Thoughts on off-season improvement needs

If you can't shoot the ball, you're not going to be successful

Even mid majors have figured that much out

Nova shoots 41%.  Just as low as St John's.  They do play smarter and draw fouls.  Nova was 3 for 17 from deep. 

Quote from: Poison on March 14, 2013, 12:26:39 AM

Quote from: redmen not storm on March 13, 2013, 11:27:33 PM

Best thing happening this team next year is playing in a weaker conference

In a weaker conference, you need a better record to earn respect from the committee.

Im not sure the league will be drastically weaker depending on who we add.  Both Louisville and Cuse will lose a bit of talent after this season.  Some of the teams added will be quite tough I think and no pushovers.

Butler competes on the level of SU and Louisville, but unless we add Gonzaga, the status of the conferences drops considerably.

We don't have any good guard play, and no wing slashers who can put the ball on the deck or players who are versatile in the sense that they can either shoot or drive, when our players catch it in the triple threat there not a threat. If we had one more guard that could cause defenses to shift or help like d'lo we will be much better. Our 3's must play the 3 and not the four or 5. And last but not least we just need some better pieces to play the style lavin wants to. For example if you look at Jakarr sampsons highlight tape from Brewster he's constantly finishing at the rim strong, however he wins ROY this year on mostly jumpshots. Ill credit some of that to stronger better opponents but the rest is because he was asked to create his own shot entirely too much this year an didn't have the likes of a semaj Christian to set him up this year. We just need baaketball players we have enough athletes

Excellent post Chilleb!

"Lavin has talked a lot about a five-year plan. He says that, even this season, a couple of whistles, a couple of buckets, might have turned this team into a real contender. He says St. John’s will become emotionally stronger. He went through a lot himself this season, losing his father. “The losing streak started the day I found out my dad was going to die,” he said."
He has to be careful now, keep his best kids, his core, in school and inside the rules. Otherwise, this roster breaks apart faster than the Big East and St. John’s starts over yet again. It happens all the time.
In college hoops, forever young is not necessarily a good thing.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/bondy-future-bright-lavin-young-talent-article-1.1288157#ixzz2NW9XWD5u

"Lavin has talked a lot about a five-year plan. He says that, even this season, a couple of whistles, a couple of buckets, might have turned this team into a real contender. He says St. John’s will become emotionally stronger. He went through a lot himself this season, losing his father. “The losing streak started the day I found out my dad was going to die,” he said."
He has to be careful now, keep his best kids, his core, in school and inside the rules. Otherwise, this roster breaks apart faster than the Big East and St. John’s starts over yet again. It happens all the time.
In college hoops, forever young is not necessarily a good thing.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/bondy-future-bright-lavin-young-talent-article-1.1288157#ixzz2NW9XWD5u

I thought it was a 3 yr plan?

Quote from: paultzman on March 14, 2013, 08:44:52 AM

"Lavin has talked a lot about a five-year plan. He says that, even this season, a couple of whistles, a couple of buckets, might have turned this team into a real contender. He says St. John’s will become emotionally stronger. He went through a lot himself this season, losing his father. “The losing streak started the day I found out my dad was going to die,” he said."
He has to be careful now, keep his best kids, his core, in school and inside the rules. Otherwise, this roster breaks apart faster than the Big East and St. John’s starts over yet again. It happens all the time.
In college hoops, forever young is not necessarily a good thing.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/bondy-future-bright-lavin-young-talent-article-1.1288157#ixzz2NW9XWD5u

I thought it was a 3 yr plan?

No, that plan was "too young".

I can't believe they are actually waiting to hear if they made the NIT. Just pathetic.

Basically, besides everyone being a year older, which some think is some sort of magic elixir we will be adding Sanchez and losing Harrison. The conference won't be as tough so that is also a plus. This team needs a true lead guard, a couple shooters, a low post option, better rebounding and any kind of offensive plan.

I believe Sanchez will help with the rebounds  and I believe Obepka, Sampson, Pointer and Branch will improve. Bottom line though is I think we will only be moderately improved and see us as a bubble team.

How did villanova get so much better when their only real addition has been Arcidiacono? 

he has a much higher basketball IQ than our guys...that's why.  you can't teach height and you can't teach basketball IQ.  it's one reason we're due for mediocrity.

the good news...at least we won't be fed the "youngest team in the country" and "branch's injury" BS in october.

Quote from: MCNPA on March 14, 2013, 12:19:30 AM

How did villanova get so much better when their only real addition has been Arcidiacono? 

he has a much higher basketball IQ than our guys...that's why.  you can't teach height and you can't teach basketball IQ.  it's one reason we're due for mediocrity.

the good news...at least we won't be fed the "youngest team in the country" and "branch's injury" BS in october.

+1

Basically, besides everyone being a year older, which some think is some sort of magic elixir ...

This concerns me too.   
Experience and time in the weight room help, but they only go so far.   

Quote from: MCNPA on March 14, 2013, 12:19:30 AM

How did villanova get so much better when their only real addition has been Arcidiacono? 

he has a much higher basketball IQ than our guys...that's why.  you can't teach height and you can't teach basketball IQ.  it's one reason we're due for mediocrity.

the good news...at least we won't be fed the "youngest team in the country" and "branch's injury" BS in october.

You absolutely can teach basketball IQ, what are you talking about? I have been taught basketball IQ over my life time simply watching games. Some people are advanced in it and others aren't, but if you want to be a smart basketball player you can be. Just gotta pay attention and think.

"In the bigger picture, St. John's has now been eliminated in its first game of the Big East tournament for the second year in a row. Lavin was hired to return St. John's to prominence and make the Red Storm a perennial NCAA tournament participant. But after a surprising at-large bid in his first season, St. John's has missed the Big Dance the past two years.

Nevertheless, Lavin continues to express confidence in the program.

"I'm bold on the future," Lavin said, "and the fact the whole team is coming back, the group of people, the character, the work ethic, their talent, and we're moving in the right direction."

But Sampson could bolt for the NBA -- he didn't commit to coming back next season after receiving the Big East Rookie of the Year award earlier this week, saying he wanted to weigh his options. Harrison could return -- or he could opt to turn pro as well, or transfer to another school.

In truth, the future of St. John's basketball is very much up in the air, five days before Selection Sunday.

Only one thing's for sure -- the Red Storm won't be dancing this year."

“@KieranDarcy: St. John's one-and-done in Big East tourney http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/colleges/post/_/id/5711/st-johns-one-and-done-in-big-east-tourney”

And not only is Arcidiacono is a really good player, but some of their upperclassmen improved.  Yarou, Pinkston, etc

Quote from: newsman13 on March 14, 2013, 09:08:33 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on March 14, 2013, 12:19:30 AM

How did villanova get so much better when their only real addition has been Arcidiacono? 

he has a much higher basketball IQ than our guys...that's why.  you can't teach height and you can't teach basketball IQ.  it's one reason we're due for mediocrity.

the good news...at least we won't be fed the "youngest team in the country" and "branch's injury" BS in october.

You absolutely can teach basketball IQ, what are you talking about? I have been taught basketball IQ over my life time simply watching games. Some people are advanced in it and others aren't, but if you want to be a smart basketball player you can be. Just gotta pay attention and think.

That is on the money. Look at how much our senior class improved under Lavin. There was a different teacher(s). They should keep playing wherever they are. They need to practice.

He went through a lot himself this season, losing his father. “The losing streak started the day I found out my dad was going to die,” he said."

The dead father card. Good grief.

QUOTE-The dead father card. Good grief.-FUN

What did you think of the inbounds defense 101 class Lavin gave Pointer during a TO?

QUOTE-The dead father card. Good grief.-FUN

What did you think of the inbounds defense 101 class Lavin gave Pointer during a TO?

2 minutes later, Pointer turned it over on an in bounds play. These guys have learned a lot this year, but there is obviously a long way to go.

Quote from: we are sju on March 14, 2013, 11:04:24 AM

QUOTE-The dead father card. Good grief.-FUN

What did you think of the inbounds defense 101 class Lavin gave Pointer during a TO?

2 minutes later, Pointer turned it over on an in bounds play. These guys have learned a lot this year, but there is obviously a long way to go.

It seemed like Dom tried to throw the ball off of the Nova defender so it would go out of bounds to re-set...and he missed the player's leg.

QUOTE-The dead father card. Good grief.-FUN

What did you think of the inbounds defense 101 class Lavin gave Pointer during a TO?

We can only hope that wasn't the only thing he noticed going wrong. It was like watching the captain of the Titanic up to his ankles in seawater instructing a waiter on how best to polish the silverware.