Baruch exhibition game

Bearcats no match for the red hot Johnnies!

Watching replay now... will post thoughts soon

It looks like we’re going to have a very deep team with a lot of contributors.

Of the new guys, here’s my take vs Manhattan powerhouse Baruch.

Smith - He’s very good. Just a solid all around player. He’ll hit the three, make the extra pass, and drive the ball when it’s there.

Coburn - I’m not as sold on him as Smith, but he’s a good shooter, and I like that he plays defense.

Niwye - Didn’t see much scoring from him, but he did put it on the floor at the top of the key, and drew a foul. Makes me think this is what Mohammed Diakite was supposed to be.

Mathis - Aggressive defender. Athletic finisher. Not sure about his jumper.

Pinzon - Looks really poised for a freshman. I think he’ll do well here. Good court vision, passer, and shooter.

Wheeler - Looks like a solid four, but not above average. Won’t overpower anyone, but will help fill an important role.

Soriano - He’s in better shape than he was last year, but he’s not in great shape, so while we should expect a productive season from him, he’s going to get into foul trouble.

Stanley - Really active undersized PF. Great energy guy. Reminded me of those undersized skinny PFs Providence gets.

Early impressions:

Posh is Posh. He’s incredible.

Champ is Champ…would like to see him be more selective from deep though.

Soriano isn’t a stiff. Needs to keep the ball higher in paint though.

Pinzon looks like he’s wearing a hair piece but he’s very skilled offensively and he’s not shy. Reminds me of LJ a in that regard. I don’t think it will take him long to get going. 

Stanley has an unreal motor on him. Decent stroke too.

Coburn disappointed a little. I can’t tell if he is just really efficient or not a big hustler.

Nyiwe won’t be much more than 5 fouls and spot minutes barring an injury.

Stef Smith was mehhh.

Mathis was okay…good motor but not a real coordinated kid.

This might be the best team we’ve had in a while but it will probably the least high flying and most under the rim too.

We will be in some real trouble if something happens to Posh. I think Wusu is better than any of the new guards.

A few general observations...

- Everyone can run the floor. It was nice to see Soriano, Wheeler, Nyiwe, and Stanley were all mobile running the floor.
- We're long 1-5 on the floor.
- A lot of interchangeable parts. We should wear teams down simply with pressure
- Team looked in good shape. Transfers especially look physically ready to compete in conference.
- Slightly worried about not having a true backup point guard
- Didn't like that our team sneakers were on same level as Baruch's. We should go down to Jamaica Ave and get some retros
- St. John's website to view boxscores in game was vastly improved


Now some individual thoughts...

- Really like Stef Smith. I know he didn't light up the box score but he might have showed most polish out of newcomers to me.
- Mathis can be our Paris Horne. Hustle, energy, lockdown defender.
- Coburn will be the microwave off the bench
- Posh was almost unrecognizable because he looks a lot leaner.
- Soriano while being Godzilla today still showed he had soft hands, could run the floor, and is our true big who can bang in the post. I like Wheeler as a change of pace stretch.
- We don't need anything from the freshman this year and that's a good place to be. Pinzon looked like a freshman but he has some game. Will be nice for him to be Champagnie's understudy for a year or two.

And to no surprise looks like we got a new strength coach...

https://redstormsports.com/staff-directory/tyler-watson/426

- Mathis can be our Paris Horne. Hustle, energy, lockdown defender.

A guy nobody ever heard of, named after a famous romantic crooner, in his first exhibition could be like one of our all-time greats? Nice! Did anybody resemble other all time greats Phil Greene and Avery Patterson?

A guy nobody ever heard of, named after a famous romantic crooner, in his first exhibition could be like one of our all-time greats? Nice! Did anybody resemble other all time greats Phil Greene and Avery Patterson?

Stef looked pretty close to Phil Greene…maybe with even less PG ability.

Stef looked pretty close to Phil Greene…maybe with even less PG ability.

But he doesn't dribble in circles. 

A guy nobody ever heard of, named after a famous romantic crooner, in his first exhibition could be like one of our all-time greats? Nice! Did anybody resemble other all time greats Phil Greene and Avery Patterson?

I was speaking to his role rather than straight comparison to talent. Can he be an energy, hustle, go-to defender for other team's best scorer? I think that's what he gonna be asked to do whether he can do it is another story

I was speaking to his role rather than straight comparison to talent. Can he be an energy, hustle, go-to defender for other team's best scorer? I think that's what he gonna be asked to do whether he can do it is another story

He was surprisingly active for an exhibition. Looks like he could be a good option to defend 6’3-6’7 wing players. He’s probably a guy you want in an up and down tempo.

He was surprisingly active for an exhibition. Looks like he could be a good option to defend 6’3-6’7 wing players. He’s probably a guy you want in an up and down tempo.

Think he's a nice fit. Ultimately think Wasu supplants him in starting lineup