The Good Elijah...

Quote from: we are sju on November 09, 2015, 01:46:11 PM

as I was openly rooting for Gollum to kill Rudy in the last Lord of the Rings movie.

Sam Wise will always be above Frodo in my book.

+1 on that. Frodo was the greedy shooting guard and Sam the glue guy.

A few more buckets by Elijah & some folks will be clamoring for Mussini to go back to Italy. We just love creating walk on legends around here.

Do you read the same boards I do? We tear apart walkons like no other fan base in the country. Most guys on here seem to equate a walkon being good as some sort of weakness in recruiting or roster construction.  I think some posters have a hard time seeing compliments given to walkons, but the reality is that good walkons complement the scholarship players and are not meant to replace them.  Holifield looks like a good player and his quick trigger to shoot with guys looking to get him the ball makes it clear that the staff and his teammates respect his shooting ability. Him being good can only help this team.  Ideally we wouldn't need him at all this year and probably won't next year with Ponds and  others, but it's better to have him than our typical walkons (before last year). He'll be a good four-year guy for us even if he never steps foot on the court after this season.  If he works hard enough to earn a scholarship...great.  It doesn't have to be a sign that something is broken just like a compliment about a walkon doesn't have to mean that we've found a diamond in the rough.

This was not directed to you personally, but merely responding to many through this reply. 

It's too early to say anything definite about him, but he impressed me last game with his confidence. While just about everyone else looked nervous and tentative once they got the ball, he took shots and handled the ball confidently. He looked like he could find himself some PT on this team.

Btw, his brother Caleb is a starting player as a Soph on a loaded Pace Academy team in Georgia;

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/dm9AiIqgF0mjG3Q4CpSqDw/maxpreps-2015-16-georgia-preseason-high-school-boys-basketball-fab-5,-presented-by-the-army-national-guard.htm

Btw, his brother Caleb is a starting player as a Soph on a loaded Pace Academy team in Georgia;

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/dm9AiIqgF0mjG3Q4CpSqDw/maxpreps-2015-16-georgia-preseason-high-school-boys-basketball-fab-5,-presented-by-the-army-national-guard.htm

This might have been a way to make a connection with his younger brother, but soon, he could be starting at St.John's. Since Marcus LoVett isn't eligible to play, and Durand Johnson and Ron M'Vouika are not able to be the players that were advertised, Coach Mullin will have to get creative. I think it would set a great precident for the team that just because you had your butt kissed last season doesn't mean you deserve special treatment. We saw an entitled cry baby in Mussini, and a lazy disinterested defender in Durand Johnson. It's no wonder this team looks awful.

Quote from: paultzman on November 10, 2015, 07:39:54 AM

Btw, his brother Caleb is a starting player as a Soph on a loaded Pace Academy team in Georgia;

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/dm9AiIqgF0mjG3Q4CpSqDw/maxpreps-2015-16-georgia-preseason-high-school-boys-basketball-fab-5,-presented-by-the-army-national-guard.htm

This might have been a way to make a connection with his younger brother, but soon, he could be starting at St.John's. Since Marcus LoVett isn't eligible to play, and Durand Johnson and Ron M'Vouika are not able to be the players that were advertised, Coach Mullin will have to get creative. I think it would set a great precident for the team that just because you had your butt kissed last season doesn't mean you deserve special treatment. We saw an entitled cry baby in Mussini, and a lazy disinterested defender in Durand Johnson. It's no wonder this team looks awful.

The definitive tone of your comments is repetitive and premature.  There is much more historical data indicating that Durand is a high major starter and Ron is a capable role player than to the contrary (two exhibition games that you watched online)

Quote from: paultzman on November 09, 2015, 01:24:10 PM

A few more buckets by Elijah & some folks will be clamoring for Mussini to go back to Italy. We just love creating walk on legends around here.

Do you read the same boards I do? We tear apart walkons like no other fan base in the country. Most guys on here seem to equate a walkon being good as some sort of weakness in recruiting or roster construction.  I think some posters have a hard time seeing compliments given to walkons, but the reality is that good walkons complement the scholarship players and are not meant to replace them.  Holifield looks like a good player and his quick trigger to shoot with guys looking to get him the ball makes it clear that the staff and his teammates respect his shooting ability. Him being good can only help this team.  Ideally we wouldn't need him at all this year and probably won't next year with Ponds and  others, but it's better to have him than our typical walkons (before last year). He'll be a good four-year guy for us even if he never steps foot on the court after this season.  If he works hard enough to earn a scholarship...great.  It doesn't have to be a sign that something is broken just like a compliment about a walkon doesn't have to mean that we've found a diamond in the rough.

This was not directed to you personally, but merely responding to many through this reply. 

As always our site seems to hit both sides of the spectrum on point.  There are those who rip walk ons and those who praise them too much.  At the end of the day a college is given 13 scholarships to use.  A walkon is really meant to push the players in practice.  Yes some 'earn' a scholarship as Lavin did a few times when we were short scholarships.  But these kids were more than not, recruited by nobody in D1.  Don't recall Elijah being recruited much from when he announced he was coming here.  Have people come out of nowhere to be good/great after being under recruited.  Absolutely.  Does it happen more than 25% of the time.  No way.

Usually if a walk on is playing meaningful minutes there is something wrong.  Right now we have a very thin backcourt.  If Lovett and Felix are back then its not so thin anymore.

Felix better be back and ready to play 40. Never thought I would ever think that.

Quote from: Poison on November 10, 2015, 07:58:41 AM

Quote from: paultzman on November 10, 2015, 07:39:54 AM

Btw, his brother Caleb is a starting player as a Soph on a loaded Pace Academy team in Georgia;

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/dm9AiIqgF0mjG3Q4CpSqDw/maxpreps-2015-16-georgia-preseason-high-school-boys-basketball-fab-5,-presented-by-the-army-national-guard.htm

This might have been a way to make a connection with his younger brother, but soon, he could be starting at St.John's. Since Marcus LoVett isn't eligible to play, and Durand Johnson and Ron M'Vouika are not able to be the players that were advertised, Coach Mullin will have to get creative. I think it would set a great precident for the team that just because you had your butt kissed last season doesn't mean you deserve special treatment. We saw an entitled cry baby in Mussini, and a lazy disinterested defender in Durand Johnson. It's no wonder this team looks awful.

The definitive tone of your comments is repetitive and premature.  There is much more historical data indicating that Durand is a high major starter and Ron is a capable role player than to the contrary (two exhibition games that you watched online)

Actually, I attended the practice and the Sonoma game. Not that I think that's any more of an indicator. Just to be clear, Ron was more active than Johnson. Johnson plays defense like Avery Peterson. He slowly raises his hand in the general direction of the player he's guarding. It's as if he's trying not to be touched by anyone.

Some things will improve, such as their familiarity with each other, but if you don't hustle on defense to the extent that Johnson hasn't, it's concerning. But you're right. It's early. Let's see what he does against Wagner. I'm pretty sure he knows what it's like to lose to them, so he should come out ready to play.

Maybe his defense was weak because of the early offensive fouls?

Maybe his defense was weak because of the early offensive fouls?

It probably was. Still he was in foul trouble vs a D 2 team.

Johnson has not played in a game in almost two years and is coming off acl surgery. Movouka has had surgery and missed time as well. Williams also missed games with injuries  and had surgery as recent as this past summer I believe. Can we lighten up and give these guys some time? These guys made a commitment to SJU by coming here. Appreciate them. The instant critics on this board are the worst part of our basketball program. Time will tell if they have lost a step because of those injuries, and whether they can return to the level of play they once held. But giving up on them after two exhibitions??? And calling Mussini an "entitled cry baby"? Just nuts.

Johnson has not played in a game in almost two years and is coming off acl surgery. Movouka has had surgery and missed time as well. Williams also missed games with injuries  and had surgery as recent as this past summer I believe. Can we lighten up and give these guys some time? These guys made a commitment to SJU by coming here. Appreciate them. The instant critics on this board are the worst part of our basketball program. Time will tell if they have lost a step because of those injuries, and whether they can return to the level of play they once held. But giving up on them after two exhibitions??? And calling Mussini an "entitled cry baby"? Just nuts.

Poison=Just nuts.

Quote from: loughlinguy on November 10, 2015, 01:52:05 PM

Johnson has not played in a game in almost two years and is coming off acl surgery. Movouka has had surgery and missed time as well. Williams also missed games with injuries  and had surgery as recent as this past summer I believe. Can we lighten up and give these guys some time? These guys made a commitment to SJU by coming here. Appreciate them. The instant critics on this board are the worst part of our basketball program. Time will tell if they have lost a step because of those injuries, and whether they can return to the level of play they once held. But giving up on them after two exhibitions??? And calling Mussini an "entitled cry baby"? Just nuts.

Poison=Just nuts.

I might be nuts, but I also saw Mussini's demeanor on the court and on the sidelines this past Saturday.

Quote from: Celtics11 on November 10, 2015, 02:40:05 PM

Quote from: loughlinguy on November 10, 2015, 01:52:05 PM

Johnson has not played in a game in almost two years and is coming off acl surgery. Movouka has had surgery and missed time as well. Williams also missed games with injuries  and had surgery as recent as this past summer I believe. Can we lighten up and give these guys some time? These guys made a commitment to SJU by coming here. Appreciate them. The instant critics on this board are the worst part of our basketball program. Time will tell if they have lost a step because of those injuries, and whether they can return to the level of play they once held. But giving up on them after two exhibitions??? And calling Mussini an "entitled cry baby"? Just nuts.

Poison=Just nuts.

I might be nuts, but I also saw Mussini's demeanor on the court and on the sidelines this past Saturday.

From a different culture different country, here a couple of months, eighteen year old freshman on OUR team and you are already resorting to labeling and name calling.

Quote from: Poison on November 10, 2015, 02:51:53 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on November 10, 2015, 02:40:05 PM

Quote from: loughlinguy on November 10, 2015, 01:52:05 PM

Johnson has not played in a game in almost two years and is coming off acl surgery. Movouka has had surgery and missed time as well. Williams also missed games with injuries  and had surgery as recent as this past summer I believe. Can we lighten up and give these guys some time? These guys made a commitment to SJU by coming here. Appreciate them. The instant critics on this board are the worst part of our basketball program. Time will tell if they have lost a step because of those injuries, and whether they can return to the level of play they once held. But giving up on them after two exhibitions??? And calling Mussini an "entitled cry baby"? Just nuts.

Poison=Just nuts.

I might be nuts, but I also saw Mussini's demeanor on the court and on the sidelines this past Saturday.

From a different culture different country, here a couple of months, eighteen year old freshman on OUR team and you are already resorting to labeling and name calling.

Our fans are funny when it comes to players like Mussini.  To say I expected it would be an understatement.

Remember some of these fans didnt like the scowling Harrison either.  I think our players need to run around with halo's over their heads.

Mussini is Italian, guys. He is passionate. Nothing wrong with passion. We Italians have been known to be demonstrative. Call him passionate? Fine. But "entitled" and cry baby? What is wrong with these fans? Where does this hate and vitriol  come from.

Mussini is Italian, guys. He is passionate. Nothing wrong with passion. We Italians have been known to be demonstrative. Call him passionate? Fine. But "entitled" and cry baby? What is wrong with these fans? Where does this hate and vitriol  come from.

Be passionate, please. Of course, we want passion, but seriously, if a low level D3 point guard can get in your head what's going to happen when you're up against a real team?

Quote from: Celtics11 on November 10, 2015, 03:05:33 PM

Quote from: Poison on November 10, 2015, 02:51:53 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on November 10, 2015, 02:40:05 PM

Quote from: loughlinguy on November 10, 2015, 01:52:05 PM

Johnson has not played in a game in almost two years and is coming off acl surgery. Movouka has had surgery and missed time as well. Williams also missed games with injuries  and had surgery as recent as this past summer I believe. Can we lighten up and give these guys some time? These guys made a commitment to SJU by coming here. Appreciate them. The instant critics on this board are the worst part of our basketball program. Time will tell if they have lost a step because of those injuries, and whether they can return to the level of play they once held. But giving up on them after two exhibitions??? And calling Mussini an "entitled cry baby"? Just nuts.

Poison=Just nuts.

I might be nuts, but I also saw Mussini's demeanor on the court and on the sidelines this past Saturday.

From a different culture different country, here a couple of months, eighteen year old freshman on OUR team and you are already resorting to labeling and name calling.

Our fans are funny when it comes to players like Mussini.  To say I expected it would be an understatement.

Remember some of these fans didnt like the scowling Harrison either.  I think our players need to run around with halo's over their heads.

Mussini has a frohawk and tats?

I never minded Harrison scowling. I also understand they are new players. These guys are in scholarship and treated well. I am not booking final 4 tickets but they better be ready to go Friday night. Losing to Wagner would be embrassing and I believe it would be reasonable to be critical of any player or coach who performs poorly. I hope the Italian plays well . He can complain all he wants as long as he is hitting 3's.