves crisply without the ball, it's just so bland. Don't know what to attribute that to but it's very obvious when watching these other Big East games.

The other common theme is fans simply saying we're just not that good and our guys simply don't have the amount of talent necessary. I don't know how much I believe that but I lean that way more than not at this point. We showed how well we can play out of conference and in short spurts during Big East play. But what do you say to the horrible shooting? How does that continue the way it has, the only answer is we have have sub par shooters and finishers.

Sorry this is drawn out and negative but it just feels like we have pissed away a great start to the season that gave us hope. And while everyone keeps saying "this was a rebuilding year and we shouldn't have expected anything" In my opinion that changes when you go 11-2, beat WVU and Arizona. But we've been there before so it's the same old song and dance.

Here's to a few more wins somehow and not giving Iron Mike a sub 500 record for the first time ever.[/quote]

This. My exact POV. Of course we were going in expecting us to be like we are now. But after that insane start which we would be thrilled about even with a win now team, the expectations changed. Turned out to be fool's gold but just odd how we can beat WVU and AZ. Then again, nothing has made sense this season all over college hoops. Our issue is never OOC play. We handle our business there which is nice. But our conference record is what absolutely guts us. I realize our conference top to bottom is a gauntlet, but some teams figure it out. We have just as good if not better resources than Seton Hall and they are doing it. Rutgers is doing it. PC is doing it. That's why the excuses grow so tiresome. SHU and PC are our peer institutions. If they can do it, so can we. No one's saying to go 18-0 but maybe some years of 11-7 or 12-6. Match that with a good OOC and you're looking at 23-24+ wins and maybe more if we ever get somewhere deep in BET. But first we need to just make the tourney on the reg. We will see if CMA can bring the guys here do get it done.
 
Regarding giving up open threes, we do a great job of helping middle on the weak side and taking away the paint when we are aggressive on pick and rolls. That is going to lead to a lot of open shots from the perimeter. It’s a give or take, and considering we are leading or right near the top of the country in steals, it’s something we’re gonna have to live with.

Of course you hope it improves but open shots from deep are always gonna be an aspect of aggressive defense.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=373902]Regarding giving up open threes, we do a great job of helping middle on the weak side and taking away the paint when we are aggressive on pick and rolls. That is going to lead to a lot of open shots from the perimeter. It’s a give or take, and considering we are leading or right near the top of the country in steals, it’s something we’re gonna have to live with.

Of course you hope it improves but open shots from deep are always gonna be an aspect of aggressive defense.[/quote]

Leading in steals means absolutely nothing when the result of a non steal is an open 3. its like being proud of having 1 finger plugging up a dam with 10 holes.

And being good at helping middle again means absolutely nothing when the results is an open 3. Id rather them score 2 points then 3.
 
[quote="Duke of Earlington" post=373905][quote="Amaseinyourface" post=373902]Regarding giving up open threes, we do a great job of helping middle on the weak side and taking away the paint when we are aggressive on pick and rolls. That is going to lead to a lot of open shots from the perimeter. It’s a give or take, and considering we are leading or right near the top of the country in steals, it’s something we’re gonna have to live with.

Of course you hope it improves but open shots from deep are always gonna be an aspect of aggressive defense.[/quote]

Leading in steals means absolutely nothing when the result of a non steal is an open 3. its like being proud of having 1 finger plugging up a dam with 10 holes.

And being good at helping middle again means absolutely nothing when the results is an open 3. Id rather them score 2 points then 3.[/quote]

this explains a lot
 
Saturdays DePaul game should indicate the direction of this team. It's certainly a game that the Johnnies can win. A win breaks the losing streak and sets the tone for the rest of the season.

The Johnnies season is in real trouble if they lose the rematch with DePaul.
 
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[quote="James Ray Lamb" post=373916]Saturdays DePaul game should indicate the direction of this team. It's certainly a game that the Johnnies can win. A win breaks the losing streak and sets the tone for the rest of the season.

The Johnnies season is in real trouble if they lose the rematch with DePaul.[/quote]

I think last game decided the direction of this team. But i hope you are right.
 
[quote="James Ray Lamb" post=373916]Saturdays DePaul game should indicate the direction of this team. It's certainly a game that the Johnnies can win. A win breaks the losing streak and sets the tone for the rest of the season.

The Johnnies season is in real trouble if they lose the rematch with DePaul.[/quote]

Do you honestly see us winning any road game this year?
I don't.
 
[quote="CMA TIME" post=373918][quote="James Ray Lamb" post=373916]Saturdays DePaul game should indicate the direction of this team. It's certainly a game that the Johnnies can win. A win breaks the losing streak and sets the tone for the rest of the season.

The Johnnies season is in real trouble if they lose the rematch with DePaul.[/quote]

Do you honestly see us winning any road game this year?
I don't.[/quote]

Me either. i have lost all hope and its not because of the offense. The defense is absolutely abysmal in the halfcourt and we wont beat anyone giving up 10 plus wide open 3s a game.
 
It is getting so frustrating watching the team because they are leaving everything on the court just about every game with nothing to show for it. The big east coaches knew SJU had terrible outside shooting from the start of the conference season and defended accordingly.
Recently it appears the opposition will even try to avoid fouling at all cost so shooters can't get to the foul line. Except Roberts who will probably be fouled on every shot attempt here on in.The lack of shooting ability has destroyed the season but you have to put the ball in the basket to score points. The pressure to make shots probably gets harder as the season progresses.
 
[quote="Enright" post=373921]It is getting so frustrating watching the team because they are leaving everything on the court just about every game with nothing to show for it. The big east coaches knew SJU had terrible outside shooting from the start of the conference season and defended accordingly.
Recently it appears the opposition will even try to avoid fouling at all cost so shooters can't get to the foul line. Except Roberts who will probably be fouled on every shot attempt here on in.The lack of shooting ability has destroyed the season but you have to put the ball in the basket to score points. The pressure to make shots probably gets harder as the season progresses.[/quote]

That was not the problem against Marquette. We gave them wide open 3s all game. St johns has shot better the last few games. Leaving guys wide open is why we are losing.
 
Marq had a number of clean threes but that is the result of SJU's pressure defense. It is just about impossible not to give up clean threes if you press like SJU. Since the pressure defense is about the offense SJU has and has always been a part of coaches philosophy we can only hope De Paul don't make too many Sat.
If SJU didn't play pressure defense vs the OOC opponents they would have lost half those games.
 
[quote="Enright" post=373927]Marq had a number of clean threes but that is the result of SJU's pressure defense. It is just about impossible not to give up clean threes if you press like SJU. Since the pressure defense is about the offense SJU has and has always been a part of coaches philosophy we can only hope De Paul don't make too many Sat.
If SJU didn't play pressure defense vs the OOC opponents they would have lost half those games.[/quote]


As I previously posted we were back on defense but helped out in the middle leaving Marquette wide open for threes.
 
At 1-6 we are in last place nearly half way the BE season . Many are asking why? It’s either easy to answer or difficult . Realistically , it’s probably somewhere in between ... Other than a weak showing against Vermont and a collapse against Arizona State , we had a very good OOC pre BE record . Wins over WVA and Arizona were impressive . Trademarks of Coach Anderson’s style were the tenacious double teaming , ball stealing and a turnover stimulated offense delivered winning results . Until Butler and the BE season began . What happened ? For one , BE teams scouted our early games and saw the flaws that had been hidden in the pre season . Namely poor shooting , weak rebounding , poor foul shooting and the lack of a true BE level PG . While we have 2 Very good players in Figgy and Heron, we don’t have a Powell or, Howard , Gil, Baldwin, Marshall , McQuincy, Diallo, Charlie Moore, McClung , or like last year Ponds . Ponds would have helped this team immensely . But , that’s what if ... We lack a BE sized Center . Roberts has played well, except from the foul line , but , he is long and lean and no Match for Gil, Yureksian , Watson , Jones, etc who are built like Tanks and play like it . Steere looks like a big body but , hadn’t gotten any real time since becoming eligible . Why ? We are wondering that too. Figgy and Heron are good Players , not great . They have tried mightily to adapt to Anderson’s system but , are they not comfortable with the hectic helter skelter system and has that system taken a toll on their offensive results ? I think it has . Everyone raves about the intensity of our defense but , is it fools gold in the BE? Heron looks like he is much smaller and not as strong as last year . Did he lose too much weight and lose that muscle that enables him to blow by a defender last year and get to the rim? It’s possible . He seems to shoot the long range jumper and not take it inside as he did last year . Anderson hasn’t figured out that Figgy needs to be closer to the basket and not hoisting 30 foot 3 pointers . He needs to be at the elbow more and getting some screens set for him .
He also needs to stop trying to throw the Ball across Court so much , it’s invariably intercepted . He’s a much better distributor when he’s closer to the basket and shooting that floater from the middle of the floor is better than attacking from side court . Figgy and Heron need to drop 35 points a game between them ! More if possible . CoachAnderson has to manage that . Dunn taking 15 shots a game is not a winning strategy ! He’s a hard nosed player and fun to watch but , haven’t we seen enough of his blocked shots at the rim or , wildly thrown up heaves ? That’s on the Coach as it was last year when Clark made 2 out of 15 on too many occasions . Mullin didn’t reign that in and Anderson has to dial Dunn down a bit . He isn’t going to succeed in the BE by missing so many shots . He’s not a shooter ! Williams has been up and down but , he too has trouble scoring inside when he drives . The bottom line is our Roster is thin on shooters . CMA has to bring in kids who can fit his style but , also can play offense and shoot . In the BE , your starting 5 need to have 4 guys who can , at least , sink a 3 . SH has more than 4 when you throw in their bench players . The key to our improvement next season will be getting that stud player and 4 other guys who are BE talent and have the length and strength to play in the league . I’m not sure we have enough coming in yet to answer that as a yes . Last comment , while Coach Anderson is widely respected among his peers and his record is very good , not great. Much has been posted that he doesn’t adapt to the individual game and make changes on the fly . Willard fooled him last Saturday by opening up the second half with his own press and our 13 point lead vanished . Still we had the chance to win down the stretch but , didn’t . Same thing at Providence and to a extent at Marquette . I think he has done a terrific job at getting the most out of these players but , BE play is something else and we lack the depth of talent that our opponents have on their rosters . We need several more high quality players coming in this spring to build that talent level . I do think that smallish guards have a difficult time in the BE, unless they posses 4-5 star talent like Ponds and Powell, Howard , Diallo , etc . Diallo is pretty big though at 6’’4 . How did he get away from us ? It’s going to be tough to grab a few W’s the rest of the way .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=373946]At 1-6 we are in last place nearly half way the BE season . Many are asking why? It’s either easy to answer or difficult . Realistically , it’s probably somewhere in between ... Other than a weak showing against Vermont and a collapse against Arizona State , we had a very good OOC pre BE record . Wins over WVA and Arizona were impressive . Trademarks of Coach Anderson’s style were the tenacious double teaming , ball stealing and a turnover stimulated offense delivered winning results . Until Butler and the BE season began . What happened ? For one , BE teams scouted our early games and saw the flaws that had been hidden in the pre season . Namely poor shooting , weak rebounding , poor foul shooting and the lack of a true BE level PG . While we have 2 Very good players in Figgy and Heron, we don’t have a Powell or, Howard , Gil, Baldwin, Marshall , McQuincy, Diallo, Charlie Moore, McClung , or like last year Ponds . Ponds would have helped this team immensely . But , that’s what if ... We lack a BE sized Center . Roberts has played well, except from the foul line , but , he is long and lean and no Match for Gil, Yureksian , Watson , Jones, etc who are built like Tanks and play like it . Steere looks like a big body but , hadn’t gotten any real time since becoming eligible . Why ? We are wondering that too. Figgy and Heron are good Players , not great . They have tried mightily to adapt to Anderson’s system but , are they not comfortable with the hectic helter skelter system and has that system taken a toll on their offensive results ? I think it has . Everyone raves about the intensity of our defense but , is it fools gold in the BE? Heron looks like he is much smaller and not as strong as last year . Did he lose too much weight and lose that muscle that enables him to blow by a defender last year and get to the rim? It’s possible . He seems to shoot the long range jumper and not take it inside as he did last year . Anderson hasn’t figured out that Figgy needs to be closer to the basket and not hoisting 30 foot 3 pointers . He needs to be at the elbow more and getting some screens set for him .
He also needs to stop trying to throw the Ball across Court so much , it’s invariably intercepted . He’s a much better distributor when he’s closer to the basket and shooting that floater from the middle of the floor is better than attacking from side court . Figgy and Heron need to drop 35 points a game between them ! More if possible . CoachAnderson has to manage that . Dunn taking 15 shots a game is not a winning strategy ! He’s a hard nosed player and fun to watch but , haven’t we seen enough of his blocked shots at the rim or , wildly thrown up heaves ? That’s on the Coach as it was last year when Clark made 2 out of 15 on too many occasions . Mullin didn’t reign that in and Anderson has to dial Dunn down a bit . He isn’t going to succeed in the BE by missing so many shots . He’s not a shooter ! Williams has been up and down but , he too has trouble scoring inside when he drives . The bottom line is our Roster is thin on shooters . CMA has to bring in kids who can fit his style but , also can play offense and shoot . In the BE , your starting 5 need to have 4 guys who can , at least , sink a 3 . SH has more than 4 when you throw in their bench players . The key to our improvement next season will be getting that stud player and 4 other guys who are BE talent and have the length and strength to play in the league . I’m not sure we have enough coming in yet to answer that as a yes . Last comment , while Coach Anderson is widely respected among his peers and his record is very good , not great. Much has been posted that he doesn’t adapt to the individual game and make changes on the fly . Willard fooled him last Saturday by opening up the second half with his own press and our 13 point lead vanished . Still we had the chance to win down the stretch but , didn’t . Same thing at Providence and to a extent at Marquette . I think he has done a terrific job at getting the most out of these players but , BE play is something else and we lack the depth of talent that our opponents have on their rosters . We need several more high quality players coming in this spring to build that talent level . I do think that smallish guards have a difficult time in the BE, unless they posses 4-5 star talent like Ponds and Powell, Howard , Diallo , etc . Diallo is pretty big though at 6’’4 . How did he get away from us ? It’s going to be tough to grab a few W’s the rest of the way .[/quote] I agree regarding Dunn. I like him , but he is not efficient and tries to do too much IMO ...Of course, we have no true point guard, no center and no dead eye 3 point shooters.
 
[quote="James Ray Lamb" post=373977]Dunn was recently awarded for 1000 career points. He can shoot.

He's started forcing his shot and trying to do too much. That's easily corrected. Dunn has to learn that it's better to play smarter and set up his shots.
[/quote]

Rasheem Dunn has never shot 40% from the floor nor 30% from 3 in his 3 years of college ball. He can shoot FTs though.
 
[quote="austour" post=373990][quote="James Ray Lamb" post=373977]Dunn was recently awarded for 1000 career points. He can shoot.

He's started forcing his shot and trying to do too much. That's easily corrected. Dunn has to learn that it's better to play smarter and set up his shots.
[/quote]

Rasheem Dunn has never shot 40% from the floor nor 30% from 3 in his 3 years of college ball. He can shoot FTs though.[/quote]

He's got a nice stroke, as evidenced by his FT shooting. There's something about his FG shooting that is rushed. He's not squared up much of the time, and even when he's open he doesn't seem aligned. I don't think he'll ever be a deadeye shooter, but with some work I believe he can be a more efficient shooter.
 
I'm a firm believer in stats over a period of time being pretty predictive of future results and as Austour pointed out, Dunn's first 3 years of college play shows FG percentages in the 30s and 3 point FG percentages in the 20s. He has a great ability to get to the hoop and draw fouls and shoots free throws well. Perhaps he can get those shooting percentages up to 40% and 30% next year but wouldn't expect much beyond that.
 
I agree Dunn needs to improve his technique. His role on the team will have to expand next season.

I've watched so many CMA teams rally in Feb. It is different this time because he's dependant on Mullins former players.

I'll be satisfied if the Johnnies get 4 more wins. That's asking a lot from these kids.
 
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