Villanova (MSG), Fri., Jan. 20, 7p, FS-1

[Roamer]

It's a recruiting tool, but not a player retention tool. Hasn't stopped players from leaving. Plus, I think it means more to our opponents playing once or twice a year. Playing 5 times a year minimum, like we do, it tends to lose it's luster a bit.

But, I'm not saying cut down on MSG home games. I'm saying don't play any. Having 2 home courts, is the equivalent of having zero home courts. Maybe we can't live without MSG, but we can't live with them, either, IMO. They don't have many available dates for us, which usually means bad start times and dates, last night being an exception.

UBS may not be the sexiest name building, but for us, it's the best home court for us. Only houses one pro team, and no concert residency, means we'll have more of a say, schedule wise. With most of our fanbase in Queens and LI anyway, it's a perfect spot, though not ideal for students, but than again, neither is MSG.

Plus, one day, MSG may not want us anymore. Giving UCONN 4 games there next year (I know some of that is the exempt tournament) was a subtle telling of that, IMO. Gotta have something ready to go, in case that happens.

We just have a different view of this. In my perfect world I wouldn’t have any games at Carnesecca arena or UBS and would have them all at MSG. Even if it’s at a loss of money and low attendance because the branding and image is more valuable. I would also have lots of practices there or where the Knicks practice in Westchester to mimic to the athletes that the school runs a professional like NBA environment. This I think would be appealing to young players. Yes this cost money but if we are not going to build a real stadium then invest in a alternative plan.

 

[L J S A]

Otis, then it’s Cragg’s job as AD to go to donors or to network and go wherever he has to or do whatever has to do to raise the funds to rectify the situation. That’s what competent AD’s are able to do.

The few people I know who've met him liked him and were impressed with his vision. I don't know what has translated into real results though, or whether they will but the timeline isn't complete. Take that as you will.

 

[monte]

The few people I know who've met him liked him and were impressed with his vision. I don't know what has translated into real results though, or whether they will but the timeline isn't complete. Take that as you will.

I met him, I chatted with him for a while, I liked him a lot. I'm not sold that he will ever fix our basketball program.

 

[RedStormNC]

Haven't heard much, if anything, relative to the "strategic plan" they were working on last year. Cragg referenced it several times and said more details would come.

Shanley has been President for two years. Probably has a 6-7 year contract. The decision he makes this spring will be one of his biggest and carry with him for the remainder of his time here.

 

[Johnny Rapper]

Cragg is not an “idiot” (your term).

So then what do you call a dope who gives a coach who has accomplished nothing, no post season in three years (and potentially 4) and gives him an extension and a potentially large (as you claim) buy out, a brain surgeon? Nah he’s an idiot.

 

[Johnny Rapper]

100%. Who gives an extension without even one post season appearance?

An idiot.

 

[TonyinFairfield]

An idiot.

If you want to argue points so be it. But the name calling is really inappropriate. You really lose credibility when you do that. Just sayin’.

 

[monte]

If you want to argue points so be it. But the name calling is really inappropriate. You really lose credibility when you do that. Just sayin’.

Agreed Tony. I remember when the extension was announced and I was beside myself. I made my feelings known here on the board. Other posters said "well, they may have extended CMA, but there's probably a low buy out". Knowing CMA's agent and their past behavior with both Missouri and Ark, I highly doubted that. Now we're hearing that Cragg's hands are tied because of the large buy out. So, either that's an excuse because the school is not yet ready to let CMA go, or the extension was one hell of a horrible businsss move by the school. Different Pres and AD, same poor business decisions. Who suffers the most because of it? Us fans.

 

[TonyinFairfield]

Agreed Tony. I remember when the extension was announced and I was beside myself. I made my feelings known here on the board. Other posters said "well, they may have extended CMA, but there's probably a low buy out". Knowing CMA's agent and their past behavior with both Missouri and Ark, I highly doubted that. Now we're hearing that Cragg's hands are tied because of the large buy out. So, either that's an excuse because the school is not yet ready to let CMA go, or the extension was one hell of a horrible businsss move by the school. Different Pres and AD, same poor business decisions. Who suffers the most because of it? Us fans.

And you made valid points without name calling. Well said.

 

[SJUDave]

It was biggest crowd at MSG for a St. John's game in 5 years. The fans showed up on a Friday night, the offense for the Red Storm did not. Just when St. John's had the chance to turn the corner the other shoe fell... again.

Eye on the Storm: Episode 34: Johnnies Offense No Shows, Lose 57-49 at MSG to Villanova on Apple Podcasts

Show Eye on the Storm, Ep Episode 34: Johnnies Offense No Shows, Lose 57-49 at MSG to Villanova - Jan 22, 2023

podcasts.apple.com

 

[monte]

How in the world did they give him such a long extension ? What did he accomplish?

Answer to your 2 questions;
-It's beyond my comprehension
-Absolutely nothing

 

[monte]

Daniel's played well...16 pts. 50% fg, 4-7 from deep. He was 35% of all Nova's points.

Remember when Posh shut down Colin Gillespie...yeah, those were the days.

Daniels one of the most solid and headiest players around. On the rare occasion that he makes a mistake, you won't see him make another one for a very long time. He actually learns from his mistakes. What I wouldn't give for us to have a player like Daniels.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Daniels one of the most solid and headiest players around. On the rare occasion that he makes a mistake, you won't see him make another one for a very long time. He actually learns from his mistakes. What I wouldn't give for us to have a player like Daniels.

You play multiple years for Jay Wright and chances are very slim you won’t be a heady player.

 

[SJUDave]

It was biggest crowd at MSG for a St. John's game in 5 years. The fans showed up on a Friday night, the offense for the Red Storm did not. Just when St. John's had the chance to turn the corner the other shoe fell... again.

Eye on the Storm: Episode 34: Johnnies Offense No Shows, Lose 57-49 at MSG to Villanova on Apple Podcasts

Show Eye on the Storm, Ep Episode 34: Johnnies Offense No Shows, Lose 57-49 at MSG to Villanova - Jan 22, 2023

podcasts.apple.com

For those that claim I'm overly positive and can't be fair or critical...here's another example where I take the coach and players to task.

There was so much on the line in this game and it was just such insane to completely no show.

 

[JohnnyFan]

I was among those who, at the time, thought the CMA contract extension was a good idea. I was confident enough that I didn't care to consider the buyout terms. That said, I am just a fan and not at all close to the innerworkings of the program. It is my hope that Cragg (an experienced administrator) has not tied our hands with a buyout that we cannot handle.

I know there has been much speculation on the terms of CMA's contract (specifically the buyout clause), but have we heard any solid information from the program or one of our closely connected posters?

 

[SJUWillRockNYC]

Agreed Tony. I remember when the extension was announced and I was beside myself. I made my feelings known here on the board. Other posters said "well, they may have extended CMA, but there's probably a low buy out". Knowing CMA's agent and their past behavior with both Missouri and Ark, I highly doubted that. Now we're hearing that Cragg's hands are tied because of the large buy out. So, either that's an excuse because the school is not yet ready to let CMA go, or the extension was one hell of a horrible businsss move by the school. Different Pres and AD, same poor business decisions. Who suffers the most because of it? Us fans.

Anderson is a large buyout, so then why is Cragg still here? Anderson didn't do jack here, but oh look at his reputation, never had a losing season.
Lets extend the man. I'd fire him. Gotta have smart business that don't just throw money away. Anderson is to hard to deal with putting a deal together? Then why even bother, tell him good by. He's not with the Pitino's of the world in terms of elite coaches. I wouldn't tolerate bs from an avg coach.
Who suffers the most because of it? You're right, we do. Why though? Because we allow them to make us suffer. We still go to games, keep our season tickets etc. If you really want your voices to be heard then cancel your season tickets and stop going to games.
If there are games at Carnesecca in front of say 200-300, that won't look good for SJU at all. They then would have to take basketball serious for once because the fans stopped going and they're hurting in the pockets.

I'm done with this season. Anderson is clueless, maybe he was a good coach years ago, but now the man looks lost.
After the UConn win in which I was expecting a major beatdown, I was very surprised, and was saying well if they can do that at UConn, then they should be able to beat Nova at MSG, but then they score 49pnts, and that's with 2 guys scoring 26, with the turnover machine Curbelo the clown turning the ball over like crazy. Nah I'm done for this year. It's has gotten just to hard to watch year after year for 20+ years.

There better be a coaching change after the season is over in March. They better atleast try for an elite coach, even if they don't come, you atleast gotta ask.

 

[monte]

Anderson is a large buyout, so then why is Cragg still here? Anderson didn't do jack here, but oh look at his reputation, never had a losing season.
Lets extend the man. I'd fire him. Gotta have smart business that don't just throw money away. Anderson is to hard to deal with putting a deal together? Then why even bother, tell him good by. He's not with the Pitino's of the world in terms of elite coaches. I wouldn't tolerate bs from an avg coach.
Who suffers the most because of it? You're right, we do. Why though? Because we allow them to make us suffer. We still go to games, keep our season tickets etc. If you really want your voices to be heard then cancel your season tickets and stop going to games.
If there are games at Carnesecca in front of say 200-300, that won't look good for SJU at all. They then would have to take basketball serious for once because the fans stopped going and they're hurting in the pockets.

I'm done with this season. Anderson is clueless, maybe he was a good coach years ago, but now the man looks lost.
After the UConn win in which I was expecting a major beatdown, I was very surprised, and was saying well if they can do that at UConn, then they should be able to beat Nova at MSG, but then they score 49pnts, and that's with 2 guys scoring 26, with the turnover machine Curbelo the clown turning the ball over like crazy. Nah I'm done for this year. It's has gotten just to hard to watch year after year for 20+ years.

There better be a coaching change after the season is over in March. They better atleast try for an elite coach, even if they don't come, you atleast gotta ask.

All valid points SJUW, although I'm sure that the extension was a joint decision, not just Cragg's. As for attendance, there's a segment of our fan base that are going to buy season tickets and game tickets regardless of how bad we are. I say, to each his own. I don't happen to be one or those people. IMO as long as attendance remains at a certain level, the school will be in no hurry to make a change. Nothing expresses fan displeasure more than empty seats.

 

[monte]

I was among those who, at the time, thought the CMA contract extension was a good idea. I was confident enough that I didn't care to consider the buyout terms. That said, I am just a fan and not at all close to the innerworkings of the program. It is my hope that Cragg (an experienced administrator) has not tied our hands with a buyout that we cannot handle.

I know there has been much speculation on the terms of CMA's contract (specifically the buyout clause), but have we heard any solid information from the program or one of our closely connected posters?

The fact that we never heard any information at all from anyone about the terms of the extension, is telling in and off itself. You can't throw stupid money at a coach who's accomplished nothing, and then plead poverty to the fan base in an effort to solicit donations.

 

[monte]

You play multiple years for Jay Wright and chances are very slim you won’t be a heady player.

Agreed, but I also think that Wright has always recruited heady and disciplined kids, who buy in to his vision and to the "team first" concept.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Agreed, but I also think that Wright has always recruited heady and disciplined kids, who buy in to his vision and to the "team first" concept.

100%. Also a couple examples of him going for the 5 star talent because his success with lower rates recruits lead to that opportunity, and them not fitting in. Because of this I wasn’t always sold that he could be as successful at a true blue blood program like a kentucky or unc. By and large got the right guys, not the best, but made sure he could get the best out of them.