Game 19: Villanova at MSG

No Crossfit BS and grilled chicken salads.

   I have 7 or 8 friends who might attack you over that comment. Crossfit is like a cult with them. It's like the Scientology of working out. I think they have their own secret handshake too

Quote from: Johnny23 on January 15, 2017, 12:51:38 PM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 12:47:55 PM

Quote from: Marillac on January 15, 2017, 11:37:11 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on January 15, 2017, 11:22:38 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 11:20:19 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on January 15, 2017, 10:53:12 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 10:26:26 AM

DiVincenzo out rebounding Yakwe + Amar + Williams is a problem.

Yakwe has averaged 1.5 rebounds per game over last 4 games. I'm at a loss.

Best player on the court yesterday

Best game on the court yesterday. Not best player. Lets not confuse the 2.

IMO he's better than both Ponds and Lovett

That is crazy. He's a soph and a year and a half older than Ponds with lower shooting %s, worse stats, a much smaller role, and less quickness and athletic ability. Let Ponds be a fourth option behind Brunson, Hart, and Jenkins.

To be fair he is a RS Frosh just like LoVett

He's a solid 4 year contributor. He'll be steady all 4 years. Ponds and LoVett can be difference makers.

A lot of people said the same thing about Arch when he came in as a frosh and 4 years later he lead Nova to a National 'Ship.

DiVincenzo is good and playing in Wright's system will make him all Big East.

Arcidiacono was certainly a solid player.  But, he was also a guy who was only as a good, as the pieces around him.  By any means, that isn't a knock on him, though. 

Ponds and LoVett has the potential to carry a team.  I think that is what Dave is saying.  Don't be surprised to see Ponds average 20+ points per  game in his junior and senior campaign, respectively.

No doubt you need pieces around you but I would say Arch was much better than a solid player. He was a very good to great college player. BE POY and MOP of the big dance.

I agree that Ponds will be a 20+ guy down the line.

Quote from: Poison on January 15, 2017, 11:07:19 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 10:26:26 AM

DiVincenzo out rebounding Yakwe + Amar + Williams is a problem.

Yakwe has averaged 1.5 rebounds per game over last 4 games. I'm at a loss.

Williams had the head, but not the physical ability. He's got to get stronger to have a chance. It may not be realistic for him with so many surgeries. Yakwe and Alibegovic just don't know what they're doing. They could get into position, but their heads are in the clouds most of the time.

Alibegovic is the most clueless player I've ever seen at St.John's. I wish him well in the future, but clearly, he's in over his head at this level.

To be fair, Williams physically looks like half the player he was when he arrived. He's clearly not there from a conditioning standpoint, and he's still adjusting to the speed of the d-1 game a dozens contests into his first d-1 season. IF he can stay healthy, one would expect him to make big and maybe huge jumps the next two years. That is probably a big if.

Owens just needs weight. You can't teach heart and hustle and that kid plays harder than anyone we've had here in years. He's also got great hands and a good basketball IQ.

Clark is a man at 6'7 230. He reminds me of another former transfer, Joey Graham, who led OKlahoma State to the Final Four. http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joey-graham-1.html I think that's his ceiling. His floor is probably anywhere from second to fourth highest on the team. 

We all hope that Williams can return next season, get stronger and improve his conditioning. At this point, we should be happy with what he can give us now, because it is already more than we expected from him. This team has likely lost Brown, and IMO that means we need 3 additional big men, because all we have is Owens and he's not ready or even close to being able to defend the paint and he's the only one doing it.

Alibegovic is a good guy. He's respectful, he's hard working, but it should be completely clear to him and the staff that he should be playing in a conference like the Northeast.

Quote from: Marillac on January 15, 2017, 11:37:11 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on January 15, 2017, 11:22:38 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 11:20:19 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on January 15, 2017, 10:53:12 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 10:26:26 AM

DiVincenzo out rebounding Yakwe + Amar + Williams is a problem.

Yakwe has averaged 1.5 rebounds per game over last 4 games. I'm at a loss.

Best player on the court yesterday

Best game on the court yesterday. Not best player. Lets not confuse the 2.

IMO he's better than both Ponds and Lovett

That is crazy. He's a soph and a year and a half older than Ponds with lower shooting %s, worse stats, a much smaller role, and less quickness and athletic ability. Let Ponds be a fourth option behind Brunson, Hart, and Jenkins.

Since when is age an issue, Lovett will be 22 in March. All 3 have 3 years of eligibility left.  Didn't notice his lack of speed or athleticism yesterday, he's got some serious hops. Better and smarter player than our guys. I think he will be a force sooner rather than later

Serious hops? Because he's 6'5 and threw down a wide open pedestrian dunk? C'mon. He is skilled and plays with good pace, but he plays high and would never be able to defend Ponds. Age matters for a kid like Ponds who is so young and frail.

Baldi en route. First game of the year. 85-70

Bout time.  No wonder we've been losing.

Quote from: Marillac on January 15, 2017, 11:53:11 AM

Quote from: Poison on January 15, 2017, 11:07:19 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 10:26:26 AM

DiVincenzo out rebounding Yakwe + Amar + Williams is a problem.

Yakwe has averaged 1.5 rebounds per game over last 4 games. I'm at a loss.

Williams had the head, but not the physical ability. He's got to get stronger to have a chance. It may not be realistic for him with so many surgeries. Yakwe and Alibegovic just don't know what they're doing. They could get into position, but their heads are in the clouds most of the time.

Alibegovic is the most clueless player I've ever seen at St.John's. I wish him well in the future, but clearly, he's in over his head at this level.

To be fair, Williams physically looks like half the player he was when he arrived. He's clearly not there from a conditioning standpoint, and he's still adjusting to the speed of the d-1 game a dozens contests into his first d-1 season. IF he can stay healthy, one would expect him to make big and maybe huge jumps the next two years. That is probably a big if.

Owens just needs weight. You can't teach heart and hustle and that kid plays harder than anyone we've had here in years. He's also got great hands and a good basketball IQ.

Clark is a man at 6'7 230. He reminds me of another former transfer, Joey Graham, who led OKlahoma State to the Final Four. http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joey-graham-1.html I think that's his ceiling. His floor is probably anywhere from second to fourth highest on the team. 

we were talking about this yesterday at the game. I think MCN brought it up a few months ago. Looking at Owens frame you think he is going to be one of these guys that just cant gain that much weight ? Or do you think 20-25 lbs is possible in the offseason ?

25 pounds is possible for anyone IMO. I went from 155 to 230 in 2-3 years. You gotta eat like a man and be a beast in the weight room. Creatine, BCAAs, and protein shakes will get him there. I could have that kid at solid 235 by November.

Why is Lovett wearing green sneakers??

Looking for a tryout with the Celtics?

Quote from: Marillac on January 15, 2017, 11:53:11 AM

Quote from: Poison on January 15, 2017, 11:07:19 AM

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 10:26:26 AM

DiVincenzo out rebounding Yakwe + Amar + Williams is a problem.

Yakwe has averaged 1.5 rebounds per game over last 4 games. I'm at a loss.

Williams had the head, but not the physical ability. He's got to get stronger to have a chance. It may not be realistic for him with so many surgeries. Yakwe and Alibegovic just don't know what they're doing. They could get into position, but their heads are in the clouds most of the time.

Alibegovic is the most clueless player I've ever seen at St.John's. I wish him well in the future, but clearly, he's in over his head at this level.

To be fair, Williams physically looks like half the player he was when he arrived. He's clearly not there from a conditioning standpoint, and he's still adjusting to the speed of the d-1 game a dozens contests into his first d-1 season. IF he can stay healthy, one would expect him to make big and maybe huge jumps the next two years. That is probably a big if.

Owens just needs weight. You can't teach heart and hustle and that kid plays harder than anyone we've had here in years. He's also got great hands and a good basketball IQ.

Clark is a man at 6'7 230. He reminds me of another former transfer, Joey Graham, who led OKlahoma State to the Final Four. http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joey-graham-1.html I think that's his ceiling. His floor is probably anywhere from second to fourth highest on the team. 

We all hope that Williams can return next season, get stronger and improve his conditioning. At this point, we should be happy with what he can give us now, because it is already more than we expected from him. This team has likely lost Brown, and IMO that means we need 3 additional big men, because all we have is Owens and he's not ready or even close to being able to defend the paint and he's the only one doing it.

Alibegovic is a good guy. He's respectful, he's hard working, but it should be completely clear to him and the staff that he should be playing in a conference like the Northeast.

Three bigs is pushing it. In a decent program our big man situation would work itself out pretty well on it's own with Owens showing up at 230+, Clark already there at 230, Ahmed adding more size and strength, RF putting on 20 pounds with a year under his belt, and Williams getting his conditioning back and adjusting to the level of competition. Even Ellison adding 10-15 lbs would really help. But this is St. John's and not Xavier or Uconn.

I think we need a 5th year transfer 6-8 to 6'll 235-265. Add that to Clark, a jacked Owens and a healthier more conditioned Williams and that is a big group. I will say this: nobody pushes Williams around at all. That kid boxes everyone out and moves them...even though he looks like he hasn't been in the weight room for a year. The thing is we can't count on him for more than reserve minutes with his medical history.

Quote from: friendofjohnnie on January 14, 2017, 06:45:45 PM

Just curious- when was the last time we beat Villanova? It feels like forever

http://www.espn.com/ncb/recap/_/gameId/310570222

Who could ever forget the infamous Sly Fox bus trip game.

I could have that kid at solid 235 by November.

Taking an underage Tariq under your wing as a drinking buddy is not the answer.

Quote from: 0404 on January 14, 2017, 06:51:12 PM

Quote from: friendofjohnnie on January 14, 2017, 06:45:45 PM

Just curious- when was the last time we beat Villanova? It feels like forever

http://www.espn.com/ncb/recap/_/gameId/310570222

Who could ever forget the infamous Sly Fox bus trip game.

Was a great day. Wish their was a trip every year. Their was supposed to be . It never worked out.

Quote from: Marillac on January 15, 2017, 03:00:28 PM

I could have that kid at solid 235 by November.

Taking an underage Tariq under your wing as a drinking buddy is not the answer.

Good one. But really, they all need to get stronger. He's just the most obvious one. Ponds, too. Awesome offensive player, but he needs to get stronger so can really d up with the kind of guys Nova, Creighton and Xavier throw at us. We are for the most part, a bunch of weak freshman and sophomores who get pushed around.

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on January 15, 2017, 03:43:07 PM

Quote from: Marillac on January 15, 2017, 03:00:28 PM

I could have that kid at solid 235 by November.

Taking an underage Tariq under your wing as a drinking buddy is not the answer.

Good one. But really, they all need to get stronger. He's just the most obvious one. Ponds, too. Awesome offensive player, but he needs to get stronger so can really d up with the kind of guys Nova, Creighton and Xavier throw at us. We are for the most part, a bunch of weak freshman and sophomores who get pushed around.

Guys need to get stronger. They will work hard and they will get stronger. Obekpa got pushed around asa freshman and sophomore . He was stronger his last year. Harrison I assume worked on his speed.
Owens will lift and he will get stronger . But he is never playing basketball here close to 235 pounds.

Here's another thing they need:

Kassoum Yakwe has struggled so much that I think it's safe to say that the staff needs to think of a way to get through to him. For the sake of continuity and for just eventual success, we need to have experienced upperclassmen next year, or we'll be staring at the same situation again.

Here's another thing they need:

Kassoum Yakwe has struggled so much that I think it's safe to say that the staff needs to think of a way to get through to him. For the sake of continuity and for just eventual success, we need to have experienced upperclassmen next year, or we'll be staring at the same situation again.

Kid is way too talented to be struggling as much as he is.  His development over the next 6 weeks will be huge going into next year.

Quote from: Poison on January 15, 2017, 08:12:41 PM

Here's another thing they need:

Kassoum Yakwe has struggled so much that I think it's safe to say that the staff needs to think of a way to get through to him. For the sake of continuity and for just eventual success, we need to have experienced upperclassmen next year, or we'll be staring at the same situation again.

Kid is way too talented to be struggling as much as he is.  His development over the next 6 weeks will be huge going into next year.

Especially because if he doesn't develop over next 6 weeks, he many transfer

Quote from: jam72264 on January 14, 2017, 12:48:25 PM

Why is Lovett wearing green sneakers??

Looking for a tryout with the Celtics?

He came to his senses and changed the sneakers during the half

Quote from: fordham96 on January 15, 2017, 08:49:58 PM

Quote from: Poison on January 15, 2017, 08:12:41 PM

Here's another thing they need:

Kassoum Yakwe has struggled so much that I think it's safe to say that the staff needs to think of a way to get through to him. For the sake of continuity and for just eventual success, we need to have experienced upperclassmen next year, or we'll be staring at the same situation again.

Kid is way too talented to be struggling as much as he is.  His development over the next 6 weeks will be huge going into next year.

Especially because if he doesn't develop over next 6 weeks, he many transfer

I'm not worried about that.

Quote from: Dave on January 15, 2017, 10:26:26 AM

DiVincenzo out rebounding Yakwe + Amar + Williams is a problem.

Yakwe has averaged 1.5 rebounds per game over last 4 games. I'm at a loss.

And yet the St. John's Twitter Guru yesterday praised his career shot blocking totals. Fool's gold, but they try to sell this nonsense.

True, but at least he's not fighting fans like the last guy

Quote from: SJUhoopNUT on January 15, 2017, 06:44:14 AM

The play where Lovett dribbles himself to the corner, goes between the legs 3 times and then loses the ball out of bounds sums up the difference between the two teams and coaches. You think Jay Wright tolerates that?

Very frustrating to watch this team last 3 games.

That was Lovett in high school. It's why I feared him in the first place but honestly he's toned it down a lot. While frustrating it was garbage time at that point. Overall he played really well against Brunson.

Frustrating play and one that should not be tolerated. However, I agree that he played hard defense vs. Brunson