Lavin facing tough second season [NY Daily News]

Steve Lavin made a big splash in the Big East in his first year at St. John's, leading the once-moribund Johnnies to a 27-8 record and a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

But don't count on similar success in Year 2, says Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, because next season's Red Storm squad will lack experience and chemistry. Ten players exhausted their eligibility at St. John's this past season, and another key contributor - freshman forward Dwayne Polee II - elected to transfer.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2011/06/16/2011-06-16_steve_lavin_facing_tough_second_season_at_st_johns_predicts_syracuse_coach_jim_b.html#ixzz1PUtFrSKm

Add Boeheim to the list of Big East coaches not happy NOrm is gone

Man I want to beat 'Cuse so bad. Boeheim was definitely asked about St. John's but still the fact that he says we are going to struggle next year makes me want shut him and there fans up even more.

That kind of self-serving, hypocritical crap drives me nuts.   Any doubt in ANYONES mind that if 'Cuse had landed the exact same class.  Boehiem would be pimping HIS teams "outstandign prospects for the coming season", rather than talking about "inexperience and chemistry"??

Dont see anything false in the article Boeheim is 100% correct in what he says.

That kind of self-serving, hypocritical crap drives me nuts.   Any doubt in ANYONES mind that if 'Cuse had landed the exact same class.  Boehiem would be pimping HIS teams "outstandign prospects for the coming season", rather than talking about "inexperience and chemistry"??

boehiems notorious for downplaying his own team

Dont see anything false in the article Boeheim is 100% correct in what he says.

Agree RMN, harmless coachspeak.

As the new season approaches, what I am looking forward to, or expect from the team, will have nothing to do with what comes out of the mouth any damn fool that is associated with SU.

Ahh; to be relevant again.  2 or 3 years ago, he would not have mentioned us.  hopefully he will have to explain how a squad of frosh/newbies juiced the orange!

If I were Coach Lavin I'd be grateful to Boeheim for lowering expectations.

Setbacks will be understood because of the circumstances and all the more credit will be alloted to the coaching staff for whatever success the team enjoys.

\That kind of self-serving, hypocritical crap drives me nuts.   Any doubt in ANYONES mind that if 'Cuse had landed the exact same class.  Boehiem would be pimping HIS teams "outstandign prospects for the coming season", rather than talking about "inexperience and chemistry"??

I don't see where Boeheim said anything hypocritical - where did he advise someone to refrain from actions he takes or did he praise virtues he does not possess? Answer: nowhere. In any event, Boeheim doesn't have to worry about landing the same sort of class as TGAPL has - 8 or 9 top 100 recruits - because Boeheim brings in a couple of top 20 recruits every year, which allows for the continuity that makes his program successful, year in and year out, which is why he's in the HOF. And PS he's absolutely correct, SJ will struggle next year, and for precisely the reason he stated, ie youth.

Other than that you make your usual great points.

I think it's great if other coaches and the media think we'll struggle next year. Keep the expectations low and then we'll shock people when we play well.

I think it's great if other coaches and the media think we'll struggle next year. Keep the expectations low and then we'll shock people when we play well.

Tough to win in the Big East with freshmen, unless your Boeheim with Carmelo and Gerry Mac

Dont see anything false in the article Boeheim is 100% correct in what he says.

Agreed. However as others have mentioned lowering the expectations is good for Lavin and St. John's. If they struggle its acceptable if they succeed its another miracle.

It's a no-news story, but there is beauty in the fact that Boeheim comes to NY to accept an award and has to answer questions about St. John's hoops.

It's a no-news story, but there is beauty in the fact that Boeheim comes to NY to accept an award and has to answer questions about St. John's hoops.

You know that probably got him going inside

You know else doesn't think we'll be very good next year? Steve Lavin.
How do I know that? Because he told me.

You know else doesn't think we'll be very good next year? Steve Lavin.
How do I know that? Because he told me.

What did he predict?  .500?

You know else doesn't think we'll be very good next year? Steve Lavin.
How do I know that? Because he told me.

Maybe, he's tempering his enthusiasm and looking at worse-case scenario.  Some coaches like to look at things as being glass half full.  We're playing in what is considered to be the best hoops conference in the nation, so we're gonna take our lumps.  As, long as this group doesn't lose any confidence while taking their lumps then they'll be quite formidable midway through the season.

Quote from: redmannorth on June 17, 2011, 06:18:33 AM

Dont see anything false in the article Boeheim is 100% correct in what he says.

Agree RMN, harmless coachspeak.

Perhaps "problems with Chemistry" means something more benign in "coachspeak" than I'm taking it to mean (following UCLA & Virginia Tech Hoops these past few years)....