Given the high expectations going into this season, I can't really pretend that I'd be happy with only an NIT appearance. But to be honest, if this team finishes strong and makes it, I can accept that. I find myself at a real crossroads with Lavin. On one hand, I am tremendously disappointed with the lack of player development on this team. Outside of D'Angelo, I can't really say 1 player has gotten better in his time at St. John's. On the other hand, I also get that fans need to have patience with this program. As much as we all want this team to succeed, really solid programs are not built overnight. They take time and a lot of hard work.
However, the one thing that I am really concerned about is the recruiting situation. Looking at results, I understand where people could me crazy for that. But there have been multiple posters on this site that have repeatedly said that Lavin and his staff are absent at potential recruits games. That doesn't make any sense because (a) he's losing 2 key members of the front court this season (b) 2015 needs to be a home run for Lavin to really turn this program around.