Big East 2010-11: An early ranking [central Jersey.com]

http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/hoopshaven/2010/05/20/big-east-2010-11-an-early-ranking/

7. St. John’s: The stage is set for the Johnnies to make a big move. Seven of the top eight players are back and they’re all seniors, including a versatile centerpiece in D.J. Kennedy. Seniors in this league are worth their weight in gold. Inject a proven coach in Steve Lavin and you have the makings of a revival. Projection:  NCAA bubble team.

Fair assessment.

I think if we had an even remotely strong point guard we would be a lock for the tournament.

I think that is exactly how I would rank the BE.
That writer should get promoted.

Uconn at 9 is right on.
There is no telling how they will respond from their worst season in ages.

Isn't there one poll that had us at 15 or 16?

Fair assessment.

I think if we had an even remotely strong point guard we would be a lock for the tournament.

Agreed.  Is there a transfer that could be eligible for December?  We REALLY need another point.

Teams i know we are better than:
Rutgers
Providence
USF
Depaul

Teams i am really confident we are better than:
Cinci


After that it's going to be a crap shoot like it always is between teams 5 and 10.   The standings will be decided on on who will execute better in close games down the stretch and who can actually steal a few games on on the road.  Two things we have yet to prove.     

Quote from: pmg911 on May 20, 2010, 12:50:56 PM

Fair assessment.

I think if we had an even remotely strong point guard we would be a lock for the tournament.

Agreed.  Is there a transfer that could be eligible for December?  We REALLY need another point.

It's very unlikely it would work like that.  I am pretty sure that player would had to have transferred last December to St. John's by the beginning of the Spring semester.  The rules are intended to keep players from jumping ship at the end of a semester to play for another team like a pro trade.

If some guy transferred right now and had a family hardship, and got clearance, maybe.

But you two should use a little imagination. A strong point is helpful.  But teams make it with point guards that don't seem that strong going in (see: Mo Acker, see: Tory Jackson) or iffy situations (Texas).  Let's see how this staff - likely much better than the last one - deals with the issue.  Boothe can split time (assuming they're playing uptempo) with a better offensive player like DJ or Quincy (assuming they work on their handle in the offseason/ early season).  Remember that DJ brought the ball up on a number of possessions last year.

Or perhaps Boothe will be able to hit the occasional shot, while remaining a lower-possession player. 

Personally, I think the ballhandlers - including the other guards - have to cut down on turnovers.  No call for that level of given-away possessions.

Quote from: Marillac on May 20, 2010, 02:27:31 PM

Quote from: pmg911 on May 20, 2010, 12:50:56 PM

Fair assessment.

I think if we had an even remotely strong point guard we would be a lock for the tournament.

Agreed.  Is there a transfer that could be eligible for December?  We REALLY need another point.

It's very unlikely it would work like that.  I am pretty sure that player would had to have transferred last December to St. John's by the beginning of the Spring semester.  The rules are intended to keep players from jumping ship at the end of a semester to play for another team like a pro trade.

If some guy transferred right now and had a family hardship, and got clearance, maybe.

But you two should use a little imagination. A strong point is helpful.  But teams make it with point guards that don't seem that strong going in (see: Mo Acker, see: Tory Jackson) or iffy situations (Texas).  Let's see how this staff - likely much better than the last one - deals with the issue.  Boothe can split time (assuming they're playing uptempo) with a better offensive player like DJ or Quincy (assuming they work on their handle in the offseason/ early season).  Remember that DJ brought the ball up on a number of possessions last year.

Or perhaps Boothe will be able to hit the occasional shot, while remaining a lower-possession player. 

Personally, I think the ballhandlers - including the other guards - have to cut down on turnovers.  No call for that level of given-away possessions.

I hope that is the case Peter.  There are 5 guys you could see bringing the ball up:  The two pgs along with DJ, Dwight, and Quincy.  If teams dont want to pressure us, then why not let DJ steal some minutes at PG and allow Paris and Hardy to be on the floor with him. 

I hope that is the case Peter.  There are 5 guys you could see bringing the ball up:  The two pgs along with DJ, Dwight, and Quincy.  If teams dont want to pressure us, then why not let DJ steal some minutes at PG and allow Paris and Hardy to be on the floor with him. 

I forgot about Dwight as well.  Teams play combo guards all the time; and if DJ or Dwight dedicate themselves to it, it increases their standing in the pros for sure.  Dwight looks more comfortable doing it as a distributor; Dj does it because he's sick of waiting for the ball!! 

We'll see what they work on over the summer and when practice starts.  Maybe Dwight will even start.

If everyone is so concerned about a pg, why is it so terrible if Malik Stith transfers to LIU?

If everyone is so concerned about a pg, why is it so terrible if Malik Stith transfers to LIU?

2 is better than 1.

If everyone is so concerned about a pg, why is it so terrible if Malik Stith transfers to LIU?

B/C after this upcoming season who plays pg?  Hopefully we recruit a stud, but just in case we strike out....

Or perhaps Boothe will be able to hit the occasional shot, while remaining a lower-possession player. 

Personally, I think the ballhandlers - including the other guards - have to cut down on turnovers.  No call for that level of given-away possessions.

Boothe's last 11 games: 77 points (29-53, 4-7 from 3), 24 rebounds, 50 assists, 20 tos, 15 steals. If he produces at that level, I don't see an issue.

Quote from: Poison on May 20, 2010, 03:16:20 PM

If everyone is so concerned about a pg, why is it so terrible if Malik Stith transfers to LIU?

B/C after this upcoming season who plays pg?  Hopefully we recruit a stud, but just in case we
strike out....

Lavin has already told one recruit, Ron Roberts that he should look elsewhere.
He replaced him with a higher profile player in Polee.

I have no doubt that a pg capable of starting at the BE level I'd on his way for 11-12.
Stith has a ton of work to do this summer just to prove that he belongs on the court at all.

For as much as we rip Boothe bec he can't score, he's Erick Barkley compared to Stith.

Quote from: peter on May 20, 2010, 02:58:59 PM

Or perhaps Boothe will be able to hit the occasional shot, while remaining a lower-possession player. 

Personally, I think the ballhandlers - including the other guards - have to cut down on turnovers.  No call for that level of given-away possessions.

Boothe's last 11 games: 77 points (29-53, 4-7 from 3), 24 rebounds, 50 assists, 20 tos, 15 steals. If he produces at that level, I don't see an issue.

He did show some glimpses down the stretch, but he was fairly abysmal if I recall correctly against Marquette in the BE tourney.

If we can get guys like Burrell(first and foremost)/Horne/Hardy/etc more involved in the offense and are out and running, I think Boothe can have a solid season if he can just hit a freakin' open shot.

Quote from: B-Squared on May 20, 2010, 03:21:35 PM

Quote from: Poison on May 20, 2010, 03:16:20 PM

If everyone is so concerned about a pg, why is it so terrible if Malik Stith transfers to LIU?

B/C after this upcoming season who plays pg?  Hopefully we recruit a stud, but just in case we
strike out....

Lavin has already told one recruit, Ron Roberts that he should look elsewhere.
He replaced him with a higher profile player in Polee.

I have no doubt that a pg capable of starting at the BE level I'd on his way for 11-12.
Stith has a ton of work to do this summer just to prove that he belongs on the court at all.

For as much as we rip Boothe bec he can't score, he's Erick Barkley compared to Stith.

I understand, Stith isnt anywhere close to being a capable starter in the league or a BE player for that matter, but when we get that 1 recruit for 11-12, we are still going to need a backup. 

Boothe's last 11 games: 77 points (29-53, 4-7 from 3), 24 rebounds, 50 assists, 20 tos, 15 steals. If he produces at that level, I don't see an issue.

I think a light went on for him.  But I wouldn't expect that over a whole season.  He did that in one stretch over 3 years, so he's lost the benefit of the doubt.  Expecting that production... there's not much basis for it.  Additionally, he's been hampered by nagging injuries over his career, and that will affect his numbers.

I think he can be decent, something a bit below those lines.  And I think people are forgetting that if this isn't a halfcourt team, we might see some better performances from some players.  Boothe is still fast, is pretty fearless going to the rim.  He'd be decent in the open court.

I'm not half as worried as PMG and Marillac.

7th place is not going to be good enough. I am not only hoping but expecting 4/5 seed with room for more. We have watched these guys for 3 years now. They have not done much, but I like them. These are good boys and they will shine this year. This year is payback! I hope cuse, Nova, UCONN, and georgetown come to MSG this year. Louisville and ND are down. S. florida, rutgers, depaul, and providence suck. This is going to be a fun year. WE DESERVE IT!

7th place is not going to be good enough. I am not only hoping but expecting 4/5 seed with room for more. We have watched these guys for 3 years now. They have not done much, but I like them. These are good boys and they will shine this year. This year is payback! I hope cuse, Nova, UCONN, and georgetown come to MSG this year. Louisville and ND are down. S. florida, rutgers, depaul, and providence suck. This is going to be a fun year. WE DESERVE IT!

I'm sure the school appreciates your verve but that ain't gonna happen.  getting to the tourney is an accomplishment in a 68-team field.  But St. John's hasn't shown that they have the talents to get them a 4/5 seed.  If this was a senior-laden group that had years under a coach playing Lavin's style?  yeah, I could see that.  but they gotta adjust to the coach too; and this is assuming they'll be better; will take to what Lavin and crew tries to get them to do. They've played one style for 3 years.  I think they'll adjust, but I don't think they'll get that much better.  This team was fairly far from a tourney bid... 

Quote from: Foad on May 20, 2010, 03:37:20 PM

Boothe's last 11 games: 77 points (29-53, 4-7 from 3), 24 rebounds, 50 assists, 20 tos, 15 steals. If he produces at that level, I don't see an issue.

I think a light went on for him.  But I wouldn't expect that over a whole season.  He did that in one stretch over 3 years, so he's lost the benefit of the doubt.  Expecting that production... there's not much basis for it.  Additionally, he's been hampered by nagging injuries over his career, and that will affect his numbers.

I think he can be decent, something a bit below those lines.  And I think people are forgetting that if this isn't a halfcourt team, we might see some better performances from some players.  Boothe is still fast, is pretty fearless going to the rim.  He'd be decent in the open court.

I'm not half as worried as PMG and Marillac.

Boothe goes to the rim?

Quote from: Foad on May 20, 2010, 03:37:20 PM

Boothe's last 11 games: 77 points (29-53, 4-7 from 3), 24 rebounds, 50 assists, 20 tos, 15 steals. If he produces at that level, I don't see an issue.

I think a light went on for him.  But I wouldn't expect that over a whole season.  He did that in one stretch over 3 years, so he's lost the benefit of the doubt.  Expecting that production... there's not much basis for it.  Additionally, he's been hampered by nagging injuries over his career, and that will affect his numbers.

I think he can be decent, something a bit below those lines.  And I think people are forgetting that if this isn't a halfcourt team, we might see some better performances from some players.  Boothe is still fast, is pretty fearless going to the rim.  He'd be decent in the open court.

I'm not half as worried as PMG and Marillac.

Whoa!!  I must be Boothe's biggest supporter.  I just have no faith in Stith as his backup.  I could easily be wrong there--and I hope I am--but it's what's after Boothe that scares me.  Boothe is not a kid you want to go 30-35 mpg.