#77

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#77
« on: August 29, 2015, 11:20:34 AM »
http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/11861

St. John’s won the press conference by hiring former Red Storm great Chris Mullin. It is certainly a questionable hire since Coach Mullin has little coaching experience and winning games is much more important than getting some good press in the offseason. But we will reserve judgement for now. On a team that returns no players who averaged over ten minutes per game last year, the judgement could come pretty quickly though. Even in the best case scenario, this is a team that will take a significant step back from a team that went to the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

2014-15 Record: 21-12, 10-8
2014-15 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Chris Mullin
Coach Record: 0-0 at St. John’s, 0-0 overall

Who’s Out:
The Red Storm basically went six deep last year and all six of those guys are gone. D’Angelo Harrison was the leader on the floor, averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Harris was joined in the backcourt by Rysheed Jordan and Phil Greene. Jordan averaged 14.1 points, while Greene added 13.0. All three of those perimeter players were dangerous scorers from everywhere on the floor. Point guard Jamal Branch added much of the depth on the perimeter and even earned 14 starts during his senior season. The losses in the frontcourt are Sir’Dominic Pointer and Chris Obekpa. Pointer was a beast in the paint, averaging 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Obekpa was more of a defensive specialist, averaging 7.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks. Myles Stewart, Christian Jones, Joey De La Rosa, David Lipscomb and Khadim Ndiaye, who all averaged fewer than seven minutes per game, are also gone.

Who’s In:
So the cupboard is bare and Coach Mullin had to go out and get some experienced players to field a competitive team. Durand Johnson is a great place to start. The 6-6 graduate transfer missed last season, but he was a decent scorer for the Panthers before an ACL injury. Ron Mvouika is another grad transfer and another 6-6 wing. Two years ago, before an injury drastically shortened his 2014-2015 season, Mvouika averaged 6.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He has the size to shoot over defenders and enough speed and strength to attack the basket. He may not take the Big East by storm, but he can give Coach Mullins 20 or more solid minutes per game. Darien Williams, a junior college transfer, is the only other player with collegiate experience among the eight eligible newcomers. Darien Williams is in the mold of Johnson and Mvouika, and Coach Mullin for that matter; a big wing that can shoot. At 6-8 and 210 pounds, he is a tough matchup. The five incoming freshmen are Marcus LoVett, Kassoum Yakwe, Yankuba Sima, Federico Mussini and Malik Ellison. LoVett is the one to watch. The 6-0 point guard will likely step right into a starting role and not only dictate the team’s play on the floor with the ball in his hands, but also be asked to do quite a bit of scoring. Malik Ellison will add some depth on the perimeter. Kassoum Yakwe and Yankuba Sima will have to make a pretty big impact in the frontcourt. Yakwe appears more ready to make an impact right away, but Sima has the size (6-11, 215 pounds) that this team needs.

Who to Watch:
The only two returning players are Amar Alibegovic and Felix Balamou. Alibegovic, a 6-9, 230 pound sophomore, is another big guy who can shoot. Last year he averaged 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game. Balamou, a senior guard, averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game. Alibegovic has the potential to be an important role player in the frontcourt and, if the freshmen are not ready, he will need to be more than that.

Final Projection:
St. John’s will have some buzz heading into the season because of their coach, but all of that could come crashing down fast. The early season could be a mess while Coach Mullin and company attempt to figure out exactly what they have. However, a month or two into the season, the Red Storm should start seeing better results. There really is some talent on this roster. Much of that talent has been under the radar due to injuries, but if they can stay healthy, this is a team that can compete in the Big East on a somewhat regular basis in 2015-2016. The ceiling may be the NIT, but that would be a great start for Coach Mullin and the young Red Storm.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT

Projected Starting Five:
Marcus LoVett, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Durand Johnson, Senior, Guard, DNP last season
Ron Mvouika, Senior, Guard, DNP last season
Darien Williams, Sophomore, Forward, DNP last season
Kassoum Yakwe, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.0 (80th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.9 (209, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.2 (120, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.7 (75, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (213, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.8 (152, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.1 (175, 7)
Rebound Margin: -3.8 (306, 8)
Assists Per Game: 12.4 (184, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.7 (28, 2)

Madness 2015 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#85 Marcus LoVett
#114 Malik Ellison

Re: #77
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2015, 11:43:52 AM »
Thanks, pretty good little write up. No mention of Christian Jones (not that I'm shocked), and I think Sima is going to start whether Yawke suits up this year or not.

Little surprised to see him project Mvouika starting but I have to say I'm a little intrigued by him. I know it was just a short highlight video but he looked like he had some game before the injury in a pretty decent league. Saw some real flashes there and his signing kind of came out of nowhere, just have a feeling he might be a pleasant surprise.

I thought the starting lineup would look more like this...

PG: Lovett (hopefully)
SG: Mussini
SF: Durand Johnson
PF: Darien Williams
C: Sima

Mussini can spell Lovett at the point and we mix in Ellison, Mvouika and Felix at the 2/3. Assuming we don't have Yakwe, Amar is the main 4/5 backup. Not ideal but going to have to do for this year it looks like. Not expecting anything from Jones, if he can give us anything great, but not holding my breath.

Re: #77
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2015, 11:55:05 AM »
Jones is gone???
« Last Edit: August 29, 2015, 11:55:53 AM by Section 9 »

Re: #77
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2015, 12:21:41 PM »
Thanks, pretty good little write up. No mention of Christian Jones (not that I'm shocked), and I think Sima is going to start whether Yawke suits up this year or not.

Little surprised to see him project Mvouika starting but I have to say I'm a little intrigued by him. I know it was just a short highlight video but he looked like he had some game before the injury in a pretty decent league. Saw some real flashes there and his signing kind of came out of nowhere, just have a feeling he might be a pleasant surprise.

I thought the starting lineup would look more like this...

PG: Lovett (hopefully)
SG: Mussini
SF: Durand Johnson
PF: Darien Williams
C: Sima

Mussini can spell Lovett at the point and we mix in Ellison, Mvouika and Felix at the 2/3. Assuming we don't have Yakwe, Amar is the main 4/5 backup. Not ideal but going to have to do for this year it looks like. Not expecting anything from Jones, if he can give us anything great, but not holding my breath.

Agree on Sima, I think he starts no matter what.  Starting freshmen backcourt might not be ideal

cjfish

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Re: #77
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2015, 07:37:13 PM »
There should be no expectations beyond developing this inexperienced bunch.  They may surprise a bit because Mullin's recruits are decent and already he has more depth than the 2014-15 team.  Disgraceful the way Lavin left an empty cupboard.. NIT would be great.  Key to this year PG play of Lovett and Mussini....if they play well and unselfishly the team may be reasonable, even with the lack of experience

Re: #77
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2015, 02:38:02 PM »
From what I understand both Williams and Johnson have handle.We'll need them to help break a press, or a stifling half court defense. Freshmen point guards are not usually in the recipe for winning seasons.

Exciting to see Marcus on campus and with the good housekeeping seal from the ncaa.

paultzman

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Re: #77
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2015, 02:42:30 PM »
From what I understand both Williams and Johnson have handle.We'll need them to help break a press, or a stifling half court defense. Freshmen point guards are not usually in the recipe for winning seasons.

Exciting to see Marcus on campus and with the good housekeeping seal from the ncaa.
Expect he will, but not cleared yet.

Re: #77
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2015, 04:32:39 PM »
Thanks, pretty good little write up. No mention of Christian Jones (not that I'm shocked), and I think Sima is going to start whether Yawke suits up this year or not.

Little surprised to see him project Mvouika starting but I have to say I'm a little intrigued by him. I know it was just a short highlight video but he looked like he had some game before the injury in a pretty decent league. Saw some real flashes there and his signing kind of came out of nowhere, just have a feeling he might be a pleasant surprise.

I thought the starting lineup would look more like this...

PG: Lovett (hopefully)
SG: Mussini
SF: Durand Johnson
PF: Darien Williams
C: Sima

Mussini can spell Lovett at the point and we mix in Ellison, Mvouika and Felix at the 2/3. Assuming we don't have Yakwe, Amar is the main 4/5 backup. Not ideal but going to have to do for this year it looks like. Not expecting anything from Jones, if he can give us anything great, but not holding my breath.

Agree on Sima, I think he starts no matter what.  Starting freshmen backcourt might not be ideal

That's my exact starting also. True, you never want a freshmen backcourt, but who else do we have? If  only we had Rysheed, but we don't.

No doubt we'll have growing pain. Hopefully the kids mature fast.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJrMkkwsbrY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmsekDsAtsI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJUWt4iRGp0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8opxWw2oqU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8opxWw2oqU

Lovett shake and bake, Mussina pop the 3, Sima and Williams guard the middle, and Durand do his thing.

lihoop

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Re: #77
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2015, 06:48:42 PM »
Here is what it should be given everyone is eligible:

Marcus LoVett
Durand Johnson
Ron Mvouika
Darien Williams
Sima

Re: #77
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2015, 08:09:07 PM »
Early prediction I'd say that Lovett, Johnson, and Williams are probably only solidified starters.

I could see them playing Johnson and Williams at 4/5 going undersized.

While I think Mvouika is probably most starter ready I could see eventually giving more time to Mussini and Ellison.
Follow Johnny Jungle on Twitter at @Johnny_Jungle

Re: #77
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2015, 10:07:49 PM »
Next week Mr. Mullin will  begin to make the necessary decisions as to who will play where and when!