Great Alaska Shootout Final: Arizona State

After a sound beating of the Drake Bulldogs, the St. John’s Red Storm challenge the Arizona Sun Devils in tonight’s Great Alaska Shootout final, which should tip off at 12:00 AM Eastern. Herb Sendek’s Sun Devils will be the Johnnies’ first major-conference opponent; a win could be a bellwether for future success and a sign of the progress that Coach Lavin has made teaching new lessons to his senior-laden squad.

Last night, the Red Storm exploded with an excellent defensive effort, containing Drake’s big man Seth VanDeest and forcing missed shot after missed shot, rattling the young Drake team.

A good win, but it’s important to remember that St. John’s played a developing Drake team that lost just as badly to Iowa State. Note that Drake didn’t seem to have a lot of movement or energy in their offense, and missed a few open shots from what’s have been the weak spots in St. John’s defense, the corner and along the baseline. Arizona State shooters Trent Lockett and Rihards Kuksiks can make that shot.

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good stuff peter.

Looks like ASU will try to slow it down a bit, interesting to see if Lavin counters with pushing it up the floor.

Sounds to me like you sick Paris on Lockett and let the rest of the guys do their thing. 

I think at the very least, the guards have to try and look for an early breakdown in the ASU defense.  They're much better when they have all their guys back than in transition. I suppose all teams are, but the difference is extreme.  Last night their guys looked like they couldn't guard anyone when they were getting back in transition, but as a unit, they kept the middle pretty clogged.

Kuksiks' defense is really suspect - quickness, recognition, getting out on shooters... I don't know that any of them are great shakes individually.  That Ruslan Pateev guy is a real stiff.

As for Paris on Lockett, Paris doesn't start; and they start a 4 guard lineup - Abbott/ McMillan/ Lockett/ Kuksiks and Cain as the big man.  DJ needs to be out there defending Lockett.  Especially if he's not going to be scoring or facilitating, DJ needs to perform on D.  Also, it would be great for any pro scouts he'd want to impress.

Also, ASU defended Lillard well, but for some reason, he seemed to be hesitatting when he didn't need to against similarly-sized defenders.  He could have shot better and led them to the win.

Note as well that Sendek could get frustrated and let his talent play.  Carrick Felix was going to be Duke's first JUCO recruit, but he backed off of his commit; Keala King was a 4 or 5 star recruit out of Mater Dei in CA. They haven't played much, so it's hard to know what to expect if Sendek lets them loose. But guys like that are always wild cards, and this is a time when coaches roll the dice a little to see what they have.

I wonder what kind of minutes Evans gets tonight. We might need his rebounding

manbearpig says kenpom has us winning this game by 3

Sounds to me like you sick Paris on Lockett and let the rest of the guys do their thing. 

agreed, kid seems like an offensive threat, so let Paris do what he does best.

I'm interested to see how St. John's adjust to a slower paced game, seeing how yesterday especially the 1st half was played at a fast pace.

Vegas has St. John's as a -4.5 favorite.

manbearpig says kenpom has us winning this game by 3

Ken pom also has us ranked 38 th nationally after last nights thumping

Quote from: scoobydoo on November 27, 2010, 03:11:11 PM

Sounds to me like you sick Paris on Lockett and let the rest of the guys do their thing. 

agreed, kid seems like an offensive threat, so let Paris do what he does best.

I'm interested to see how St. John's adjust to a slower paced game, seeing how yesterday especially the 1st half was played at a fast pace.

Only if we're going much of the game with a lineup of

Stith/ Boothe
Hardy
Horne
Kennedy
Brownlee/ Burrell.

Paris won't be on him the whole game. Kennedy will have to play him on defense as well.  I'd like to see Polee on Kuksiks for a while - see what Polee can do in man to man defense against a wing. Plus his length might just neutralize Kuksiks.  This is assuming man defense.

Quote from: manbearpig on November 27, 2010, 03:41:52 PM

manbearpig says kenpom has us winning this game by 3

Ken pom also has us ranked 38 th nationally after last nights thumping

Kenpom's also got wild swings because it's early.  And Drake's the kind of team that really skews a teams' rankings - one that can't do the basic things right and just gets beat by a lot. It's a promising ranking though.

Quote from: P1NSTR1PEZ on November 27, 2010, 04:13:14 PM

Quote from: scoobydoo on November 27, 2010, 03:11:11 PM

Sounds to me like you sick Paris on Lockett and let the rest of the guys do their thing. 

agreed, kid seems like an offensive threat, so let Paris do what he does best.

I'm interested to see how St. John's adjust to a slower paced game, seeing how yesterday especially the 1st half was played at a fast pace.

Only if we're going much of the game with a lineup of

Stith/ Boothe
Hardy
Horne
Kennedy
Brownlee/ Burrell.

Paris won't be on him the whole game. Kennedy will have to play him on defense as well.  I'd like to see Polee on Kuksiks for a while - see what Polee can do in man to man defense against a wing. Plus his length might just neutralize Kuksiks.  This is assuming man defense.

Polee jumps passing lanes quite nicely in the zone. He also creates a ton of errant passes.

I think at the very least, the guards have to try and look for an early breakdown in the ASU defense.  They're much better when they have all their guys back than in transition. I suppose all teams are, but the difference is extreme.  Last night their guys looked like they couldn't guard anyone when they were getting back in transition, but as a unit, they kept the middle pretty clogged.

Kuksiks' defense is really suspect - quickness, recognition, getting out on shooters... I don't know that any of them are great shakes individually.  That Ruslan Pateev guy is a real stiff.

As for Paris on Lockett, Paris doesn't start; and they start a 4 guard lineup - Abbott/ McMillan/ Lockett/ Kuksiks and Cain as the big man.  DJ needs to be out there defending Lockett.  Especially if he's not going to be scoring or facilitating, DJ needs to perform on D.  Also, it would be great for any pro scouts he'd want to impress.

Also, ASU defended Lillard well, but for some reason, he seemed to be hesitatting when he didn't need to against similarly-sized defenders.  He could have shot better and led them to the win.

We run a zone, so whatever side Lockett goes to will dictate who covers him.  If we did go man I'd like to switch it up between DJ and Paris.  Paris is the better on-ball defender, but Lockett is very tough and strong.  He's really not a threat from the outside as much as he is doing damage with in 15 feet and near the basket.  He's a tough kid with some post moves for a 6'4 player.  DJ is stronger and better on the boards.  I just hope our bigs don't try to block everything he throws up b/c he has some great shot fakes.

I just hope our bigs don't try to block everything he throws up b/c he has some great shot fakes.

This is true.

He also passes well, from what I've seen.