Villanova - Game Thread

Quote from: desco80 on January 21, 2012, 05:54:13 PM

Home from the game...

This is a good team. 

Excuse me?

I'll admit that may seem ridiculous out of context.   We've lost four in a row, so are we good in the same way that say Illinois is a "good" team this year?  No. 

To expand, what I meant by it is that there are things to like about this team.   And in the long run I think we'll consider them a good team in the history of SJU basketball.   

If you want to argue over whether or not we're a "good" team,  I don't have much to go on other than potential.    The W's aren't there.  But basketball is going to exist beyond this season, and we will start piling them up.   So it all depends on what time frame you're looking at.   Is this a good 2012 team? Nah.   But will the St Johns team of 2012-2014 be our best since at least the 98-99 Elite 8 team?  Yea I think so.  So to me... they're good.

Holes? We got more than a few. Pg,center,shooter,recruits,basketball IQ. Pg hopefully has been addressed.

We need a few pieces, no doubt.   But more and more I'm thinking that a big man is our most glaring need.   
Especially now with Branch on board.   BE ball isn't always pretty but rebounding and shot blocking give teams a ton of extra possessions.    Even terrible shooting teams have a pretty good shot to win when they have 10+ more opportunities than their opponent. 

- Phil now showing nicest Johnny teardrop since Jackson.
- Double G sets all-time record for taking charges.
- Dissapointing that Moe didn't want nor demand the ball down the stretch. 45 minutes played. "Fatigue makes cowards of us all"?
  Some great blocks by Moe. 44% from the line for him.  Very costly. 
- D'lo foul trouble again rears it's ugly head.  Shot well and extremely confident on the offensive end right from the get go. 
- Intentional on Dom was garbage.  Makeup call tech sparked a big run for us however.
- Dunlap called the TO on the last possesion because Dom was in iso up top and Moe didn't look like he was coming to get the ball for the last possesion and even sauntered over with a half hearted screen. As soon as the TO was called Dom exploded left to the rim with clear sailing but missed the lefty layup after the whistle anyways.
- All in all a very exciting game. Could tell on the computer that it was the best atmosphere we've had for any Garden game with this group by far. 
- Wish our youngins could have taken the prize.  I feel their pain.

Yeah the timeout there was the right call.  Don't need Dom trying to be a hero with 15 seconds left.

Yeah the timeout there was the right call.  Don't need Dom trying to be a hero with 15 seconds left.

Timeout makes it harder for us to get the ball into Harrison's hands.

Quote from: STJ11Redmen on January 21, 2012, 11:52:56 PM

Yeah the timeout there was the right call.  Don't need Dom trying to be a hero with 15 seconds left.

Timeout makes it harder for us to get the ball into Harrison's hands.

The ball wasn't going into Harrison's hands regardless.  Dom was ready to drive into the lane and attempt an out of control lefty layup.

Also for at least me personally I'd rather wind the clock down to get the last shot. 15 seconds was a lot of time if we missed it

Quote from: Moose on January 21, 2012, 11:57:23 PM

Quote from: STJ11Redmen on January 21, 2012, 11:52:56 PM

Yeah the timeout there was the right call.  Don't need Dom trying to be a hero with 15 seconds left.

Timeout makes it harder for us to get the ball into Harrison's hands.

The ball wasn't going into Harrison's hands regardless.  Dom was ready to drive into the lane and attempt an out of control lefty layup.

Um ok.

The underrated play of this game was the Amir Garrett steal and layup to put us within 1 in OT.  That kid played his ass off today.

Proud of our team's performance despite the loss.  Thought we played hard.  Another learning experience to draw from when we're in the final four in a couple/few years!

As I said prior to the game, D'Lo must open up the game with his jumper.  He's a good shooter from 3 as well as midrange and needs to utilize that aspect of his game which is his strength.  It opens up his ability to drive to the hoop.  He had a great game yesterday because he played a heady offensive game and uses his shooting ability.  He's waaaay ahead of the curve as a freshman.  He'll be a fixture in SJU lore when he's done here. 

Quote from: STJ11Redmen on January 21, 2012, 11:59:18 PM

Quote from: Moose on January 21, 2012, 11:57:23 PM

Quote from: STJ11Redmen on January 21, 2012, 11:52:56 PM

Yeah the timeout there was the right call.  Don't need Dom trying to be a hero with 15 seconds left.

Timeout makes it harder for us to get the ball into Harrison's hands.

The ball wasn't going into Harrison's hands regardless.  Dom was ready to drive into the lane and attempt an out of control lefty layup.

Um ok.

harrison had the ball with 20 seconds left! I was so pissed/confused/suprised when he passed it cross court. just keep it on top

Quote from: IllWill on January 21, 2012, 06:43:57 PM

Quote from: desco80 on January 21, 2012, 05:54:13 PM

Home from the game...

This is a good team. 

Excuse me?

I'll admit that may seem ridiculous out of context.   We've lost four in a row, so are we good in the same way that say Illinois is a "good" team this year?  No. 

To expand, what I meant by it is that there are things to like about this team.   And in the long run I think we'll consider them a good team in the history of SJU basketball.   

If you want to argue over whether or not we're a "good" team,  I don't have much to go on other than potential.    The W's aren't there.  But basketball is going to exist beyond this season, and we will start piling them up.   So it all depends on what time frame you're looking at.   Is this a good 2012 team? Nah.   But will the St Johns team of 2012-2014 be our best since at least the 98-99 Elite 8 team?  Yea I think so.  So to me... they're good.

I think the rash differences in outlooks stems from some people just looking ahead to the future and some like myself not willing to just sacrifice a season.  Everyone here knows we will be a better team down the road.  How good is yet to be determined and really can't be determined, but even the most pessimistic person knows these kids will improve.

My main issue is I don't see this team winning more than two games the rest of the way, and I couldn't even tell you which two games we will win.  I seriously think we have a legit chance to not win a single game teh rest of the way.  And how will/would that affect the team moving forward?  Will kids transfer? Will recruits shy away? 

Quote from: IllWill on January 21, 2012, 04:05:31 PM

it's sickening to see posters throw around the "good effort guys!" and "atleast we played hard!" posts.  That is how LOSERS talk.  All that matters is W's...

We should all aspire to Illwill's standards.  What the hell is wrong with us, supporting this team of underachievrs and trying to find positives in hard fought defeats to a deeper and more experienced team.  I am so ashamed to be such a loser!

What is wrong is posters fabricating positives like "Amir is improving" (NO HE'S NOT!) and "I'm proud of these kids for playing hard!"  (THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY HARD!)

Quote from: simplyred on January 21, 2012, 07:17:56 PM

Quote from: IllWill on January 21, 2012, 04:05:31 PM

it's sickening to see posters throw around the "good effort guys!" and "atleast we played hard!" posts.  That is how LOSERS talk.  All that matters is W's...

We should all aspire to Illwill's standards.  What the hell is wrong with us, supporting this team of underachievrs and trying to find positives in hard fought defeats to a deeper and more experienced team.  I am so ashamed to be such a loser!

What is wrong is posters fabricating positives like "Amir is improving" (NO HE'S NOT!) and "I'm proud of these kids for playing hard!"  (THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY HARD!)

His offensive game is not great. But if you can't see him improving game to game in other aspects you're lost. His defense is great. He gave us life at the end of the game yesterday, giving us a chance to tie the game in the final possession. "They are supposed to play hard." Amir's steal at the end of the game was above and beyond effort. He could've trotted back on D like everyone else but he stole the ball and cut the lead to 1.

I don't know where your hate for Amir comes from, but it's ridiculous. At this point it's clear you're rooting for him to fail just to prove yourself right on message boards. Sad. He had 8pts and 7reb 2ast and 1 steal yesterday. A great game for his role on this team. Clear improvement no matter how you look at it.

I don't care if you don't like that I congratulate them for playing hard. As much as you want to deny it, there are many teams out there that would just fold being down 6 in OT.

  The season was sacrificed when we lost 3 recruits and Lindsey transferred.

 You can continue to drive yourself insane by taking every loss this season personally, or you can take a deep breath and step back and realize that this is a process that will take more than one season.  I choose the latter.  You do whatever floats your boat. No one gives a crap about your rants anymore though.

My main issue is I don't see this team winning more than two games the rest of the way, and I couldn't even tell you which two games we will win.  I seriously think we have a legit chance to not win a single game teh rest of the way.  And how will/would that affect the team moving forward?  Will kids transfer? Will recruits shy away? 

So you can't say which games they'll be but you boldly make a prediction? C'mon this is why you get killed by people as being negative. If actually added some substance to your statement then people might take your opinion as valid, might not agree with it, but they could at least understand your logic.

I'd set the bar at a realistic 5 for the under/over with 12 games remaining. Duke and Syracuse are the only guaranteed losses in my opinion while the other games are all winnable.

  The season was sacrificed when we lost 3 recruits and Lindsey transferred.

 You can continue to drive yourself insane by taking every loss this season personally, or you can take a deep breath and step back and realize that this is a process that will take more than one season.  I choose the latter.  You do whatever floats your boat. No one gives a crap about your rants anymore though.

Amen.

Quote from: IllWill on January 22, 2012, 12:04:09 PM

Quote from: simplyred on January 21, 2012, 07:17:56 PM

Quote from: IllWill on January 21, 2012, 04:05:31 PM

it's sickening to see posters throw around the "good effort guys!" and "atleast we played hard!" posts.  That is how LOSERS talk.  All that matters is W's...

We should all aspire to Illwill's standards.  What the hell is wrong with us, supporting this team of underachievrs and trying to find positives in hard fought defeats to a deeper and more experienced team.  I am so ashamed to be such a loser!

What is wrong is posters fabricating positives like "Amir is improving" (NO HE'S NOT!) and "I'm proud of these kids for playing hard!"  (THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY HARD!)

His offensive game is not great. But if you can't see him improving game to game in other aspects you're lost. His defense is great. He gave us life at the end of the game yesterday, giving us a chance to tie the game in the final possession. "They are supposed to play hard." Amir's steal at the end of the game was above and beyond effort. He could've trotted back on D like everyone else but he stole the ball and cut the lead to 1.

I don't know where your hate for Amir comes from, but it's ridiculous. At this point it's clear you're rooting for him to fail just to prove yourself right on message boards. Sad. He had 8pts and 7reb 2ast and 1 steal yesterday. A great game for his role on this team. Clear improvement no matter how you look at it.

I don't care if you don't like that I congratulate them for playing hard. As much as you want to deny it, there are many teams out there that would just fold being down 6 in OT.

I didn't see yesterdays game but Amir's stat line is great. If he can bring that every night that's huge.

5 more wins Dave? That's Morton Downey jr crazy