July is over, Hi guys

So for those of you who don't know. July is absolutely nuts. With NCAA calendar changes there is just about no days off during live period. So I apologize for the lack up site updates/upgrades. I wanted to pass along some things I've heard and also see if anyone had any questions on some prospects.

-D'Angelo has really refined his body, he's a little more compact but this isn't biggest change. He's really thriving in point guard role and in a different way than Dwight Hardy did. He's getting teammates involved and really enjoys getting assists. Don't think he's not going to score because he will get his but he's understanding when not to force a shot and how effective of a passer he can be.

-Surprise recruit of class could be Marco Bourgault. He's better than advertised or expected. He can really shoot it but he can also get by guys. Much better handling the ball than expected.

-Christian Jones could be a late steal and should be great guy to push Sir'Dom because they are very similar players.

-JaKar Sampson is going to require patience. He's not going to be Moe Harkless and thats not an insult but a reality. He has a lot to work on but will be contribute differently. It will be interesting to watch his learning curve on identifying things he did in high school that won't be as easy to do in college. How does he adjust, get better in other areas.

-Phil Greene added a lot of bulk, like previously mentioned but just confirming he's really putting some hard work in


On recruiting front I didn't see St. John's on the road like I saw them last year. I only saw Tony once where he was seeing Isaiah Whitehead, who has really elevated his game btw, but St. John's was out on Nike circuit which is something I'm unable to attend. I did see a ton of mentioned potential targets.

Great stuff Dave.  Always thought Bourgault might surprise.  High bball IQ from what I've heard, besides his shooting ability.  Both Monroe guys will be big contributors.  Jakarr is more raw,but great motor and athlete.  I have no doubt D'Lo will share a lot of time at point even when Branch comes aboard.  It will allow Phil to get time at both spots. I think D'Lo will try for the NBA this year, and no doubt Lavin I'll give him plenty of latitude to do so.   Great to hear those updates.  We are soooo deep this year it's crazy.  I smell NCAA's even with our youth.  We will surprise a lot of teams wi the balance that we have as well as waves of players. 

Thanks a lot Dave and keep working hard! Any updates on current players are always appreciated.
I figured one of the staffs/D'angelo's objectives would be to make him more explosive and it is good to hear he is working hard. There's not doubt in my mind he has the capabilities to play the point. Once he gets into the lane he is fantastic at finding the open man.

Thank you Dave for the insight. Would it be possible to gather any feedback on Gift, Dom, Amir, Jamal, Christopher, Orlando & Felix?

Thank you Dave for the insight. Would it be possible to gather any feedback on Gift, Dom, Amir, Jamal, Christopher, Orlando & Felix?

Leave anyone out?

Yeah, Max.

I would love to hear that Gift is working on passing out of the double team.

That Sir Dom is shooting 1000 jumpers a day.

And that both of them are working on their ball handling skills daily.

With the amount of guys we have coming in, at least one guy was bound to be a surprise.  I'm most curious about Obeka. He's the most important out of all the new guys.

Thanks for the update Dave.  Good things going on with the SJU players. Chomping at the bit for the season to get here.

Thanks Dave.

I know the staff was all over the country even though they were technically down a coach.

From what I understand, it was a very productive liv period and we should get some nice visits in fall

Thanks for all you're hard work and taking the time to keep the rest of us up to date.

We are...St Johns!

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

I agree. He can come along slowly. I'd be thrilled to have a second unit of Pointer, Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Bourgault/Jones. I think our starting line up might shape up to be C - Obekpa, PF - Gift, SF - Garrett, SG - Harrison, PG - Greene to begin the season. If Obekpa can really change games defensively, I love the idea of him changing it immediately. Many of the freshman will need time to adjust to this level of play.

How about the coaching search?   Dave or anybody else, have you heard anything on that front?

Is Allocco pretty much a done deal? 

Quote from: SJUhoopNUT on July 30, 2012, 10:58:11 AM

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

I agree. He can come along slowly. I'd be thrilled to have a second unit of Pointer, Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Bourgault/Jones. I think our starting line up might shape up to be C - Obekpa, PF - Gift, SF - Garrett, SG - Harrison, PG - Greene to begin the season. If Obekpa can really change games defensively, I love the idea of him changing it immediately. Many of the freshman will need time to adjust to this level of play.

You won't see obekpa and Gift starting together except at times against big, strong front lines.  More likely to see Harrison, Greene, Garrett, Pointer and Gift early because of their returning experience from last year.  I eventually expect obekpa to share minutes with Gift at Center and Sanchez/Sampson off the bench and in the rotation often in the frontcourt.  Backcourt will use everybody as well.  We will have 12 and use all of them.

Quote from: Poison on July 30, 2012, 11:08:18 AM

Quote from: SJUhoopNUT on July 30, 2012, 10:58:11 AM

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

I agree. He can come along slowly. I'd be thrilled to have a second unit of Pointer, Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Bourgault/Jones. I think our starting line up might shape up to be C - Obekpa, PF - Gift, SF - Garrett, SG - Harrison, PG - Greene to begin the season. If Obekpa can really change games defensively, I love the idea of him changing it immediately. Many of the freshman will need time to adjust to this level of play.

You won't see obekpa and Gift starting together except at times against big, strong front lines.  More likely to see Harrison, Greene, Garrett, Pointer and Gift early because of their returning experience from last year.  I eventually expect obekpa to share minutes with Gift at Center and Sanchez/Sampson off the bench and in the rotation often in the frontcourt.  Backcourt will use everybody as well.  We will have 12 and use all of them.

I think Sampson and Sanchez will get a lot of time together on the floor at the 4/5

Belated thanks Dave!

Quote from: MCNPA on July 30, 2012, 11:13:48 AM

Quote from: Poison on July 30, 2012, 11:08:18 AM

Quote from: SJUhoopNUT on July 30, 2012, 10:58:11 AM

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

I agree. He can come along slowly. I'd be thrilled to have a second unit of Pointer, Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Bourgault/Jones. I think our starting line up might shape up to be C - Obekpa, PF - Gift, SF - Garrett, SG - Harrison, PG - Greene to begin the season. If Obekpa can really change games defensively, I love the idea of him changing it immediately. Many of the freshman will need time to adjust to this level of play.

You won't see obekpa and Gift starting together except at times against big, strong front lines.  More likely to see Harrison, Greene, Garrett, Pointer and Gift early because of their returning experience from last year.  I eventually expect obekpa to share minutes with Gift at Center and Sanchez/Sampson off the bench and in the rotation often in the frontcourt.  Backcourt will use everybody as well.  We will have 12 and use all of them.

I think Sampson and Sanchez will get a lot of time together on the floor at the 4/5

Sampson barely looks big enough to play the 4. Just asking, but what makes you think he could play the 5?

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on July 30, 2012, 11:16:10 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on July 30, 2012, 11:13:48 AM

Quote from: Poison on July 30, 2012, 11:08:18 AM

Quote from: SJUhoopNUT on July 30, 2012, 10:58:11 AM

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

I agree. He can come along slowly. I'd be thrilled to have a second unit of Pointer, Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Bourgault/Jones. I think our starting line up might shape up to be C - Obekpa, PF - Gift, SF - Garrett, SG - Harrison, PG - Greene to begin the season. If Obekpa can really change games defensively, I love the idea of him changing it immediately. Many of the freshman will need time to adjust to this level of play.

You won't see obekpa and Gift starting together except at times against big, strong front lines.  More likely to see Harrison, Greene, Garrett, Pointer and Gift early because of their returning experience from last year.  I eventually expect obekpa to share minutes with Gift at Center and Sanchez/Sampson off the bench and in the rotation often in the frontcourt.  Backcourt will use everybody as well.  We will have 12 and use all of them.

I think Sampson and Sanchez will get a lot of time together on the floor at the 4/5

Sampson barely looks big enough to play the 4. Just asking, but what makes you think he could play the 5?

Obekpa's the only thing close to a traditional 5 on the roster so most of the time it'll probably more like a 4 and a 4 1/2.

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on July 30, 2012, 11:16:10 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on July 30, 2012, 11:13:48 AM

Quote from: Poison on July 30, 2012, 11:08:18 AM

Quote from: SJUhoopNUT on July 30, 2012, 10:58:11 AM

Our backcourt is shaping up nicely.

Not surprised about Sampson. Hopefully he comes along. His value early on may be hitting the glass and in transition. Halfcourt game may be something he needs to learn and work on. Shot in videos looks like it needs some work, but it's not broken.

I agree. He can come along slowly. I'd be thrilled to have a second unit of Pointer, Sampson, Sanchez, Balamou and Bourgault/Jones. I think our starting line up might shape up to be C - Obekpa, PF - Gift, SF - Garrett, SG - Harrison, PG - Greene to begin the season. If Obekpa can really change games defensively, I love the idea of him changing it immediately. Many of the freshman will need time to adjust to this level of play.

You won't see obekpa and Gift starting together except at times against big, strong front lines.  More likely to see Harrison, Greene, Garrett, Pointer and Gift early because of their returning experience from last year.  I eventually expect obekpa to share minutes with Gift at Center and Sanchez/Sampson off the bench and in the rotation often in the frontcourt.  Backcourt will use everybody as well.  We will have 12 and use all of them.

I think Sampson and Sanchez will get a lot of time together on the floor at the 4/5

Sampson barely looks big enough to play the 4. Just asking, but what makes you think he could play the 5?

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough but what I meant was that those two would get a lot of minutes together with sanchez as the 5 and jakarr as the 4