6th Man of St. John's Basketball

St. John's Red Storm => In The Jungle... => Topic started by: paultzman on October 20, 2014, 03:50:35 PM

Title: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 20, 2014, 03:50:35 PM
This guy is a Fox writer and owes Marillac $. :)

@ReidForgrave: Watching @StJohnsRedStorm practice. New name will make big impact: Keith Thomas, who led jucos in rebounding last year. Big, tough, worker.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on October 20, 2014, 07:28:04 PM
This guy is a Fox writer and owes Marillac $. :)

@ReidForgrave: Watching @StJohnsRedStorm practice. New name will make big impact: Keith Thomas, who led jucos in rebounding last year. Big, tough, worker.

I love seeing posts like these.  Give him a hard hat and send him to work.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bigmaxnosauce on October 21, 2014, 12:10:24 PM
KT = Mitchell Foster
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Red2395 on October 21, 2014, 01:16:04 PM
We need him to rebound, play defense in the post and provide some scoring.
I am really high on what Keith brings to the team...
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Celtics11 on October 21, 2014, 01:21:57 PM
KT = Mitchell Foster
We are going to need more than that out of Thomas. I liked Foster but he was a 4 and 4 guy.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 21, 2014, 02:53:27 PM
KT = Mitchell Foster
We are going to need more than that out of Thomas. I liked Foster but he was a 4 and 4 guy.

Looks more like Grady Reynolds to me.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: mullin85berry86 on October 21, 2014, 04:42:31 PM
The next Charles Oakley?
Rebound, play hard defense, sacrifice his body (Charles dove out of bounds for loose balls), and when someone comes in the lane for a layup, put him on his ass.
Get a few buckets too.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on October 21, 2014, 07:54:55 PM
KT = Mitchell Foster
We are going to need more than that out of Thomas. I liked Foster but he was a 4 and 4 guy.

Looks more like Grady Reynolds to me.

I once rode to the Bronx Zoo with Grad Reynolds and Showtime in Showtime's SUV for an environmental biology class.  Weird ride.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Gray Chudney on October 21, 2014, 08:29:08 PM
He definitely is not in game shape right now but has a nose for the ball off misses.  I liked what I saw but not sure he can play big minutes right away given his conditioning.  Whitesell says seemed to indicate that he and Adonis would battle for minutes and that they might play small ball until the new bigs get up to speed.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on October 21, 2014, 08:41:03 PM
He definitely is not in game shape right now but has a nose for the ball off misses.  I liked what I saw but not sure he can play big minutes right away given his conditioning.  Whitesell says seemed to indicate that he and Adonis would battle for minutes and that they might play small ball until the new bigs get up to speed.

Howd did Jones and Amar look?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Gray Chudney on October 21, 2014, 08:47:01 PM
Jones had knee surgery a few weeks ago.  Lavin did not indicate when he would be back.

Amar looked like a rotation player to me.  He's about 6'9 and strong with a very smooth 3 point stroke.  He seems like the kind of kid who could make a big impact the second half of the season.  I liked what I saw - he is a big east level player
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Gray Chudney on October 21, 2014, 08:52:12 PM
Jones had knee surgery a few weeks ago.  Lavin did not indicate when he would be back.

Amar looked like a rotation player to me.  He's about 6'9 and strong with a very smooth 3 point stroke.  He seems like the kind of kid who could make a big impact the second half of the season.  I liked what I saw - he is a big east level player

I will say that Whitesell did not cite him as a guy who would definitely be getting minutes.  My first impression was that he could play significant minutes at the 4 - especially if Jones is not in the rotation. 

If I had to guess, I'd say that we might start small early in the year - Obekpa, Pointer, Harrison, Greene, Jordan - then move Thomas and Amar into the mix as the season progresses.  Just my $0.02
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Redman#13 on October 22, 2014, 12:08:58 AM
this guy impressed me with his work ethic. He hustled up and down the floor every single time!!! He also had a knack to get his hands on every missed shot
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Moose on October 22, 2014, 12:16:18 AM
Love the time he couldn't get his hands on a rebound so volleyed it out towards mid court and we re-started the offense.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on October 22, 2014, 01:36:31 PM
He definitely is not in game shape right now but has a nose for the ball off misses.  I liked what I saw but not sure he can play big minutes right away given his conditioning.  Whitesell says seemed to indicate that he and Adonis would battle for minutes and that they might play small ball until the new bigs get up to speed.

Thomas needs some conditioning before he can play big minutes?   Interesting
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Ron Artesticles on October 22, 2014, 01:47:05 PM
He definitely is not in game shape right now but has a nose for the ball off misses.  I liked what I saw but not sure he can play big minutes right away given his conditioning.  Whitesell says seemed to indicate that he and Adonis would battle for minutes and that they might play small ball until the new bigs get up to speed.

Thomas needs some conditioning before he can play big minutes?   Interesting

Very interesting, considering how built he looks.

Gotta remember cardio Keith!
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 22, 2014, 05:21:18 PM
Jones had knee surgery a few weeks ago.  Lavin did not indicate when he would be back.

Amar looked like a rotation player to me.  He's about 6'9 and strong with a very smooth 3 point stroke.  He seems like the kind of kid who could make a big impact the second half of the season.  I liked what I saw - he is a big east level player

I will say that Whitesell did not cite him as a guy who would definitely be getting minutes.  My first impression was that he could play significant minutes at the 4 - especially if Jones is not in the rotation. 

If I had to guess, I'd say that we might start small early in the year - Obekpa, Pointer, Harrison, Greene, Jordan - then move Thomas and Amar into the mix as the season progresses.  Just my $0.02

Lavin mentioned Obekpa, Pointer, Harrison, Greene and Jordan as a line up that would press. I like it.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Gray Chudney on October 22, 2014, 05:41:40 PM
He definitely is not in game shape right now but has a nose for the ball off misses.  I liked what I saw but not sure he can play big minutes right away given his conditioning.  Whitesell says seemed to indicate that he and Adonis would battle for minutes and that they might play small ball until the new bigs get up to speed.
Thomas needs some conditioning before he can play big minutes?   Interesting
Just one practice/scrimmage, so who knows.  But he was noticeably slow in transition for a guy who was really active on the boards and was just as winded as Adonis was. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 22, 2014, 06:12:06 PM
He definitely is not in game shape right now but has a nose for the ball off misses.  I liked what I saw but not sure he can play big minutes right away given his conditioning.  Whitesell says seemed to indicate that he and Adonis would battle for minutes and that they might play small ball until the new bigs get up to speed.
Thomas needs some conditioning before he can play big minutes?   Interesting
Just one practice/scrimmage, so who knows.  But he was noticeably slow in transition for a guy who was really active on the boards and was just as winded as Adonis was. 

I hear ya. Lavin did say that this was first practice at the Garden, and that the new guys are getting acclimated to this level of basketball. Keith Thomas went from guarding the center on Monroe College and Laguardia to Chris Obekpa, a guy with 2 years of experience and more blocks than anyone in the history of our program.

I think he will definitely help us, but I also think it will take him some time before he's playing at a BE level. Those who compared him to Ty Grant are nuts. He's nothing like Ty. Much more like Ron Roberts. Grant would throw crazy up and unders and his footwork inside was great. Asking that of Thomas isn't fair.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Tiznow on October 22, 2014, 08:00:37 PM
If he plays as well as he presented himself during the fan interactions he will make first team BE.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bigmaxnosauce on October 23, 2014, 10:55:13 AM
Is he going to start or be a 6/7 man?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 25, 2014, 01:53:16 PM
Um, what?

Adam Zagoria
‏@AdamZagoria That WCC transcript story could have implications for Keith Thomas at St. John's & Gio McLean at Quinnipiac.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: apesNapes on October 25, 2014, 02:21:55 PM
Let's hope not

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/24/ncaa-basketball-scholarships-yanked-transcript-fraud-wcc-coach-fired/17864275/ (http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/24/ncaa-basketball-scholarships-yanked-transcript-fraud-wcc-coach-fired/17864275/)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohns86 on October 25, 2014, 02:23:53 PM
Thomas was not at WCC in 2012 when this occured.  Hopefully it was a one year thing and only for these 2 players. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: fordham96 on October 26, 2014, 08:52:54 PM
SJU Compliance is doing their due diligence on this but just to make sure there is nothing to it not because they honestly think there is any implication with Thomas.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on October 26, 2014, 09:24:33 PM
SJU Compliance is doing their due diligence on this but just to make sure there is nothing to it not because they honestly think there is any implication with Thomas.

Yea, think well be fine.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 26, 2014, 11:09:04 PM
SJU Compliance is doing their due diligence on this but just to make sure there is nothing to it not because they honestly think there is any implication with Thomas.

That's actually pretty terrifying. Could this really happen again with our compliance team?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: fordham96 on October 27, 2014, 12:00:44 PM
SJU Compliance is doing their due diligence on this but just to make sure there is nothing to it not because they honestly think there is any implication with Thomas.

That's actually pretty terrifying. Could this really happen again with our compliance team?

That’s not what I meant.  Remember the NCAA Eligibility Center cleared him and as you know they do exhaustive research.  So if something is wrong they screwed up as well.

I don’t believe anything is wrong all I meant was that SJU is going back just to make sure there is nothing wrong.  As they should.

Also they are recruiting Montero and they want to make sure everything is 100% clean with that as well.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 27, 2014, 12:29:54 PM
SJU Compliance is doing their due diligence on this but just to make sure there is nothing to it not because they honestly think there is any implication with Thomas.

That's actually pretty terrifying. Could this really happen again with our compliance team?

That’s not what I meant.  Remember the NCAA Eligibility Center cleared him and as you know they do exhaustive research.  So if something is wrong they screwed up as well.

I don’t believe anything is wrong all I meant was that SJU is going back just to make sure there is nothing wrong.  As they should.

Also they are recruiting Montero and they want to make sure everything is 100% clean with that as well.

Told Thomas is fine & agree with your comments about SJU due diligence.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 11:38:40 AM
Latest;

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/27/wcc-widens-athlete-transcript-probe-fraud-charge/18033809/ (http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/27/wcc-widens-athlete-transcript-probe-fraud-charge/18033809/)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 11:49:51 AM
As some have noted;

@AdamZagoria: St. John's believes Keith Thomas's transcript is OK but I'm told they are looking into it.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Celtics11 on October 28, 2014, 11:57:10 AM
Latest;

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/27/wcc-widens-athlete-transcript-probe-fraud-charge/18033809/ (http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/27/wcc-widens-athlete-transcript-probe-fraud-charge/18033809/)
This is getting quite dicey when they deny a player even played for them and there is much direct evidence to the contrary.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 12:03:52 PM
Latest;

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/27/wcc-widens-athlete-transcript-probe-fraud-charge/18033809/ (http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/10/27/wcc-widens-athlete-transcript-probe-fraud-charge/18033809/)
This is getting quite dicey when they deny a player even played for them and there is much direct evidence to the contrary.
My money is on Cimmino. What a circus!
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: shaun1345 on October 28, 2014, 12:21:01 PM
His recent Instagram post would lead one to believe something may be going on. Not sure how to repost but he says something to the effect of "sorry to the people I've let down". Hoping for the best but it does not seem good at all
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bigmaxnosauce on October 28, 2014, 12:34:35 PM
Wondering if they could get closer to the season to have this issue.  What a joke...
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 12:37:48 PM
@RogRubin: Eligibility situation for St. John's Keith Thomas has grown murky and may prove an issue. NYDN:  http://t.co/coAgO3bEsI (http://t.co/coAgO3bEsI)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 12:49:00 PM
@NYPost_Brazille: Regarding Keith Thomas and Westchester CC issue, he has yet to be implicated in transcript mess. #sjubb

Hopefully this plays out well, always something.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 01:19:35 PM
@NYPost_Brazille: Westchester CC spokesperson on transcript tampering: "We believe it was an Isolated incident" #sjubb said investigation ongoing.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 28, 2014, 03:11:32 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on October 28, 2014, 04:00:08 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: loughlinguy on October 28, 2014, 04:11:32 PM
Daily News reporting he may have to sit out the season.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 28, 2014, 04:36:03 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Tha Kid on October 28, 2014, 04:40:08 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 28, 2014, 05:02:57 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: loughlinguy on October 28, 2014, 05:43:04 PM
Due diligence would not have discovered that an employee of WCC has fabricated official transcripts. Unless you think due diligence requires a school to ask for daily attendance sheets.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: yankcranker on October 28, 2014, 05:45:38 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?
\

If the cheating occurred internally you wouldn't see it with any level of due diligence unless you sent someone onto campus to audit and investigate every grade and class.  It's not a matter of inadequate grades or lack of core classwork.  That's something you can get on the compliance department for in the cases of the original recruiting class, though when the NCAA is providing approval and then backtracking who really knows what's acceptable and not anymore.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Tha Kid on October 28, 2014, 06:06:15 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Red2395 on October 28, 2014, 06:22:45 PM
Lets just let he process play out.

I am going to believe that Keith did not need his transcripts falsified.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on October 28, 2014, 06:38:19 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

If someone at SJU changed his transcript then yeah they should be fired. But if the kid was cleared by the NCAA and no one at SJU knew about the scandal at WCC not sure how you can blame them.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Moose on October 28, 2014, 06:40:38 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

If someone at SJU changed his transcript then yeah they should be fired. But if the kid was cleared by the NCAA and no one at SJU knew about the scandal at WCC not sure how you can blame them.

I'm with you.  I posted this before:


Someone can do a better job of explaining this than me but here is what I have a pretty good grasp on. In order to play college athletics you need to be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Keith Thomas was cleared. Therefore Lavin could extend schollie and accept it. I'd love to find ways to chalk this up to the other eligibility issues but this IF it turns out to be true is a case where the NCAA says yes Keith Thomas is ok and we admit him and plan to play him only for them to go back and look at his records after the fact.

SJU compliance isn't looking for forged transcripts. That falls on the NCAA and the Clearinghouse. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but pretty certain here.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohns86 on October 28, 2014, 06:46:34 PM
We need some good to happen, so I am going with the notion that he is fine and will be playing from game 1.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 28, 2014, 06:51:52 PM
We need some good to happen, so I am going with the notion that he is fine and will be playing from game 1.

I've seen this movie before.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Moose on October 28, 2014, 06:54:32 PM
We need some good to happen, so I am going with the notion that he is fine and will be playing from game 1.

I've seen this movie before.

Now that is true.
The black cloud on the corner of Union and Utopia just won't go away.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 28, 2014, 06:58:01 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: 0404 on October 28, 2014, 07:23:45 PM
Have to agree with Poison. This really is ridiculous.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: redslope on October 28, 2014, 08:07:56 PM
WCC is part of the State University of NY (SUNY) system.  It is not a "for profit" university that is giving college a bad name.  SJU Compliance department receives his official transcript from WCC and reviews it to see that it is official (seal of school/signed by registrars office) and notes that it indicates that he graduated.  End of story.  They have no way of knowing if there was any monkey business going on with respect to individual course work/grades at WCC as SJU compliance department is based in Queens-not on the campus of WCC.  Now that there are questions, the school is correct in holding him out until the NCAA completes its investigation.  Don't forget the NJCAA had no problems with WCC players and their eligibility last year.  If the organization that monitors WCC could find no issues, how can one expect this to be a fault of the SJU compliance group.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: fordham96 on October 28, 2014, 08:47:04 PM
The bigger problem maybe the burden of proof.  In other words depending on how the NCAA looks at this Keith maybe presumed GUILTY and have to prove his innocence.

The reason is the NCAA could say even though we don't have direct proof your transcripts were tampered with or doctored because of what WCC has already admitted to doing we place the burden of proof on Mr. Thomas and WCC to prove without a doubt the grades on his transcripts were legit.

That could be the real result of what happened.  That everything at that school is looked at with suspicion.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 28, 2014, 10:06:13 PM
@NYPost_Brazille: There are eligibility concerns for Keith Thomas, St. John's big addition http://t.co/uL2uUYyHbH (http://t.co/uL2uUYyHbH) via @nypost #sjubb
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: TONYD3 on October 28, 2014, 11:09:22 PM
We are not cursed this is the norm.  We are bringing in a bunch of new players next year. Their will be issues with at-least half of them.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bball purist on October 29, 2014, 12:12:21 AM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Regarding the "record" c'mon Poison - we know it wasn't a huge infraction at all. Don't throw that in for effect....
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 29, 2014, 01:16:27 AM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Regarding the "record" c'mon Poison - we know it wasn't a huge infraction at all. Don't throw that in for effect....

Regardless of how any of us feel about St.John's and their role in this, if Thomas' degree from WCC is forged, then clearly he knows it's forged. If he's innocent, why wouldn't he be defending his name? He's 23. That's an adult. But he's mum. That says a lot to me.

If there is a spark with this program, it always becomes a fire.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohns86 on October 29, 2014, 01:27:19 AM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Regarding the "record" c'mon Poison - we know it wasn't a huge infraction at all. Don't throw that in for effect....

Regardless of how any of us feel about St.John's and their role in this, if Thomas' degree from WCC is forged, then clearly he knows it's forged. If he's innocent, why wouldn't he be defending his name? He's 23. That's an adult. But he's mum. That says a lot to me.

If there is a spark with this program, it always becomes a fire.


I think there might be 2 reasons for this.  One, he may have been told by St. John's not to say anything until after they finish their investigation.  Srcondly, his name has only come up as speculation.  His transcript has not yet been identified as one that was tampered with.  So to me why would you defend yourself for something you have not been accused of.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: nudginator59 on October 29, 2014, 01:29:53 AM
Hopefully this is just an isolated incident, but if it is not this is another ball eye for the program. It doesn't matter if SJU and Lavin had nothing to do with it. Lavin was hired to rebuild a dormant program and he has had very mixed results this far, with a lot of player issue or potential issues...We almost lost CO as well, untill he decided he did not want to sit out the season.

Questions will arise again on Student eligibility issues, why didn't Lavin recruit more front court help, why did Lavin go after somebody with a questionable past? Where is his back up plan?

These are the what if questions if Thomas is ruled inelgiable.

Missing the tournament last year hurt not only the school but the BE. There was another hit piece on ESPN (few days ago) about the lackluster BE... SJU is not only fighting for relevance again but for the legitimacy of the BE.  It does get tiring to constantly have to worry about athlete issues year in and year out, with little to show for it on the court...Hopefully this is nothing, but I am damn tired of saying hopefully with SJU BB.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on October 29, 2014, 07:30:08 AM
A couple of things that I don't understand about this story:

1) How does an assistant coach even have the opportunity to forge a transcript?  Transcript requests go straight to the registrars office, are filled there, and sent directly to the new school. Transcripts never cross the coaches' desks, if they did half of the athletes in the NCAA would have fraudulent documents.

2) I agree that this was largely beyond the purview of SJU's compliance office.  But the allegations against the famu players is that they took only 1 class and their transcripts said they earned a full degree.   That's not a slightly altered document, that's essentially never taking any classes.
If something like that occurred, it begs the question: how do you recruit a player for 6 months or longer, visit him repeatedly, speak to the people around him, his coaches and family, and not know that the guy isn't taking any classes??   Not having any credits is very very different than being a class or two short of the eligibility requirements.

Right now the Florida atlantic staff looks like fools for this reason.  Hopefully Keith is a more honest student, and he's just being looked into because of his association with wcc.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 29, 2014, 08:06:57 AM
In all seriousness how dumb must you be to need to cheat at WCC?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 29, 2014, 08:10:01 AM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Regarding the "record" c'mon Poison - we know it wasn't a huge infraction at all. Don't throw that in for effect....

Regardless of how any of us feel about St.John's and their role in this, if Thomas' degree from WCC is forged, then clearly he knows it's forged. If he's innocent, why wouldn't he be defending his name? He's 23. That's an adult. But he's mum. That says a lot to me.

If there is a spark with this program, it always becomes a fire.


I think there might be 2 reasons for this.  One, he may have been told by St. John's not to say anything until after they finish their investigation.  Srcondly, his name has only come up as speculation.  His transcript has not yet been identified as one that was tampered with.  So to me why would you defend yourself for something you have not been accused of.

I'm no lawyer, but if you're innocent you have no reason to be quiet. This is a pretty bad example of a lesson well learned. So much for second chances.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on October 29, 2014, 10:01:40 AM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Regarding the "record" c'mon Poison - we know it wasn't a huge infraction at all. Don't throw that in for effect....

Regardless of how any of us feel about St.John's and their role in this, if Thomas' degree from WCC is forged, then clearly he knows it's forged. If he's innocent, why wouldn't he be defending his name? He's 23. That's an adult. But he's mum. That says a lot to me.

If there is a spark with this program, it always becomes a fire.


I think there might be 2 reasons for this.  One, he may have been told by St. John's not to say anything until after they finish their investigation.  Srcondly, his name has only come up as speculation.  His transcript has not yet been identified as one that was tampered with.  So to me why would you defend yourself for something you have not been accused of.

I'm no lawyer, but if you're innocent you have no reason to be quiet. This is a pretty bad example of a lesson well learned. So much for second chances.

Can we just wait a second Poison, there hasnt been a decision made on Keith yet.  When there is one, then go ahead and be pissed or happy. No sense in belittling a kid before we even know weather or not hes done something wrong.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bigmaxnosauce on October 29, 2014, 10:05:53 AM
Fire Norm!
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: TRabinowitz on October 29, 2014, 10:44:38 AM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?


Not sure if you can pin this on compliance or not, but coaching staffs who were recruiting or thinking of recruiting Thomas in the spring knew the kid was a roll of the dice in terms of whether he would qualify academically or not.  While SJU likely had no clue of the transcript fraud, Thomas has been a bit of a question mark since schools started going after him.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Johnnies91 on October 29, 2014, 02:08:47 PM
Was just informed by a VERY reliable source inside the program that his transcript was tampered with and he is in fact ineligible to play this season. This team's chances just took a very big hit. I really feel bad for the seniors they don't deserve this.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 29, 2014, 02:10:23 PM
@AdamZagoria: Keith Thomas ruled academically ineligible at St. John's. Story coming.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: derk on October 29, 2014, 02:24:21 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

Isn't it their job to stay on top of things like this. The idea is to get ahead of these things before they get dumped in your lap at the last minute.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: derk on October 29, 2014, 02:27:39 PM
You've got to be freaking kidding me. This kind of thing never ends with this school. No wonder Monasch didn't allow any questions at the under armour event last night
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on October 29, 2014, 02:27:55 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can't put 100% of the blame on St.John's in this case. Especially seeing that this is the 5th recruit that this staff hasn't followed through on. What is wrong with them? Are they lazy, careless or just incompetent?

You really are thick.  This is totally different than the other situations - how would SJU ever know about an internal WCC scandal?  It'd be like if we took a transfer from UNC who is now ineligible bc of the "paper" classes.  Would that be our fault too?

Let me get this straight, you're saying that due diligence isn't possible?

You may be hopeless.  You seem like a smart guy.  Tell me, how would due diligence have uncovered that a WCC employee was falsifying transcripts?  But yeah, you're right, St. John's should have sensed by osmosis or ESP that Keith's grades may have been falsified, right?

I may be hopeless, but not because of this. It seems to me that if you're bringing in a 23 year old junior with a record, that you'd be really f'n careful. Is this not why we have a compliance department or team?
Regarding the "record" c'mon Poison - we know it wasn't a huge infraction at all. Don't throw that in for effect....

Regardless of how any of us feel about St.John's and their role in this, if Thomas' degree from WCC is forged, then clearly he knows it's forged. If he's innocent, why wouldn't he be defending his name? He's 23. That's an adult. But he's mum. That says a lot to me.

If there is a spark with this program, it always becomes a fire.


I think there might be 2 reasons for this.  One, he may have been told by St. John's not to say anything until after they finish their investigation.  Srcondly, his name has only come up as speculation.  His transcript has not yet been identified as one that was tampered with.  So to me why would you defend yourself for something you have not been accused of.

I'm no lawyer, but if you're innocent you have no reason to be quiet. This is a pretty bad example of a lesson well learned. So much for second chances.

Can we just wait a second Poison, there hasnt been a decision made on Keith yet.  When there is one, then go ahead and be pissed or happy. No sense in belittling a kid before we even know weather or not hes done something wrong.

Please proceed..
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on October 29, 2014, 02:29:09 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

Isn't it their job to stay on top of things like this. The idea is to get ahead of these things before they get dumped in your lap at the last minute.

So you think a staff of one person, maybe two should travel to every school of every recruit to make sure kids are going to school, and assistant coaches aren't messing with transcripts?

Now if this happened on SJU's campus I would agree with you.

To me only the students and coaches involved in the scandal should be blamed. Maybe I'm way off though.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohns86 on October 29, 2014, 02:34:05 PM
Does this affect recruiting?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: apesNapes on October 29, 2014, 02:35:47 PM
I guess we'll see a lot of dom at the 4.  That might actually be good for him on offense.  On defense he'll be giving up size, but he's pretty tenacious, even if he has a weak hook. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on October 29, 2014, 02:37:18 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

Isn't it their job to stay on top of things like this. The idea is to get ahead of these things before they get dumped in your lap at the last minute.

So you think a staff of one person, maybe two should travel to every school of every recruit to make sure kids are going to school, and assistant coaches aren't messing with transcripts?

Now if this happened on SJU's campus I would agree with you.

To me only the students and coaches involved in the scandal should be blamed. Maybe I'm way off though.

There is a difference between changing a few grades on a transcript and making up that the kid went to the school at all.
This case all started because Jarnell Walker took 1 class at WCC and the asst coach made up a full transcript saying he graduated with an associates degree.
If you recruit a kid for a year, visit him multiple times, speak to all the people around him,  then yea, you should know if he's going to school at all.
That's not asking too much.    So, if that's what happened with Keith too, then absolutely the staff needs to be held accountable.
But if there were more minor changes to his transcript, and it got through the clearinghouse, then I can't blame the SJU coaches or compliance.  There's no way they would know about specific grades for 1 or 2 classes.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: derk on October 29, 2014, 02:50:11 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

Isn't it their job to stay on top of things like this. The idea is to get ahead of these things before they get dumped in your lap at the last minute.

So you think a staff of one person, maybe two should travel to every school of every recruit to make sure kids are going to school, and assistant coaches aren't messing with transcripts?

Now if this happened on SJU's campus I would agree with you.

To me only the students and coaches involved in the scandal should be blamed. Maybe I'm way off though.

There were rumors about this kid. As we got closer to offering we had to lock down any uncertainties that might have existed. He was a troubled kid in many ways. Assistant coaches should have enough contacts to be able to ward off this kind of thing. I'm not talking about knowing the life story of some kid from Montana, but Westchester ? Come on. Bad job.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: 96 Schermerhorn Street on October 29, 2014, 02:52:28 PM
So If Thomas has not earned aa AA he falls into the category of a non qualifer which would require him  having to sit out a year. But if he was able to earn a bachelors degree in his second year at SJU he could recover that lost year.

A problem here is it would appear that if you miss a year here you automaticly become a potentail super star

Based upon what happened with the two transfers from Monroe a couple of years  ago there was a need to be alert
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on October 29, 2014, 02:56:45 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

Isn't it their job to stay on top of things like this. The idea is to get ahead of these things before they get dumped in your lap at the last minute.

So you think a staff of one person, maybe two should travel to every school of every recruit to make sure kids are going to school, and assistant coaches aren't messing with transcripts?

Now if this happened on SJU's campus I would agree with you.

To me only the students and coaches involved in the scandal should be blamed. Maybe I'm way off though.

There is a difference between changing a few grades on a transcript and making up that the kid went to the school at all.
This case all started because Jarnell Walker took 1 class at WCC and the asst coach made up a full transcript saying he graduated with an associates degree.
If you recruit a kid for a year, visit him multiple times, speak to all the people around him,  then yea, you should know if he's going to school at all.
That's not asking too much.    So, if that's what happened with Keith too, then absolutely the staff needs to be held accountable.
But if there were more minor changes to his transcript, and it got through the clearinghouse, then I can't blame the SJU coaches or compliance.  There's no way they would know about specific grades for 1 or 2 classes.

If I was going to do something this shady I wouldn't go around telling my friends and/or family.

I also doubt that even if my family and friends knew they wouldn't tell the coaching staff not to recruit me because I didn't go to class.

It only took 18 years for the scadal at UNC to come to light.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on October 29, 2014, 03:01:28 PM
If he isn't eligible to play this season, would St.John's consider firing their compliance team?

How would SJU compliance even know about this? I believe the NCAA clearinghouse cleared Thomas to play.

Isn't it their job to stay on top of things like this. The idea is to get ahead of these things before they get dumped in your lap at the last minute.

So you think a staff of one person, maybe two should travel to every school of every recruit to make sure kids are going to school, and assistant coaches aren't messing with transcripts?

Now if this happened on SJU's campus I would agree with you.

To me only the students and coaches involved in the scandal should be blamed. Maybe I'm way off though.

There were rumors about this kid. As we got closer to offering we had to lock down any uncertainties that might have existed. He was a troubled kid in many ways. Assistant coaches should have enough contacts to be able to ward off this kind of thing. I'm not talking about knowing the life story of some kid from Montana, but Westchester ? Come on. Bad job.

Fair enough. A kid in Westchester should be looked into way more than a kid from Montana.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Ron Artesticles on October 29, 2014, 03:15:09 PM
I used to get super pissed off about this stuff, and it would ruin my day. Today not so much, 1 of 2 things is happening

1. I'm so desensitized to bad news that I just roll with the punches
2. I got married in the last year, and bought a house, and got a puppy, and maybe my priorities have shifted a bit.

Still pretty #$%^ing lame though.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: LoganK on October 29, 2014, 03:26:00 PM
@AdamZagoria: Keith Thomas ruled academically ineligible at St. John's. Story coming.

Well this sucks...
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 29, 2014, 03:35:23 PM
@NYPost_Brazille: Keith Thomas ruled ineligible. Huge blow to #sjubb hopes this year http://t.co/dfvCdp9EnO (http://t.co/dfvCdp9EnO)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Chilleb on October 29, 2014, 03:38:44 PM
Kiss briscoe goodbye
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Basketball Jones on October 29, 2014, 03:41:51 PM
You guys are #1 in the nation in kids leaving programs for whatever reasons. Now that's something you can be proud of !
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: mkras99 on October 29, 2014, 03:46:41 PM
Kiss briscoe goodbye

What does Thomas have to do with Briscoe?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: newyorker2586 on October 29, 2014, 03:50:40 PM
What a joke. Every F'n year something like this happens. Who ever is in charge of compliance at our school should be fired. They get caught with their pants down every year. Guys like Matt Ryan or a Spider Mitchell who would have no problem qualifying we do not give them a sniff. I am proud to be a Johnny but, I did not sit in class with geniuses. This school just about lets anyone in. If you cannot qualify at this school you have problems.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: boo3 on October 29, 2014, 03:57:44 PM
Comical.   

Saw something about Briscoe leaning Kentucky.  Why wouldn't he?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: derk on October 29, 2014, 04:01:32 PM
Kiss briscoe goodbye

What does Thomas have to do with Briscoe?

Hopefully nothing. But in a dog fight with the # 1and 2 programs in the country something like this could tip the balance. I think we're in a 3 way tie for this kid. His job is to find a reason to eliminate 2. Same as an interviewer who has 3 great candidates. It becomes eliminating 2 rather then picking 1.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bball purist on October 29, 2014, 04:42:23 PM
Comical.   

Saw something about Briscoe leaning Kentucky.  Why wouldn't he?
Not great news, but if it really matters to IB, it could be looked at as a positive if he thinks Thomas would be with him two years instead of one.


not to say he's even thinking about this, but not as big a deal as we might think.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 29, 2014, 04:52:48 PM
This transcript doctoring accusation at WCC has been festering for a year apparently;

@LeeHiggins: @zsmart3 NJCAA and WCC were tipped off to this more than a year ago: http://t.co/fpi6pG6OPS (http://t.co/fpi6pG6OPS)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: we are sju on October 29, 2014, 04:53:54 PM
We def lead the nation in ineligible recruits during the Lavin era. Obekpa better not get tired or get in foul trouble!
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: scoobydoo on October 29, 2014, 04:56:03 PM
I'm sorry, but I have not heard enough of the blame placed on Keith.  I don't want to hear any crap about handlers or this and that.  This is a grown man who knowingly let this happen and thought he could get away with it.  I hope we send him as far away as possible because this is a paper bag move.  It's one thing for a high school kid to have poor grades and try and squeak through but this guy is 23 years old.  Sure, the staff should have done some more research about the kid but unless they followed every waking move, how would they know he was giving a false transcript.  This wasn't a tough school for him to get through either.  If he was a few credits short and was honest from the beginning I'm sure he could have taken summer classes and taken the proper steps necessary.  This is a man who proceeded to try and take a short cut and got caught.

As a fan over the years, I've been ticked off and upset about a lot but to have this happen now really has me irate.  If I played on the team I would have had a hard time not beating his ass when this news came out.  Good Riddens!
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: 0404 on October 29, 2014, 05:08:04 PM
Worst front court in the country if Obekpa gets hurt or in foul trouble

Unreal.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: simplyred on October 29, 2014, 05:14:56 PM
I agree with Scooby about putting the blame on Thomas.  This looks likes these kids were knowingly involved in this deception.  I, too, am  having a hard time believing that an assistant coach was the ringleader.  People in the administrative offices had to have been involved.  The head coach has to take some responsibility for either knowing or for not adequately monitoring what is going on with his players.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Moon Mullen on October 29, 2014, 05:22:51 PM
How about refunds on season tickets, I've seen enough
bad basketball for my money over the last 20 years.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on October 29, 2014, 05:54:24 PM
Comical.   

Saw something about Briscoe leaning Kentucky.  Why wouldn't he?
Not great news, but if it really matters to IB, it could be looked at as a positive if he thinks Thomas would be with him two years instead of one.


not to say he's even thinking about this, but not as big a deal as we might think.


No way Thomas ever suits up for SJU if he knew and was involved in this scadal
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: SJUFAN on October 29, 2014, 06:25:22 PM
Some of you need to get off your high horse. This nation was built on people taking short cuts and trying to get over on one another and have done very well for themselves and their familes. I'm sure many of you who are shaking your fingers at this young man at one time or another did something that could be considered questionable so please stop it. You may disagree, but such is life. I'm disappointed that he will not suit up for us this year but he wasn't projected to start. I believe he would have helped us because we do need size and toughness, but we don't know if he would have brought it or not. We would like to believe he would have, but we don't know. Let's not start with the sky is falling commentary. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: SJUFAN on October 29, 2014, 06:29:15 PM
Comical.   

Saw something about Briscoe leaning Kentucky.  Why wouldn't he?
Not great news, but if it really matters to IB, it could be looked at as a positive if he thinks Thomas would be with him two years instead of one.


not to say he's even thinking about this, but not as big a deal as we might think.


No way Thomas ever suits up for SJU if he knew and was involved in this scadal

How could he not know? He knew, hoped he would get away with it but got caught, end of story, If he is good he may suit up for us next year as a partial qualifier, if he's not able to help the team he won't. This is college athletics.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Basketball Jones on October 29, 2014, 06:45:29 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on October 29, 2014, 07:07:34 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: boo3 on October 29, 2014, 07:17:32 PM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: DFF6 on October 29, 2014, 07:23:15 PM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: nudginator59 on October 29, 2014, 07:33:09 PM
Also the new President sees this and I wonder how this impacts Lavin's contract. The new President is taking a look on how SJU has been doing business over the last 20years and finding. Ways to eliminate waste, and improve the way the school runs.

-The fact that every year under Lavin some kind of player issues has developed is a concern, and detracts from SJU and the team.
-SJU is about to be on he same position on when Lavin took over, which is a bunch of open scholarships so a new coach can build (again) the program the way that he wants it too.
-not having a back plan to begin with shows a gap somewhere. If Thomas had a season ending injury SJU would still be in the same position, except not as embarrassed.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Moose on October 29, 2014, 07:49:35 PM
A couple of things that I don't understand about this story:

1) How does an assistant coach even have the opportunity to forge a transcript?  Transcript requests go straight to the registrars office, are filled there, and sent directly to the new school. Transcripts never cross the coaches' desks, if they did half of the athletes in the NCAA would have fraudulent documents.

2) I agree that this was largely beyond the purview of SJU's compliance office.  But the allegations against the famu players is that they took only 1 class and their transcripts said they earned a full degree.   That's not a slightly altered document, that's essentially never taking any classes.
If something like that occurred, it begs the question: how do you recruit a player for 6 months or longer, visit him repeatedly, speak to the people around him, his coaches and family, and not know that the guy isn't taking any classes??   Not having any credits is very very different than being a class or two short of the eligibility requirements.

Right now the Florida atlantic staff looks like fools for this reason.  Hopefully Keith is a more honest student, and he's just being looked into because of his association with wcc.


Do you know what WCC stands for?
It's known as We Can't Count.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Basketball Jones on October 29, 2014, 08:11:20 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: yankcranker on October 29, 2014, 08:14:13 PM
Yeah right.  Gimme a break.  Most of the country doesn't even know who coaches St Johns.  Try another tactic buddy.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Moose on October 29, 2014, 08:15:31 PM
Yeah right.  Gimme a break.  Most of the country doesn't even know who coaches St Johns.  Try another tactic buddy.

St. John's!
In Minnesota right?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Celtics11 on October 29, 2014, 08:26:06 PM
Also the new President sees this and I wonder how this impacts Lavin's contract. The new President is taking a look on how SJU has been doing business over the last 20years and finding. Ways to eliminate waste, and improve the way the school runs.

-The fact that every year under Lavin some kind of player issues has developed is a concern, and detracts from SJU and the team.
-SJU is about to be on he same position on when Lavin took over, which is a bunch of open scholarships so a new coach can build (again) the program the way that he wants it too.
-not having a back plan to begin with shows a gap somewhere. If Thomas had a season ending injury SJU would still be in the same position, except not as embarrassed.
Would not be in same position as when Lavin took over. Yes open schollies for new coach but at least in Lavin's first year he was left with 9 seniors that made the tournament while Lavin would be leaving a bottom feeding roster for the next coach. Who would have thought Lavin may be leaving the program in worse shape than our beloved Norm did.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: boo3 on October 29, 2014, 08:27:28 PM
 Time for Christian Jones to step up...  Now we need him play...
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: cjfish on October 29, 2014, 08:28:20 PM
Ive been an SJU fan forever but this latest disgraceful episode could cause me to rethink.  The GARRETT/PELLE/SAMPSON year was bad but a lesson should have been learned.  Lavin and his staff should be canned, sooner rather then later.  Try recruiting good kids from good schools with decent reputations and this would not happen.  If you are looking at a 23 year old with a record who didn't finish HS you should be interviewing everyone, particularly people from his hometown and HS.  Find out what kind of kid he is and act accordingly, which often means not putting an offer on the table.  Investigating a kid's background etc is not that difficult.  Lavin and Co. are looking worse Calipari.       
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohns86 on October 29, 2014, 08:36:11 PM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.
Don't think Keith Tomas is the reason Briscoe comes here or doesn't.  Lavin needs to show him that there will be quality players on next years roster.  If Briscoe leads us in getting Diallo and Sampson i think will be just fine.

If not I will join you in the crapper.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: JohnnyJungle on October 29, 2014, 08:36:52 PM
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: JohnnyJungle on October 29, 2014, 08:38:47 PM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.

If I texted Briscoe right now and asked him who Keith Thomas was he'd have no clue.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Basketball Jones on October 29, 2014, 08:43:16 PM
Yeah right.  Gimme a break.  Most of the country doesn't even know who coaches St Johns.  Try another tactic buddy.

Most of the country doesn't have any respect for your once proud program. With everything your program has to offer (The Big East, MSG, New York City, the media coverage) go get a young Turk of a coach and dump the current regime. Lavin can recruit. No doubt about it but he can't coach them up. He can't coach a lick. When Dumlap left the team went down the tubes. You would be better off with less but more cohesive talent. Cluess, Mihalich, Willard, Masiello, Ferry (when at LIU) are all better at getting the most out of their teams than Lavin. Lavin is better than Pecora I'll give you that.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on October 29, 2014, 08:57:26 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

Oh god, for an internet tough guy who goes on a message board of a team he doesnt like just to hate on them, you sure are soft.

And trust me, I dont have to learn to live with it. If we ever get back to the winning days this program once saw that will be something ill have to get used to. You dont need to tell st johns fans that the program hasnt been successful. Thats like telling UNC they have some academic issues to take care of.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 29, 2014, 09:11:13 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

What team do you root for?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Gray Chudney on October 29, 2014, 09:34:30 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

What team do you root for?
He's an Iona fan. Don't feed
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Basketball Jones on October 29, 2014, 10:02:03 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

What team do you root for?
He's an Iona fan. Don't feed

What difference does that make? I'm a NYC local basketball fan. Remember when St. John's was a legit national power. It had a roster of NYC talent and it captured the city. Not a collection of national recruits who seem to care more about their pro futures than working cohesively as a team. You need to get back to your past formula of success. I don't see where that's being disrespectful to your team. Lavin is a pox. Get someone who can recruit the best local talent. Get someone who can develop their talent and show them how to win as a team.  It's really about winning vs recruiting. If you want to call me a troll that's your right as it's your board. But the results of each season speak for themselves and are reflected in your RPI which is an objective - not subjective - indicator.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: wwalwyn on October 29, 2014, 10:10:51 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

What team do you root for?
He's an Iona fan. Don't feed

What difference does that make? I'm a NYC local basketball fan. Remember when St. John's was a legit national power. It had a roster of NYC talent and it captured the city. Not a collection of national recruits who seem to care more about their pro futures than working cohesively as a team. You need to get back to your past formula of success. I don't see where that's being disrespectful to your team. Lavin is a pox. Get someone who can recruit the best local talent. Get someone who can develop their talent and show them how to win as a team.  It's really about winning vs recruiting. If you want to call me a troll that's your right as it's your board. But the results of each season speak for themselves and are reflected in your RPI which is an objective - not subjective - indicator.
[/quote
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

What team do you root for?
He's an Iona fan. Don't feed

What difference does that make? I'm a NYC local basketball fan. Remember when St. John's was a legit national power. It had a roster of NYC talent and it captured the city. Not a collection of national recruits who seem to care more about their pro futures than working cohesively as a team. You need to get back to your past formula of success. I don't see where that's being disrespectful to your team. Lavin is a pox. Get someone who can recruit the best local talent. Get someone who can develop their talent and show them how to win as a team.  It's really about winning vs recruiting. If you want to call me a troll that's your right as it's your board. But the results of each season speak for themselves and are reflected in your RPI which is an objective - not subjective - indicator.
Troll
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Tiznow on October 29, 2014, 10:50:10 PM
If a member of the coaching staff altered his transcript what are the chances that his stats were not inflated.

I'd say zero.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Celtics11 on October 29, 2014, 11:29:29 PM
If a member of the coaching staff altered his transcript what are the chances that his stats were not inflated.

I'd say zero.
Maybe they moved the decimal point and he only averaged 1.57 rebs
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: DFF6 on October 29, 2014, 11:39:45 PM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.

If I texted Briscoe right now and asked him who Keith Thomas was he'd have no clue.

Problem is, Dave, that there will likely be people; namely folks trying to persuade Briscoe from coming hear, that will use Thomas' debacle to disuade Briscoe from coming here.  Of course I'm speculating (like all of us here do), but we don't have the deep bench of Uconn or Ky. Losing a potential starter in 2015 just adds more uncertainty to what kind of team SJU will be able to put on the floor next year, and Briscoe has said that is an important consideration for him.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohns86 on October 30, 2014, 12:55:31 AM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.

If I texted Briscoe right now and asked him who Keith Thomas was he'd have no clue.

Problem is, Dave, that there will likely be people; namely folks trying to persuade Briscoe from coming hear, that will use Thomas' debacle to disuade Briscoe from coming here.  Of course I'm speculating (like all of us here do), but we don't have the deep bench of Uconn or Ky. Losing a potential starter in 2015 just adds more uncertainty to what kind of team SJU will be able to put on the floor next year, and Briscoe has said that is an important consideration for him.

Time  for Lavin and the coaching to go out and secure players.  We offer tons of playing time.  If Briscoe wants good players around him go out and get some.  How hard can it be.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: ForeverYoung on October 30, 2014, 01:23:52 AM
I think Keith Thomas is being blown out of proportion.  He didn't play 1 official minute and you guys make a superstar out of the kid.
On the bright side----Don't stress over Briscoe.  He will be at SJU in the fall.   Patience. 

Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: JohnnyJungle on October 30, 2014, 02:13:50 AM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.

If I texted Briscoe right now and asked him who Keith Thomas was he'd have no clue.

Problem is, Dave, that there will likely be people; namely folks trying to persuade Briscoe from coming hear, that will use Thomas' debacle to disuade Briscoe from coming here.  Of course I'm speculating (like all of us here do), but we don't have the deep bench of Uconn or Ky. Losing a potential starter in 2015 just adds more uncertainty to what kind of team SJU will be able to put on the floor next year, and Briscoe has said that is an important consideration for him.

Your speculation has a lot of fantasy. Reality is that it doesn't matter. It's fine.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: 0404 on October 30, 2014, 05:40:53 AM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

How about the 'Red Flags'
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: DFF6 on October 30, 2014, 06:48:02 AM
  I'm a Briscoe to UK away from not giving 2 craps about this program anymore.

Looks like you're about to save two craps.

Briscoe is absolutely hearing all of this, and given our chances of landing him were always contingent on what the team would look like when he came here, losing Thomas can't help our chances.

If I texted Briscoe right now and asked him who Keith Thomas was he'd have no clue.

Problem is, Dave, that there will likely be people; namely folks trying to persuade Briscoe from coming hear, that will use Thomas' debacle to disuade Briscoe from coming here.  Of course I'm speculating (like all of us here do), but we don't have the deep bench of Uconn or Ky. Losing a potential starter in 2015 just adds more uncertainty to what kind of team SJU will be able to put on the floor next year, and Briscoe has said that is an important consideration for him.

Your speculation has a lot of fantasy. Reality is that it doesn't matter. It's fine.

Hope you're right.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 30, 2014, 08:04:09 AM
I think Keith Thomas is being blown out of proportion.  He didn't play 1 official minute and you guys make a superstar out of the kid.
On the bright side----Don't stress over Briscoe.  He will be at SJU in the fall.   Patience. 


ForeverWrong, no one was implying Thomas was a superstar. Most thought his rugged play and rebounding proficiency in JUCO ranks would help fill a void. Those complementary skills were praised by the very coach you seem to admire in the press release below. Hyperbole or accurate assessment?

http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/070714aaa.html (http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/070714aaa.html)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 30, 2014, 12:12:47 PM
@TheBBallDiary: Hearing Westchester Community College basketball program has been suspended. #juco

Shocking! 😉
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on October 30, 2014, 12:27:47 PM
@NYPost_Brazille: College coach who was recruiting Keith Thomas in spring said transcript was a mess when he saw it, and never offered as result. #sjubb
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: TRabinowitz on October 30, 2014, 12:45:25 PM
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.

This is true, but the issue really is that Lavin sat on his you-know-what for the most part with 2014 class then scrambled in Spring to fill what was some really important minutes and positions.  If he had done his legwork with the 2014 class earlier on, he may have been able to secure a player that was much more of a sure-thing to play and not put the program in the position of having a dicey qualifier that was expected to play major minutes.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Foad on October 30, 2014, 01:38:23 PM
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.

This is true, but the issue really is that Lavin sat on his you-know-what for the most part with 2014 class then scrambled in Spring to fill what was some really important minutes and positions.  If he had done his legwork with the 2014 class earlier on, he may have been able to secure a player that was much more of a sure-thing to play and not put the program in the position of having a dicey qualifier that was expected to play major minutes.

Saint John's fans wouldn't mind exchanging a few swings and misses for a BE championship either. What they mind is lots of swings and misses in exchange for NIT first round blow out losses.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: nudginator59 on October 30, 2014, 01:59:28 PM
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.

This is true, but the issue really is that Lavin sat on his you-know-what for the most part with 2014 class then scrambled in Spring to fill what was some really important minutes and positions.  If he had done his legwork with the 2014 class earlier on, he may have been able to secure a player that was much more of a sure-thing to play and not put the program in the position of having a dicey qualifier that was expected to play major minutes.

Saint John's fans wouldn't mind exchanging a few swings and misses for a BE championship either. What they mind is lots of swings and misses in exchange for NIT first round blow out losses.
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.
If you want to win you have to take risks.


I don't think Providence fans mind Ed Cooley swinging and missing on a few recruits in exchange for Big East championship.

This is true, but the issue really is that Lavin sat on his you-know-what for the most part with 2014 class then scrambled in Spring to fill what was some really important minutes and positions.  If he had done his legwork with the 2014 class earlier on, he may have been able to secure a player that was much more of a sure-thing to play and not put the program in the position of having a dicey qualifier that was expected to play major minutes.

Saint John's fans wouldn't mind exchanging a few swings and misses for a BE championship either. What they mind is lots of swings and misses in exchange for NIT first round blow out losses.

Not just swigs and misses but players constantly ruled ineligable...it looks like we have no clue on players with red flags...At some point it's not just bad luck when you have players that have some weird issues../

It's like somebody who complains that they always seem to date crazy people...At the end of the day it's a you problem because you keep finding these people.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Mullin20 on October 30, 2014, 04:57:06 PM
@NYPost_Brazille: College coach who was recruiting Keith Thomas in spring said transcript was a mess when he saw it, and never offered as result. #sjubb

If it's the Fordham coach he is full of s&$@.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 30, 2014, 05:41:20 PM
The Red Storm?? Since the Lavin era began how about the Red Clowns?? What a joke of a program.

 Contingent on your application for the mascot position

Great comeback. The truth must really hurt eh Buddy?  That's what most of the country thinks about the Lavin circus that is now your  program. It has evolved into what it is and unfortunately it is what it is. With all of the hoopla and coverage SJU receives your program is the epitome of underachievement and has been so for years. I wish that such was not the case. It lacks integrity. It's a black mark on your school. Learn to live with it Pal.

What team do you root for?
He's an Iona fan. Don't feed

What difference does that make? I'm a NYC local basketball fan. Remember when St. John's was a legit national power. It had a roster of NYC talent and it captured the city. Not a collection of national recruits who seem to care more about their pro futures than working cohesively as a team. You need to get back to your past formula of success. I don't see where that's being disrespectful to your team. Lavin is a pox. Get someone who can recruit the best local talent. Get someone who can develop their talent and show them how to win as a team.  It's really about winning vs recruiting. If you want to call me a troll that's your right as it's your board. But the results of each season speak for themselves and are reflected in your RPI which is an objective - not subjective - indicator.

Tim Cluess is one the best recruiters of scorers that I've ever seen in the NY area. He's also one of the worst strategists I've ever seen. Every local coach, even the good ones are flawed. I don't know what you expect St.John's to be, but they were a few points in 1/2 games last year from being in the dance. I'm not thrilled w our results, but now is not the time to be complaining. We have a lot of experience and a lot of talent.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: redslope on October 30, 2014, 05:42:10 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on October 30, 2014, 05:52:47 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bk8664 on October 30, 2014, 09:13:29 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: newsman13 on October 31, 2014, 11:14:32 AM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bigmaxnosauce on October 31, 2014, 12:00:30 PM
Amare would be a great addition.  As long as he remains healthy he will dominate.  I thought he would have been buried on the bench. Good thing he went straight to the league so he has 1 year of eligibility left.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marco Baldi on November 01, 2014, 12:26:56 PM
www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2014/10/31/wcc-transcript-fraud-rocks-squeaky-clean-college/18288577/ (http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2014/10/31/wcc-transcript-fraud-rocks-squeaky-clean-college/18288577/)

One look at the transcripts of Westchester Community College basketball stars Keith Thomas and Giovanni McLean was enough to convince a top assistant coach at a Northeast Division I program that they were off his recruiting list.

"I knew the transcripts were fake the minute I saw them," he said, citing higher-than-expected GPAs, mixed-up semesters and heavy course loads. "I've done this a long time. I've seen thousands of transcripts."

The assistant coach who did question the WCC transcripts said he didn't buy that Thomas had a 3.5 GPA while carrying a 21-credit course load. Junior college transfer students must have a 2.5 grade point average and average 12 hours of class credits per semester to be NCAA eligible. He was also suspicious, he said, when the semesters were listed in the wrong order.

"A registrar's office would never send a transcript with the wrong chronological year," he said. "I've never felt like that seeing a transcript before, and I told my boss we are no longer recruiting these guys."
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: HowCouldUBeSoHarkless on November 01, 2014, 06:35:57 PM
Bad job by everyone on this one.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: TRabinowitz on November 01, 2014, 06:59:52 PM
Inexcusable job by the coaching staff with this. Yes every school takes risks and rules are bent but this was beyond reckless when recruiting a player at a position that we really needed.  If we were deep everywhere and wanted to roll the dice on a kid thats one thing, but this is bad.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: ras on November 01, 2014, 09:47:28 PM
Gotta agree w you. ADR should be a redshirt candidate ,but can't because of our lack of depth and Amar will probably be a good 4 year player. We desperately needed a BE calibre big. Lavin  gambled w Thomas and lost.Looking at the past recruiting class relative to our needs, I call it unsatisfactory.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on November 03, 2014, 05:56:49 PM
@LeeHiggins: Quinnipiac guard Giovanni McLean ruled ineligible as NCAA reviews transcript fraud - Q30 Television http://t.co/cBAxGpwUPL (http://t.co/cBAxGpwUPL)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on November 05, 2014, 07:18:00 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: apesNapes on November 05, 2014, 08:21:32 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team, especially considering this was his first ever college game. Anyone think otherwise? I think we'll need a bigger sample to see if he will help or hurt on the court.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on November 05, 2014, 10:06:37 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

Who pray tell will be playing the 4?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on November 05, 2014, 10:31:55 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team, especially considering this was his first ever college game. Anyone think otherwise? I think we'll need a bigger sample to see if he will help or hurt on the court.

As someone that was expecting absolutely nothing, I was pleasantly surprised with his size, hustle, and willingness to stay near the basket.  I thought for sure he'd be living on the three point line.

The only player capable of giving us + minutes at the four is Dom due to his length, athleticism, and experience.  If Amar can just hold his own and nothing more, that will be a huge boost.  All our front court has to do is play even with the opponent and we will be in great shape.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: prjohnnies on November 05, 2014, 10:59:32 PM
I think Jones has to give us minutes there.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: carmineabbatiello on November 06, 2014, 12:51:11 AM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team,   Anyone think otherwise? 

Yes.  He looked petrified when he had the ball.  Afraid to take a dribble.  Hopefully just opening day jitters.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marco Baldi on November 06, 2014, 02:48:17 AM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on November 06, 2014, 06:46:38 AM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

Not a hard concept
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: pmg911 on November 06, 2014, 07:44:22 AM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

Great in theory but just not possible....
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: rhythm j on November 06, 2014, 10:41:37 AM
Where is Keith and is Saint John's helping him. Are did they just cut ties?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Tha Kid on November 06, 2014, 10:47:41 AM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

That may work in CYO but when height and size becomes important to things like rebounding, not so much.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: hoyahooligan on November 06, 2014, 12:45:07 PM
Seems like the St. John's staff had to have known Thomas' transcript was fake and was just hoping not to get caught.

Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: bigmaxnosauce on November 06, 2014, 01:58:07 PM
Seems like the St. John's staff had to have known Thomas' transcript was fake and was just hoping not to get caught.

That's so low down stuff...Harsh man, harsh
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marco Baldi on November 06, 2014, 02:18:04 PM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

That may work in CYO but when height and size becomes important to things like rebounding, not so much.

What has worked here the last few years?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Tha Kid on November 06, 2014, 03:28:47 PM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

That may work in CYO but when height and size becomes important to things like rebounding, not so much.

What has worked here the last few years?

The liquor stores selling high end bourbon near Keady's apartment?
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on November 06, 2014, 05:04:06 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team,   Anyone think otherwise? 

Yes.  He looked petrified when he had the ball.  Afraid to take a dribble.  Hopefully just opening day jitters.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?  After last season, I never want to see my bigs dribbling again.  I wish Dom would get the same fear.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: we are sju on November 06, 2014, 05:10:07 PM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

That may work in CYO but when height and size becomes important to things like rebounding, not so much.

What has worked here the last few years?

The liquor stores selling high end bourbon near Keady's apartment?

Thought I read one time he drinks Makers Mark which is nothing special
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on November 06, 2014, 06:55:00 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team,   Anyone think otherwise? 

Yes.  He looked petrified when he had the ball.  Afraid to take a dribble.  Hopefully just opening day jitters.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?  After last season, I never want to see my bigs dribbling again.  I wish Dom would get the same fear.

Who dribbled the ball too much last season?     I'm guessing you're going to say your favorite whipping-boys Sampson and Sanchez, but I don't think that's true.
The big exception is Sanchez on fast breaks, he had a bad habit of not giving up the ball.  But I think that's because the staff encourages the bigs to start the break after they grab a defensive rebound.  Lavin has more or less said so in interviews.     
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: carmineabbatiello on November 06, 2014, 06:56:07 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team,   Anyone think otherwise? 

Yes.  He looked petrified when he had the ball.  Afraid to take a dribble.  Hopefully just opening day jitters.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?  After last season, I never want to see my bigs dribbling again.  I wish Dom would get the same fear.

I wasn't looking for Marcus Haynes but to me he looked tight.  Would like a big, particularly one that's not a 7 ft. center, to be able to take an occasional dribble or two to relieve pressure.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: carmineabbatiello on November 06, 2014, 06:59:13 PM
Put the 5 best players on the floor, regardless of position

That may work in CYO but when height and size becomes important to things like rebounding, not so much.

What has worked here the last few years?

The liquor stores selling high end bourbon near Keady's apartment?

Thought I read one time he drinks Makers Mark which is nothing special

Makers Mark taste good.  I used to be a T-bird, Cisco and Oe kind of guy but now I'm changing.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on November 06, 2014, 07:17:10 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team,   Anyone think otherwise? 

Yes.  He looked petrified when he had the ball.  Afraid to take a dribble.  Hopefully just opening day jitters.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?  After last season, I never want to see my bigs dribbling again.  I wish Dom would get the same fear.

Who dribbled the ball too much last season?       

Is this a serious question?  Pointer, Sanchez, and Sampson dribbled the ball up court completely out of control all year. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: boo3 on November 06, 2014, 07:23:58 PM
Lavin told them to, silly...


 Branch should be starting PG,  Harrison and Jordan play wings..
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on November 06, 2014, 07:30:40 PM
Lavin told them to, silly...


 Branch should be starting PG,  Harrison and Jordan play wings..

Our coach specifically said that one of the things he liked about his team was that his bigs were so versatile that they could start the break after a rebound.

Also, he played adm at point guard.   I didnt.  Moose didnt.  Dom didn't anoint himself a pg.
Steve Lavin told us all last summer that dom had worked hard and would be playing some point. 

But honestly Marillac, I don't consider the bigs handling the ball too often as being among our top 5 problems last season.    Their lack of ability to set hard screens though, was definitely a big problem.  On that we agree.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on November 06, 2014, 07:38:00 PM
I'm with you on the lineup though Boo.
Branch, Harrison, Jordan, a warm body, and Obekpa. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marco Baldi on November 06, 2014, 07:41:03 PM
Branch, Harrison,Jordan, Greene and Obekpa. And don't stop running
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: boo3 on November 06, 2014, 07:41:11 PM
Pointer might be more useful if he's told to play on the block..rebound and follow shots on the offensive glass..  No need for him to be patrolling the 3 point perimeter anyway..

Greene is good off the bench..  Hopefully Christian Jones can fill some solid minutes at the 4... Scary that he suddenly becomes , maybe, the most important player on the team this year.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: boo3 on November 06, 2014, 07:42:38 PM
 Take the PG responsibilities away from Jordan.. Tell him his job is the score for this team... Let Branch distribute...  2 lethal wings...  I think it's the way to go...100%
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: paultzman on November 06, 2014, 07:52:06 PM
Take the PG responsibilities away from Jordan.. Tell him his job is the score for this team... Let Branch distribute...  2 lethal wings...  I think it's the way to go...100%

Agree 100%
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: desco80 on November 06, 2014, 08:03:48 PM
Well this can't be good.   Too much of us are in agreement.    If Fordham were to concur, I'd know not to bother going to work tomorrow because the end would clearly be near. 
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Poison on November 06, 2014, 09:06:39 PM
Not that he is a replacement for Thomas at present but could the "Late" recruiting of Amar been a result of the potentiality of irregularities with respect to Keith's records.  While Amar will not get all of Keith's projected minutes but maybe he goes from 4mpg to 15mpg and ADR goes from 5 to 14 and Joey goes from 2 to 6.  Must do a novena for CO to remain healthy, strong and foul free as he will get as many minutes as he can handle

I think Amar will need to be a PF. Thankfully, he's a much bigger dude than I thought. He might not board like Thomas, but he'll score more than him.

That's also what I was thinking (and hoping).


Write this down:  Amar will get Bourgault minutes.   

We don't have the luxury.

He didn't strike me as a liability on either side of the ball in his limited minutes against the DII team,   Anyone think otherwise? 

Yes.  He looked petrified when he had the ball.  Afraid to take a dribble.  Hopefully just opening day jitters.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?  After last season, I never want to see my bigs dribbling again.  I wish Dom would get the same fear.

Who dribbled the ball too much last season?     I'm guessing you're going to say your favorite whipping-boys Sampson and Sanchez, but I don't think that's true.
The big exception is Sanchez on fast breaks, he had a bad habit of not giving up the ball.  But I think that's because the staff encourages the bigs to start the break after they grab a defensive rebound.  Lavin has more or less said so in interviews.     

Sampson had a habit of grabbing a defensive board and going to coast to coast and trying to score. Sanchez would bring it up. Against the crappy teams, he usually played very well.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: pmg911 on November 07, 2014, 07:37:32 AM
Where is Keith and is Saint John's helping him. Are did they just cut ties?

Who cares to be honest and I certainly hope SJU cut ties with the kid..?

He lied to the school and doesn't deserve to get any help from SJU moving forward.

That said..    two local assistants have told me that people back off recruiting Thomas because they never thought he would get passed the NCAA and gain eligibility.

Having this blow up before he ever stepped on the court was better at this point.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: stjohnnie75 on November 07, 2014, 08:50:02 AM
Where is Keith and is Saint John's helping him. Are did they just cut ties?

Who cares to be honest and I certainly hope SJU cut ties with the kid..?

He lied to the school and doesn't deserve to get any help from SJU moving forward.

That said..    two local assistants have told me that people back off recruiting Thomas because they never thought he would get passed the NCAA and gain eligibility.

Having this blow up before he ever stepped on the court was better at this point.


Agreed, yet since he was cleared by the NCAA eligibility-wise I don't think the school would have been held liable if he had played this year.

Just best to move on IMO.
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: we are sju on November 07, 2014, 09:00:27 AM
Branch, Harrison,Jordan, Greene and Obekpa. And don't stop running

You have to rebound to run
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Marillac on November 07, 2014, 02:35:27 PM
Seems like the St. John's staff had to have known Thomas' transcript was fake and was just hoping not to get caught.



(https://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/georgetownfingers.gif?w=694)
Title: Re: Keith Thomas Impact
Post by: Amaseinyourface2 on November 07, 2014, 05:40:33 PM
Seems like the St. John's staff had to have known Thomas' transcript was fake and was just hoping not to get caught.



(https://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/georgetownfingers.gif?w=694)

Hahah thats freaking hilarious