Game 19: Villanova at MSG

Per Zach B
St. John's is a 13.5 point underdog tomorrow against Villanova. Thought it would be around 15. #sjubb

Wright must have the flu.

Villanova is not that big, not that athletic, not deep at all but still so good.  I guess coaching does matter. 

They don't have a Patton, for sure, but they still have decent size and guys like Hart play much bigger than their build.  Also, I think they are very athletic - Hart, Bridges, Brunson, etc.  And all of their players, save for Reynolds, can shoot, pass, handle the ball and score.  Obviously Wright is a heck of a coach, but they have first rate talent.

Wright coaching record at Hofstra.
1994-95  10-18
!995-96   9-18
1996-97  12-15
1997-98  19-12
1998-99  22-10
1999-00  24-7
2000-01  26-5

Great coaches need time to learn how to become great.

Villanova has the best backcourt in the country with Hart, Jenkins, Brunson, Booth (when healthy). This allow them t cover their front court deficiencies.

Like I said, I think Villanova's run ends in the tourney this year with a team with elite size like Kentucky or UCLA but I still expect a deep run.

They opened up the blue seats so it'll be a huge crowd atleast..

Wright coaching record at Hofstra.
1994-95  10-18
!995-96   9-18
1996-97  12-15
1997-98  19-12
1998-99  22-10
1999-00  24-7
2000-01  26-5

Great coaches need time to learn how to become great.

You make an interesting point. It's a good thing Hofstra didn't talk about firing him year 3. On the other hand. Wright started at Hofsra and worked his way to the BE.

They don't have a Patton, for sure, but they still have decent size and guys like Hart play much bigger than their build.  Also, I think they are very athletic - Hart, Bridges, Brunson, etc.  And all of their players, save for Reynolds, can shoot, pass, handle the ball and score.  Obviously Wright is a heck of a coach, but they have first rate talent.

They have good talent, but other than Brunson no top recruits. Hart has really blossomed.  Rysheed Jordan, Johnson and Wilson from Marquette all a lot higher ranked recruits.

Quote from: Moon Mullin on January 13, 2017, 05:48:17 PM

Wright coaching record at Hofstra.
1994-95  10-18
!995-96   9-18
1996-97  12-15
1997-98  19-12
1998-99  22-10
1999-00  24-7
2000-01  26-5

Great coaches need time to learn how to become great.

You make an interesting point. It's a good thing Hofstra didn't talk about firing him year 3. On the other hand. Wright started at Hofsra and worked his way to the BE.

Did he have to recruit an entire basketball team in a few months in year 1. In year 2 did he then have to recruit players that can actually compete in the league he was in?

Mullin can and should be criticized for some of his moves, but his tasked was and is incredibly hard. The fact that they were able to win 3 in a row to include winning at the carrier dome, and beating a ranked Butler shows potential. Getting blown out on the road is not good, but it's not the end of the world....

Hopefully they play well today. Overall it's a positive for the program that they have sold out Carnesseca, and MSG will be almost sold out against a team expected to crush them...Even if the fan base is split, there is momentum being built for this program.

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

great start but Ellison awful....got to keep it together with Pond out

great start but Ellison awful....got to keep it together with Pond out

We had a great start, but we've now hit a lull.  Luckily, Villanova is playing like a tick turd.  Too many quick shots on our part.  We're playing decent defense, though.  At least, from a shot blocking standpoint.

Fouls piling up now.  'Nova in the bonus, and we still have ten and half minutes remaining in the half.

Amar is in.
How long before we lose this lead

hey Foad, Missini hits one

Mullin playing Mussini and Amar at the same time shows he has no interest in winning

Mussni hit one but otherwise awful, get Amar out, give Freud a look against zone

Mullin playing Mussini and Amar at the same time shows he has no interest in winning

Amar feels like he has to dribble the ball whenever he touches it.  Pass it! 

Mullin playing Mussini and Amar at the same time shows he has no interest in winning

One day he's going to realize this isn't the NBA and tanking doesn't do anything in College