Lasalle 11/26

the main problem with CMA asa coach is the recruiting. He gets his teams to play hard and seems to develop guys well but the recruiting has been atrocious. I don't get why some posters try to twist this notion or come up with excuses. He hasn't brought in 1 top 100 recruit and it is very alarming. Both Lavin and Mullin were able to do that when they first were hired.

I think these problems will continue because (and Dave can probably answer this question) these top talented recruits do not want to play in a system like Andersons. They want to focus on showcasing their offensive talents and want to play most of the game. In his system he focuses on defense and going 10 players deep. This isn't appealing to the top 100 type of talents in todays game.

Anderson has been here one season and two games, and his recruiting is "atrocious"? However, you go on to say you like Penny, Posh and Pinzon...it's early, but it looks like Cole is off to a good start...

The last part of your statement is fine, five star "studs" dont want to press or run all over the court playing defense. And their parents/guardians aren't interested in graduation rates, Honor Roll athletes, academics.

But, get this, CMA's teams win, and the individual players graduate...that has St Johns written all over it.

The anti-Anderson crowd here is hilarious. He's been here 1 season and 2 games. You act like he's 3 years into his tenure like the last guy who did nothing in his first few seasons.

Anderson already exceeded expectations last year (17-15 on his way to 18-15 beating the top seed in the BE tourney until the game was called) and hasn't lost yet this year.

Most of the criticisms you want to put on Anderson are unfounded at this juncture in his Johnnies post. Try to deal in actual results because your opinions aren't holding much, if any, weight to this point.

Based on where scouting services rate them. Ever think Mike Anderson could know more than Paul biancardi?

So why do 3 ratings services that rate players have none of our guys in the top 100?  Must be because they are wrong and Anderson is right. I think he is a good coach who develops players well but he isn't a good recruiter. He recruited better at Arkansas and was fired there. Mullin and Lavin came in and were able to get 4 star guys right away. Why does everyone say oh if we win they will start coming here! If Anderson is such a proven winning a great coach who never loses wouldn't recruits be lining up to come play for him?

Anderson has been here one season and two games, and his recruiting is "atrocious"? However, you go on to say you like Penny, Posh and Pinzon...it's early, but it looks like Cole is off to a good start...

The last part of your statement is fine, five star "studs" dont want to press or run all over the court playing defense. And their parents/guardians aren't interested in graduation rates, Honor Roll athletes, academics.

But, get this, CMA's teams win, and the individual players graduate...that has St Johns written all over it.

We are last in the big east in recruiting. Have you looked at the recruits every other big east school has been bringing in? It will only be harder now with UCONN back. What 5 star recruit would ever care about academics honestly? They main goal is to make money in the NBA.  Let me ask you this .....would you rather have a team with studs that leave after a year and they make it deep into the tournament and maybe even win, or have our kids graduate? I think everyone would sign up for having one and dones.

Yes Coach Anderson wins but that is in this past isn't it? I liked Lavin and thought he recruited well here but was not a great coach. He had a track record before coming and was run out of town after 4 years. Just because Anderson has won elsewhere does not mean he will automatically win here. Its a what have you done for me lately business.

I like the guy as a coach but you are out of your mind if you don't think the recruiting thus far has been a little alarming. So basically our plan is to get low level mid level recruits and develop everyone of them so well? That won't work int he big east.

So why do 3 ratings services that rate players have none of our guys in the top 100?  Must be because they are wrong and Anderson is right. I think he is a good coach who develops players well but he isn't a good recruiter. He recruited better at Arkansas and was fired there. Mullin and Lavin came in and were able to get 4 star guys right away. Why does everyone say oh if we win they will start coming here! If Anderson is such a proven winning a great coach who never loses wouldn't recruits be lining up to come play for him?

Looks like they were all wrong on Champagnie and Posh.

So why do 3 ratings services that rate players have none of our guys in the top 100?  Must be because they are wrong and Anderson is right. I think he is a good coach who develops players well but he isn't a good recruiter. He recruited better at Arkansas and was fired there. Mullin and Lavin came in and were able to get 4 star guys right away. Why does everyone say oh if we win they will start coming here! If Anderson is such a proven winning a great coach who never loses wouldn't recruits be lining up to come play for him?

Were mullin or Lavin ever able to recruit a full team to st John’s? There are different ways to build a team.

I’m all about a stabilizing force. A CMA type coach probably would have done wonders where SJU was still a desirable place right after Jarvis left, but you have an AD with a vision and a coach with a system and a track record of success.

Yes they did not have a great BE record last season, and the recruiting classes won’t get you hyped, but the team was on the verge of doing something special in the BET.

So far this year a gAnd they should’ve lost they won because of some stone cold shooting. This season is already a cluster but this may work in SJU’s favor because more talented teams haven’t had time to practice. A blue collar SJU team maybe able to steal some wins just because they are relentless.

In the end when was the last time that SJU had three winning season in a row? That’s how low the bar is...Just think if CMA makes an NCAA and actually wins a freaking game. Best season in 20 years!!! Hell when was the last time we won an NIT game?

Maybe just maybe CMA system will work because we have an actual AD and CMA is in a Basketball first conference.

Looks like they were all wrong on Champagnie and Posh.

Posh has played 2 collegiate games vs mid major opponents, relax

Were mullin or Lavin ever able to recruit a full team to st John’s? There are different ways to build a team.

I agree they weren't able to at all. But just because we go 10 deep does not mean that we are good enough to go 10 deep. So you are cool with getting at best high end 3 star guys like posh and Julian and some lower level 3 star and 2 star guys to fill out a big East roster? You don't think we need a few top 100 guys to fill in our roster and make us that much better.

All of you say that Anderson develops so well, which I agree with, so wouldn't it be amazing if he brought in few top 100 recruits and really developed them as well. I think that's what we need to be in top 5 big east.

If Anderson never has losing seasons and has such a great track record why can't he recruit any top 100 kids like he did at Arkansas and Mizzou?

Sure seems like he can spot talent

He got fired because he didn't recruit well enough

We are last in the big east in recruiting. Have you looked at the recruits every other big east school has been bringing in? It will only be harder now with UCONN back. What 5 star recruit would ever care about academics honestly? They main goal is to make money in the NBA.  Let me ask you this .....would you rather have a team with studs that leave after a year and they make it deep into the tournament and maybe even win, or have our kids graduate? I think everyone would sign up for having one and dones.

Yes Coach Anderson wins but that is in this past isn't it? I liked Lavin and thought he recruited well here but was not a great coach. He had a track record before coming and was run out of town after 4 years. Just because Anderson has won elsewhere does not mean he will automatically win here. Its a what have you done for me lately business.

I like the guy as a coach but you are out of your mind if you don't think the recruiting thus far has been a little alarming. So basically our plan is to get low level mid level recruits and develop everyone of them so well? That won't work int he big east.

Nailed it.

Looks like they were all wrong on Champagnie and Posh.

Both would be bench players on majority of Big East teams. They are arguably our best 2 players. Thats the problem. Not every player on our team is bad but our ceiling and floor are too low to be truly competitive.

Were mullin or Lavin ever able to recruit a full team to st John’s? There are different ways to build a team.

Amase I think you're really missing the big picture here. All of these coaches have their shortcomings.

Lavin didn't replace good bench coach after Dunlap. Got complacent but the school should have hopped in and forced change. Tell him he needs to be on campus more, force a staff hire on his bench.

When school made the move to Mullin you had to know there would be major growing pains but need to double down on that bet. They stripped program of money, pride, and soured the relationship with the best player ever.

It's Groundhog Day at St. John's. We'll be having this convo in 2 years about Anderson. DePaul had guy get drafted this year and years of improved recruiting and they couldn't get out of the cellar. The Big East is brutal and only worse with local rival UConn back in the mix. Seton Hall, UConn, Providence all gonna out recruit us. There is also Rutgers who's been rolling.

The issue is with the University we need vision and leadership from President and Athletic Director. We need to overhaul all the lifers who've worked in the athletic department.

Amase I think you're really missing the big picture here. All of these coaches have their shortcomings.

Lavin didn't replace good bench coach after Dunlap. Got complacent but the school should have hopped in and forced change. Tell him he needs to be on campus more, force a staff hire on his bench.

When school made the move to Mullin you had to know there would be major growing pains but need to double down on that bet. They stripped program of money, pride, and soured the relationship with the best player ever.

It's Groundhog Day at St. John's. We'll be having this convo in 2 years about Anderson. DePaul had guy get drafted this year and years of improved recruiting and they couldn't get out of the cellar. The Big East is brutal and only worse with local rival UConn back in the mix. Seton Hall, UConn, Providence all gonna out recruit us. There is also Rutgers who's been rolling.

The issue is with the University we need vision and leadership from President and Athletic Director. We need to overhaul all the lifers who've worked in the athletic department.

This is the comedy of errors of a long line of errors of St. John’s. Lavin wasn’t Gempesaw’s guy and Mullin wasn’t Cragg’s guy. Lavin wasn’t the stank of Harrington. Gempesaw’s biggest mistake was trying to hire a coach before an AD.

It’s clear that Mullin would never be fully committed to coaching at SJU. FTR it’s harder for a New Yorker to return to NYC than a newcomer
coming to NYC for the first time.

CMA is Cragg’s First major pick and he will do everything in his power to make sure He succeeds. Something that Lavin and Mullin didn’t have.

I agree they weren't able to at all. But just because we go 10 deep does not mean that we are good enough to go 10 deep. So you are cool with getting at best high end 3 star guys like posh and Julian and some lower level 3 star and 2 star guys to fill out a big East roster? You don't think we need a few top 100 guys to fill in our roster and make us that much better.

All of you say that Anderson develops so well, which I agree with, so wouldn't it be amazing if he brought in few top 100 recruits and really developed them as well. I think that's what we need to be in top 5 big east.

Of course I want the best players possible. I am just willing to believe that Mike Anderson can pick those players better than you or I. He’s not infallible and he’s certainly not without flaws.  But you don’t think he wants to win? You don’t think his livelihood relies more on scouting prospective recruits to fit his style than someone at 24/7 does?

And thanks Dave but no, I’m not really misunderstanding what I’m talking about.

Of course I want the best players possible. I am just willing to believe that Mike Anderson can pick those players better than you or I. He’s not infallible and he’s certainly not without flaws.  But you don’t think he wants to win? You don’t think his livelihood relies more on scouting prospective recruits to fit his style than someone at 24/7 does?

And thanks Dave but no, I’m not really misunderstanding what I’m talking about.

Is it that he's picking these players based on scouting or are they all he can really get? No offense it just sound like excuses to me. Every coach wants to win. Jay Wright wants to win so why doesn't he start recruiting low 3 stars and some 2 star guys too because he scouts really well? Does this team have a chance to overachieve this year? Definitely. But looking a tour roster do you really believe that we will finish in the top 6 of the conference? If I'm wrong i will gladly admit it and be happy that I am wrong because I ultimately want the team to win and am a passionate fan. Im just a realist  I never said he was a bad coach at all. I just think the recruiting so far has been a real red flag and will be tough to compete in the big east with these players. I don't get how some of you aren't a little nervous about this thus far,its ok to admit the program won't be upset with you!

Anyone can fit his style if they buy in to the system. So only lower level recruits buy in? got it

As much as you don't like to admit it the ranking do matter. Why do the top teams always have the most top 100 guys? Isn't there a reason behind it? Im not asking for a top 25 class every year. But since CMA is a solid coach who develops well why not develop a few 4 stat top 100 guys every now and again.

Amase I think you're really missing the big picture here. All of these coaches have their shortcomings.

Lavin didn't replace good bench coach after Dunlap. Got complacent but the school should have hopped in and forced change. Tell him he needs to be on campus more, force a staff hire on his bench.

When school made the move to Mullin you had to know there would be major growing pains but need to double down on that bet. They stripped program of money, pride, and soured the relationship with the best player ever.

It's Groundhog Day at St. John's. We'll be having this convo in 2 years about Anderson. DePaul had guy get drafted this year and years of improved recruiting and they couldn't get out of the cellar. The Big East is brutal and only worse with local rival UConn back in the mix. Seton Hall, UConn, Providence all gonna out recruit us. There is also Rutgers who's been rolling.

The issue is with the University we need vision and leadership from President and Athletic Director. We need to overhaul all the lifers who've worked in the athletic department.

Totally agree Dave. Its like they don't do anything to put themselves over the top. Plugged holes to fix them and never do anything with long term success in their minds. It like what the Wilpons would do as Mets owners. It all trickles down from University higher ups.

I think so may people are blinded about our strong finish to the ned of the season last year. The reality is we were 5-13 in conference. If you want to boast that it was another WINNING season for CMA go ahead, but thats bottom of the big east to me, and thats what matters. Hopefully can have a solid season this year and make the NIT. I don't get why when we bring in lower level recruits its "Oh man we have a great eye for talent," or "he looks perfect for our system, and can be a great 4 year player." Why can't we be a little more realistic and say to ourselves I think we need some higher level guys in here if we want to take it to the next level.

I just hate how everyones twists things to be positive. If Depaul was recruiting these guys we would be laughing at them and saying no wonder why they always finish in last.

Is it that he's picking these players based on scouting or are they all he can really get? No offense it just sound like excuses to me. Every coach wants to win. Jay Wright wants to win so why doesn't he start recruiting low 3 stars and some 2 star guys too because he scouts really well? Does this team have a chance to overachieve this year? Definitely. But looking a tour roster do you really believe that we will finish in the top 6 of the conference? If I'm wrong i will gladly admit it and be happy that I am wrong because I ultimately want the team to win and am a passionate fan. Im just a realist  I never said he was a bad coach at all. I just think the recruiting so far has been a real red flag and will be tough to compete in the big east with these players. I don't get how some of you aren't a little nervous about this thus far,its ok to admit the program won't be upset with you!

Anyone can fit his style if they buy in to the system. So only lower level recruits buy in? got it

As much as you don't like to admit it the ranking do matter. Why do the top teams always have the most top 100 guys? Isn't there a reason behind it? Im not asking for a top 25 class every year. But since CMA is a solid coach who develops well why not develop a few 4 stat top 100 guys every now and again.

You said atrocious. Find some middle ground and posters won’t have to argue with you. I’ve never said he’s a great recruiter. He did however get an all BE freshmen one month on the job. Atrocious!