Christopher Obekpa - PF - Our Savior New American - Centereach, NY - ST. JOHN'S

Borzello of CBS has ranked SJU as #20 recruiting class in the nation.  http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/recruiting/blog/eye-on-college-basketball-recruiting/19338592/kentucky-finishes-atop-recruiting-class-rankings-again

Like most such lists, doesn't include transfer Branch and JUCO signings.

Just re-read the ranking info.  I was wrong, it does include all incoming players for us.  Lavin's second year, another top #20 class.  Not too shabby.

we have the 4th best class in the Big East

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

Borzello of CBS has ranked SJU as #20 recruiting class in the nation.  http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/recruiting/blog/eye-on-college-basketball-recruiting/19338592/kentucky-finishes-atop-recruiting-class-rankings-again

Like most such lists, doesn't include transfer Branch and JUCO signings.

Cincinnati had a pretty high ranking on that list....

Just re-read the ranking info.  I was wrong, it does include all incoming players for us.  Lavin's second year, another top #20 class.  Not too shabby.

You were right the first time. It doesn't include Branch. It's going to be very hard for these services to predict who on the Juco circuit will make an impact because they clearly they don't know anything about it.

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

So not trying to put words in your mouth but then that would imply your not happy with how the roster has been constructed.  Regardless of how many are Top 100 players.

No?

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

in addition can out current pg run a half court set that will translate into points when DLO isn't on the court  and/or If it's a cold night for him

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:26:52 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

So not trying to put words in your mouth but then that would imply your not happy with how the roster has been constructed.  Regardless of how many are Top 100 players.

No?

Elated on how the roster has shaped out. Just a bit of pressure on our make-shift pg to deliver I believe the key to our success is heavily based on his progression and improvement.

I think Amir can score.  He tot better and in a short period last season. We also got guys like Jakarr, Bourgault, Balamou, Sanchez who we need to see what they can do.  I wouldn't be so quick to write off half of our roster before seeing them on the court. 

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:30:11 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:26:52 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

So not trying to put words in your mouth but then that would imply your not happy with how the roster has been constructed.  Regardless of how many are Top 100 players.

No?

Elated on how the roster has shaped out. Just a bit of pressure on our make-shift pg to deliver I believe the key to our success is heavily based on his progression and improvement.

I honestly don't know what else to say regarding how the play will differ this year to last with more bodies, no need to take air out of the ball, overall natural improvement etc...

I think its time I just shut my mouth and take a summer vacation   See you all in a few months.

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Hey Moose, you're starting to sound like me!

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:34:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:30:11 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:26:52 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

So not trying to put words in your mouth but then that would imply your not happy with how the roster has been constructed.  Regardless of how many are Top 100 players.

No?

Elated on how the roster has shaped out. Just a bit of pressure on our make-shift pg to deliver I believe the key to our success is heavily based on his progression and improvement.

I honestly don't know what else to say regarding how the play will differ this year to last with more bodies, no need to take air out of the ball, overall natural improvement etc...

I think its time I just shut my mouth and take a summer vacation   See you all in a few months.

Say it ain't so Moose!

I think Amir can score.  He tot better and in a short period last season. We also got guys like Jakarr, Bourgault, Balamou, Sanchez who we need to see what they can do.  I wouldn't be so quick to write off half of our roster before seeing them on the court.

Not writing anyone off at all, just a fair assessment based on whats been seen as of now. In retrospect wouldn't wanna build anybody up to high either right? I believe everyone can improve but I'm stating what we'll look like if the improvement isn't made, last we left off Amir couldn't go right and Phil looked more like a 2 than a 1. Love that these guys are johnnies but tough love and critiscm is necasary.

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:34:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:30:11 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:26:52 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

So not trying to put words in your mouth but then that would imply your not happy with how the roster has been constructed.  Regardless of how many are Top 100 players.

No?

Elated on how the roster has shaped out. Just a bit of pressure on our make-shift pg to deliver I believe the key to our success is heavily based on his progression and improvement.

I honestly don't know what else to say regarding how the play will differ this year to last with more bodies, no need to take air out of the ball, overall natural improvement etc...

I think its time I just shut my mouth and take a summer vacation   See you all in a few months.

Send me a postcard, seems like no one wants to play devils advocate around this joint these days. Iron sharpens iron fellas , nuthin wrong with a bit of healthy critical thinking. Let's all play the "draft specialist" game while we're all at it ST Johns:best case -sweet 16/ big east champs  worst case - _____ ?

Believe it or not some Kentucky fans are concerned about some imagined hole in their roster that will make it difficult for them to win 150 games next year.

Everybody has questions about their rosters. It's part of the fun of the off season. But think of all the problems last years team had to handle. They survived and for awhile even thrived.

How much more comfortable do you feel with this team vs last years. I'm looking for significant improvement from our sophs to ease the way for our frosh and transfers etc.

I think the Greene/ Branch battle will give us a very good coverage at the point, with D'Lo as the third point if necessary.

I love the front court. It will be tremendously competitive with Sampson, Sanchez, Obekpa, and God fighting for PT at 2 positions.

And Bourgault providing the spark to push Amir and Sir Dom to add more to their offensive game. They will be terrors on defense.

Can't wait. Let the games begin.

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:37:10 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:34:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:30:11 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 03:26:52 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 03:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:42:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on June 12, 2012, 02:09:45 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 02:06:36 PM

Quote from: Poison on June 12, 2012, 01:49:23 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on June 12, 2012, 12:15:56 PM

My concern with the upcoming season is if the opponent shut down dLO where does the offense come from?

You don't think Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Borgault can score?
I thought Garrett made significant progress offensively. He could make a jump.

They can score but none of those guys create for themselves, the bigs did a lot of clean up work and Marco was just a spot up shooter. The answer to the question lies in the facilitator. I'm patiently waiting for the answer.

I think you meant 'impatiently'

Fair enough

We got all these Top 100's but none outside of Harrison can create their own offense, your saying?

Bingo, outside of branch and wood. And were looking at neither possibly being available come fall. So correct me if I'm wrong with the rest of the roster

So not trying to put words in your mouth but then that would imply your not happy with how the roster has been constructed.  Regardless of how many are Top 100 players.

No?

Elated on how the roster has shaped out. Just a bit of pressure on our make-shift pg to deliver I believe the key to our success is heavily based on his progression and improvement.

I honestly don't know what else to say regarding how the play will differ this year to last with more bodies, no need to take air out of the ball, overall natural improvement etc...

I think its time I just shut my mouth and take a summer vacation   See you all in a few months.

Send me a postcard, seems like no one wants to play devils advocate around this joint these days. Iron sharpens iron fellas , nuthin wrong with a bit of healthy critical thinking. Let's all play the "draft specialist" game while we're all at it ST Johns:best case -sweet 16/ big east champs  worst case - _____ ?

Ill play
Best case- Elite 8. Weve seen what happens when teams are hot during the Tourney
Worst case- First round loss in BE tourney and NIT bid

The comment below evidencing one Bearcat's bitterness over Obekpa was made to the ESPN Insider's story of Obekpa's commitment and Lavin's remarkable recruiting run this year:

Bearcats1969:  Bottom tier and mediocre is what I see.  Obekpa went to St J cause Bearcats told him no to all his garbage from his peeps and he still isnt eligible.   Sampson is from Ohio and not 1 Ohio school recruited him.  OSU, UC, XU all told him no thanks cause he has no postion.  He is a 4 man who dont rebound and cant shoot and dont play hard,  he looks the part but he wants to shot jumpers and cant play the 3 spot.   I cant wait til St Johns comes to the Shoe and Big O is getting tormented while he sits on the  the bench to a sellout crowd.   hey if he wants the "mecca" and empty gyms he went to the right spot....

Talk about sour grapes!!

The link to the story is below, but you need to be an "insider" to access the full story. 

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncbrecruiting/national/post?id=2333