CMA/STJ write up

DeAnte Mitchell

St. John’s assistant coach Van Macon here to watch Franck Kepnang, Josh Gray, Hassan Diarra & Richie Springs of the PSA Cardinals #sjubb


Coach Holmes @Aholmes20
Excited to have St. John’s in attendance to watch @PHSElite today @OntheRadarHoops tweet

Adam Zagoria ✔ @AdamZagoria
.⁦@StJohnsBBall⁩ Mike Anderson and Van Macon and ⁦@SetonHallMBB⁩ Kevin Willard and Grant Billmeier here for 2020 ⁦… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…


Watching Cam Thomas per DeAnte Mitchell

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DeAnte' Mitchell @MitchellDeAnte
St. John’s HC Mike Anderson still in the building to watch 2020 offer DJ Gordon & the Rens (NY)


It appears St. John’s has been very visible at peach jam and UA camps, not sure what camp you are referring to.

So MA and Van Macon were at Peach Jam. While unknown assistant was at On the Radar Hoops a very bad independent event which was nearby Peach Jam which could have been MA/Macon again. 

No coaches were at UAA. I didn't hear of any at Adidas either.

Macon has GREAT relationship with PSA Cardinals which is very good for us and it's good sign he was there to see them.

Perhaps it's existence is merely a figment of my imagination but this anti-Mullin/pro-Anderson camp thing is just plain stupid. Clearly I'm pro-Mullin and other's are seemingly anti-Mullin yet I'm certainly not anti-Anderson.  That would be ridiculous as he hasn't lost a game yet.

Come to think of it I wasn't anti-Lavin, Norm (until the 5th season at least), Jarvis, Fraschilla or Mahoney either.

That and the fact that I attend close to 10 live games a year render me a better true fan than many of you .

Amen

I believe you heard these things but should we not believe in the opinion of our own coaching staff?

I've been working in the game for decade. All guys who I respect and have been successful at all levels. I'm sorry but these incoming players are simply not good.

Perhaps it's existence is merely a figment of my imagination but this anti-Mullin/pro-Anderson camp thing is just plain stupid. Clearly I'm pro-Mullin and other's are seemingly anti-Mullin yet I'm certainly not anti-Anderson.  That would be ridiculous as he hasn't lost a game yet.

Come to think of it I wasn't anti-Lavin, Norm (until the 5th season at least), Jarvis, Fraschilla or Mahoney either.

That and the fact that I attend close to 10 live games a year render me a better true fan than many of you .

Im pro Mullin the player and man but anti Mullin the coach. I don't get why you still do not see anything wrong with the way he ran things here. I agree, the man was not given every opportunity to succeed here by the higher ups, but he did a lousy coaching job with the talent that we had here. Ill forever love what he mean to this program and our history but he didn't have a clue as a coach. He was a lazy recruiter and at least the new coach and his staff seem to be all out recruiting, unlike when we just had matt out doing everything.

Im pro Mullin the player and man but anti Mullin the coach. I don't get why you still do not see anything wrong with the way he ran things here. I agree, the man was not given every opportunity to succeed here by the higher ups, but he did a lousy coaching job with the talent that we had here. Ill forever love what he mean to this program and our history but he didn't have a clue as a coach. He was a lazy recruiter and at least the new coach and his staff seem to be all out recruiting, unlike when we just had matt out doing everything.

It's the coaching. His recruiting was good enough. The team was good enough to be ranked in January. They fell apart as a team, and Mullin had no answer. That's not recruiting. It's time this program had a good game coach.

So MA and Van Macon were at Peach Jam. While unknown assistant was at On the Radar Hoops a very bad independent event which was nearby Peach Jam which could have been MA/Macon again. 

No coaches were at UAA. I didn't hear of any at Adidas either.

Macon has GREAT relationship with PSA Cardinals which is very good for us and it's good sign he was there to see them.

Anderson was at Adidas for the most part (he briefly attended the Peach Jam, then returned to Adidas).  Cleveland and Macon practically manned the Peach Jam, while DeMeo attended a JUCO showcase, and the Elite 32 and NBA Academy Games which were both in Atlanta (the former you assumed was the On the Radar Tournament).  Did DeMeo attend any of the UA AAU games?  Not sure.  But I'd guess they may have attended a game or two at UA being it was also held in Atlanta.

"On the Radar" is just the handle of that particular Twitter user (and, likely the name of his directing/scouting services). 

Im pro Mullin the player and man but anti Mullin the coach. I don't get why you still do not see anything wrong with the way he ran things here. I agree, the man was not given every opportunity to succeed here by the higher ups, but he did a lousy coaching job with the talent that we had here. Ill forever love what he mean to this program and our history but he didn't have a clue as a coach. He was a lazy recruiter and at least the new coach and his staff seem to be all out recruiting, unlike when we just had matt out doing everything.

You need to realize some on here only view things through a very narrow, jaded lens.

Of course Mullin was an inadequate coach. There's no one out there besides a few sycophants on this board who objectively think otherwise.

The people who are ripping Anderson when he has not won or lost a game as a HC clearly have an agenda. It's also rather telling that those same people who have an axe to grind with Anderson's super early recruiting (which I think is actually rather commendable given the late stage) were not ripping Mullin for not addressing the glaring elephant in the room going into last season which was a competent big man. That was infinitely more egregious of a gaffe than anything Mike Anderson has done in 3 months on the job.

All of that said, we haven't even mentioned what a successful head coach Anderson has been in almost 2 decades in this role. This is where he will shine and get these kids to play better than their "ratings". Can't wait for him on the sidelines. A real, involved in-game coach. It will be refreshing for all to see.

Anderson was at Adidas for the most part (he briefly attended the Peach Jam, then returned to Adidas).  Cleveland and Macon practically manned the Peach Jam, while DeMeo attended a JUCO showcase, and the Elite 32 and NBA Academy Games which were both in Atlanta (the former you assumed was the On the Radar Tournament).  Did DeMeo attend any of the UA AAU games?  Not sure.  But I'd guess they may have attended a game or two at UA being it was also held in Atlanta.

"On the Radar" is just the handle of that particular Twitter user (and, likely the name of his directing/scouting services). 

thanks for these clarifications

I've been working in the game for decade. All guys who I respect and have been successful at all levels. I'm sorry but these incoming players are simply not good.

Appreciate the information.  I am going to assume that Rutherford and Sears are just warm practice bodies/extreme depth needed in a pinch for year 1. McGriff is a head shaker, though. Rotation will probably be Heron, LJ, Steere, Wright, Williams, Roberts, Champaigne, Carraher.  I see that Anderson is looking for another big for this season - not sure who is left. I give him a pass for Rutherford/Sears type guys for this year only.  Can't have, and there should be no need for, such players to fill out a roster going forward.  Sears should be told that he's a one year guy here unless he develops significantly.
 

He's bringing in players that fit his system? These players are not good. They will be exposed all season...wait and see.

Mullin inherited Amar and Felix and brought the program back to relevancy in year 4. He also won more BE tourney games than Lavin and Norm combined. Sorry you get all your info from the internet stalker Paultzman. Ask the parents of Simon,Ponds,Clark,Williams etc... about Mullin.

Mullin brought the program back to relevancy? Your kidding me right- that was actually Lav who brought us back to relevancy. Mullin actually took us a step back- Anderson has to clean up his mess. Relevancy is not having one coach  solely responsible for recruiting mainly transfers, force out another who was a top tier recruiter and have someone with alot of inexperience essentially run the the team. I like St. Jean but he was given too much at this point for a Big East program. Relevancy is also not having some embarrassingly bad losing seasons before "figuring it out"  in year 4 while also coincidentally being embarrassed down the stretch and being the last team in. Embarrassing ourselves on national TV against a very bad ASU team in play in game.

Anderson not only has to set his agenda but clean up Mullins. I think he will be fine, he is a real coach with a real staff that has already shown a group effort to work hard.

Mullin brought the program back to relevancy? Your kidding me right- that was actually Lav who brought us back to relevancy. Mullin actually took us a step back- Anderson has to clean up his mess. Relevancy is not having one coach  solely responsible for recruiting mainly transfers, force out another who was a top tier recruiter and have someone with alot of inexperience essentially run the the team. I like St. Jean but he was given too much at this point for a Big East program. Relevancy is also not having some embarrassingly bad losing seasons before "figuring it out"  in year 4 while also coincidentally being embarrassed down the stretch and being the last team in. Embarrassing ourselves on national TV against a very bad ASU team in play in game.

Anderson not only has to set his agenda but clean up Mullins. I think he will be fine, he is a real coach with a real staff that has already shown a group effort to work hard.

Lavin left the program with NOTHING. He also left a very difficult job of balancing a roster. Giving out about 10 scholarships. Mullin literally  inherited the worst roster in the BE. With that said they brought in alot of talent in their short time and had some roster defencies like any rebuilding program. He got SJU into the tourney with minimal support and resources from the administration. With more work to do moving fwd.

What exactly is Anderson cleaning up? He is getting Mustapaha Heron, LJ Figueroa who are ALl Big East players. Ian Steere, Eli Wright, Greg Williams, and Josh Roberts all have plus potential. The guys Anderson brought in are literally the worst ranked class in SJU history. There is a reason to be skeptical about this class. No one is rooting against Anderson. It's just a real assessment without drinking a gallon of kool aid.

Lavin left the program with NOTHING. He also left a very difficult job of balancing a roster. Giving out about 10 scholarships. Mullin literally  inherited the worst roster in the BE. With that said they brought in alot of talent in their short time and had some roster defencies like any rebuilding program. He got SJU into the tourney with minimal support and resources from the administration. With more work to do moving fwd.

What exactly is Anderson cleaning up? He is getting Mustapaha Heron, LJ Figueroa who are ALl Big East players. Ian Steere, Eli Wright, Greg Williams, and Josh Roberts all have plus potential. The guys Anderson brought in are literally the worst ranked class in SJU history. There is a reason to be skeptical about this class. No one is rooting against Anderson. It's just a real assessment without drinking a gallon of kool aid.

2 NCAA tournament appearances and 2 NIT appearances in 5 years is not nothing where before that we were a laughingstock in the Norm era. In addition, that cancer season hurt him and also some clearing issues otherwise that team would have been solid too.

As for the last season and recruiting he did not get the big catches he hoped but got a solid couple guys and would have kept building although it would have been a rebuilding year. Considering that - he did exponentially better than Mullin. Yes Mullin got some talented players and left some good ones, but do realize we were the LAST team this year in the NCAAs, nearly out which almost left us with one NIT in 4 seasons. That and the other messes- weak staff, lack of energy into the program was not a positive.

As for Andersons class he had no time and had some players in place. There is no cause for concern on this issue- if we have this same convo next year about the ratings of that class that is a problem because I expect a good season this year and with it better recruits.

Anderson was at Adidas for the most part (he briefly attended the Peach Jam, then returned to Adidas).  Cleveland and Macon practically manned the Peach Jam, while DeMeo attended a JUCO showcase, and the Elite 32 and NBA Academy Games which were both in Atlanta (the former you assumed was the On the Radar Tournament).  Did DeMeo attend any of the UA AAU games?  Not sure.  But I'd guess they may have attended a game or two at UA being it was also held in Atlanta.

"On the Radar" is just the handle of that particular Twitter user (and, likely the name of his directing/scouting services). 

Good recap MJ. Honestly pretty solid covering by staff. This year of all years should have been loaded up at Nike. They have a stronghold on talent this class.

2 NCAA tournament appearances and 2 NIT appearances in 5 years is not nothing where before that we were a laughingstock in the Norm era. In addition, that cancer season hurt him and also some clearing issues otherwise that team would have been solid too.

As for the last season and recruiting he did not get the big catches he hoped but got a solid couple guys and would have kept building although it would have been a rebuilding year. Considering that - he did exponentially better than Mullin. Yes Mullin got some talented players and left some good ones, but do realize we were the LAST team this year in the NCAAs, nearly out which almost left us with one NIT in 4 seasons. That and the other messes- weak staff, lack of energy into the program was not a positive.

As for Andersons class he had no time and had some players in place. There is no cause for concern on this issue- if we have this same convo next year about the ratings of that class that is a problem because I expect a good season this year and with it better recruits.

So if Lavin hadn't missed an entire season with cancer - the same cancer that caused HOFers Jims Boeheim and Calhoun to miss a combined six games - and if he hadn't had NCAA clearing house problems related to fugazi transcript parking lot hand offs and if he'd gotten some recruits he didn't get, he'd have been a really good coach because he would have gotten even better recruits that he might not have gotten.

Thanks for the hot take.

So if Lavin hadn't missed an entire season with cancer - the same cancer that caused HOFers Jims Boeheim and Calhoun to miss a combined six games - and if he hadn't had NCAA clearing house problems related to fugazi transcript parking lot hand offs and if he'd gotten some recruits he didn't get, he'd have been a really good coach because he would have gotten even better recruits that he might not have gotten.

Thanks for the hot take.

So Foad are you a doctor now? I thought you were just a lawyer. Guy must have been in on Lav's cancer treatment plan. As for the academic issues that are the chances you take trying to spark something in a dormant program, make offers to a variety of top players. Some top players- DLo, Dom, Moe etc make it and others do not Pelle, Jakarr delay etc.

And as for the bad recruiting luck- I am glad he did not sell his soul for Tiny Morton on staff. As for the Briscoe Saga its difficult to compete with Calapari that we were even in the thick of it was the Lav effect and sometimes it works- that top first class, prospect Sheed, Obekpa etc.  Mullin would be nowhere close to getting close to hauls like that. He got lucky getting Shamorie, LJ and Heron. Matt responsible for the latter and Simon.

Anderson is a good coach- I think he will bring that hard work, fighter mentality and grit that was not quite there with Lav and Mullin. And because people will start to respect his success he will get us Lav like hauls eventually- more so than Mullin would ever.

So Foad are you a doctor now? I thought you were just a lawyer.

Just a lawyer? How dare you. Say that again and I'll have the ABA up your ass so fast it'll make your head spin. Because actually I am a doctor dummy, aka a juris doctorate. Which is besides the point. The point being that in your ball washing of the repulsive Steve Lavin you extend him every courtesy and make for him every excuse all of which is designed to disguise the fact that he sucked at coaching and was besides which a reprehensible mentally ill human being. And all because a couple of times he nodded at you in the hallway and every once in a while spotted you a slice of pizza. There are whores in Bangkok who put out less than you do for more. Although to your credit they don't have your loyalty.

Just a lawyer? How dare you. Say that again and I'll have the ABA up your ass so fast it'll make your head spin. Because actually I am a doctor dummy, aka a juris doctorate. Which is besides the point. The point being that in your ball washing of the repulsive Steve Lavin you extend him every courtesy and make for him every excuse all of which is designed to disguise the fact that he sucked at coaching and was besides which a reprehensible mentally ill human being. And all because a couple of times he nodded at you in the hallway and every once in a while spotted you a slice of pizza. There are whores in Bangkok who put out less than you do for more. Although to your credit they don't have your loyalty.

I normally agree with you Foad, but do you think Mullin was a better coach than Lavin? As carmine always says since we are not a good program getting to the NCAAs is a great season, Lavin got us there twice and 1 NIT. I just thought we should have been better in Mullins 4th year last year. We had some glimpses but then had some horrendous losses. Beating Depaul in the big east tourney and then getting annihilated by marquette the next day was definitely on the coaching staff.

I also think its alarming the level of talent that coach Anderson has brought in. Mullin brought in a lot better recruits when he was hired in his first year.

The school failed both Lavin and Mullin. These coaches didn't help themselves in some regard but a capable athletic administration and board would go a long way.

but he did a lousy coaching job with the talent that we had here.

Year #4 the talent we had here consisted of no height, no depth, and a perimeter oriented power forward that picked up 2 fouls on the pre-game layup line.

Year #3 the talent we had here included a slight, talented guard that we were extremely dependent on that got a boo-boo on his knee and took his ball and went home mid-season.

Year #2 the talent we had here was too young and inexperienced.

Year #1 the talent we had here was non existent.

 
he didn't have a clue as a coach.

If he didn't have a clue as a coach, how did he get a perennial bottom feeder such as St. John's to the Ncaa tournament?  As good a post season result as any Johnny coach has achieved in a season beginning this millennial.

Year #4 the talent we had here consisted of no height, no depth, and a perimeter oriented power forward that picked up 2 fouls on the pre-game layup line.

Year #3 the talent we had here included a slight, talented guard that we were extremely dependent on that got a boo-boo on his knee and took his ball and went home mid-season.

Year #2 the talent we had here was too young and inexperienced.

Year #1 the talent we had here was non existent. 
If he didn't have a clue as a coach, how did he get a perennial bottom feeder such as St. John's to the Ncaa tournament?  As good a post season result as any Johnny coach has achieved in a season beginning this millennial.

Yes he didn't have a clue as a coach. He played marquette the same way the third time as he did the first two times and their coach made an adjustment to clog the middle and shut down our slashers driving to the rim, thus us getting blown out of the gym. Mustapha Heron a nationally ranked (19th in his class) regressed under Mullin as an upperclassmen in comparison to his play at auburn. Plenty of teams win with playing 7 players and not having height, they just rebound well, run, and hit the offensive glass, another thing we did not do. The guys Mullin brought in were talented highly rated guys, with barely anything to show for it. What did you like about his coaching? Switching every screen no matter who was in the game? Or maybe not hitting the offensive glass, or even maybe just continuously running the only play in our system a pick and roll.