Villanova, Wed., Dec. 21, 6:30p, FS-1

[Johnny Rapper]

While we have all come down pretty hard on Posh, it’s clear that the young man puts every ounce of effort into every one of his moments on the court. He’s obviously pressing which has greatly affected his overall game. To what extent Curbelos presence plays a roll is anyones guess as well.

My biggest concern is that there does not seem to be any constructive direction or adjustment from the coaching staff or perhaps too much has been put on Posh. Last year was Champs team, this year it’s Posh’s and perhaps he is feeling the pressure of that. Whatever the scenario is, some sort of adjustment must be made if this team is to fulfill its desired goal of making the Dance.

You all are dramatically overrating Storr’s contributions. He hit some shots early on but he would not have been a difference maker. Forgetting about his defensive liabilities, for the most part he cannot create his own shot and has only hit outside shots when open in the corner with his feet set.

I think that on a well coached team with a solid system of player development that Storr could be brought along more slowly. However, given the current circumstance and the chaotic play of the team, since the majority of the team plays little defense and is fundamentally unsound, why not force feed his development for the future?

Also, there were a few times he did create his own shot. There was a drive and nice mid range pull up for one.

 

[MainMan]

Last night was telling, unfortunately.

I'm feeling less and less confident that St. John's will go undefeated in the BE this season.

 

[Larry Wright]

You can’t build a basketball team in this era that can’t shoot threes

 

[bucketshardy]

You can’t build a basketball team in this era that can’t shoot threes

given the pieces we have - how would you utilize our players on Offense?

 

[Knight]

It’s tough watching so much undisciplined and me-first play so often. Where is the evidence of coaching?
Curbelo, though a talented player, cannot continue to take these wild circus shots.
I really hope that I don’t see Posh in the corner waiting for a pass. He should have the ball in his hands running the offense.
We need to have guys in position to rebound, not watch from outside.

 

[Larry Wright]

given the pieces we have - how would you utilize our players on Offense?

As someone noted we have nice pieces but they don’t really fit.
I get that at St John’s you can’t turn down talent, but you have to recruit to fill gaps.
Soriano, Jones, Mathis, Storr, Posh
Curbelo would be 6th man
Pinzon 7th
Stanley backup to Soriano as 8th man
Wusu limited based on game flow as 9th man
Would have to have Storr or Pinzon with Jones on court any time Posh and Curbelo on floor at same time which I would try to limit. Both play 25 mins with only 5 mins together

 

[Section3]

You might not be able to learn how to develop an efficient offensive system over night, but you can enforce some standards re shot selection and patience. Can we at least start there. We don’t shoot at the rim well enough for how well we seemingly shoot our own foot.

+1000

 

[otis]

given the pieces we have - how would you utilize our players on Offense?

if, as you seemingly imply, the pieces don’t fit a disciplined patterned offense than the blame rests with CMA Who selected the players.

 

[bucketshardy]

As someone noted we have nice pieces but they don’t really fit.
I get that at St John’s you can’t turn down talent, but you have to recruit to fill gaps.
Soriano, Jones, Mathis, Storr, Posh
Curbelo would be 6th man
Pinzon 7th
Stanley backup to Soriano as 8th man
Wusu limited based on game flow as 9th man
Would have to have Storr or Pinzon with Jones on court any time Posh and Curbelo on floor at same time which I would try to limit. Both play 25 mins with only 5 mins together

ok- so personnel change. Posh @PG with Storr at the 2. Belo/Pinzon LuHi PR connection coming off the bench. like it.

But what do they run? Obviously this team strives of causing turnovers and running... but when that doesnt happen... 20 seconds on the shot clock- Posh with the ball top of the key- whats the play call?

I'm thinking- (don't think we've seen it that much? could be wrong) - in stead of Joel setting up shop down low, use his new and improved mobility in picknrolls... or he can hit that foul line J ...

With the wealth of experience this staff has, anyone here have any insight on the sets run in practice?

 

[bucketshardy]

I'm not dense enough to think CMA would go- woah, pick n rolls... why didn't i think of that? lol....

It's just that if we aren't running and causing turnovers.... it's such an ugly offense to watch in the halfcourt....

They have to be working on something in practice...

 

[vegasman2000]

Bottom line is not coaching. It's that our two starting guards cannot shoot the ball

 

[vegasman2000]

Better defender than Posh, Curbelo or Wusu are shooters

That's the trade off. Much worse D for better shooting. I am not sure which is better, but pick your poison.

 

[bamafan]

He wasn’t the problem by any means and the numbers from a production standpoint are great. But when the game was still a game, their big out played ours.

Agree. I don't care what the stat line says IMHO Soriano did not play well last night (not at all blaming him for the loss-that was a team effort).

 

[vegasman2000]

One of my very first posts here was that I could see things going badly enough between Posh and Curbelo that Posh transfers. Of course got dragged.

Anyone still think that probability is zero?

 

[vegasman2000]

As someone noted we have nice pieces but they don’t really fit.
I get that at St John’s you can’t turn down talent, but you have to recruit to fill gaps.
Soriano, Jones, Mathis, Storr, Posh
Curbelo would be 6th man
Pinzon 7th
Stanley backup to Soriano as 8th man
Wusu limited based on game flow as 9th man
Would have to have Storr or Pinzon with Jones on court any time Posh and Curbelo on floor at same time which I would try to limit. Both play 25 mins with only 5 mins together

The problem as I see it is you are right, but Anderson values D so much that he will never go with this. I almost feel like with the players we have Mullin's NBA style offense would better use Storr Pinzon and Nyiwe

 

[MarkRedman]

Yes, SJU has some good pieces, but fair to be concerned they may not fit. When so often you see many rushed shots, the isolation of our small guards, absence of half court offense and lack of patience and judgment it really hurts. The poor perimeter shooting is a given unfortunately, but not playing smart only exacerbates that void.

On coaching side, despite being so early, it also seems fair to question whether Mike can get it done and Dance this season with a group he praised as his best to date here a few months ago. Against Nova he did not appear to have answers nor judiciously use his time outs and right the ship when Nova made runs. Lastly, one wonders if MA has given this group too much latitude, resulting in a free lance game that in my opinion won’t cut it in BE and plays into the hands of the many smart coaches in the league.

Time will tell, but the tea leaves give me pause.

There is no real half court offense. We don't run any "sets". It's primarily a free lance system which is easy to defend. Our offense is predicated on turning our opponent over and fast breaking. When we are forced to play a half court game, we are royally crewed.

This was a case of a good, smart and well oiled team beating a team that has no offensive identity.

 

[ras]

Joel got pushed around by Dixon all first half, just using his body. Joel did not respond in kind defensively against Dixon, gave him too much room to operate in my opinion. He needs to use his body more on a guy like Dixon.
Couldn’t bear watching second half!

The problem Joel has is he has to watch his fouls because we don't have appropriate BE backup C. That maybe why he is less aggressive defensively.

 

[mm52]

Curbelo, though a talented player, cannot continue to take these wild circus shots.
I really hope that I don’t see Posh in the corner waiting for a pass. He should have the ball in his hands running the offense.
We need to have guys in position to rebound, not watch from outside.

Agree on all these. It seems Curbelo gets caught too much without having someone to pass to and thus his circus shots. Posh to me seems to be a more true PG.

 

[mm52]

The problem Joel has is he has to watch his fouls because we don't have appropriate BE backup C. That maybe why he is less aggressive defensively.

Yes, Dixon looked too comfortable last night. Nywie can still contribute effective minutes; IDK why he is buried on the bench right now.

 

[rehobie]

Well, everyone has vented. Let me try.
Soriano is to be applauded for getting in shape. The staff has had him for 3 years, he has NO moves. He stands erect in the low post looking for the lob. His points are put backs and dunks. He needs to make himself big, spread out down low and call for the ball. What can he do when he receives the ball… not much. He has no footwork, no moves. Three years, no moves, who is getting paid as the big man coach? Also, has Stanley shown any skills improvement? Bad coaching. Is anyone accountable?