Xavier, Tue. Jan. 30, 8:30pm, CBS SN/570AM
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Was at the Arena this evening. The place was only about 60 % filled against the the # 6 ranked team in the country. That said, I thought the crowd that did show up was really raucous. Additionally I thought that the players played one of their best games. Obviously Ponds and Clark stood out tonight, but Ahmed had some moments also.
With under 90 seconds to play we were tied and had the ball with a chance to take the lead. The crowd was on its feet going nuts. Unfortunately things went south during the last minute and twenty seconds of the game. We had two key turnovers, missed a critical free throw (one of four key missed foul shots down the stretch) and had a crucial goal tending call go against us. Xavier made its four free throws at the end also and all of that led to our five point defeat.
It should be said that from where I sat at courtside I thought the refs were very slanted towards Xavier and hammered us with bad calls much of the game. Clearly Mullin thought so too gauging from his body language and interactions with the refs. The crowd was giving the refs hell and they deservedly got booed off the court after the game.
All in all it was a really exciting game to watch live. Ponds played extremely well and we all felt very bad for the team, who absolutely got the short end of the stick on the calls and should have probably come away with a victory,
With under 90 seconds to play we were tied and had the ball with a chance to take the lead. The crowd was on its feet going nuts. Unfortunately things went south during the last minute and twenty seconds of the game. We had two key turnovers, missed a critical free throw (one of four key missed foul shots down the stretch) and had a crucial goal tending call go against us. Xavier made its four free throws at the end also and all of that led to our five point defeat.
It should be said that from where I sat at courtside I thought the refs were very slanted towards Xavier and hammered us with bad calls much of the game. Clearly Mullin thought so too gauging from his body language and interactions with the refs. The crowd was giving the refs hell and they deservedly got booed off the court after the game.
All in all it was a really exciting game to watch live. Ponds played extremely well and we all felt very bad for the team, who absolutely got the short end of the stick on the calls and should have probably come away with a victory,
Very exciting night out at CA. Most has already been said...free throws...questionable calls....more free throws
I thought that we should have abandoned the high screen offense as soon as it was apparent that Ponds did not need the help - which he didn’t. He took his man anytime he wanted. The high screen just brought a double team every time.
Once again, you could see Ponds really wanted this game.
I thought that we should have abandoned the high screen offense as soon as it was apparent that Ponds did not need the help - which he didn’t. He took his man anytime he wanted. The high screen just brought a double team every time.
Once again, you could see Ponds really wanted this game.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
As Lappas mentioned, our bench is ranked last in the country in points scored, and our 3 point defense in conference games is significantly worse than the lowest ranked school n division 1 overall. Also interesting comment on Simon not being suited as a perimeter player in today's game.
The team gives it it their all, but as I posted in the second half, who would seize the moment and make the big play? As usual, no one did. Teams double Ponds, and the offense sputters. Or he just runs out of gas. Obviously you have to have a lot of deficiencies to get the goose egg for the season, as Xavier tried their best to lose, and we still fell short. It just seems that players like Clark and Owens are more suited to coming off the bench, and Simon's limited offensive arsenal makes defending our guys a little easier. Most of our guys have one skill set, instead of multiple skills. As a fan, I'm tired and frustrated. Mullin looks despondent. Have to feel for the players, and appreciate how they battle. What a nightmare of a season.
The team gives it it their all, but as I posted in the second half, who would seize the moment and make the big play? As usual, no one did. Teams double Ponds, and the offense sputters. Or he just runs out of gas. Obviously you have to have a lot of deficiencies to get the goose egg for the season, as Xavier tried their best to lose, and we still fell short. It just seems that players like Clark and Owens are more suited to coming off the bench, and Simon's limited offensive arsenal makes defending our guys a little easier. Most of our guys have one skill set, instead of multiple skills. As a fan, I'm tired and frustrated. Mullin looks despondent. Have to feel for the players, and appreciate how they battle. What a nightmare of a season.
A few thoughts on tonight's game:
1 It is probably safe to say this staff will never go into another season so undermanned. Lesson learned.
2 When LoVett went down he took Simon along with him. Cannot be expected to score.
3 The SJU or MSG personnel who was responsible for limiting the games played at MSG was right on
4 Let's stop thinking that the coaching staff's shooting skills are going to translate into any thing more than an insignificant improvement in players shooting
5 Looie always said how he hated to put the balls away. Can't come soon enough.
1 It is probably safe to say this staff will never go into another season so undermanned. Lesson learned.
2 When LoVett went down he took Simon along with him. Cannot be expected to score.
3 The SJU or MSG personnel who was responsible for limiting the games played at MSG was right on
4 Let's stop thinking that the coaching staff's shooting skills are going to translate into any thing more than an insignificant improvement in players shooting
5 Looie always said how he hated to put the balls away. Can't come soon enough.
Refs don't ever see to give us a break. Watching the Owens goal tend on replay twice, I'm still not sure it hit the backboard first. In any event, that is call refs generally let go at the end of a game like that. Guys played very hard and Shamorie looked healthy and confident again. Clark shot well and rebounded last night.
Just no excuse for Ahmed & Simon not improving from FT line - will cost us another game down the line if they don't. Finally, when we came out of the time out with the score tied and less than 2 minutes to go, we needed to have a better play drawn up. Just dribbling near half court until there is 8-10 seconds left on the shot clock cuts our chances of getting a good shot at least in half - winds up in shot clock violation.
One thing last night's game showed is that Chris hasn't come close to losing the team, despite all the losses. Next 2 will be tough, but we can win at least 3 of the last 6 games after that. Extra foul shooting practice please; even Clark missed a big one - we aren't good enough to win close games when we shoot 62% from the line, especially with most of the misses at crunch time.
Just no excuse for Ahmed & Simon not improving from FT line - will cost us another game down the line if they don't. Finally, when we came out of the time out with the score tied and less than 2 minutes to go, we needed to have a better play drawn up. Just dribbling near half court until there is 8-10 seconds left on the shot clock cuts our chances of getting a good shot at least in half - winds up in shot clock violation.
One thing last night's game showed is that Chris hasn't come close to losing the team, despite all the losses. Next 2 will be tough, but we can win at least 3 of the last 6 games after that. Extra foul shooting practice please; even Clark missed a big one - we aren't good enough to win close games when we shoot 62% from the line, especially with most of the misses at crunch time.
Bad teams unfortunately don't get calls and suspect Chris hounding refs constantly doesn't help. Tired legs from playing big minutes > missed free throws often. Nice effort, were right there, but at end of the day "Lovettgate", short bench and poor execution at crunch time sure make it difficult to grab a win.
ErickTheRed
Member
Was Lovett at game? Walked in on halftime highlights and thought I saw him.
ManhattAn1
Active member
That was me, Refs should be completely down the middle however with all the complaining going on they simply do not like him. How many calls have we got hosed on down the stretch this year. Pat Driscoll did the game last night as well he was the same guy who missed the call on Bridges going over Ponds back vs Nova a few weeks ago.
ManhattAn1
Active member
Place was 95% according to box score- guess that is tickets sold. a lot of no shows.
we are sju
Active member
When was the last time we had a player we could throw the ball to down low and get an easy basket or get fouled and miss a free throw? Lamont Hamilton?
beast of the east
Active member
Justin Brownlee
Had little confidence we would win (free throws, etc.) and started to mostly watch Macura as much as possible. A contest started to emerge in my loss addled brain... "Which player in St. John's history would have gone up for a rebound in a way most likely to yield the most severe concussion for Macura, and not get called for a foul?"
I go back to Tony Jackson time so I would include Willie Hall high on my list but there are many others, Ron Ron and the Lamonts, and Mel, and Justin Brownlee, et al.
We must never again go in to a season without the reserves able to be enforcers if you mess with our top skill players.
I go back to Tony Jackson time so I would include Willie Hall high on my list but there are many others, Ron Ron and the Lamonts, and Mel, and Justin Brownlee, et al.
We must never again go in to a season without the reserves able to be enforcers if you mess with our top skill players.
beast of the east
Active member
Some very good coaches don't ride the refs, they work them. Boeheim is an exception, at least in his younger days. Mullin gets over involved in nearly every single questionable call or non-call, and I believe it is a distraction preventing him from coaching. I don't know that the vast majority of refs let them affect how they call a game, but they are more likely to disregard a guy who questions every single call and in lengthy tirades. The best coaches will pick their spots, and say something like "You know you missed that travel. We'd better be getting one back." or something like that. You have to smile a lot of referees, and make them know they aren't the enemy, or you just become a pain in the ass for them to call an SJU game. Mullin just yaps a lot. Boeheim would throw tantrums, and mostly get away with it.
we are sju
Active member
If Mullin started making the Boheim face then I would join the dozen of annoying posters calling for Mullin to be fired or quit after every game.
Many good coaches are allowed to ride the refs with no consequences. Mullin obviously isn't there yet.
beast of the east
Active member
Or picking his nose on the bench. Or peeing in his pants on the bench. (Check the internet. Plenty of pics of Boeheim doing just that)