Greetings from San Diego

Not here to troll or be one of those nice persons we all read on ESPN, just thought it would be fun to start a thread where we can post our respective local journalist's takes on Friday's game.  Kind of a get to know your opponent type thing.  First one I've seen from our end is this recent article from the San Diego Union Tribune, and Aztec beat write Mark Zeigler.  It sounds like our coaches are about as perplexed about how to approach this game as some of the posters I've read here tale of two teams it seems.  All in all, I hope it's a fun, competitive, and safe game for both squads.  Go Aztecs!

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/sdsu-basketball-st-johns-ncaa-preview/2/?#article-copy 

Not here to troll

We have the resident one. 

or be one of those nice persons

Well....  We have a few of those.  But welcome, nonetheless!   

This should be an interesting game.

Welcome...looking forward to a great game.  We love Polee and hope he plays great as long as we win.

Decent article. The only thing I disagree with was:

"They’re going to shoot it on the first open look, whether it’s 8 seconds, 10 seconds. The shot clock will not go (inside) 10 seconds in the entire game. There’s going to be a shot up."

Would you guys agree to five on five....no subs?

Thanks, no troll at all. The writer actually nailed it with "the good, the bad, and the ugly:"
"This is a St. John’s team that has beat fourth-seeded Georgetown, that beat sixth-seeded Xavier (twice), that won by double-digits at Syracuse, that trailed Gonzaga by 15 midway through the second half and had it down to three inside a minute to go, that led Duke by eight with eight minutes to go, that has a pair of pro prospects in D’Angelo Harrison and Sir’Dominic Pointer, that has bunch of guards with NBA shooting ranges and AAU consciences.
This is also a St. John’s team that gave Creighton one of its four Big East wins, that blew an 11-point lead against 12-20 DePaul and lost in overtime, that has losses of 18, 22, 23, and 37 points this season, that is without suspended center and only true big Chris Obekpa after he reportedly failed a drug test for marijuana, that has a coach who tweeted "San Diego State prefers an uptempo style of play, similar to ours" a day after the Aztecs lost a 45-43 game in the Mountain West final."

I think for STJ, our stars, Harrison, Jordan, Dom, Branch and Greene need to bring their A game. The seniors are playing with a fire but they'll need Amar and Joey to contribute without getting too into foul trouble. If they do, we're done.

Go Aztecs!

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/sdsu-basketball-st-johns-ncaa-preview/2/?#article-copy 

go to hell

I think for STJ, our stars, Harrison, Jordan, Dom, Branch and Greene need to bring their A game. The seniors are playing with a fire but they'll need Amar and Joey to contribute without getting too into foul trouble. If they do, we're done.

well, hopefully the game will shape up to permit the combo of Amar, JD, Felix, to give 8-10 2 minute breaks to 5 starters. I think Amar and Joey can manage 4 fouls or less during that time. Shepard shoots 41% overall. I'd let him pop 15 footers with just a hand in his face until he hits some

JPaztec, I'd be interested to hear what sdsu fans think of our old friend Polee.

Not here to troll or be one of those nice persons we all read on ESPN, just thought it would be fun to start a thread where we can post our respective local journalist's takes on Friday's game.  Kind of a get to know your opponent type thing.  First one I've seen from our end is this recent article from the San Diego Union Tribune, and Aztec beat write Mark Zeigler.  It sounds like our coaches are about as perplexed about how to approach this game as some of the posters I've read here tale of two teams it seems.  All in all, I hope it's a fun, competitive, and safe game for both squads.  Go Aztecs!

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/sdsu-basketball-st-johns-ncaa-preview/2/?#article-copy 

Reasonable fans of other teams are always welcome. 
The bit about the shot clock not going below ten is borderline insane.  We look to score in secondary transition and then again before the defense is completely set.  Once the D is set, we routinely ride the clock down to the waning seconds and have had several last second heaves and shot clock violations.

Also, when the coach says we are kind of similar, that is an understatement.  SDSU is easily the most similar team to SJU in the entire country--Polee provides a good measuring stick.  We are both long, athletic, and defensive-minded.  We both lack skill and scoring punch.  SJU is a little better on offense, and SDSU is a little better on D. 

We have strong guards and both Harrison and Greene can really shoot it.  Jordan has shot north of 35% the last few months from deep.  He is extremely athletic and enigmatic.  He can turn in six turnovers or go for 24 points and look unstoppable on both ends.  At 6'4, he can play big too.  He excels in the post, although we haven't gone to him in weeks down there off the pass.

We are typically a man-to-man team that plays some matchup.  I think you'll see a standard 2-3 zone most of the game due to us losing our starting center and lack of depth combined with SDSU's inability to shoot.

Polee was very talented and extremely athletic at SJU, but he was one of the least physical players I've ever witnessed.  Pointer can match Polee's athletic ability and then some, but I suspect he'll be locked on one of forwards (Shepard) most of the game.

The game will come down to what we can get out of our reserve bigs--talented but raw frosh, Alibegovic and the not-so-talented and even more raw 7'0 Joey Delarosa.  To label them foul prone, would be the understatement of the season.  Alibegovic has the potential to pull a stellar game out nowhere Friday and has pretty shot out to the three point line with very good passing ability.

Quote from: JPAztec on March 17, 2015, 05:33:16 PM

Not here to troll or be one of those nice persons we all read on ESPN, just thought it would be fun to start a thread where we can post our respective local journalist's takes on Friday's game.  Kind of a get to know your opponent type thing.  First one I've seen from our end is this recent article from the San Diego Union Tribune, and Aztec beat write Mark Zeigler.  It sounds like our coaches are about as perplexed about how to approach this game as some of the posters I've read here tale of two teams it seems.  All in all, I hope it's a fun, competitive, and safe game for both squads.  Go Aztecs!

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/sdsu-basketball-st-johns-ncaa-preview/2/?#article-copy 

Reasonable fans of other teams are always welcome. 
The bit about the shot clock not going below ten is borderline insane.  We look to score in secondary transition and then again before the defense is completely set.  Once the D is set, we routinely ride the clock down to the waning seconds and have had several last second heaves and shot clock violations.

Also, when the coach says we are kind of similar, that is an understatement.  SDSU is easily the most similar team to SJU in the entire country--Polee provides a good measuring stick.  We are both long, athletic, and defensive-minded.  We both lack skill and scoring punch.  SJU is a little better on offense, and SDSU is a little better on D. 

We have strong guards and both Harrison and Greene can really shoot it.  Jordan has shot north of 35% the last few months from deep.  He is extremely athletic and enigmatic.  He can turn in six turnovers or go for 24 points and look unstoppable on both ends.  At 6'4, he can play big too.  He excels in the post, although we haven't gone to him in weeks down there off the pass.

We are typically a man-to-man team that plays some matchup.  I think you'll see a standard 2-3 zone most of the game due to us losing our starting center and lack of depth combined with SDSU's inability to shoot.

Polee was very talented and extremely athletic at SJU, but he was one of the least physical players I've ever witnessed.  Pointer can match Polee's athletic ability and then some, but I suspect he'll be locked on one of forwards (Shepard) most of the game.

The game will come down to what we can get out of our reserve bigs--talented but raw frosh, Alibegovic and the not-so-talented and even more raw 7'0 Joey Delarosa.  To label them foul prone, would be the understatement of the season.  Alibegovic has the potential to pull a stellar game out nowhere Friday and has pretty shot out to the three point line with very good passing ability.

you are going to be getting calls the next tourney game we are in - lol. Great synopsis

That's a really good synopsis...spot on.

JPaztec, I'd be interested to hear what sdsu fans think of our old friend Polee.

Dwayne Polee is a fan favorite here in San Diego.  After he didn't quite live up to lofty expectations during his sophomore year, he came through big time last season.  There were a few games that he didn't even play in early in the season, then worked his way into the rotation, and ended up as our second best player in my opinion after Xavier Thames.  Polee's best moment came in the conference title game at SDSU against New Mexico last year, when we were down by 18 in the last 6 or 7 minutes of the game, and Coach Fisher went to a 1-3-1 zone defense (which we RARELY play), to neutralize Cameron Bairstow and Alex Kirk inside, and Polee wreaked havoc out on top, and we went in a 19-1 run to win the game, and the conference.  Polee had 3 or 4 steals in that period, and had a few full court run outs for buckets.  HUGE game for him and our program.  Dwayne ended up winning 6th man of the year in the mountain west, and performed well on the way to the Sweet 16 in the tight loss to AZ.  He blossomed offensively and developed a very pure, smooth jump shot to go with some of the highlight reel dunks.  Defensively, he's outstanding.  Long and athletic, which is what you'll see a lot of from SDSU.

This year he came in with potential Conference POY expectations this year, and then came the incident.  Never heard our arena so eerily quiet, people were crying, it was extremely intense and saddening.  Having him come back this year has been a huge lift to the morale of the team, and our fans.  Incredible young man, in both talent and character.  I'm sure the St. John's fans will agree.

It's funny how Polee started on our last NCAA tourney team and now is starting against us on his last.

It's funny how Polee started on our last NCAA tourney team and now is starting against us on his last.

I posted the same.  Crazy. 

Excellent analysis Marillac.  I think you error a little on the side of over the top optimism (Amar can turn in a monster game Friday? We haven't seen anything to suggest that).   But overall that was spot on about our strengths and weaknesses.

Aztec, you should know there are several threads on here filled with prayers and well-wishes for dwayne, and updates on his recovery.  We were watching from afar, and he was well liked when he was here.
there were some rumors his frosh year that his dad was a little over bearing, but barely a peep about the kid.   Glad to see he found a good home.


Should be a close and competitive game on Friday.   Is SDSU a mostly man to man d?  Because teams that zone us find out quickly whether we are on that day or not.   Against the zone we can live and die by the 3.  Some games we've shot above 50% from deep and rolled teams from the opening bell.  In other outings dangelo and Phil have struggled, and we've consequently struggled to get good possesions. 

Excellent analysis Marillac.  I think you error a little on the side of over the top optimism (Amar can turn in a monster game Friday? We haven't seen anything to suggest that).   But overall that was spot on about our strengths and weaknesses.

Aztec, you should know there are several threads on here filled with prayers and well-wishes for dwayne, and updates on his recovery.  We were watching from afar, and he was well liked when he was here.
there were some rumors his frosh year that his dad was a little over bearing, but barely a peep about the kid.   Glad to see he found a good home.


Should be a close and competitive game on Friday.   Is SDSU a mostly man to man d?  Because teams that zone us find out quickly whether we are on that day or not.   Against the zone we can live and die by the 3.  Some games we've shot above 50% from deep and rolled teams from the opening bell.  In other outings dangelo and Phil have struggled, and we've consequently struggled to get good possesions.

Those thoughts and prayers for DP are much appreciated, he's a truly great kid.

SDSU plays exclusively man to man, that switches a lot of screens due to the athletic ability of positions 2-4. who are all between 6-6 and 6-8, long, and capable of guarding anywhere from a 1-4.  That's the  tough part about our Defense, is that there are very rarely  mismatches on the perimeter.  Best bet is to get Matt Shrigley switched onto a big, or our shot blocker Skylar Spencer onto a guard. 

Our second unit (we rotate 4 in off the bench, nearly platoon style) isn't quite as lock down on defense, but poses a stronger offensive threat in my opinion.  DP can put points on the board if he's hitting from deep, and the money maker (quite literally, in the near future) is Malik Pope, 6-10 freshman who is uber athletic and is probably our best 3 point shooter.  He'll be a problem all day on the offensive end, but his defense hasn't caught up to his offense by a long shot.  Potential mismatch as he can post up smaller guards, but still stroke it from deep if you go to a zone. 

What style of defense does your team usually throw out there?  Teams that zone us have had the most success due to the inconsistency of our shooting.  That's probably the best word for it, as we have 4-5 guys capable of knocking down the deep ball, but it feels like if one is off, the basket shrinks and they're all off.  That's where our scoring woes come into play.

They play nine guys? As almost a platoon!  We r going to get tired.

Lately we've been playing a lot of 2-3 zone.....and man to man where the guards basically zone...switching on attempted penetration.