Youngstown State Game

[BOB BARKER]

Wouldn't it be a lot better if the Redmen can at least find themselves not be behind by halftime,then have to dig out of this hole..It would be nice if.Lavin could figure out best starters bef game starts..Record could be 11-0....

 

[dee]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

 

[tom in salem]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

 

[Class of 72]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Youngstown is a well-coached team with good guards, and they played a nice game.

Harrison seems to have found his shot the last few games, it's needed. Although he led the team in scoring he also played a team game today. Phil had another efficient game. Sanchez showed assertiveness on one play that highlighted what may have been missing from his game so far this year - hope he does more of that. Dom was Dom, though it was nice to see him look for his shot more than usual - he even hit a jump shot (cross one item off of the Lawmanfan Christmas list).

Sampson had one of his better games, hitting all the shots from the free throw line, running a nice hi-low with Sanchez at one point, showing some handle and dunking. He still needs to hit the jumper on the pick-and-pop they have been running with him.

The substitution patterns were dizzying, mystifying, and unproductive in the first half. And starting Balamou over Dom is a head-scratcher, to say the least. However in the second half they put their best team on the floor and let them play for an extended stretch and that was the difference in the game.

We need to beat Columbia, win the first two league games on the road, and then beat Nova at the Garden to be ranked. We have the talent to do it and the pieces are starting to come together.

Agree, Youngstown was better than I thought they'd be. They were ready for us when we switched to zone, and had their personnel in all the right places. They had a good plan. We still came out and played a very efficient offensive game. Our defense really wasn't good yesterday, but that happens sometimes. We were still able to come out and outscore our opponent with almost 100 pts which is a good sign. Our defense isn't as bad as it was yesterday. It is just inconsistent at this point. Need to keep working on that. Good to see us keep rolling though, and Youngstown can trip up some teams with their offensive ability. I can see that game being a trap for us in the past. We fought through it. Time to smack Columbia and get rolling in the league. Hopefully we get Rysheed back.

I thought our defense was poor, too many easy rebounds and putbacks by Youngstown State. Now as far our press goes we have to stop jumping at the ball handler, just move your feet. Picked up quick fouls. Looked real confident on offense. I don't care how many threes Harrison takes and misses, he is our go to guy.
Could not believe Balamou started over Pointer. Hopefully Jordan's mom gets better.

 

[jr49]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Where we are right now is maybe needing 22 wins to dance.

 

[shecky82]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

as always your Lavin back handed insults piss me off but I just don't have the will to engage u in debate so u win before we even get started. Congrats!

 

[lawmanfan]

Youngstown is a well-coached team with good guards, and they played a nice game.

Harrison seems to have found his shot the last few games, it's needed. Although he led the team in scoring he also played a team game today. Phil had another efficient game. Sanchez showed assertiveness on one play that highlighted what may have been missing from his game so far this year - hope he does more of that. Dom was Dom, though it was nice to see him look for his shot more than usual - he even hit a jump shot (cross one item off of the Lawmanfan Christmas list).

Sampson had one of his better games, hitting all the shots from the free throw line, running a nice hi-low with Sanchez at one point, showing some handle and dunking. He still needs to hit the jumper on the pick-and-pop they have been running with him.

The substitution patterns were dizzying, mystifying, and unproductive in the first half. And starting Balamou over Dom is a head-scratcher, to say the least. However in the second half they put their best team on the floor and let them play for an extended stretch and that was the difference in the game.

We need to beat Columbia, win the first two league games on the road, and then beat Nova at the Garden to be ranked. We have the talent to do it and the pieces are starting to come together.

One thing is obvious with Lavin. The first half of games, with regards to playing time and subs, are planned to a T (too much so, IMO). He's going to give just about everybody a look, and see what they may or may not contribute to that game (which is fine in theory, I just wish he'd not be as married to it as he is). Only things that change the plans are fouls, or heaven forbid, injury. Would be nicer if Lavin goes for the kill early, but if we are going to press more (which we have started to do), then subbing early may have to be something we all live with.

In the second half though, Lavin usually sticks with a unit that is doing well. Hence, we've outscored our opponents in 10 out of 11 second halfs this year, and tied the other one (counting the OT vs. Penn State makes that even).

Completely agree. There is a roadmap for who comes in at 5 minutes, how many minutes everybody gets, who comes in for whom, etc. It's totally robotic. It tends to go away in the second half.

I am thinking/hoping that in some of these games they just don't think it will be a problem to win so they are giving guys some burn. But yes it is way too mechanical.

Also a +1 for Logen's post on Harrison in this game. Agree it may have been the best game I've seen him play in terms of not forcing his shot, playing as a member of the team, being supportive of his teammates, being unselfish. Hope it keeps up, especially late in the game in a close game that means something.

 

[logen]

Not the most impressive win out there......but an ugly win is better than a pretty loss any day!!

I wouldn't call this an ugly win. The guys played well overall with the exception of Branch making the double blunder to close the first half. Dom played extraordinary. Dlo played well. Sampson played well. Sanchez was out of it a lot but had some nice moments and the offense looked a lot better when he was on the floor. Green played well and even had a nice assist. Strategy was pretty effective and for the most part executed well. While they got tempted to rely on the jumpshot they shook it off several times to get the offense going through Sampson.

If Youngstown St had a little more muscle in the frontcourt they'd be a very good team.

We got a break because their best low post player was a DNP, game time decision.

and they got a break because one of our best guards was a DNP...

Yeah but we got Balamou to replace him, according to Marillac thesecond coming. I'm just kidding; your point is well taken.

 

[Class of 72]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

as always your Lavin back handed insults piss me off but I just don't have the will to engage u in debate so u win before we even get started. Congrats!

There was nothing backhanded about it. Villanova has no business being a top 10 team with its roster! Even a blind man can see it comes down to preparation and game coaching. I would expect a close game. Not sure what you expect.

 

[paultzman]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

as always your Lavin back handed insults piss me off but I just don't have the will to engage u in debate so u win before we even get started. Congrats!

There was nothing backhanded about it. Villanova has no business being a top 10 team with its roster! Even a blind man can see it comes down to preparation and game coaching. I would expect a close game. Not sure what you expect.

Must say Nova's overall "guards first" mentality has been clear and game prep consistent. Wright is a respected strategist.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

as always your Lavin back handed insults piss me off but I just don't have the will to engage u in debate so u win before we even get started. Congrats!

There was nothing backhanded about it. Villanova has no business being a top 10 team with its roster! Even a blind man can see it comes down to preparation and game coaching. I would expect a close game. Not sure what you expect.

Whats wrong with novas roster? Their core four are as good as any in the country. I am not surpised in the least bit about their success so far. Said so during the summer that they would be a top 3 team in the league.

 

[ccnobz]

Huge game for Nova Sat- @ Cuse.

 

[Class of 72]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

as always your Lavin back handed insults piss me off but I just don't have the will to engage u in debate so u win before we even get started. Congrats!

There was nothing backhanded about it. Villanova has no business being a top 10 team with its roster! Even a blind man can see it comes down to preparation and game coaching. I would expect a close game. Not sure what you expect.

Whats wrong with novas roster? Their core four are as good as any in the country. I am not surpised in the least bit about their success so far. Said so during the summer that they would be a top 3 team in the league.

I am a big Jay Wright fan. Wished we had inked him when he was at Hofstra!!! History would have changed for SJU basketball. There is nothing wrong with the Nova roster however, with great credit to Jay, he has taken bottom top 50 players and molded them into a very cohesive unit. He has taken players almost exclusively from the Philly Tri-State region and is ranked 8th nationally.
That said, at #8 they are over-ranked over teams with much better overall talent. One example is Duke. That they beat Kansas and are undefeated are the only two variables that contribute to that ranking......and great game preparation and game coaching. They were picked 4th in the pre-season Big East and SJ was picked 5th. Since Gtown and Marquette have disappointed thus far Nova is arguably the best we have in the Big East to date.
My comments were meant as a compliment to Jay Wright.

 

[beast of the east]

Solid win to get to 8-3. We should beat Columbia next Saturday to get to 9-3 before conference play starts New Year's Eve (@Xavier). 2 of our 3 losses were close games to two undefeated teams ranked in the top five. Only "bad" lose was an OT loss to a team in a major conference. I'm happy with where we are right now.

Dont be happy, you shouldnt settle for this record. We definitely should be 9-2 right now and I really think we had the Cuse came too and should be 10-1. I dont think we win the Wisconsin game because we werent ready for it and we were really outplayed in that game. We need to do well, make that very well in conference play to get a bid to the big dance. Beating Nova will be a must.

Jay Wright is exactly where he belongs. He was an assistant to Rollie Massimino during their miracle year, and as a Bucknell graduate, is a Pennsylvania guy. That being said, there isn't another coach in college basketball who I'd prefer to be on our bench. He is the real deal as a person, and is the ultimate ambassador for VIllanova, loved by fans, administration, and especially students. It's hard to hate Nova when there is sucha great guy running their program.


Like the nova match up.
can see a sweep.

On paper we should win but it will come down to game prep and coaching so it could be a toss up.

as always your Lavin back handed insults piss me off but I just don't have the will to engage u in debate so u win before we even get started. Congrats!

There was nothing backhanded about it. Villanova has no business being a top 10 team with its roster! Even a blind man can see it comes down to preparation and game coaching. I would expect a close game. Not sure what you expect.

Whats wrong with novas roster? Their core four are as good as any in the country. I am not surpised in the least bit about their success so far. Said so during the summer that they would be a top 3 team in the league.

I am a big Jay Wright fan. Wished we had inked him when he was at Hofstra!!! History would have changed for SJU basketball. There is nothing wrong with the Nova roster however, with great credit to Jay, he has taken bottom top 50 players and molded them into a very cohesive unit. He has taken players almost exclusively from the Philly Tri-State region and is ranked 8th nationally.
That said, at #8 they are over-ranked over teams with much better overall talent. One example is Duke. That they beat Kansas and are undefeated are the only two variables that contribute to that ranking......and great game preparation and game coaching. They were picked 4th in the pre-season Big East and SJ was picked 5th. Since Gtown and Marquette have disappointed thus far Nova is arguably the best we have in the Big East to date.
My comments were meant as a compliment to Jay Wright.

 

[tom in salem]

They are 8-5. No real big wins. But they have lost @ UMASS 85-69 and @ Pitt 91-73.

They can score averaging over 81 ppg ranked 31st in D1 and can pass dishing 17 dimes a game good for 20th in D1. Also they take good care of the ball only averaging 10 turnovers a game.

Oh and Larry Johnson Jr is on the team.

We are as good as UMASS and Pitt so this should not be a terribly difficult game if we play solid like last night.

We could be competitive with UMass and Pitt.

But it a stretch to say we are as good as them.

Personally, I think UMass would run us off the court if we played them today.

I don't think it's a stretch at all. I think we'd have more than a good chance of besting UMass. I think we'd beatPitt. Our offensive output is monstrous compared to them this year. Totally overrated team.

Have you seen UMass play this year? They have size, speed and athleticism. And their PG would kill us.

Pitt, I dunno. Overrated or not, they it's not like they didn't beat us last year didn't they.

Why are we acting like we beat quality teams this year? Our offensive output is sporadic.

I'm watching an extremely depleted PC team battle umass in O/T @ umass.