another notch on Mullins belt. Losses on the court and off. He’s consistent at least. If anyone actually thinks that playing small all year is our best lineup is nuts. Our guards play 0 d on perimeter, we foul constantly because of penetration in the middle and help D. The loss of keita is big, and 0 depth in the front court is bigger. Staff sucks, plain and simple. They think street ball is going to get them over hump, it won’t. A poorly constructed roster of athletic wings will beat less athletic teams consistently, but over long run, it’s not a recipe for success. And please do not compare us to nova or Michigan who plays with athletic bigs/wings.
It is really hard to believe that the best big men in the nation don't want to come here, especially with all that Utopia Avenue has to offer. I mean, St. John's has always been known as a big man school, soooo.......
If you think we CAN'T win with this lineup, then I think you're nuts. How different are we really from the '99 team? Artest, Barkley, Bootsy or Ponds, Heron, LJ. Then there was Reggie Jessie and Tyrone Grant. Clark and Simon, now. You want to say Postell on that team was a difference maker? What did he give that we can't get out of Trimble or Dixon as the season goes on. You can win with positionless lineups in this era of basketball. Yes, they were a little bigger but they went to toe to toe with Duke with Grant on the bench. The problem with this team is they are undisciplined. They catch and dribble constantly (which Mullin has said is the biggest problem they have on offense) and it stops any flow on offense. Yes, they foul too much, but its not because they don't play d on the perimeter, it's because they play too much. They are too focused on getting steals and blocked shots. Undisciplined. That falls on Mullin and the staff, but to say this is who they'll be all year is ridiculous. If they become more disciplined and more fundamental, they can absolutely win games. Big games, too.