Who's Next?

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Love to see it. Just about an ideal front line with possible exception of deep shooting.

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Yes and no.  We already have Garrett and Pointer.  After that, perhaps Bourgault and/or Morris.  On top of those wings, I'd like to see some three-guard looks with Branch, Harrison, Greene. 

The thing with Sanchez, is that he doesn't take a lot of threes or hit them at a high percentage--except, puzzling enough, when he plays for the Dominican team agains legits professionals. 

I wrote the yes part, because (depending on what we are running) there can be very little difference between the three and four spots defensively in the zone and offensively everyone will get a chance to shoot and drive in Lavin's system.  I think he'll be playing four and five for us next season, but that doesn't mean he won't look like a SF a lot of the time.

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Yes and no.  We already have Garrett and Pointer.  After that, perhaps Bourgault and/or Morris.  On top of those wings, I'd like to see some three-guard looks with Branch, Harrison, Greene. 

The thing with Sanchez, is that he doesn't take a lot of threes or hit them at a high percentage--except, puzzling enough, when he plays for the Dominican team agains legits professionals. 

I wrote the yes part, because (depending on what we are running) there can be very little difference between the three and four spots defensively in the zone and offensively everyone will get a chance to shoot and drive in Lavin's system.  I think he'll be playing four and five for us next season, but that doesn't mean he won't look like a SF a lot of the time.

I really hope pointer works on that stroke and hanle big time. But I was reading Sanchez can really pass and to have someone that big facilitating the offense from the wing or high post would be deadly.

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Yes and no.  We already have Garrett and Pointer.  After that, perhaps Bourgault and/or Morris.  On top of those wings, I'd like to see some three-guard looks with Branch, Harrison, Greene. 

On most teams I like mixing in a 3 guard lineup too, but for us it's a recipe for disaster because it moves two 6'3-6'4 players to the back of our zone.   

And then opposing teams rotate the ball around, and the short guys get stuck covering somebody on the low block and we get screwed.
We saw it this year a couple of times when D'angelo would get stuck back there and had alley-oops thrown over his head left and right.

While none of knows who will sign with us and when, it has been a good feeling about St. John's and recruits lately.  It is almost as good as last year, with what seemed like every day we were getting a new commitment, and beating out some pretty good schools in the process.  Landing JS was huge.  The names we are discussing as possible commitments all seem to have us moving in the right direction.

If Coach succeeds in his recruiting and winning ways, we can be sure of at least two things- we will have players leave early and he will have all positions covered by at least two players.  That is what happens at the legacy schools like KU, Duke, NC and UK.  We are not there yet, but with another solid recruiting year we could be closer.

Quote from: Marillac on March 23, 2012, 12:38:00 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Yes and no.  We already have Garrett and Pointer.  After that, perhaps Bourgault and/or Morris.  On top of those wings, I'd like to see some three-guard looks with Branch, Harrison, Greene. 

The thing with Sanchez, is that he doesn't take a lot of threes or hit them at a high percentage--except, puzzling enough, when he plays for the Dominican team agains legits professionals. 

I wrote the yes part, because (depending on what we are running) there can be very little difference between the three and four spots defensively in the zone and offensively everyone will get a chance to shoot and drive in Lavin's system.  I think he'll be playing four and five for us next season, but that doesn't mean he won't look like a SF a lot of the time.

I really hope pointer works on that stroke and hanle big time. But I was reading Sanchez can really pass and to have someone that big facilitating the offense from the wing or high post would be deadly.

I think that guy is Amir Garrett.  I was very impressed with Garret's IQ, controlled style, and passing.  I think he'll also. E around 33% from three next year.  Dom has a long, long way to go skill-wise.  I could see Garrett as almost a second pg in terms of passing next season.  The kid is going to be a real good player for us.

Quote from: Moose on March 23, 2012, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after
looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

An elite 8? I hope so, but I think that's insane.

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:43:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on March 23, 2012, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after
looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

An elite 8? I hope so, but I think that's insane.

I don't think it's insane at all.  A team like that would be loaded with talent and depth. 

Quote from: Poison on March 26, 2012, 08:01:52 AM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:43:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on March 23, 2012, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after
looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

An elite 8? I hope so, but I think that's insane.

I don't think it's insane at all.  A team like that would be loaded with talent and depth.

Not insane, but unlikely, coming off a losing season.  Likely  is tourney this year, deep run next year.   At the riske of boring folks with another UCLA reference,  in the first year post-Lavin, they were 11-18 in 2004.   In 2005, they added Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp (he'd be a starter on 2 final four teams), and Lorenzo Matta (he'd be starting center on a final four team), to a team that already had Senior Dijon Thompson (he'd reach the nba before a fractured kneecap ended his career),7 foot Ryan Hollins and 6'11 Mike Fey.  they went 18-11, lost in the firsr round of the dance.  However the next year senior PG Ced Bozeman came off an injury redshirt year and replaced a redshirting Shipp at SF,  unranked freshman Luc Mbah a Moute replaced the graduated Thompson at PF, unranked frosh Darren Collison stepped in as a 3rd guard, amd they went 32-7, losing to FLorida in the Championship game.  FOURTEEN additional wins was a huge upgrade.

For an Elite 8 Team, you're talking 28-30 wins.   A WHOLE lot of things have to come together - more than just an influx of talent, to achieve a minimum FIFTEEN additional wins.   Yes, you see other teams come back from huge personell losses, or make up for personell shortages to challenge for Elite 8s, but they're usually coming off 25 win or better seasons - not 13 win seasons.

So, as I said, not insane.  Certainly it's possible.  And if I'm still alive, I'll be screaming at the TV and jabbering like a gibbon if it does.  But it's unlikely.

Quote from: MCNPA on March 26, 2012, 08:36:23 AM

Quote from: Poison on March 26, 2012, 08:01:52 AM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:43:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on March 23, 2012, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after
looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

An elite 8? I hope so, but I think that's insane.

I don't think it's insane at all.  A team like that would be loaded with talent and depth.

Not insane, but unlikely, coming off a losing season.  Likely  is tourney this year, deep run next year.   At the riske of boring folks with another UCLA reference,  in the first year post-Lavin, they were 11-18 in 2004.   In 2005, they added Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp (he'd be a starter on 2 final four teams), and Lorenzo Matta (he'd be starting center on a final four team), to a team that already had Senior Dijon Thompson (he'd reach the nba before a fractured kneecap ended his career),7 foot Ryan Hollins and 6'11 Mike Fey.  they went 18-11, lost in the firsr round of the dance.  However the next year senior PG Ced Bozeman came off an injury redshirt year and replaced a redshirting Shipp at SF,  unranked freshman Luc Mbah a Moute replaced the graduated Thompson at PF, unranked frosh Darren Collison stepped in as a 3rd guard, amd they went 32-7, losing to FLorida in the Championship game.  FOURTEEN additional wins was a huge upgrade.

For an Elite 8 Team, you're talking 28-30 wins.   A WHOLE lot of things have to come together - more than just an influx of talent, to achieve a minimum FIFTEEN additional wins.   Yes, you see other teams come back from huge personell losses, or make up for personell shortages to challenge for Elite 8s, but they're usually coming off 25 win or better seasons - not 13 win seasons.

So, as I said, not insane.  Certainly it's possible.  And if I'm still alive, I'll be screaming at the TV and jabbering like a gibbon if it does.  But it's unlikely.

Look at Arizona.  They were 16-5 in a Pac10 conference that only had three teams over 16 wins in 2009-2010. The next season they improved to 30-8 and came a shot away from the Final Four with a sophomore core of Williams-Parrom-Hill-Momo-Natyazhko.  Arizona also lost their leading scorer, Nic Wise, from that squad.  They only had three kids (all sophs during the Elite 8 run) rated in the RSCI top 100:  Williams #100, #53 Natyazhko, and #56 Solomon Hill.  We have four RSCI top 75 sophs, and we've already inked a top 40 RSCI freshman, Sampson.

I like the Arizona comparison, because not only did they tear it up as sophomores after a mediocore freshman campaign, but they had to do so replacing their leading scorer from the year before (14.4 ppg), they had to rely on an unranked freshman and a JUCO transfer, and they played small.  They played one kid over 6'9, Natyazhko, and he only played 10 mpg. 

Quote from: crgreen on March 26, 2012, 09:10:59 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on March 26, 2012, 08:36:23 AM

Quote from: Poison on March 26, 2012, 08:01:52 AM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:43:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on March 23, 2012, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after
looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

An elite 8? I hope so, but I think that's insane.

I don't think it's insane at all.  A team like that would be loaded with talent and depth.

Not insane, but unlikely, coming off a losing season.  Likely  is tourney this year, deep run next year.   At the riske of boring folks with another UCLA reference,  in the first year post-Lavin, they were 11-18 in 2004.   In 2005, they added Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp (he'd be a starter on 2 final four teams), and Lorenzo Matta (he'd be starting center on a final four team), to a team that already had Senior Dijon Thompson (he'd reach the nba before a fractured kneecap ended his career),7 foot Ryan Hollins and 6'11 Mike Fey.  they went 18-11, lost in the firsr round of the dance.  However the next year senior PG Ced Bozeman came off an injury redshirt year and replaced a redshirting Shipp at SF,  unranked freshman Luc Mbah a Moute replaced the graduated Thompson at PF, unranked frosh Darren Collison stepped in as a 3rd guard, amd they went 32-7, losing to FLorida in the Championship game.  FOURTEEN additional wins was a huge upgrade.

For an Elite 8 Team, you're talking 28-30 wins.   A WHOLE lot of things have to come together - more than just an influx of talent, to achieve a minimum FIFTEEN additional wins.   Yes, you see other teams come back from huge personell losses, or make up for personell shortages to challenge for Elite 8s, but they're usually coming off 25 win or better seasons - not 13 win seasons.

So, as I said, not insane.  Certainly it's possible.  And if I'm still alive, I'll be screaming at the TV and jabbering like a gibbon if it does.  But it's unlikely.

Look at Arizona.  They were 16-5 in a Pac10 conference that only had three teams over 16 wins in 2009-2010. The next season they improved to 30-8 and came a shot away from the Final Four with a sophomore core of Williams-Parrom-Hill-Momo-Natyazhko.  Arizona also lost their leading scorer, Nic Wise, from that squad.  They only had three kids (all sophs during the Elite 8 run) rated in the RSCI top 100:  Williams #100, #53 Natyazhko, and #56 Solomon Hill.  We have four RSCI top 75 sophs, and we've already inked a top 40 RSCI freshman, Sampson.

I like the Arizona comparison, because not only did they tear it up as sophomores after a mediocore freshman campaign, but they had to do so replacing their leading scorer from the year before (14.4 ppg), they had to rely on an unranked freshman and a JUCO transfer, and they played small.  They played one kid over 6'9, Natyazhko, and he only played 10 mpg.

Sorry, Marrilac, but your Pac 12 info is wrong.   Like that you're using RSCI rankings.   But you're forgetting that Arizona's PG was also a top 100 player.   Probably 'cause  RSCI listed him with his REAL name, and the 3rd of the 4 schools he verballed to (Virginia Tech) rather than Arizona.   Momo.  HUGE difference to have an experienced PG returning to combine with the college Player of the Year (I like our talent, but don't think we have a potential Wooden award winner).  You also didn't go far enuf back to note that 6th man Jamelle Horne was RSCI #22 in 2007 - higher ranked than anyone we have or are getting.   They also had another top 100 guard in frosh Daniel Bejarano you didn't list.    And if you were using Scout or Rivals rankings, and went back to 2006, you'd have found top 100  7' center Alex Jacobson, who was still there (and back THIS year) thanks to 2 redshirt years.

Not insane, but unlikely.

Quote from: MCNPA on March 26, 2012, 08:36:23 AM

Quote from: Poison on March 26, 2012, 08:01:52 AM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:43:03 PM

Quote from: Moose on March 23, 2012, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Chilleb on March 23, 2012, 12:16:47 PM

Guys think Sanchez could play some 3 next year for us? Didn't get to see the game but was thinking about him Sampson and chandler on the court at the same time

Pretty damn nice 3,4,5 there.

If we land Sanchez , chandler and the array of other pieces were looking at an elite 8 wouldn't be a drastic prediction after
looking at louisvilles team make-up it will resemble ours in a sense next year just with more athleticsm and less experience

An elite 8? I hope so, but I think that's insane.

I don't think it's insane at all.  A team like that would be loaded with talent and depth.

Not insane, but unlikely, coming off a losing season.  Likely  is tourney this year, deep run next year.   At the riske of boring folks with another UCLA reference,  in the first year post-Lavin, they were 11-18 in 2004.   In 2005, they added Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp (he'd be a starter on 2 final four teams), and Lorenzo Matta (he'd be starting center on a final four team), to a team that already had Senior Dijon Thompson (he'd reach the nba before a fractured kneecap ended his career),7 foot Ryan Hollins and 6'11 Mike Fey.  they went 18-11, lost in the firsr round of the dance.  However the next year senior PG Ced Bozeman came off an injury redshirt year and replaced a redshirting Shipp at SF,  unranked freshman Luc Mbah a Moute replaced the graduated Thompson at PF, unranked frosh Darren Collison stepped in as a 3rd guard, amd they went 32-7, losing to FLorida in the Championship game.  FOURTEEN additional wins was a huge upgrade.

For an Elite 8 Team, you're talking 28-30 wins.   A WHOLE lot of things have to come together - more than just an influx of talent, to achieve a minimum FIFTEEN additional wins.   Yes, you see other teams come back from huge personell losses, or make up for personell shortages to challenge for Elite 8s, but they're usually coming off 25 win or better seasons - not 13 win seasons.

So, as I said, not insane.  Certainly it's possible.  And if I'm still alive, I'll be screaming at the TV and jabbering like a gibbon if it does.  But it's unlikely.

I agree, with CR on this one.   Very unlikely.  I hope like hell we are that good, but just don't see it, even in a best case scenario.
And CR, god-bless, you'll be around to see a Lavin-led run for SJU in the tournament.   It can't be said enough that our prayers are with you.

I can't speak to the PAC12 argument with any expertise, but the similar comparison was made to Lousiville:
 and like CR said about Jamelle Horne for Arizona, Louisville has 3 players on their roster who were higher ranked than anyone we have or are getting:
Siva RSCI# 27
Behanan RSCI# 24
Blackshire RSCI #26

3 players rated higher than anyone we have, plus Louisville has the borderline-illegal advantage of having two VERY productive walk-ons in Chris Smith and Kuric.   

Our makeup isn't equivalent.   But we're not far away either.  I think the fact that people overlook is that we're not the only team with top 100 talent.   I haven't looked it up but there must be 15 or more teams with at least 4 top 100 players.   It's certainly awesome to be among them for a change though.

So who's the next one to pop?   Now that the unofficial truce for the Final 4 is over we should be hearing about recruits popping soon I would think.

So who's the next one to pop?   Now that the unofficial truce for the Final 4 is over we should be hearing about recruits popping soon I would think.

This close to the April 11 start of the spring signing period, I'm guessing most will be waiting till then.  Except the smart ones who want an entire sports news-cycle to themselves!   If your Obekpa, for instance, do you really want to get your announcement buried behind a "Nerlens Noel to Georgetown" headline?

"Nerlens Noel to Georgetown" headline?

Do you think this is happening..?

what really baffles me is the lack of verbals the last month or 2 across the board.
Over the last 2 months, over a dozen players have been discussed here with varying levels of interest (theirs or ours)

But of all the players discussed, not one has verballed, even to another program ?

(edit: Except Felix and JaKarr)

what really baffles me is the lack of verbals the last month or 2 across the board.
Over the last 2 months, over a dozen players have been discussed here with varying levels of interest (theirs or ours)

But of all the players discussed, not one has verballed, even to another program ?

Because most people don't verbal now.  Most coaches are a little busy with that whole March Madness thing.
And HS teams are playing in state championships which limits visits and such.
Throw in some all star games and your looking at April 11th.

I can't wait for this board to jump up and down screaming in disgust if there is no news on April 11st.  It's a signing period, not signing DAY.

Since this forum went up last month things have slowed down quite a bit.  With signing day coming up on Thursday you may see more activity on this site with predictions on who will sign with us.  Right now most of the posting action seems to be on the individual recruits' sites.  This is literally the calm before the recruiting storm.

Even the individual recruits sites have begun to meander.  The Carlos Morris site became a sort of UCLA- Sidney Wicks site and now the Michael Chandler site is focused on our old pal "Scotch".

The recruitment action should pick up soon.