DePaul (Home) Game Discussion

Quote from: desco80 on January 31, 2013, 04:58:19 PM

Quote from: paultzman on January 31, 2013, 01:53:33 PM

“@ECoastBias: Amidst excitement, Steve Lavin and St. John's recognize they have much to prove #stjbb http://t.co/I6NM5owz”

I know a lot of us got tired of the "youngest team" line, but coach has been very consistent since early last fall in his comments about this year - work in progress.
I don't think I've heard him say we're pretty good, or things are really starting to click, at any point this year.   

Could be coach bs.   But he could be telling us the truth, this is a learning year, and he's looking for us to breakthrough next season.

I certainly am pleased by accomplishments to date, but still sense this is a transitional year. The upcoming games with GT, UConn (who I think we beat), Cuse and L'Ville will be an indication of where we are in our development. Fun year, for most part, in any event!

I am always overly optimistic in predictions.  40-0 till we lose a game, then 39-1.  Until we lose another, and so on.  That's what I hope for - what in a perfect confluence of events MIGHT be possible.  But I can be be pragmatic in viewing the team as well....

Last year, at this point, we were 9-12, and went 4-7 the rest of the way to a 13-19 overall record.    Along the way, we lost BOTH our top recruit, a JC All American transfer, and the ONLY experienced guard on that teams roster to transfers.   Then, we lost our best PLAYER, who left as the #15 pick in the draft.   We've lost our (arguably) top recruit THIS YEAR, a JC All American,  to NCAA BS.  We've lost our returning center, A former JC All American, to a Redshirt Year.  We lost the guy who COACHED the team to an NBA  HEAD coaching position......

And we'e 14-7.    I think we do far better with this team in the remaining games than last years team was able t odo.  But if we only match that teams 4-7 finish, we've REVERSED our record from 13-19 to 19-13 in one season.   That'd be a heckuva turnaround given the circumstances and the players and, yes, being "the youngest team in D-1".   As I say, I expect more.  I think its more likely we go 7-4 than 4-7 - and that probably buys us 2-5 more games, and maybe 2-3 more wins.  This team has realistic potential for 23-25 wins this year.  That would be, in the real world, an incredible turnaround.

Of course, I'm still holding out for a  20-0 finish to the season, and a 34-7 record.   Until we lose a game.  Then, 33-8. 

I agree with the poster who said that Harrison was really pumped up and supportive of the team on the bench after he fouled out.  I loved to see that.  And maybe it was good for him to watch his teammates pull together and finish without him.  Maybe the feeling of powerlessness on the bench will be something for him to build on.  I kept thinking to myself that Harrison needs smelling salts or something to get focused.  We need Ray Lewis to come yell at him!

As for Sir Dom, I always knew he'd breakout.  Can you imagine how tough he will be as a senior?

I agree with the poster who said that Harrison was really pumped up and supportive of the team on the bench after he fouled out.  I loved to see that.  And maybe it was good for him to watch his teammates pull together and finish without him.  Maybe the feeling of powerlessness on the bench will be something for him to build on.  I kept thinking to myself that Harrison needs smelling salts or something to get focused.  We need Ray Lewis to come yell at him!

As for Sir Dom, I always knew he'd breakout.  Can you imagine how tough he will be as a senior?

Harrison said in the post game presser. He acknowledged that the worst thing you can is foul the jump shooter, and he did it twice. Harrison has certainly matured. It makes Lavin look like a good teacher for benching him earlier in the season. Sir Dom is reminding me a lot of Lavor Postell's season Soph year. He is really getting after it all over the court.

His jump shot is tarting to fall with some consistency. I think by senior year, he could be an All BE type of player.

I agree with the poster who said that Harrison was really pumped up and supportive of the team on the bench after he fouled out.  I loved to see that.  And maybe it was good for him to watch his teammates pull together and finish without him.  Maybe the feeling of powerlessness on the bench will be something for him to build on.  I kept thinking to myself that Harrison needs smelling salts or something to get focused.  We need Ray Lewis to come yell at him!

As for Sir Dom, I always knew he'd breakout.  Can you imagine how tough he will be as a senior?

Another point that shows the lack of patience our fan base has. A few weeks ago, people were concluding that SirDom was a bust and over recruited, and was ranked 50 spots too high. Now, how many players in the top 50 that year would you trade SirDom for? I think that number is pretty low.

Quote from: Lapchick65 on February 01, 2013, 10:45:09 AM

I agree with the poster who said that Harrison was really pumped up and supportive of the team on the bench after he fouled out.  I loved to see that.  And maybe it was good for him to watch his teammates pull together and finish without him.  Maybe the feeling of powerlessness on the bench will be something for him to build on.  I kept thinking to myself that Harrison needs smelling salts or something to get focused.  We need Ray Lewis to come yell at him!

As for Sir Dom, I always knew he'd breakout.  Can you imagine how tough he will be as a senior?

Harrison said in the post game presser. He acknowledged that the worst thing you can is foul the jump shooter, and he did it twice. Harrison has certainly matured. It makes Lavin look like a good teacher for benching him earlier in the season. Sir Dom is reminding me a lot of Lavor Postell's season Soph year. He is really getting after it all over the court.

His jump shot is tarting to fall with some consistency. I think by senior year, he could be an All BE type of player.

It's going to be HUGE for us if Dom can consistently hit that corner 3 if left open.

Dom is playing with sky high confidence. He's becoming the player we read about.

Dom is playing with sky high confidence. He's becoming the player we read about.

One of the truest axioms in college sports, that unfortunately doesn't get tested as often as it SHOULD in this modern era:   "The best thing about freshmen, is they become sophomores."

Another point that shows the lack of patience our fan base has. A few weeks ago, people were concluding that SirDom was a bust and over recruited, and was ranked 50 spots too high. 

Just wait a couple of weeks.  It will be back.  If some of these upcoming games go to form.  All the negativity will return.  It's hilarious really.

Quote from: redstorm212 on February 01, 2013, 11:50:57 AM

Another point that shows the lack of patience our fan base has. A few weeks ago, people were concluding that SirDom was a bust and over recruited, and was ranked 50 spots too high. 

Just wait a couple of weeks.  It will be back.  If some of these upcoming games go to form.  All the negativity will return.  It's hilarious really.

We last went to the Elite 8 in 1999. People have run out of patience.

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on February 01, 2013, 12:30:43 PM

Quote from: redstorm212 on February 01, 2013, 11:50:57 AM

Another point that shows the lack of patience our fan base has. A few weeks ago, people were concluding that SirDom was a bust and over recruited, and was ranked 50 spots too high. 

Just wait a couple of weeks.  It will be back.  If some of these upcoming games go to form.  All the negativity will return.  It's hilarious really.

We last went to the Elite 8 in 1999. People have run out of patience.

 Even the most negative of posters have to see the trajectory of the program and admit it is going the right way. I'm with you with the patience thing and running out of it.  However it is much easier to deal with, for me at least, because I see the pieces are in place.  Unlike the Norm years where you knew there was no hope.

 Speaking of posters, where has Miss Linda been during the 5 game win streak..... shocking, isn't it?

I love how Dom has been playing. Still don't know how he was the 21st rated player coming out of hs. He is far from a great basketball player. He will be a good 4 year player here. That is not a diss. He was rated higher then Harrison and harkless

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on February 01, 2013, 12:30:43 PM

Quote from: redstorm212 on February 01, 2013, 11:50:57 AM

Another point that shows the lack of patience our fan base has. A few weeks ago, people were concluding that SirDom was a bust and over recruited, and was ranked 50 spots too high. 

Just wait a couple of weeks.  It will be back.  If some of these upcoming games go to form.  All the negativity will return.  It's hilarious really.

We last went to the Elite 8 in 1999. People have run out of patience.

Seen.

I love how Dom has been playing. Still don't know how he was the 21st rated player coming out of hs. He is far from a great basketball player. He will be a good 4 year player here. That is not a diss. He was rated higher then Harrison and harkless

He's far from great because he is a sophomore. He has the type of game that didn't transfer to college play immediately, but we are seeing it begin to come alive. He still has a lot of developing to do, and who knows, he may end up being better than Mo and D'lo.

Like others have said, he is starting to shoot with confidence. If he continues to hit those corner 3's, and maybe branch out to other spots on the floor he will be near impossible to defend.

Quote from: TONYD3 on February 01, 2013, 01:00:20 PM

I love how Dom has been playing. Still don't know how he was the 21st rated player coming out of hs. He is far from a great basketball player. He will be a good 4 year player here. That is not a diss. He was rated higher then Harrison and harkless

He's far from great because he is a sophomore. He has the type of game that didn't transfer to college play immediately, but we are seeing it begin to come alive. He still has a lot of developing to do, and who knows, he may end up being better than Mo and D'lo.

Like others have said, he is starting to shoot with confidence. If he continues to hit those corner 3's, and maybe branch out to other spots on the floor he will be near impossible to defend.

What is interesting is that Sir has not become "3 happy".  Last year he went 7 for 37 from 3 and averaged 1.3 shots from beyond.  This year he is 3 for 7 and he seems to realize this is not where his talent lies.  Last game was a prime example.  He hit an open on from the left corner and later in the game he had an open one from the right but drove by his man a took a 8 to 10 footer for a duece.  His overall shooting %age is up from 40% last year to over 55% this year--he is shooting within his range and talent. 

Not trying to rip him. He playing great and helping the team. But I have seen middle school kids dribble and shoot better then him. Yes he is a sophomore. Yes he will get better. Can't imagine he will ever be great. I really hope am I wrong though.

I love how Dom has been playing. Still don't know how he was the 21st rated player coming out of hs. He is far from a great basketball player. He will be a good 4 year player here. That is not a diss. He was rated higher then Harrison and harkless

Don't think anyone had Dom #21.  Most had him in the 35-45 range.   Dave Telep was the only "mainstream" guru who had him under #30 - had him at #24 overall.   His RSCI was #35.

That ranking seems okay with what we're seeing now.  Ahead of him that year were Josiah Turner (out of basketball already - cut by the Canadian Pro league last month), Kyle Wiltjer, Khem Birch (on his 2nd school already), Rakeem Christmas, Michael Gbinije (on his 2nd school already), Levi Randolph, Shannon Scott, Wayne Blackshear, Jabari Brown (on his 2nd school already), Dorian Finney Smith (on his 2nd school already), Rodney Hood (on his 2nd school already), Adonis Thomas, Myck Kabongo (suspended for the year).

I was mistaken, I thought he was 21. Rivals has him at 44. The 14 th best small forward. I don't hate him as a player, i have and will continue to root hard for him. I just expected more skill from such highly recruited guy. He is no dj Kennedy and dj was rated much lower. 136 overall and 36 small forward

Telep had him at 24 at the time of the final RSCI's.

Not trying to rip him. He playing great and helping the team. But I have seen middle school kids dribble and shoot better then him. Yes he is a sophomore. Yes he will get better. Can't imagine he will ever be great. I really hope am I wrong though.

Tony, do these middle school kids that you watch play against Big East players?  If Sir Dom is the crappy dribbler that you think he is then how do you explain his assist to T/O ratio? 

Dom isn't a good dribbler. He's quick with the ball which allows him to get by people but is sloppy. He often picks up his dribble and avoids making a poor decision.

As for a comparison to DJ Kennedy, if you forget DJ often dribbled very sloppy and failed to pull up his dribble making a number of turnover going to the basket when nothing was there. He matured, his game matured, and he an NBA cusp player.

Remember Dom is still a sophomore and he's playing great.