FREE God’s Gift Achiuwa!

Now!!!

Now!!!

This staff would be committing suicide not to activate him for Saturday's game. It's time for them to take their medicine.

I agree only if the staff isn't reasonably confident that Sanchez is back in a week or two.  Despite the Zags article, I think there's a decent shot

Two additional considerations: (1) Gift is not particularly good.  (2) Having an experienced big with only 1 year of eligibility next year may impact medium term recruiting efforts (i.e. positioned for lawrence + cheik diallo / govan / etc / etc )

If we aren't going to be better than a tournament bubble team at best with Gift, I think it is compelling to punt this year and go for it next year and set the program up to be tourney or better every year thereafter.  Big picture is way more important even though it's frustrating right now

Why screw him? He only has 60 percent eligibility left if we activate him now.

And suicide is a bit harsh: Lavin will not lose his job over not pulling the redshirt.

Why screw him? He only has 60 percent eligibility left if we activate him now.

And suicide is a bit harsh: Lavin will not lose his job over not pulling the redshirt.

I think he meant he'd be killing the slim chance we have of beating Cincy.

(1) Gift is not particularly good.

This is the main problem I have with the redshirt. He's a big body that we need RIGHT NOW. He's not going to be great, but he gives us a big body to hopefully help us with rebounding. It's just stupid that we have him sitting on the bench watching when he could be helping us now. I think he'd be more valuable now than next season if we land Lawrence.

We need Gift to play.  Even he can see that.  He'll be getting screwed big time, though.  He has missed all those games and it will take him a while to get acclimated.  And the guy has graduated, which means even if he is a team first guy he might think it will be better for his education and even basketball development to move on to another school at this point (as opposed to coming back for us now) where he will get a full season on the court as well as a full academic year towards his Master's degree.  He'd then be in a better situation to finish graduate school, finish up with basketball, and test the waters of professional basketball overseas if he wants.  Just saying.

We need Gift to play.  Even he can see that.  He'll be getting screwed big time, though.  He has missed all those games and it will take him a while to get acclimated.  And the guy has graduated, which means even if he is a team first guy he might think it will be better for his education and even basketball development to move on to another school at this point (as opposed to coming back for us now) where he will get a full season on the court as well as a full academic year towards his Master's degree.  He'd then be in a better situation to finish graduate school, finish up with basketball, and test the waters of professional basketball overseas if he wants.  Just saying.

Gift seems like a high character kid.  It was said that the decision to redshirt was mutual so basically Lavin did him a favor by redshirting him so he can get his Masters for free.  I highly doubt he would screw Lavin like that and bolt.

I think Gift is a high character kid too.  He's in the President's Society.  It was, though, Lavin's IDEA to redshirt him and ultimately Lavin's DECISION to redshirt him.  Gift may have been enthusiastic about the idea, but it wasn't a mutual decision.  And just like Lavin decided to redshirt Gift, Lavin can decide to un-redshirt Gift.  I'm happy with that, I think he needs to play.  We need him.  And when he does play, putting the team ahead of himself (since he could transfer his 4.0 to UPENN and play a full year and finish his MBA at that Ivy League School instead of being stuck with a short season and only a BS degree), we should talk about what a great SJU guy he is -- as is so often said about Amir -- and not about his rock hands!   

I think Gift is a high character kid too.  He's in the President's Society.  It was, though, Lavin's IDEA to redshirt him and ultimately Lavin's DECISION to redshirt him.  Gift may have been enthusiastic about the idea, but it wasn't a mutual decision.  And just like Lavin decided to redshirt Gift, Lavin can decide to un-redshirt Gift.  I'm happy with that, I think he needs to play.  We need him.  And when he does play, putting the team ahead of himself (since he could transfer his 4.0 to UPENN and play a full year and finish his MBA at that Ivy League School instead of being stuck with a short season and only a BS degree), we should talk about what a great SJU guy he is -- as is so often said about Amir -- and not about his rock hands!   

Lavin's quotes lead me to believe it was a mutual decision, but it could be taken either way I guess.  Regardless, I would be shocked if Gift bolted after this year.

"And with Gift, he's in a position where he can graduate in December - and then be done with his Master's [degree] at the end of his fifth year. So he's also unique from that standpoint. He's a scholar. As a result, he sees some of the value - not only working on his game, but walking from St. John's with not only his undergraduate but his MBA."

Asked how Achiuwa took the news, Lavin said, “Through the conversation it became very appealing to redshirt. Sitting down with his family he saw the value if he is to redshirt.”

Not sure I understand what you mean when you say you would be "shocked if Gift bolted after this year."  This is his last season of eligibility the moment he plays, meaning March 2013 at the latest will conclude his SJU basketball career.

I love Lavin.  But his statement re. Gift "sitting down with his family"?  More like Gift mulled it over while thinking of his family 5000 miles back home in Port Hartcourt Nigeria.  Gift was receptive to the idea and smart enough to support it.  But it ended up a lousy situation for him.

Anyway, beating a dead horse on this.  I expect him to play soon.  I'll just cheer loudly for him.

Lavin has known the situation of Sanchez the entire year.  If the redshirt decision were actually about Orlando Sanchez's status this year then Gift would have played in November when Sanchez was declared ineligible.  Lavin isn't gonna screw a kid's life over/hurt next years teams chances for 7 weeks of meaningless basketball this year.  The redshirt is about having depth next year when we have a legit chance to be good and the fact that there is no chance Sanchez will be around next year and it's possible that there are transfers.  Add in the fact that Gift wants a free Masters degree and you have a pretty good deal all around.  Bottom line is Gift's redshirt won't be lifted this year and he will provide nice depth for our bench and an extra big body in practice next year. 

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

I could a rats ass about next year. I paid for tickets this year.

Quote from: Lapchick65 on January 04, 2013, 11:38:24 PM

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

I could a rats ass about next year. I paid for tickets this year.

You should ask for partial refund.

Quote from: Poison on January 05, 2013, 01:06:28 AM

Quote from: Lapchick65 on January 04, 2013, 11:38:24 PM

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

I could a rats ass about next year. I paid for tickets this year.

You should ask for partial refund.

Or should I do what every other "St.John's fan" does and sell them?

Quote from: Moose on January 05, 2013, 02:06:33 AM

Quote from: Poison on January 05, 2013, 01:06:28 AM

Quote from: Lapchick65 on January 04, 2013, 11:38:24 PM

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

I could a rats ass about next year. I paid for tickets this year.

You should ask for partial refund.

Or should I do what every other "St.John's fan" does and sell them?

Zing

Quote from: Poison on January 05, 2013, 02:18:40 AM

Quote from: Moose on January 05, 2013, 02:06:33 AM

Quote from: Poison on January 05, 2013, 01:06:28 AM

Quote from: Lapchick65 on January 04, 2013, 11:38:24 PM

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

I could a rats ass about next year. I paid for tickets this year.

You should ask for partial refund.

Or should I do what every other "St.John's fan" does and sell them?

Zing

Actually, the joke is on me, because I will never do that.

Quote from: Moose on January 05, 2013, 02:20:44 AM

Quote from: Poison on January 05, 2013, 02:18:40 AM

Quote from: Moose on January 05, 2013, 02:06:33 AM

Quote from: Poison on January 05, 2013, 01:06:28 AM

Quote from: Lapchick65 on January 04, 2013, 11:38:24 PM

Okay, now it's clearer to me what our positions are.  I DO think -- just my opinion or gut instinct -- that this is about Sanchez.  I think Lavin is the eternal optimist who thought things would work out for Sanchez to play and he figured it would be a waste to have Gift active with Sanchez playing in front of him.  And, I do think at this point that Lavin will (again being the optimist he is) go ahead and play Gift this year to the possible detriment of next year with the thought in mind that he can hit the recruiting trail and bring in an even better player once Gift's eligibility is exhausted.  So I predict that Lavin will pull the redshirt and Gift will play.  You think Gift will retain the redshirt and be back next year.  Ultimately your line of thinking is probably in the best interests of the team in the long run and certainly has the most advantage for Gift.  But I just don't think Lavin will be able to stomach moving ahead into BE play without a big body like Gift available.

Now that I have made my prediction, I'd like to say for the record that I am usually wrong.  I bet my son $10 that Christian Jones would be in the game by the 14:00 mark of the 2nd half against Nova.

I could a rats ass about next year. I paid for tickets this year.

You should ask for partial refund.

Or should I do what every other "St.John's fan" does and sell them?

Zing

Actually, the joke is on me, because I will never do that.

Me neither. I will rip them up before doing that

We're all feeling the pain.  I see that ESPN has just updated BE rankings or whatever they call them and we're dead last:
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/71568/conference-power-rankings-big-east-19