Youngstown State Game

Quote by D-Lo from the ESPN article:

"It was hard to say at the beginning, but I thank [Steve Lavin] for suspending me," Harrison said. "He made me change a lot of things about myself. I came back a better person -- the guys see it, everybody sees it. I thank him for that, and I thank the guys for taking me back on the team."


Amen.

Quote by D-Lo from the ESPN article:

"It was hard to say at the beginning, but I thank [Steve Lavin] for suspending me," Harrison said. "He made me change a lot of things about myself. I came back a better person -- the guys see it, everybody sees it. I thank him for that, and I thank the guys for taking me back on the team."


Amen.

Case closed.

@NYPost_Brazille: Harrison sets 3-point mark in St.Johns 'W' over Youngstown State http://t.co/VdfvcJkv34 #sjubb

Sorry, after clicking on to the referenced site I got caught up looking at the JLO and Jennifer Love-Hewitt pictures! 

I understood the frustration last year expressed by our fan base about D-Lo's suspension.  We came into the season thinking we had a legit shot at dancing (I know I did), even without Harkless.  At the time of D-Lo's suspension, we had at the very least a fighting chance, and losing D-Lo cost us the opportunity.  So I got that people were frustrated, particularly when, as fans, we didn't know the exact reason(s) why Lavin did what he did (I think we have a decent grasp as to why generally it happened, and there was rampant speculation on this board and others, but only those with complete access to the situation knew the specifics).

But I think it says something for our coach that he was willing to make that decision in the face of what he knew would be substantial criticism from his fan base.  He effectively put D-Lo's best interests long term, and our program's best interest long term, ahead of a potential short term gain of making the NCAA's while turning a blind eye to whatever conduct led to the suspension.  Not a lot of coaches would have done that in this era of college sports. 

Quote by D-Lo from the ESPN article:

"It was hard to say at the beginning, but I thank [Steve Lavin] for suspending me," Harrison said. "He made me change a lot of things about myself. I came back a better person -- the guys see it, everybody sees it. I thank him for that, and I thank the guys for taking me back on the team."


Amen.

Just listen to him before and after the game.  Watch during timeouts.

Kid acts like a mature adult, the type of kid you want playing for you. 

The rebounding was a huge negative.  Bad positioning on some possessions and a few times they fought over the same rebound and then lost the ball.

Need to tighten up.

On another note let's all say a prayer for Rysheed's mother.  God Bless her.  Whatever time he needs he should take.

The rebounding was a huge negative.  Bad positioning on some possessions and a few times they fought over the same rebound and then lost the ball.

Need to tighten up.

On another note let's all say a prayer for Rysheed's mother.  God Bless her.  Whatever time he needs he should take.

+1

Quote by D-Lo from the ESPN article:

"It was hard to say at the beginning, but I thank [Steve Lavin] for suspending me," Harrison said. "He made me change a lot of things about myself. I came back a better person -- the guys see it, everybody sees it. I thank him for that, and I thank the guys for taking me back on the team."


Amen.

I'd also like to add, going along with his newfound maturity, he looks like such a smarter player out there. He boxes out every shot, is a pretty good help defender, and his shot selection is so much improved. I feel like I wouldn't even recognize him if I went back and watched him his freshman year.

Quote from: prjohnnies on December 21, 2013, 09:30:50 PM

Quote by D-Lo from the ESPN article:

"It was hard to say at the beginning, but I thank [Steve Lavin] for suspending me," Harrison said. "He made me change a lot of things about myself. I came back a better person -- the guys see it, everybody sees it. I thank him for that, and I thank the guys for taking me back on the team."


Amen.

Case closed.

 

Yet the same seven guys who bitch about the suspension will continue to do so at every opportunity.

Quote from: prjohnnies on December 21, 2013, 09:30:50 PM

Quote by D-Lo from the ESPN article:

"It was hard to say at the beginning, but I thank [Steve Lavin] for suspending me," Harrison said. "He made me change a lot of things about myself. I came back a better person -- the guys see it, everybody sees it. I thank him for that, and I thank the guys for taking me back on the team."


Amen.

I'd also like to add, going along with his newfound maturity, he looks like such a smarter player out there. He boxes out every shot, is a pretty good help defender, and his shot selection is so much improved. I feel like I wouldn't even recognize him if I went back and watched him his freshman year.

He's not just a good help defender.  He was locked on to Cooney in the Cuse game and really shut him down.  He's become a solid man defender,maven if he can't always stay with the most athletic wings.

Most annoying part about Lavin's coaching is his constant shuffling. Started the walkon in NIT which was odd and so was Felix thing today( I hope it is just that and not anything else). I believe his first year he was doing weird lineup  stuff too up until Fordham. After that game he basically stuck to a rotation and lineup. Hopefully we don't have to lose to Columbia for him to do that again this year. No matter what he does Harrison and Sampson play the most which basically tells me they are the only two he has 100% confidence in. Greene would seem to be third in line.

                    Starts / minutes

Harrison -    10 / 29
Sampson -   11 / 28
Greene -      11 / 26
Pointer -       0 / 25
Obekpa -     6 / 23
Sanchez -    8 / 21
Jordan -        6 / 19
Branch -       1 / 13
Hooper -      1 / 10
Balamou -    1 / 10

Is there another team in the country that doesn't have its rotation set in late December? At least its starting team? Does anyone believe that the personnel dynamics of this particular BB team are so complex that continued experimentation is necessary? Or does the experimentation provide a built in excuse should the ship flounder.

Exit question: to the extent that Lavin's teams 'gel in February', is it because he tinkers with his line up until January? That is, does his tinkering enhance the team's play late or detract from the team's play early.

"She's just like a Penguin in Bondage, boy
 Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh . . .
 Rennenhenninnahenninneninahennnn
 Aw, you must be careful
 Not to leave her straps
 TOO LOOSE"

- FZ

I thought we learned that it's folly to try to read the facial expressions of a 19yr old?

We didn't know what happened last year, and we don't know what goes on in practices or the huddle now.    So I can't say that the suspension was either right or wrong.
To the extent that D'angelo hasn't gotten a technical yet - he's improved.  But beyond that I think it's laughable that people are judging his demeanor on the court and saying he's a reformed man.   We have no idea.   

I thought we learned that it's folly to try to read the facial expressions of a 19yr old?

We didn't know what happened last year, and we don't know what goes on in practices or the huddle now.    So I can't say that the suspension was either right or wrong.
To the extent that D'angelo hasn't gotten a technical yet - he's improved.  But beyond that I think it's laughable that people are judging his demeanor on the court and saying he's a reformed man.   We have no idea.   

You're right, I mean...  We have no idea except for the fact that he said so yesterday and even thanked Lavin for doing as such.

I thought we learned that it's folly to try to read the facial expressions of a 19yr old?

We didn't know what happened last year, and we don't know what goes on in practices or the huddle now.    So I can't say that the suspension was either right or wrong.
To the extent that D'angelo hasn't gotten a technical yet - he's improved.  But beyond that I think it's laughable that people are judging his demeanor on the court and saying he's a reformed man.   We have no idea.   

  You didn't see Harrison's quote, I assume?

Desco my comment wasn't based upon interpreting body language, etc, although I think anyone who has watched this team consistently would say that it is much improved.  I agree with you that it is difficult, if not impossible, to draw conclusions from stuff like that.  My comment was related to D-Lo's quote in the papers after the game yesterday, along with his improved play and other stuff.  He is a different guy this year.  I hope it never changes.

Quote from: desco80 on December 22, 2013, 02:00:09 PM

I thought we learned that it's folly to try to read the facial expressions of a 19yr old?

We didn't know what happened last year, and we don't know what goes on in practices or the huddle now.    So I can't say that the suspension was either right or wrong.
To the extent that D'angelo hasn't gotten a technical yet - he's improved.  But beyond that I think it's laughable that people are judging his demeanor on the court and saying he's a reformed man.   We have no idea.   

  You didn't see Harrison's quote, I assume?

I did see it.
And my comment wasn't directed specifically at you PR.  Sorry about that.
But what was Dee supposed to say?  "Yea, well I still don't think coach should've suspended me".  No, obviously he wasn't going to say that.   It sounds good to say you've matured and youre grateful to your coach.
And he might be.   

I don't know.   I just don't accept the premise that he needed to change anything in the first place, because I don't know what really went on.  So I can't begin to say whether he's changed or if the suspension was a good thing.
The people who have talked to Dee (and I know some posters have) they can probably tell if the suspension was the right thing, and if he's better off now for it.
I can't tell from just sitting in the stands, and seeing him say what he's supposed to say to the media.