What is the solution?

Big fan of all caps sjufan calling for unbiased assessment

The talent is there. Rewatch this game and count how many absolutely horrific shots were taken by this team today, a problem that has persisted for years now. If this team just cut down on the amount of bad shots taken, a very fixable problem, they'd be exponentially better. And I don't blame the players for it.

Trust me, I’m 100% on board with the fact of the bad shots killing us. I said as much in the game thread.

To not blame players for it is an interesting perspective. Sure staff should shoulder a good amount of that blame but ultimately the players make the decisions on court and when you don’t have many alternatives...Not to mention guys like Clark were taking smart shots earlier in the season.

Trust me, I’m 100% on board with the fact of the bad shots killing us. I said as much in the game thread.

To not blame players for it is an interesting perspective. Sure staff should shoulder a good amount of that blame but ultimately the players make the decisions on court and when you don’t have many alternatives...Not to mention guys like Clark were taking smart shots earlier in the season.

I don't think the players are blameless in this by any stretch, but shot selection is something that needs to be quickly addressed by the coaching staff. Every team takes bad shots throughout a course of a game but there are usually consequences and players that consistently take bad shots find themselves on the bench. For us, these shots are in abundance and there are no consequences or even measures being taken to curtail them. That wouldn't fly at places like Villanova, Virginia, Gonzaga or Michigan and it's accident that those programs are consistently winning.

The ONLY way this ends clean is if we win one BE Tournament game and make NCAA tournament, this way we will not be faced with the horrid dilemma of firing the greatest player to put on a St Johns uniform. The school really took a HUGE risk hiring him especially with things like this- at the very least they should have demanded he hire experienced staff.

While I was a Mark Jackson guy from beginning and even a Hurley guy, I realize the absolute mess right now this will cause and turmoil our program more. School fires greatest alum like this is not just embarrassing but kills our recruiting even worse than before unless we shell out alot for someone really top of the line real fast. If he is to go he cannot go like this. Plus no way in hell we keep Shamorie one more year if Mullin gone.

The 12-0 start was a mirage, Play a tough non-conference schedule like Seton Hall to find out how good you really might be. Stop listening to NY Post hype.

Discussing the future of the program hours after a loss is unwise.

This is a very flawed team. Our bigs don’t rebound. Clark in particular is the worst rebounding and defending starting 4 or 5 in the conference. Keita is an embarrassment rebounding.

How do you win with two players like Simon and Clark? It’s bery tough.

We can potentially be much better next season under several scenarios.

Sorry, but the incoming group of David Caraher, Eli Wright, Cam Mack, Ian Steere, & Valdir Manuel doesn't make me think St. John's will be much better next season.

I don't think the players are blameless in this by any stretch, but shot selection is something that needs to be quickly addressed by the coaching staff. Every team takes bad shots throughout a course of a game but there are usually consequences and players that consistently take bad shots find themselves on the bench. For us, these shots are in abundance and there are no consequences or even measures being taken to curtail them. That wouldn't fly at places like Villanova, Virginia, Gonzaga or Michigan and it's accident that those programs are consistently winning.

The players are far from blameless, but bad shot selection can quickly be curtailed by the coaching staff.  LJ takes a 3 from 30 feet?  Timeout.  LJ, sit on the bench for 5 minutes.  Simon takes an 18 foot running floater?  Timeout.  Simon, get off the court.

I understand that they don't want to micromanage the game, but the coaches don't even address stupid decisions, which last I checked is their job.

Sorry, but the incoming group of David Caraher, Eli Wright, Cam Mack, Ian Steere, & Valdir Manuel doesn't make me think St. John's will be much better next season.

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Given the way they played this year I think heron,almost definitely, and ponds possibly, will be back. This would translate to a very deep and talented squad.  But I thought that this year.

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Given the way they played this year I think heron,almost definitely, and ponds possibly, will be back. This would translate to a very deep and talented squad.  But I thought that this year.

Without coaching that lineup inspires very little faith.

It seems like everyone on this team has given up and they are waiting/ wanting this season to be over so some major announcements can be made.

If they can win a couple of games in the BET, make the dance and win a game. It will save this season from being a disappointment. A coaching staff shake up happens, but keeps Mullin the headcoach, would work.

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Given the way they played this year I think heron,almost definitely, and ponds possibly, will be back. This would translate to a very deep and talented squad.  But I thought that this year.

Team finished in 7th with Ponds. I don't think it matters if he stays or goes

1. Chris Mullin is fired / steps down...entire coaching staff goes also. (would love to keep Matt but I don't think he wants to stay)
2. Cragg does a thorough search for a head coach with experience
3. A true assessment of the roster, recruiting tools, surroundings, and what SJU has to offer
4. Find a way to connect with the fans and reinvigorate them in the sense that the ship is being righted

New season starts Wednesday. Suggestions;

1. In every offensive set, Ponds must get a touch

2. The only shots Simon should take are layups or open 12 footers. His job is to pass to any of the other four, who is open.

3. The best defense is the switching man to man. The zone gives us quick hands upfront and poor rebounding. Zones should only be used occasionally.

4. There should be at least 4 of the starting five on the floor at all times.

Maybe we can win two or more BE tournament games and make the NCAA tournament.

As for the coaching staff, Chris Mullin can stay as long as he wants. If he does decide to go then get either Tim Cluess or Mark Jackson.

The players are far from blameless, but bad shot selection can quickly be curtailed by the coaching staff.  LJ takes a 3 from 30 feet?  Timeout.  LJ, sit on the bench for 5 minutes.  Simon takes an 18 foot running floater?  Timeout.  Simon, get off the court.

I understand that they don't want to micromanage the game, but the coaches don't even address stupid decisions, which last I checked is their job.

In your scenario we would be out of time outs 2 minutes into the game.

The problems here are big and outweigh the solutions. The problems are Roster, Facilities & Coaching. I'm sick of hearing about the talented roster and most talented starting 5 BS. 5 individually talented players don't make a TEAM, there is a huge difference.  The pieces don't fit well together and it's that simple.  4 guys between 6-5 and 6-7 and Ponds and no true 5 or 4 anywhere on the roster, hence we get KILLED on the boards which extends those back breaking possessions. Clark is beyond out if place at the 5 or even the 4. Simon doesn't have a true position bc hes not a PG, SG or SF. I'm still waiting for Heron to be a constant presence on this team. Ponds has checked out long ago. Hes auditioning for an NBA PG role hence hes happy not to shot and dish out 8 assists. Hes obviously being coached by someone to prep for nba. He can score 30 on most nights if he chooses to but hes in audition mode. That guy should never ever go into the half with only 2 or 4 points and that happened too many times this year. Facilities suck. Carneseca arena is nice for a marquee high school program but come on. We r d1 big east team for the love of God. We need to play most big east games and others at msg to have a chance with recruiting.  We played 6 games at mag this year? Our campus does not exist and that hurts. We can't compete with uconn, providence, and any of the other state universities and even smaller who have these beautiful campuses. Coaching. Now here is a big joke. Mullin is a program defining Legend but that does not make a coach. It's obvious to anyone who is not mentally handicapped that he is a joke of a coach. There is no structure to the offensive sets and no discipline whatsoever on shot selection. We throw up 45 ft 3 pointers 7 seconds into the shot clock while down 5 points. WHY??? Everyone says Mullin is not a roll up sleeve get out there at the ground level recruiting type guy and we need that. Frashilla was great in that regard. We have to fight harder than most to recruit to over compensate for our lack of success and crap facilities.  Mitch Richmond is worthless on the bench.  I don't think he had opened his mouth more than once on the season and when he did, it was to eat and not coach. St Jean is the only one that seems to legit coach honestly. We caught lightning in a bottle once in the mid eighties and to a lesser degree later on in the Artest days. Both were fueled by rosters full of talented local NY talent staying home which we have little luck doing. Were holding onto a nostalgic pipe dream of st John's Mullin teams of the mid 80s but that ship sailed long ago and here we are over 30 years later and we've never come close to repeating besides the Artest final 8 squad. The needed solutions are impossible because it would require transforming the facilities to a beautiful campus with with on site living,  beautiful grounds etc and that's not possible. Coaching is possible but Mullin has to go. One of the worst things that ever happened to this program was Fraschilla being let go bc he was connected to NY roots programs and could recruit NY talent. Yes I know he was nuts and the story with the balls at halftime, but he had passion, could truly coach and could definitely recruit NY talent. Those were his players on the final 8 team with Artest not Jarvis'.

Just need a coach on staff with actual experience. Preferably someone who has been a head coach previously. This will help out with the day to day, game planning, keeping guys in check, practice, etc.

It's beyond disappointing how up and down the team has been this season. Part of the blame goes into the players and other goes into the staff for just running things status quo and expecting results to be different.

Step 1- is easy-
Step 2- less easy- find the right guy
St. John’s is great job for some one who believes it is. Has a plan, is capable, and is willing to work.
I was angry last night. But I am excited and hopeful that good things are coming.

Taffner field house is beautiful. As is our schools. We have a real AD. We need to make the garden our home. Home schedule will finally be improved.
We are NY’s team. Plenty of positives. St. John’s is a sleeping giant with the right coach.

The one thing mullin proved is their is a fan base.

Just need a coach on staff with actual experience. Preferably someone who has been a head coach previously. This will help out with the day to day, game planning, keeping guys in check, practice, etc.

Yes, this goes back to the discussions surrounding Mike Rice or other potential assistant coaches that flooded this board in the spring and summer. Mullin stood pat and failed to address what's most likely the biggest issue in this program and his stubbornness has come back to bite him

Just need a coach on staff with actual experience. Preferably someone who has been a head coach previously. This will help out with the day to day, game planning, keeping guys in check, practice, etc.

It's beyond disappointing how up and down the team has been this season. Part of the blame goes into the players and other goes into the staff for just running things status quo and expecting results to be different.

I venture over to other conference schools message boards, and none of those boards talk about assistant coaches more than our boards.  I wonder why.....  Maybe, because we need a head coach.

Mullin had ample opportunities to go after other viable assistant coaches, but to no avail.  IMO, it's too late.  Just move on..... 

I venture over to other conference schools message boards, and none of those boards talk about assistant coaches more than our boards.  I wonder why.....  Maybe, because we need a head coach.

Mullin had ample opportunities to go after other viable assistant coaches, but to no avail.  IMO, it's too late.  Just move on..... 

Assistant coaches are incredibly important. Even Jay Wright struggled at points when his staff shook up. You need to have a balanced and specialized staff.