Thoughts: Sir’Dom went for 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and a blocked shot. Looks like Sir’Dom isn’t skipping a beat in the D-League. He attempted 2 threes (missed both) which might be something he’s working on to get the call up to the Cavs. Keep balling Dom!
Johnson, Mvouika step up in win against UMBC
So far, so good for Chris Mullin’s squad.
The Red Storm defeated the UMBC Retrievers 75-53. Federico Mussini led the way for second straight game with 18 points and 6 assists. Seniors Durand Johnson and Rob Mvouika combined for 31 points fueling St. John’s in the 2nd half.
UMBC played as expected with their lead guards getting into the lane and their shooters set up around the perimeter. Their cold start helped St. John’s play with a lead for the entire game. UMBC started to heat up in the second half but Durand Johnson was hotter. The retrievers cut the deficit to two points but Johnson went on a tear scoring 9 straight points for the Johnnies. Mvouika poured it on late to seal the deal.
Game Notes
Positives:
- The guys came ready to play and jumped out to an early lead.
- Mullin took Ellison and Jones out early and put in Mvouika and Williams. Good adjustment.
- Mussini got into the lane and converted tough layups.
- Williams nailed the three as soon as he came in.
- Alibegovic played positive minutes for 2nd straight game.
- Mullin has had productive timeouts. Team comes out of the huddle prepared.
- Mussini scored on hesitation dribble play out of the timeout to end the half.
- Sima was a force blocking shots. Team blocked 11.
- Durand Johnson stepped up huge in the 2nd half when the team needed him most.
- The Federico Iverson crossover.
- Mussini had 3 key defensive stops in the 2nd half two of which were in the paint on help defense.
- In transition Mussini pump fake, no look pass to Mvouika for three to cap 15-6 run.
- Mvouika was extremely clutch shooting 6-7 floor, 4-4 from three.
- Christian Jones played with great energy. Took a fantastic charge which led to tech.
- Durand Johnson finishing everything at the rim.
- Mullin switching up the defenses coming out of timeouts keeping UMBC off balance.
- The team playing well together as a unit. Ball movement is quick and decision making is decisive.
- Closed out the game very strong. This is a good trend.
- Mullin sipping Perrier.
- Yakwe end of bench celebrations.
Negatives:
- Team gave up way too many open looks from three. Better teams will cash in.
- Sima had 4 fouls and didn’t register 20 minutes of playing time.
- Ellison still struggling scoring the ball.
- 18 team turnovers.
- Team fell into trigger happy trap from three late in first half.
- Allowed 17 offensive rebounds to a poor rebounding team.
- Only a +3 rebounding margin.
- Empty seats in the arena. Need better attendance next game.
Overall
The team continues to show potential and the future is bright in Queens. There are good building blocks (Mussini, Sima, Ellison, and Williams) and solid stopgaps (Johnson, Mvouika) that will be fun to watch all season long. The team continued to surprise shooting the ball from deep but I’m still under the belief they can’t fall in love with the three ball. Next: Beat Rutgers
Game Preview: St. John’s takes on UMBC
The undefeated Red Storm (1-0) faces off against the Retrievers, University of Maryland Baltimore County (0-1) at Carnesecca Arena tonight. This is the opening on campus game of the Maui Invitational Tournament.
UMBC showed in their first game of the season they can shoot the basketball. Three of their starters had more than 5 attempts from beyond the arc. Overall as a team they shot 9-25 from deep and will certainly look to do the same against the Red Storm.
This contrasts completely from what the Red Storm encountered in their opener against Wagner. Wagner was very anemic offensively but challenged defensively and on the boards. The Retrievers had a -23 rebounding margin against Wake Forest, but their shooting kept them within two possessions. It will be another interesting test for Mullin’s squad.
Game Info:
Date: Monday, November 16th, 2015
Location: Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus
Time: 7:00 PM EST
TV: Fox Sports 1, FoxSports GO App
Radio: 970 WYNM
Key Match-up
Federico Mussini vs Jourdan Grant
Grant is a quick guard who likes to create havoc on both sides of the ball. He gave five star freshman Bryant Crawford all he could handle in the opener. Grant will look to get to the rim and while he is more pass first oriented he’ll also get to the line. Mussini has struggled defensively and this could be a real problem especially if he picks up a few cheap fouls early.
Keys to Victory
- Force tough shots, keep them out of the paint– It’s no secret UMBC will jack from anywhere so make every shot a difficult one. Guys will need to lock up their man and not fall into the trap of collapsing which will leave guys open on the perimeter. Keep your man in front and trust your rim protecters.
- Don’t play their game- If UMBC starts out the game cooking from three, St. John’s can’t try and match them. Get to the rim and assert your dominance athletically. While St. John’s shot really well from three in the opener it is a bit of fool’s gold.
- Go inside, early and often- UMBC does not have an answer for Yankuba Sima or Christian Jones. Get Sima the ball early inside and let him go to work. This will open up the perimeter game as well. Jones will be able to bully his way to the hoop if he can catch, pivot, and face up.
- Good things will happen when you rebound- When you play a team who likes to chuck there will be plenty of rebounding opportunities. There are two objectives: Stop second chance points and get into transition. Long shots will produce long rebounds so this is going to be a team effort.
Watch Sir’Dom Pointer make his debut in NBDL
St. John’s wins opener against Wagner
Chris Mullin laid the first brick of his new house tonight as St. John’s defeated Wagner 66-57 in the season opener. Federico Mussini led all scorers with 18 points going 4-6 from deep.
As expected St. John’s had some struggles early on with the ball pressure and Wagner attacking the offensive glass but the Red Storm battled. Coach Mullin made it a point of emphasis to his team that they needed to rebound.
Game Notes:
Positives:
- Malik Ellison came out gunning nailing two threes.
- Sima hook shot is really pretty. He is an offensive weapon.
- Mussini started to look for his own off the bounce.
- Mussini hesitation dribble and lefty scoop finish was magnifico.
- The Mussini three off the ball screen followed up by the pull-up was turning point in the game.
- Williams with a great on ball screen freeing up Mussini for three.
- Mullin addressed rebounding in first team huddle.
- Christian Jones is tough to stop when he faces up.
- Jones nailed a midrange shot from the elbow.
- Jones and Alibegovic combining for a blocked shot.
- Durand Johnson getting in the lane and to the line.
- Johnson making 7-8 free throws.
- Mvouika being the bully ball handler when the team needed it.
- Mullin identifying he needed Mvouika on the ball at times.
- Alibegovic played a solid 5 min. Pulled down important board and hit two free throw.
- Team shot 9-20 from three.
- Mullin didn’t get a technical for being way way way outside the coach’s box.
- Kassoum Yakwe and Tariq Owens with great bench mob moves.
Negatives:
- Ellison picked up two quick fouls in first half. Picked up his third in first min of 2nd half.
- Team allowed Wagner to get 15 offensive rebounds.
- Mussini getting caught with hand down at top of key to allow three.
- 8 turnovers in the first half.
- Durand Johnson struggling from the floor going 2-10.
- The team going through a stretch of chucking threes in 2nd half allowing Wagner to come back.
- Mussini shooting one from 40 ft with a fresh shot clock
- Darien Williams taking two shots both being threes.
- Losing the rebounding battle 42-38
- Going 15-25 from free throw stripe.
- Williams, Mvouika, and Alibegovic combining for 7 turnovers.
Overall
St. John’s took care of business at home and showed improvement from their exhibition games. Mussini silenced some doubters and opened the door back to his bandwagon. Sima is way better than I expected and Christian Jones contributing is a bonus. This team will have some ups and downs but they’ll be fun to watch.