Villanova (MSG), Sat., Jan. 11 , 7p, CBSSN

[Eric]

Luis was great. His offensive rebounding is awesome.

Prey was really impressive holding his own in there. I kept saying wow he’s still in there and really did a great job defending.

As for the crowd again. The difference was the level of loudness throughout the entire game. Not just a little here and there. It was loud often and in the right spots. Great job.

I thought the split was 70/30 or 75/25. But that could also be because the garden does an interesting job putting all those seats in red to maybe help it out too.

Either way. It was a great turnout by St. John’s fans both in quantity and sound!!

 

[paultzman]

Luis was great. His offensive rebounding is awesome.

Prey was really impressive holding his own in there. I kept saying wow he’s still in there and really did a great job defending.

As for the crowd again. The difference was the level of loudness throughout the entire game. Not just a little here and there. It was loud often and in the right spots. Great job.

I thought the split was 70/30 or 75/25. But that could also be because the garden does an interesting job putting all those seats in red to maybe help it out too.

Either way. It was a great turnout by St. John’s fans both in quantity and veracity!!!!

Only six BE games in, but yeah there is a little “spice” in the in NYC area about this team. Metro fans imo love scrappy, tough groups who can gut it out. We obviously have our warts, but this sure feels like a potentially great ride. Imagine the “juice”in the Mecca” for UConn, Marquette & BE Tourney games. Enjoy it guys, this could be a special season to remember.

 

[redmanwest]

I had to attend a wedding last night so I watched on dvr. Great win.

I’ve been critical of Luis last year and somewhat this year but to me, he came of age last night. Big time step up.

I look at Wilcher this year a little like u looked at Luis last year. Great talent but more seasoning. Hopefully next year we get in him what we’ve gotten this year in Luis.

I also think Prey and Vince were very good in their minutes and roles.

Obviously, hoping Devion’s injury doesn’t keep him out long.

The win was important for a variety of reasons everyone’s identified already but to me it shows the grit and determination we need to take this thing far. As others have previously coined after last game, thru teams identity seems to be settling on “win ugly”. If so, I for one will recalibrate what to expect game to game and try to be more trusting in the process.

Terrific start to conference play thus far. Keep it rolling against the Hoyas!

 

[Beasts of the East]

Penn Station was completely mobbed post game. Ten p.m. Huntington train was absolutely packed with fans filling the aisles end to end. At my stop in Nassau, close to 100 fans got off, by far the most in a very long time.

A near sell out brings new fans into our base, at least while we win. Where I was seated (not my regular seats) fan behavior sucked.

Respectfully beast, not sure how much props Rick deserves for that one haha. Smith was out, Jaiden’s shooting hand is injured. Pretty sure lefty was the only warm body we could put in at guard at that point lol

Understood, but traditionally in that situation a coach will insert the first guy on the bench who has logged the most minutes and avoid putting a little used guy in that situation, even if he isnt a guard.

 

[Eric]

Penn Station was completely mobbed post game. Ten p.m. Huntington train was absolutely packed with fans filling the aisles end to end. At my stop in Nassau, close to 100 fans got off, by far the most in a very long time.

A near sell out brings new fans into our base, at least while we win.

Same with my train. Standing room only.

Also agree. So many younger fans attended this game which is so important. Keep winning to keep them coming.

 

[Andrew]

It has been 24 years since SJU won 5 of first 6 games in Big East play apparently,

Sounds about right. I don’t know how many years it took last season to get back to the Big East Tournament Semifinals and it will be 25 years since our last tournament win.

 

[mm52]

Nova won the pre game bar

Stout and all of 33rd Street were packed. The 1870 event in stout was very well attended with the lure of a nice shirt giveaway

 

[paultzman]

No stat for making it difficult for guy you are guarding, but Prey acquitted himself well when covering Dixon and ably handling guys on switches while quickly recovering. You can see he has been coached well and has good hoops instincts. I look forward to Prey’s return next season.

To his credit Vince, who is not as skilled as Prey, battled and had four rebounds when it counted.

 

[Beasts of the East]

No stat for making it difficult for guy you are guarding, but Prey acquitted himself well when covering Dixon and ably handling guys on switches while quickly recovering. You can see he has been coached well and has good hoops instincts. I look forward to Prey’s return next season.

To his credit Vince, who is not as skilled as Prey, battled and had four rebounds when it counted.

Additionally, would point out that on switches where Prey was covering a guard,, Villanova cleared out so there was no help or switching possible. Reuben is so fundamentally sound, his defensive stance and footwork so good, that he didn't get beat off the dribble (not that I didn't worry).
With strength and conditioning, additional coaching, and maturation, he will only get better and better.

 

[Eric]

Pushing 60 pages on a win!!!!

 

[lawmanfan]

He cuts off lanes so well to go with his ++ hands. He’s also strong as hell. He’s just not going to wow you with lateral quickness beyond a few slides.

His versatility is also just stupid. He covered their PG and Dixon the same possession and he wasn’t giving up anything to either. It just felt like 98-99 again.

Hardytime and Marillac combining for the complete report here. Kadary has one group of strengths and RJ has a completely different one. And you need a mix of player strengths to win games.

Overnight it occurred to me that possibly the problem Luis had defending Poplar in the last quarter is that he was told to stay out of foul trouble with Smith down. That would make sense.

 

[dk423]

Hardytime and Marillac combining for the complete report here. Kadary has one group of strengths and RJ has a completely different one. And you need a mix of player strengths to win games.

Overnight it occurred to me that possibly the problem Luis had defending Poplar in the last quarter is that he was told to stay out of foul trouble with Smith down. That would make sense.

I hate blaming the refs for anything, but they were extremely questionable and inconsistent for most of the game. So, along with that type of guidance, I also wouldn't be surprised if the guys were a little in their head about what contact was allowed. Kadary had a long conversation with a ref during two free throws.

I see Kadary as a great free safety on defense. He can pick off passes with the best of them, and sneak up on someone and cause a steal.

 

[lawmanfan]

I hate blaming the refs for anything, but they were extremely questionable and inconsistent for most of the game. So, along with that type of guidance, I also wouldn't be surprised if the guys were a little in their head about what contact was allowed. Kadary had a long conversation with a ref during two free throws.

I see Kadary as a great free safety on defense. He can pick off passes with the best of them, and sneak up on someone and cause a steal.

The refs were awful. The younger one with the crew cut blew 3 calls singlehandedly. And the late calls on Wilcher and Richmond were ridiculous. I guess you still aren't allowed to breathe on a Villanova player when they're trying to make a comeback

 

[MJDinkins]

That and the fact they committed 29 fouls to our 16.

Dixon committed about 10 fouls himself, but were only called for 5.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

No stat for making it difficult for guy you are guarding, but Prey acquitted himself well when covering Dixon and ably handling guys on switches while quickly recovering. You can see he has been coached well and has good hoops instincts. I look forward to Prey’s return next season.

To his credit Vince, who is not as skilled as Prey, battled and had four rebounds when it counted.

First time in 8 games Dixon was held under 20 points

 

[Beasts of the East]

Bad behavior:

Because of circumstances was not in my usual seats with mostly season ticket holders.

My seats were surrounded by 30 something sju grads - which was absolutely great to see. The behavior for the most partnwas appalling. They were nearly all shit faced, and I've learned enough over timebnot to try to correct a loud drunk at sport venues. Three guys decided to stand up when there was no reason to stand, sometimes just to chat, one girl spent the whole game standing and chatting with a girl in the row behind her even when the gsme heated up, one guy kept shouting profanity laced obscenities mostly graphically sexual. Late in the game one drunk sju grad spotted my daughter's Villanova cap (she wasnt even cheering outwardly for Nova) and just leaned over and said "You're Nova. FUCK YOU". I can handle most drunks, so after telling him that wasn't nice, pulled him close and said, "She's been rooting for St Johns since you were in kindergarden". He then apologized and said, "I just meant Villanova, not you" She said "Really? You said fuck you" From that point on was my buddy, drunk hugging me all game. Turns out he's an attorney.

I'm amazed at the total lack of civility in general. With an older fan base there were plenty of 60-80 year olds standing on the train. One Villanova alum douchebag rushed onto the train when the doors opened and saved an entire 2 rows of 5 seats for his wife and kids ages approx 12-15. Douchebag. I hesitated about 4 times to say anything. Snazzy dresser tho. Dick

 

[paultzman]

I hate blaming the refs for anything, but they were extremely questionable and inconsistent for most of the game. So, along with that type of guidance, I also wouldn't be surprised if the guys were a little in their head about what contact was allowed. Kadary had a long conversation with a ref during two free throws.

I see Kadary as a great free safety on defense. He can pick off passes with the best of them, and sneak up on someone and cause a steal.

Breeding sets a tone with his fellow, less experienced refs, a “I will control the game” attiitude. Mug made funny and accurate comment about his love affair for the monitor. I too don’t gripe about officiating often, but this guy is the god of disrupting the flow of a beautiful game to feed his ego. Saw this on line about Breeding;

“A basketball referee who was selected to officiate the 2019 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Final Four. He was involved in a controversial Big East tournament semifinal game where Seton Hall beat Marquette 81–79. The game was marked by nine technical fouls, 49 total fouls, 85 free throws, three ejections, and four foul-outs.”

I think Stevie Wonder must evaluate his performance.

 

[dk423]

First time in 8 games Dixon was held under 20 points

Almost identical stats with the UConn game. These two games where he's faced much more athletic, big and lengthy guys are going to kill him on draft boards.

UConn: 23 points, 6/20 FG, 2-8 3pt, 9-9 FT, 1 rebound (!!!), 2 assists, 1 foul, 0 turnovers
STJ: 18 points, 6/19 FG, 4-9 3pt, 2-2 FT, 2 rebounds (!!) 3 assists, 5 fouls, 3 turnovers

We did a great job not fouling him.

 

[Beasts of the East]

Breeding sets a tone with his fellow, less experienced refs, a “I will control the game” attiitude. Mug made funny and accurate comment about his love affair for the monitor. I too don’t gripe about officiating often, but this guy is the god of disrupting the flow of a beautiful game to feed his ego. Saw this on line about Breeding;

“A basketball referee who was selected to officiate the 2019 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Final Four. He was involved in a controversial Big East tournament semifinal game where Seton Hall beat Marquette 81–79. The game was marked by nine technical fouls, 49 total fouls, 85 free throws, three ejections, and four foul-outs.”

I think Stevie Wonder must evaluate his performance.

Nine tech fouls tells you all you need to know. Great refs control games, often by being congenial but stern and warning coaches and players that next one gets you t'd. Jerk refs set a tone leading to outbursts

 

[Ray Morgan]

One rule question. When a pass to Dixon went between his legs and into the backcourt late in the game, he touched it first when he dove for the ball with Luis. Shouldn't the refs have called a backcourt violation at that point? We ended up with the ball on the possession arrow, but it should not have come to that. Plus, since it was within the last 2 minutes, could the refs have gone to the monitor to review it?