What is the real reason that Gods Gift is redshirting?

Quote from: sju89tr on January 01, 2013, 12:13:16 PM

My two cents, I think Lavin felt initially that he had enough depth with Sanchez. It's telling that they decided to red shirt gift that Sanchez was only going to be here one year. In addition, we weren't in the mix for any bigs in the 2013 class.

With that said, the strategy is backfiring at the moment without both. However at this point, is it worth it to burn Gift's year with only 60% of the season left.

Let's hope the NCAA answers our prayers and rules Orlando eligible. It is somewhat promising that he did in fact leave the DR to return back to school after the break. I had felt that he may leave school if he wasn't eligible by second semester. This may be the case anyway.

I agree with LJSA, no way the NCAA tells Gift no on redshirt if he wishes to put the books before basketball this season even if that isn't the real reason.   

The athletics dept might have more knowledge of this. Makes sense to wait until everyone pays for their tickets before letting us know how careless they were in throwing away our season. Again.

I wouldn't be so harsh to say they threw away season again, when did THIS athletic department throw away the season before ?

Yes I agree though the strategy left us very very thin on the glass.

Gift does not make or break a team; whether he plays this season or they save him for next year... he's just not that kind of difference maker.
So I don't lose any sleep over this issue of whether he redshirts or not.    He's a nice complimentary player; but his rebounding wont put us in post season play this year; and likewise his presence wont be the piece that puts us over the edge next season.   There's about 9 other pieces more important to our team success than God's Gift.   

I'm a lot more worried about our defense and ball movement than I am about the 5 rebounds a game Gift would contribute (which is less than Obekpa, Sampson, and Garrett are all averaging right now).   

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Why add a 2 or 4 year guy if the pickings are thin.  You have Gift for a year and then he's gone.  It's very easy to play armchair quarterback but unless you really know how many '13 targets we really have a chance of getting the decision makes sense.

Quote from: Poison on January 01, 2013, 12:33:30 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on January 01, 2013, 12:13:16 PM

My two cents, I think Lavin felt initially that he had enough depth with Sanchez. It's telling that they decided to red shirt gift that Sanchez was only going to be here one year. In addition, we weren't in the mix for any bigs in the 2013 class.

With that said, the strategy is backfiring at the moment without both. However at this point, is it worth it to burn Gift's year with only 60% of the season left.

Let's hope the NCAA answers our prayers and rules Orlando eligible. It is somewhat promising that he did in fact leave the DR to return back to school after the break. I had felt that he may leave school if he wasn't eligible by second semester. This may be the case anyway.

I agree with LJSA, no way the NCAA tells Gift no on redshirt if he wishes to put the books before basketball this season even if that isn't the real reason.   

The athletics dept might have more knowledge of this. Makes sense to wait until everyone pays for their tickets before letting us know how careless they were in throwing away our season. Again.

I wouldn't be so harsh to say they threw away season again, when did THIS athletic department throw away the season before ?

Yes I agree though the strategy left us very very thin on the glass.

When? Last year. Obviously. This is becoming like the times when people blamed Jarvis during Roberts' 3rd year. There is no excuse for repeating eligibility issues again.
Get them on the floor. It's embarrassing that St.John's has now made the same mistake two years in a row. It's time to tow the line. But isn't it always at St.John's?

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Maybe, but bringing in another big (Which I'm not objecting) is bringing in more inexperience to an already young team.

I always thought you could redshirt anyone for any reason or no reason at all. In football more than half of incoming freshman are red shirted to give them time to develop. You get 5 to play 4 the only time valid reasons come into play is to gain an extra year or when it happens early in a season so as to not burn a year.

I always thought you could redshirt anyone for any reason or no reason at all. In football more than half of incoming freshman are red shirted to give them time to develop. You get 5 to play 4 the only time valid reasons come into play is to gain an extra year or when it happens early in a season so as to not burn a year.

Correct

Quote from: Marillac on December 31, 2012, 09:56:27 PM

GG wouldn't have played much this year.  Dunlap played Amir Garrett over him with like a week of practices and out of position.   That should tell us a lot.  I think Coach resdshirted GG because: (1) He didn't want to be caught empty handed next year if we lost a few of the bigs; (2) he thought he had more than he does with Christian Jones; and (3) we will be much better next year and it would be awful to not advance because of  a lack of front court depth. 

Coach could have been left with Jones and one of Obekpa and Sampson next year.  That is a pretty scarey situation.

Since it's HIS job on the line, perhaps you should just accept that there's probably a pretty good reason, which - wow - he hasn't deigned to reveal to an internet poster.

Another question.... Has Linda EVER started a thread that had a POSITIVE subject line?

I don't think I did a good job with that post. I am not questioning Coach's decision at all.  This year we were only going to go so far with all the new guys.  Next year is when this team will be ready to really be a top team.  To have only one or two bigs with experience would have thwarted any run the team could have made.  GG was not a difference maker this year, but maybe he can give us 10-15 solid minutes as the third or fourth big man. 

The only way it isn't a dramatic mistake is if Sanchez suits up Wednesday.
We need one or the other. In addition, we need to take the people at St.John's who are
responsible for 5 players having eligibility issues and make sure they never set foot on campus ever again.

You gonna decide who steps on campus? Kinda tough.

The issue is that this team will have a break out season next year IF current players do not leave. I can see the argument of playing all your players now because you do not know what next year will bring us. Who thought that both Harkless and Dunlap would not be here this year...Hell who thought that Lavin will miss all of last year? Not questioning Lavin but Mr. Murphy and his laws have been picking on SJU and it would be nice to know what is the overall plan is and the alternate plans are. He does t have to say a word but it would be nice to know.

Quote from: TONYD3 on January 01, 2013, 11:29:46 AM

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Why add a 2 or 4 year guy if the pickings are thin.  You have Gift for a year and then he's gone.  It's very easy to play armchair quarterback but unless you really know how many '13 targets we really have a chance of getting the decision makes sense.

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Quote from: Moose on January 01, 2013, 01:16:46 PM

Quote from: TONYD3 on January 01, 2013, 11:29:46 AM

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Why add a 2 or 4 year guy if the pickings are thin.  You have Gift for a year and then he's gone.  It's very easy to play armchair quarterback but unless you really know how many '13 targets we really have a chance of getting the decision makes sense.

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Maybe he's not the great recruiter then Linda.  Maybe we should get rid of him.

Or maybe the fact that he's the coach of the team and has a better idea/handle on what is out there and what is attainable in terms of the '13 class is more than you, me and the rest of this board knows.

Quote from: Linda Mirabella on January 01, 2013, 09:46:13 PM

Quote from: Moose on January 01, 2013, 01:16:46 PM

Quote from: TONYD3 on January 01, 2013, 11:29:46 AM

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Why add a 2 or 4 year guy if the pickings are thin.  You have Gift for a year and then he's gone.  It's very easy to play armchair quarterback but unless you really know how many '13 targets we really have a chance of getting the decision makes sense.

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Maybe he's not the great recruiter then Linda.  Maybe we should get rid of him.

Or maybe the fact that he's the coach of the team and has a better idea/handle on what is out there and what is attainable in terms of the '13 class is more than you, me and the rest of this board knows.

Wow touchy, touchy?  Get rid of him?  Now that's a silly response.  However, if I am a big time coach of a supposed big time program, I have options and back up plans.  I don't put all my eggs in God's basket. Actually, I have more confidence in coach then you seem to have. No way does he keep Gift red shirted cause he has no better options.  To believe that does not say much for our programs outlook.

Quote from: Moose on January 01, 2013, 10:05:21 PM

Quote from: Linda Mirabella on January 01, 2013, 09:46:13 PM

Quote from: Moose on January 01, 2013, 01:16:46 PM

Quote from: TONYD3 on January 01, 2013, 11:29:46 AM

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Why add a 2 or 4 year guy if the pickings are thin.  You have Gift for a year and then he's gone.  It's very easy to play armchair quarterback but unless you really know how many '13 targets we really have a chance of getting the decision makes sense.

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Maybe he's not the great recruiter then Linda.  Maybe we should get rid of him.

Or maybe the fact that he's the coach of the team and has a better idea/handle on what is out there and what is attainable in terms of the '13 class is more than you, me and the rest of this board knows.

Wow touchy, touchy?  Get rid of him?  Now that's a silly response.  However, if I am a big time coach of a supposed big time program, I have options and back up plans.  I don't put all my eggs in God's basket. Actually, I have more confidence in coach then you seem to have. No way does he keep Gift red shirted cause he has no better options.  To believe that does not say much for our programs outlook.

All eggs in God's basket?  Lol.  We have Obekpa, possibly Sanchez, are recruiting Lawrence etc.  not sure why you'd say that.  I think Linda is Baldi's wife.

Quote from: Moose on January 01, 2013, 10:05:21 PM

Quote from: Linda Mirabella on January 01, 2013, 09:46:13 PM

Quote from: Moose on January 01, 2013, 01:16:46 PM

Quote from: TONYD3 on January 01, 2013, 11:29:46 AM

You guys don't think we can find another player like gift next year? He Is a backup forward. We could use him this year. Lavin should be able to replace him without breaking a sweat. That is why this is so mind boggling

Why add a 2 or 4 year guy if the pickings are thin.  You have Gift for a year and then he's gone.  It's very easy to play armchair quarterback but unless you really know how many '13 targets we really have a chance of getting the decision makes sense.

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Maybe he's not the great recruiter then Linda.  Maybe we should get rid of him.

Or maybe the fact that he's the coach of the team and has a better idea/handle on what is out there and what is attainable in terms of the '13 class is more than you, me and the rest of this board knows.

Wow touchy, touchy?  Get rid of him?  Now that's a silly response.  However, if I am a big time coach of a supposed big time program, I have options and back up plans.  I don't put all my eggs in God's basket. Actually, I have more confidence in coach then you seem to have. No way does he keep Gift red shirted cause he has no better options.  To believe that does not say much for our programs outlook.

Judging by your posts of late if you have 'more confidence in coach' then wow I hate to see your posts when you lose such confidence.

She sounds like Bobby Gonzalez's sister trying to find him an opening.

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Good big men are hard to find on a consistent basis unless your name is Self, Barnes, Izzo, K, Williams, Calipari, Donovan, Calhoun, or Few. There may be some others, but after that, it's a battle against hundreds of other programs.

Hopefully we land Lawrence and keep everyone else. Sampson, Lawrence, Obekpa, GGA, Pointer, and Garrett sounds like a decent front court to me.

Quote from: Linda Mirabella on January 01, 2013, 09:46:13 PM

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Good big men are hard to find on a consistent basis unless your name is Self, Barnes, Izzo, K, Williams, Calipari, Donovan, Calhoun, or Few. There may be some others, but after that, it's a battle against hundreds of other programs.

Hopefully we land Lawrence and keep everyone else. Sampson, Lawrence, Obekpa, GGA, Pointer, and Garrett sounds like a decent front court to me.

Self, Barnes, Izzo, etc.  Hmmmm,  it was not too long ago that many on this site put Coach Lavin's recruiting prowess right in there with the big boys.  What's the matter fellas, is your confidence in his ability to recruit diminishing? You see, you can't have it both ways.  Either you believe that Lavin is a great recruiter, will rectify the situation and the Gift situation will become a non issue or you believe that coach Lavin is not as good as first advertised and can't recruit with the big boys, and all the assinine comments about me being Baldi's wife or Bobby Gonzalez 's sister won't change that fact. .

  From everyone's comments here, I have to  wonder that if Lawrence is as good as advertised and coach Lavin was really confident in getting him, why would the Gift situation be so important. Now I understand that many have said that Lawrence is a small forward in a power forwards body but I am sure that at 6'9, he can certainly be taught to contribute in the rebounding department.

If you'll wish to argue my points, I welcome that , but can we please keep the idiotic commens to a minimum?  Thanks

Quote from: Linda Mirabella on January 01, 2013, 09:46:13 PM

If Lavin is the recruiter that everyone touts him to be, getting a solid contributor from the 13 class or the Junior College ranks shouldn't be an issue should it?  What happened to ll the confidence we had in coach Lavins recruiting skills. I just can't believe it's an all or nothing deal regarding Gods Gift.

Good big men are hard to find on a consistent basis unless your name is Self, Barnes, Izzo, K, Williams, Calipari, Donovan, Calhoun, or Few. There may be some others, but after that, it's a battle against hundreds of other programs.

Hopefully we land Lawrence and keep everyone else. Sampson, Lawrence, Obekpa, GGA, Pointer, and Garrett sounds like a decent front court to me.

One name sticks out in your coaches list - Self, Barnes, Izzo, K, Williams, Claipari, Donovan, used-to-be Calhoun - yes - they all GET good big men on a regular basis.  Few is the only one who really FINDS them on a regular basis.  Robert Sacre?  Kelly Olynyk?  Rony Turiaff?  JP Batista?  The only "Big" anyone else really ever HEARD of out of high school (slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean) was Austin Daye - and that probably only because his daddy was NBA player Darren Daye....

This topic is fantastic. Last year during the non BE portion of the schedule, people were throwing out Wes Unseld, Dajuan Blair and every other undersized pro big man as a comparison for GG. Then when people tried to temper the insanity, they were shouted down.
Then during the BE GG showed what he was , an undersized, serviceable backup big man. However the same people throwing out crazy comparisons were now clamoring for him to not play.
Now he gets redshirted and people are starting an uproar over that.
To complete the cycle next year when he plays people will undoubtedly claim he sucks.