Villanova- Game 2

Jones is such a physical specimen. To bad he can't play on this level. I had enough when we were down 13 and left the house to do an errand. It looks like my timing was perfect. Disappointing , getting blown out. Our guards looked good Dom was off and Jones,Amar, and Joey got killed. It was like playing 4 on 5. On to Providence. Sure hope were healthy for the NCAAs , because we are too shallow to play wo a healthy Branch andCO.
 
Jones bothers us because we expected more. He was hyped up as a freshman - not just by Lavin (Nate Blue and others). He looked good his freshman year at times. And he looks the part of a college 4 man. When he checked into the game Jimmy Jackson said as much. Watching him play though he just has no court awareness, seems to lack any basketball instincts, and gets out muscled by guys that aren't near his size (see him collapse to the ground on a rebound when being bumped by Hilliard). The expectations are why he gets beat up more than a guy like JDR who we thought was at best a big body to play a few minut s against the Smiths and Stainbrooks of the world.
 
Gimme a break. We rested 1/3 of our already short rotation on the road. What did you expect?

#1 goal we all agreed was to come out healthy. Branch and Obekpa get several days rest. Nobody injured. The game was essentially meaningless for us.[/quote]

Fine resting these guys but losing by 35 is unacceptable. This is what we can expect next year. Play with a little pride.[/quote]

And if Branch and/or Obekpa were lost for the season, you'd kill Lavin for playing them. He can't win with some of you. It's insanity.[/quote]
You & I disagree often, but don't on this. Nutty![/quote]

SS&G:
I do not want to "beat this to death" oh wait a moment I will beat it a little more:
In a minute, in a week, surely in a month from now no one will remember a damn thing about this day (other than I've spent eleven hours trying to get out of JFK :) )

We are all in accord I believe
Let's make the BE tourney ( alright it's automatic) and play well in it dammit!!!
Let's make the NCAA ( alright it will happen) and absolutely play well there

Nothing else matters at this juncture

All the best
 
A few days ago, I suggested that a front court of Obekpa, ADR, Alibegovic, and Jones was not going to cut it next year in the Big East. Was told by a few posters that college is a guard's game and who do we have now?

Case in point. Today.

Listen, this is just a meaningless regular season game. Embarrassing, yes. But meaningless in the grand scheme of this season. But Lavin better get his ass in gear once the season ends and recruit some big men. Cause this result is what happens when you have no depth at the PF/C position. Ridiculous that our best backup was somebody who score 1.5 ppg at FIU last year.
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While the end of the game was a potential preview of what next season could look like in some ways, I don't think it's fair to put ADR in the same category as Jones, or his brother. He already has flashed more talent/skill/production in one exhibition game than Jones or his bro ever will.

Adonis has true upside, not the make-believe we have all attached to Felix, Jones, etc. the past few years. We'll see what happens, but I marvel at the bashing that can take place of a kid who hasn't even played an official game yet. Sheeesh.

Peace.
 
I don't have a problem with dropping this game since we already did the work for an NCAA berth. This particular game was lost long ago on the recruiting trail.

I think the concern that most posters are have is that they got a peak into next year's team. Unless both Jordan and Obekpa both return (doubtful), this is going to be an awful team. I just hope we can get Brandon Sampson to sign on the dotted line as soon as possible, because he might soon realize......

For the record, I don't believe Jones or Stewart are Big East players. I think ADR can be, but will be an average freshmen and a long work in progress. Balamou is one of the worst ball handlers I have seen at this level, and is surely nothing more than a reserve or limited role player.

Boy, that 2014 class was extremely important for our program and we could not have done worse.

Dislaimer: Yes, I am a SJU fan. Yes, I am aware that they have put together a very nice season. Yes, I do want them to win and make a deep run. I am simply commenting on the overall future and health of the program
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A peak into next year? I'm sorry, I didn't see Brandon Sampson, Samir Dought, or even Chris Opeka out there. I didn't see a soph version of Amar Alibegovic or the senior version of Felix Balamou...no ADR.

Johnnyfan, you've made your points about recruiting and next season as clear as possible. How about we all just get behind this team for three freaking weeks and then resume thinking worst case scenarios and posting about them for months on end.

If you cannot pause that for three weeks and be happy for the success THIS TEAM has achieved, you are not a fan of this program regardless of whatever you say. I promise nobody will forget where you stand.
 
A few days ago, I suggested that a front court of Obekpa, ADR, Alibegovic, and Jones was not going to cut it next year in the Big East. Was told by a few posters that college is a guard's game and who do we have now?

Case in point. Today.

Listen, this is just a meaningless regular season game. Embarrassing, yes. But meaningless in the grand scheme of this season. But Lavin better get his ass in gear once the season ends and recruit some big men. Cause this result is what happens when you have no depth at the PF/C position. Ridiculous that our best backup was somebody who score 1.5 ppg at FIU last year.
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Doody, with all due respect, today proves nothing. We played without our starting center, Chris Obekpa. CO has NBA ability. Also, Ochefu is all-Big East and will be playing in the NBA. He is a match up nightmare for all but a dozen or so teams in the country.

Amar is a good player. His weaknesses now are not due to ability, they are due to freshman mistakes. He could be exponentially better next season. Freshman bigs are usually not very productive. Ochefu was not the same player as a frosh--averaging less than half the point and rebounds in just six less minutes per game.

Coach will have to speak with Jones at the end of the season about his options. He clearly is not meant for this level...he'd be better of going to a more appropriate level like C.W. Post and playing SF to showcase his offensive skills.

Finally, we will add another post player. We will also likely have ADR--who would have made a world of difference tonight and was recruited to neutralize guys like Ochefu.
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Amar may have some potential but I think it will be at least two years until we see it. He played too little this year to gain any experience. ADR has some ability , but he will be effectively a freshman as well next year. At this point in March, chances are getting slimmer that we will find another solid option. If Obekpa decides to go pro, we will go backwards fast.
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He needs to stay closer to his man. He is so quick to fill the lane and hedges too far on screens. It's actually refreshing he rotates and fills so quickly. During the Norm error, our bigs NEVER moved to fill the lane and it left me feeling powerless as a fan.

Freshman bigs cannot be counted on. What he is doing wrong is very fixable. The main things are that he's (a) huge, (b) coordinated, (c) aggressive as hell, (d) competitive, and (e) unselfish.

We should be getting him touches down low this year. He's not really a part of the offense outside of screening--which he does very well. Next year, we'll see a lot more of what he has to offer on offense and his d should improve from below average to average/acceptable.
 
On cue as Beast mentioned a couple days ago.... The dips___s come out. LOL

Miserable _ucks.
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Amen! I call them the pitchfork and torches crowd. And they call themselves fans.
 
I'm 5'7 150 pounds and I'd bet my life I could box out Joey and Jones all day long.
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And that should include Amar.
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Jack, this is just false. In fact, Amar is one of the best bigs at boxing out I've seen all year. He's a beast. He gets hurt by over-hedging and over-rotating. Boxing out has never been and will likely never be an issue for him.

If ANYTHING, he needs to get out of his boxouts earlier instead of driving guys 10 feet from the basket.
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You are right Marillac about his boxing out. I am so upset with this blowout. Wasn't happy with his poor defense or lack of rebounding however.
 
A few days ago, I suggested that a front court of Obekpa, ADR, Alibegovic, and Jones was not going to cut it next year in the Big East. Was told by a few posters that college is a guard's game and who do we have now?

Case in point. Today.

Listen, this is just a meaningless regular season game. Embarrassing, yes. But meaningless in the grand scheme of this season. But Lavin better get his ass in gear once the season ends and recruit some big men. Cause this result is what happens when you have no depth at the PF/C position. Ridiculous that our best backup was somebody who score 1.5 ppg at FIU last year.
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While the end of the game was a potential preview of what next season could look like in some ways, I don't think it's fair to put ADR in the same category as Jones, or his brother. He already has flashed more talent/skill/production in one exhibition game than Jones or his bro ever will.

Adonis has true upside, not the make-believe we have all attached to Felix, Jones, etc. the past few years. We'll see what happens, but I marvel at the bashing that can take place of a kid who hasn't even played an official game yet. Sheeesh.

Peace.
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You ain't kidding, Sleek. ADR is as skilled as the come. He is nothing like his brother.
 
I don't have a problem with dropping this game since we already did the work for an NCAA berth. This particular game was lost long ago on the recruiting trail.

I think the concern that most posters are have is that they got a peak into next year's team. Unless both Jordan and Obekpa both return (doubtful), this is going to be an awful team. I just hope we can get Brandon Sampson to sign on the dotted line as soon as possible, because he might soon realize......

For the record, I don't believe Jones or Stewart are Big East players. I think ADR can be, but will be an average freshmen and a long work in progress. Balamou is one of the worst ball handlers I have seen at this level, and is surely nothing more than a reserve or limited role player.

Boy, that 2014 class was extremely important for our program and we could not have done worse.

Dislaimer: Yes, I am a SJU fan. Yes, I am aware that they have put together a very nice season. Yes, I do want them to win and make a deep run. I am simply commenting on the overall future and health of the program
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A peak into next year? I'm sorry, I didn't see Brandon Sampson, Samir Dought, or even Chris Opeka out there. I didn't see a soph version of Amar Alibegovic or the senior version of Felix Balamou...no ADR.

Johnnyfan, you've made your points about recruiting and next season as clear as possible. How about we all just get behind this team for three freaking weeks and then resume thinking worst case scenarios and posting about them for months on end.

If you cannot pause that for three weeks and be happy for the success THIS TEAM has achieved, you are not a fan of this program regardless of whatever you say. I promise nobody will forget where you stand.
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I admit to not having confidence in Lavin getting the SJU program to a plane of ongoing, sustainable success. That said, supporting & watching this team is fun, despite its blemishes and absence of interior depth. The constant beating of the dead horse is senseless however & doesn't move the needle one way or the other anyway. Maybe folks release their frustration best by droning on about program shortcomings incessantly. To me, despite my concerns, I'd be nuts not to enjoy this team. Next year, which I am skeptical about, will have my focus then.
 
I'm 5'7 150 pounds and I'd bet my life I could box out Joey and Jones all day long.
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And that should include Amar.
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Jack, this is just false. In fact, Amar is one of the best bigs at boxing out I've seen all year. He's a beast. He gets hurt by over-hedging and over-rotating. Boxing out has never been and will likely never be an issue for him.

If ANYTHING, he needs to get out of his boxouts earlier instead of driving guys 10 feet from the basket.
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You are right Marillac about his boxing out. I am so upset with this blowout. Wasn't happy with his poor defense or lack of rebounding however.
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I understand, man. The first half just made it seem like we had a chance.

Amar will get there. He is forced into a role that most freshman bigs are not prepared for, but he'll be a fan favorite when all is said and done. It may be two years before he gets there, but he will. We could have really used the junior or senior version of Amar tonight.
 
Keith Thomas would have made us a really tough team & we would not have to discuss J&J. On to Providence.
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Not fair to dump on these under talented players.. WHO BROUGHT THEM HERE UNDER THE GUISE OF them being BE Players? Steverino!

THOMAS? Also on Lavin, if Lavinwood would due diligence these kids, we wouldn't be putting eggs in a basket with no bottom..

LOUIE'S PASTA WON'T GO DOWN well tonite. I DON'T RECALL OUR GUYS EVER GIVING UP A 100 UNDER LC.

And, a big s--t sandwich to Jay Wright for piling on. I HOPE STEVE HAS THE BALLS TO TELL HIM TO SHOVE IT Up HIS a s.. I doubt Lavin has the onions!
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I didn't mean to thank you on this post. Miserable.
You've been quiet lately.
You know what's also on Lavin? 21 wins and an NCAA tournament berth. Good day to you--if that's even possible.
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well, let's deal with facts. WE ARE A 5TH place team in the BE and true, finally a berth in the NCAA TOURNAMENT . GOOD FOR THE KIDS, NOT THE Coach...

is 2 out of every 5 years to go to the tourney enough for you? If that is your criteria for this program, you are welcome to it! Getting blown out is never pretty, this was a disaster and eats up a lot of whatever good will you want to throw Lavin's way..
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Kind of hard to extrapolate 2 out of every 5 from the first five years alone. Not enough to establish a pattern.
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Spot on. Losing ten seniors after year one. Cancer in year two. Having no veterans at all to rely on. Losing Polee, Harkless, Sampson, and Garrett through no fault of his own with no vets to mitigate the losses.

One thing is for sure, these five years do not give us a good baseline going forward. I'd bet we'll make the tournament 3-4 out of every five years with Lavin. That is good enough for this fan.
 
Keith Thomas would have made us a really tough team & we would not have to discuss J&J. On to Providence.
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Not fair to dump on these under talented players.. WHO BROUGHT THEM HERE UNDER THE GUISE OF them being BE Players? Steverino!

THOMAS? Also on Lavin, if Lavinwood would due diligence these kids, we wouldn't be putting eggs in a basket with no bottom..

LOUIE'S PASTA WON'T GO DOWN well tonite. I DON'T RECALL OUR GUYS EVER GIVING UP A 100 UNDER LC.

And, a big s--t sandwich to Jay Wright for piling on. I HOPE STEVE HAS THE BALLS TO TELL HIM TO SHOVE IT Up HIS a s.. I doubt Lavin has the onions!
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I didn't mean to thank you on this post. Miserable.
You've been quiet lately.
You know what's also on Lavin? 21 wins and an NCAA tournament berth. Good day to you--if that's even possible.
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well, let's deal with facts. WE ARE A 5TH place team in the BE and true, finally a berth in the NCAA TOURNAMENT . GOOD FOR THE KIDS, NOT THE Coach...

is 2 out of every 5 years to go to the tourney enough for you? If that is your criteria for this program, you are welcome to it! Getting blown out is never pretty, this was a disaster and eats up a lot of whatever good will you want to throw Lavin's way..
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Kind of hard to extrapolate 2 out of every 5 from the first five years alone. Not enough to establish a pattern.
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Spot on. Losing ten seniors after year one. Cancer in year two. Having no veterans at all to rely on. Losing Polee, Harkless, Sampson, and Garrett through no fault of his own with no vets to mitigate the losses.

One thing is for sure, these five years do not give us a good baseline going forward. I'd bet we'll make the tournament 3-4 out of every five years with Lavin. That is good enough for this fan.
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I could live with 3/5 but expecting 4/5.
 
I think I could win a jump ball against De La Rosa. Guy tries hard but just can't play at this level.
 
I think getting blown out like this might be the best thing to happen to happen to this team. It's hard to beat a top 25 team like Providence 3 times in a season but because of this awful and embarrassing loss this team will come out laser focused on Thursday. They will want another shot at Villanova along with payback for the loss to Providence last year.

I also don't believe that the last 13+ minutes of this game were a premonition as to what the team will be like next year. CO, ADR, Sampson and Doughty were not out there. I too believe that Amar will be very much improved next year, he will be stronger also. Lavin will bring in a 6 or 7 player recruiting class depending if Jones leaves or not. We don not yet know who those other 4 or 5 players will be.

Let's just all relax, have drink and get ready for Thursday. Let's go Storm!!!
 
Yep, I'm such a lousy fan, because I hate watching a team doing whatever they want inside against us. Yeah, it puts me in a lousy mood when I'm watching us allowing them to just have a grand ole time against us inside.

But I'm not gonna apologize for that. We get spanked, and I'll always be in a pissed off mood, why? Because I don't like it.
 
Three thoughts:

- it would be hilarious to see the Johnnies beat these guys on Friday night after this one.
- moving down from a 7/8 seed is next best thing to moving up. I don't want to see a 7/8 seed.
- Nova had better make a deep run in the big dance, or the BE will take a beating on the ESPN/ACC/UK network.
 
Yep, I'm such a lousy fan, because I hate watching a team doing whatever they want inside against us. Yeah, it puts me in a lousy mood when I'm watching us allowing them to just have a grand ole time against us inside.

But I'm not gonna apologize for that. We can't spanked, and I'll always be in a pissed off mood, why? Because I don't like it.
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Just take a walk and forget it. This is all just a diversion in the big picture of life - albeit a very important one at the moment.
 
My observations...

1) The moment Obekpa and Branch were deemed as not playing, made this a tough game to win
2) That said, we were hanginf tough and on the verge of getting the 7 point deficit down to 2
3) We took a few bad shots and then the pick and roll parade started and it was all down hill
4) Biggest disappointment was Jones who continues to perplex me...seems to be talented but just doesnt seem to have the instincts, and worse, the heart

Onto the Big East and Providence...I, for one, hope we get another shot at smug Villanova...
 
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