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Preseason News and Notes

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Steve Lavin has been the center of attention for college basketball this offseason (Redstormsports)
This offseason has brought buzz, happiness, and hope for the St. John’s Basketball community. There has been unbridled optimism as the school hired new head coach Steve Lavin, top assistant coaches, and as the staff has enjoyed tremendous recruiting success.

Two weeks from now all of this will be put aside. The season will start and the Steve Lavin era will officially begin on the hardwood, where the buzz comes from wins and losses.  Let’s hop right into the news and notes from St. John’s media day and other preseason tidbits.

“Be quick but don’t hurry”

When I asked Coach Lavin about something he’s really had to hammer to the team, I got the first John Wooden reference of the day. At Big East media day Coach Lavin admitted that he needed to adjust and tailor his coaching style for this team – meaning that he was looking to adjust what they have done rather than change the whole landscape.

“We’re trying to create the habits,” Lavin said. “Where, for instance, on every catch our players are facing, getting squared to the hoop. What I like to call taking a deep breath, that one 1,000 – to see the court, eyes on the rim, and as things unfold you’ll take the appropriate decision. Easier said then done.”

Before I could even follow up and ask Coach how this calmness he is preaching affects tempo, he answered. “Being more prudent, more vigilant, but still being aggressive because we want to play fast. Getting back to the adage of coach Wooden used to say so religiously, be quick but don’t hurry. We want to take advantage of our speed and get out in transition and get baskets, but if not we also want to be intelligent enough and play a high percentage brand of basketball where we make the extra pass, show patience, we get ball reversals, post touch before a shot comes from outside. The biggest challenge of this group is to slow down, take a deep breath, the equivalent of looking both ways before crossing the street but on the basketball court.”

Most commonly named players from Steve Lavin? Dwight Hardy, Dwayne Polee, and Justin Brownlee.

Dele Coker is Prepared

“I work on my jumpshots, hook shots, just being able to be versatile. [The coaching staff] doesn’t just want to limit me to setting screens, blocking shots, rebounding. I work a little bit on my offensive game, its not a priority for me. I know my role is to set screens, block shots, and rebound. But when the opportunity shows itself, I’m ready.”

Dwight Hardy is being prepped to be unleashed against the Big East this year. Expect him to see significant minutes at the PG position. (Icon SMI)

Dwight Hardy “MTP” Most Talked About Player

It really didn’t matter the question that was being asked the answer was Dwight Hardy, Dwight Hardy, Dwight Hardy.

“Dwight Hardy has come in with a mindset and a work ethic that communicates to me that he is ready to have the best season of his career,” Coach Lavin said with confidence.

Dwight will play a lot of minutes at the point guard position this season. Malik Boothe will enter the season as the starter, but Dwight is expected to play major minutes at the position, which would allow he, Paris Horne, and DJ Kennedy on the court at the same time. Don’t be surprised to see all four of these players on the court at the same at points this season running “small ball” as some of the players described it.

Justin Brownlee Expanded Role?

“[Coach Lavin] wants me to be aggressive on both ends of the floor, make plays, rebound, and be one of the top go to guys,” Brownlee told me.

Where does he see himself playing?

“Coach told me I could potentially play four different positions this season. I think I can do that with the offseason workouts that I’ve gone through. I worked really hard and I’m stronger. I think my natural position is playing the three but I don’t mind playing inside.”

The NCAA isn’t only team goal, Brownlee says. “Our biggest goal is NCAA tournament but another goal is winning the Big East. We really want to win the Big East, its our conference and we want to bring it back to St. John’s. I can’t tell you how long it’s been but we want it back.”

Kevin Clark on the New Coaches

“Their knowledge of the game,” Clark says when asked what is different from previous years. “They do things repetitively and it makes you understand the game that much more. They just know so much. It really opens your eyes up and makes the game that much easier.”

When I asked about which coach has stood out more so than other coaches with their practice style, all the walk-ons were giggling when Kevin Clark said without hesitation, “definitely Coach Dunlap. He’s so intense, so passionate about the game. His analogies and one liners will have you laughing for days.” I asked for an example and no one would budge. I sensed some fear that if word got out maybe next practice wouldn’t be so good for the walk-ons.

Going Out Winners

Every senior has nearly the same answer when asked how they wanted their legacy at St. John’s to be remembered.

1. Hard Working
2. A team that went out winners

It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

Lavin’s Board

The popular offseason story has been Coach Dunlap’s bat but who knew about Lavin’s board? Coach Lavin has weekly areas of focus in the team’s locker room. The first message was “Listen” – to listen to what the coaches were telling them. To listen in the beginning of practice, to listen when they’re tired, to listen to learn. The most recent message was “Always set good screens” which can be the difference between scoring two/three points or coming up with an empty possession. The players are always checking the board, and since the first message, they’re always listening.

Please check back daily for more stories from media day which will be posted over the course of the week.

ATTENTION RED STORM FANS: Vote for Dave Krupinski on Volvo’s Big East Contest help make him and St. John’s #1

Justin Burrell To Miss 4-5 Weeks

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Justin Burrell is no stranger to broken bones. Burrell had to wear this mask most of his sophomore season after taking an elbow from teammate Sean Evans. (Icon SMI)
Through the years, it seems like injuries have managed to rear their ugly head every season for St. John’s.  Whether it was Anthony Mason Jr. going down for the season after just three games two years ago, or Malik Boothe missing half of the Johnnies’ Big East schedule due to thumb surgery, someone has unfortunately fallen victim to the injury bug at one point or another.  After suffering a facial injury that required him to wear a protective mask for much of his sophomore year, and a sprained ankle last season, Justin Burrell has landed on the shelf again.

The senior forward will miss 4-5 weeks after it was revealed that he fractured the second metacarpal in his left hand following a practice shortly before St. John’s annual Tip-Off event this past Friday, but that only accounts for no more than two games.  If healed properly, Burrell will be back for the Red Storm’s third contest of the season, which comes against Ball State in the Great Alaska Shootout  Head coach Steve Lavin commented on Burrell’s injury by remarking on how “unfortunate” it is for a senior to get injured before the season begins, but shed some positive light on the result, which was, according to Lavin, “better than we anticipated.”  Fortunately for Burrell and fans of the Johnnies, the fracture will not require surgery.

With Burrell out of the lineup while the Johnnies square off against St. Mary’s and Columbia, Lavin can attack both opponents differently.  For starters, he would be able to get away with playing a smaller lineup against the Gaels of St. Mary’s, whose tallest players are 6-9.  This could be an opportunity for someone like true freshman Dwayne Polee or even senior reserve Justin Brownlee to crack the lineup.  However, the likely and most feasible option will be 6-10 senior Dele Coker, especially against Columbia, which features a pair of seven-footers on its roster. Of course, the hope around New York is that Burrell does not fall into the same trap as past Johnnies whose injuries have lingered longer than expected, and the general consensus is that the Bronx native will be ready for the start of Big East play against West Virginia.

With Coker in the lineup, St. John’s not only gets some added height on the hardwood, but they also pick up physicality and shot blocking that Lavin would not normally get from a smaller lineup.  However, should Polee or Brownlee, or maybe even Rob Thomas be inserted into the starting five, St. John’s would play longer and their athleticism would be enhanced.  Lavin could even play three guards as well, with Dwight Hardy potentially joining Paris Horne and Malik Boothe in the backcourt while D.J. Kennedy moves up to the power forward position.

Burrell fractured the second metacarpal on his left hand during a drill at the end of practice on Friday, Oct. 15, at Taffner Field House when he collided with a teammate. After an on-site examination on Friday by the St. John’s medical staff, led by 30-year Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine Ron Linfonte, A.T.C., and Aaron Krych, M.D., Sports Medicine Fellow at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Burrell was examined on Monday at HSS by hand specialist Michelle Carlson, M.D. Carlson was able to reduce the fracture and stabilize the broken bone without surgery, reducing the anticipated recovery time. Carlson recommended 4-5 weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, giving Burrell a potential return to the court in early to mid- November.*

Burrell, a 2007-08 member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie team, averaged 9.0 points per game and 4.5 rebounds in 2008-09 despite playing most of the season while wearing a mask to protect three hairline facial fractures. He averaged 6.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg as a junior in 2009-10, playing in all but five contests because of a high-ankle sprain suffered against Duke.*

The 2010-11 Red Storm men’s squad returns five starters and 12 letterwinners from a 2009-10 team that posted a 17-16 record, reached the first round of the Postseason NIT and are looking to improve upon a 13th-place BIG EAST finish. St. John’s 10-man senior class includes returning scoring leaders D.J. Kennedy (15.1 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game), Dwight Hardy (10.5 ppg, .383 3-point field goal percentage) and Paris Horne (9.2 ppg).*

*Some content was gathered from Red Storm Sports Press Release

Big Men Big Expectations

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They are the tall trees down low, the defenders of the tin, and knights of the nets. The big men on a roster are vital, and can make or break your entire season. It’s an area where the Red Storm have struggled to get consistent production since the departure of stud 6’10 forward, Lamont Hamilton, but this year a lot is on the line for their big three.

Following a dreadful 2006-2007 season, it seemed like new hope was on the horizon with the incoming class. Replacing a talent like Hamilton would be difficult but highly touted New York native Justin Burrell was a good start. 6’8 Philadelphia forward Sean Evans and 6’10 Dele Coker from Nigeria were brought in to solidify the St. John’s paint. Though it seems since 2007 these big three have been inconsistent to say the least with flashes of prominence from time to time.

Justin Burrell came out of the gates with a stupendous rookie season averaging over 10 points per game and almost six rebounds. His production and tenacity gave the idea that he would be a player to build around for the next three years. Unfortunately injuries and role confusion have plagued the Bronx baller to further develop since his rookie campaign. A broken bone in Burrell’s face during the 2008 season forced him to miss time and then get acquainted with a facemask, which he said he hated wearing. Back at full strength in 2009, Burrell rolled his ankle on the first play of the game in North Carolina against Duke and subsequently missed the next 5 games. Burrell’s fierce nature and knack for finding the rim have gone missing from game to game in his three-year tenure. At times he would back down an opponent and finish with a slam, other times he would show off his touch from 18 feet away and then there were games where he just did nothing. A player like Burrell is like a knight in Chess, he can move many ways and be deadly if placed in the right situation but if used poorly he will become stagnant and ineffective.

Sean Evans is at his best when he plays within himself inside the paint. Can this coaching staff channel and focus Sean Evans to maximize his potential? (Icon SMI)
Both a football and basketball star in high school, when Sean Evans came to St. John’s he gave them a very valuable asset, versatility. His ability to play on the wing and bang in the paint gave the Red Storm options especially paired up with Burrell. After his rookie season, Evans showed everyone what he was all about averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per game. A major flaw plagued Evans last season, with his strong desire to handle the ball and try to play like a guard. There were too many times where we saw Evans catch the ball at the three point line and try to weave his way to the basket, only to turn the ball over. Then we see the other side of Evans, the one that grabs second and third chance rebounds and puts the ball in the hole. A lack of direction has put Evans in a precarious position where he was unable to define his true role thus incapable to reach his full potential on the court.

It took a long time for Dele Coker to display what he could contribute to this program simply due to a lack of playing time. Coker rode the bench for an extended stretch and his enormous frame was rarely used. The 2009 season was his breakout season, blocking shots at will. No one expects Coker to drop 15 points a night, he is the “Nigerian Nightmare” for a reason, and his defense scares opponents. The 6’10 center has come a long way since his freshman season, and has learned his impact is best felt when he uses his size to challenge and alter shots. Staying on the court has been the Dele’s Achilles heel, foul trouble has followed him throughout his entire career. With plenty of forwards and centers leaving the Big East in the last two years, someone like Coker can really take advantage of his size against most lineups.

All three are now seniors and are entering the most important season of their collegiate careers. Fortunately for them a brand new coaching staff has been put in place with a large focus placed on player development. This could pay dividends especially to guys like Burrell, Evans and Coker who once given a concrete game plan can flourish. Assistant Coach Mike Dunlap is one of college basketballs best on court strategists and known for his tremendous teaching ability. I believe the progression we see in all the players, not just the three mentioned here, will be largely due to his influence. In a year were the Red Storm will be under new tutelage they will rely on their experienced seniors to lead the way. Steady production out of Burrell, Evans and Coker off the bench, could literally be this teams “X-Factor.”

Nothing prepares you for competition in the Big East than actually playing in it. Burrell, Evans and Coker have been in the trenches with the toughest the Big East has had to offer over the last three years. If they do live up to the “X-Factor” label I have so cautiously put on them, then we will need to see some major changes.

To start, Justin Burrell will need to have a remarkable season, preferably better than his freshman year. That certainly should not be a problem if you simply factor in the time elapsed along with natural progression. Burrell has the talent to be one of the most dynamic and exciting power forwards in the Big East. A senior season of 15 ppg, 7 rpg should be relatively attainable if all goes to plan for JB. His scoring ability, outside range and tenacity to clean up the boards are all there. The rest will come from the amount of heart he can show on the hardwood.

Knowing your role, it’s such a simple rule and philosophy yet it can fly by the waist side far too often. This exact thing has put handcuffs on Evans’ play and it was no more apparent than last season. As long as coach Lavin, and coach Dunlap can assert Evans’ play within the paint, St. John’s will have great production from the inside. He is a matchup nightmare of smaller forwards in the Big East, using his football player frame, and basketball quickness. He must stay within himself and his position, and most of all kick the habit of trying to do too much. Repeating his sophomore season’s numbers is a great start for Evans. 10 points and seven rebounds will certainly be serviceable enough.

It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff uses Dele Coker this season. Most likely we will see him come off the bench to spell Evans and or Coker early in the game. Last season Coker showed that he is more than just a great shot blocker but he can hit short-range jumpers. If Coker logs about 20 minutes a night and can put up four points, eight rebounds and multiple blocked shots per game, he could be the spark plug off the bench St. John’s will need to carry them through games.

The best thing about these three is that St. John’s doesn’t need them to score 20 points a night in order to win. That’s what D.J Kennedy, Paris Horne and Dwight Hardy are for. It is usually said that a team will only go as far as their star player or point guard will take them; well I think St. John’s is the exception. This is a game where guys like Luke Harangody, Dejuan Blair and Greg Monroe took their respective teams to new heights, so it seems in the Big East, it just might be all about the big man. Burrell, Evans and Coker can be the equilibrium of the 2010-2011 season, making sure the team stays balanced. Several missteps however could force a stumble, and in the Big East that misstep could lead to an awful lot of regret.

Seniors To Put Hit Out On Big East

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D.J. Kennedy's meteoric rise to the top of the Big East will continue as he and eight other St. John's seniors look to set the Big East world on fire. (Icon SMI)

It’s time to finally tell the story of the Hitman.

And no, I’m not talking about WWE wrestler Bret Hart or #CoachDunlapsBat.  I’m talking about D.J. Kennedy, the swingman from Pittsburgh who has quietly turned himself into the marquee face of the St. John’s basketball program as he enters his senior year.

Two years ago, when St. John’s welcomed Howard into Carnesecca Arena, I had the pleasure of doing play-by-play on WSJU Radio as a then-sophomore Kennedy could not miss a 3-point shot in the game’s opening minutes.  After announcing the third  Kennedy 3-ball of the game, Keith Arias, who did color commentary with me that day, said of Kennedy: “You might as well call him ‘The Hitman!’ He’s a real sharpshooter out there!”

Needless to say, “The Hitman” moniker has  remained a fixture of every St. John’s men’s basketball broadcast on WSJU since.

Let’s talk current reality, and the reality is that “The Hitman” and his eight fellow senior classmates are the key to Steve Lavin’s maiden voyage at the helm of the Johnnies.  All nine of Lavin’s fourth-year players bring their own style to the court, and each will be an integral part of the team’s success in the 2010-11 campaign.  You’ll get to know each one more as we profile each senior in the latest edition of the “Daly Dribble“.

1. D.J. Kennedy – The man who wears No. 1 on his jersey is player No. 1 to be profiled here. Kennedy is, without doubt, the most recognizable player the Red Storm has on its roster.  In his three years in Queens, “The Hitman” has blossomed from a role player into a scorer. A 6-6 swingman, he is Steve Lavin’s type of player: a small forward that can also move into the backcourt while simultaneously maintaining his dynamic slasher/facilitator ability.  Kennedy has progressively increased his scoring output in each season, peaking at 15.1 points per game in last season’s campaign where the Johnnies went to the NIT.  Look for Kennedy to see more opportunities this season, potentially resulting in yet another improvement to not just his stat line, but his rising draft stock as well.  (Kennedy is already regarded as a potential mid-to-late 2nd-round pick)

2. Paris Horne – Some would argue that Dwight Hardy is a bigger key to the Johnnies’ season, but while Hardy is indeed important to Steve Lavin’s lineup, Paris Horne is just a little more valuable.  The Delaware-born, Philadelphia-bred Horne is deceptively quick on either side of the ball, especially on defense.  Coach Lavin has already told college basketball expert Jon Rothstein of 1050 ESPN Radio in New York that he is “extremely excited” with Paris’ versatility and that Horne has a big year ahead of him.  Fans of the Johnnies are clamoring for Horne to return to his sophomore year form, where his 14.6 points per game were good enough to lead the team in Horne’s first year in the starting five, replacing Anthony Mason Jr’s production – he was lost for the season after just three games.

3. Dwight Hardy – Call him whatever you choose, (some refer to him as “D-Buckets”; I call him “The Sheriff” since he comes out shooting) but the one thing everyone can agree to is Hardy’s natural talent. Hardy reminds me a lot of Seton Hall’s Jeremy Hazell in that he has a scorer’s instinct, and can make plays that swing the momentum of a game faster than you can change the channel on your television.  Hardy demonstrated that this past January against Cincinnati at Madison Square Garden, where his Reggie Miller-esque performance in the final seconds of regulation got the Johnnies a pivotal Big East win.  (You can hear it for yourself by clicking here, as Johnny Jungle’s own David Berov was on the call for WSJU.) Entering his second season in Queens, the Bronx native comes off a stellar campaign in which he averaged double figures in scoring off the bench,  firing 38% from beyond the arc.

4. Justin Burrell – The original “JB” was once the best player in a Red Storm jersey, back in 2007 when Norm Roberts trotted out seven true freshmen on a nightly basis.  No longer the sole option for the Johnnies, Burrell has adapted to the players around him and has changed his game accordingly, becoming a willing role player off of the bench.  Burrell has also developed an outside shot over the years which can be a defense-stretching X-factor when unveiled.  If Coach Lavin uses him in the starting lineup as many expect now that Anthony Mason Jr. has graduated, Burrell could easily be a contender for the Big East’s Most Improved Player award.

5. Sean Evans – Like fellow Philadelphian Paris Horne, the 6-8 Sean Evans was easier to recognize in the box score during his sophomore season, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t contribute as a junior.  A big, athletic forward whose points usually come in bunches, Evans continues to develop as a solid and reliable rebounder, second to D.J. Kennedy for the team lead last year and the team leader in boards as a sophomore.

Malik Boothe brings veteran fire and experience to a St. John's backcourt that is a sleeping giant in Big East. (Icon SMI)

6. Malik Boothe – The shortest player on the court is arguably the most criticized of the Red Storm, but that doesn’t stop Malik Boothe from doing what he does best – exploit defenses and make plays without showing off.  The senior has become faster over the years, and is not afraid to dish it out or drive fearlessly and take the shot.  At the end of last season, he made some shots from the perimeter, like his game-tying three in the final seconds of regulation against Marquette.  While college basketball experts may feel there are better point guards in the conference than the little man, fans of the Johnnies have nothing to fear, as the extremely underrated Boothe will once again be proving his critics wrong this season.

7. Dele Coker – They say a change of scenery does you good. Dele hasn’t left, but Steve Lavin was brought in and may have more work for the brawny center than the single digits he averaged in three years under Roberts.  The team leader in blocked shots each of the last two seasons, Coker will need to learn to channel his aggressiveness to avoid getting into foul trouble.

8. Justin Brownlee – “JB2,” as he is often called, played solid minutes in his first year as a Johnny after transferring from junior college in Florida; and much like the man who shares his initials and first name, (Justin Burrell) Brownlee became an indispensable asset off the bench for Norm Roberts. He could return to the same productive sixth man role under Coach Lavin, or even more with his athleticism and versatility.

9. Rob Thomas – Three years ago, he was an inspiration before even making his on-court debut.  Now, Thomas is still quietly asserting himself and looks to rebound better than ever after an injury-plagued junior season.  Two years ago, Thomas posted double figures in nine games while also serving as a spot starter when Justin Burrell was shelved with an eye injury in December of 2008.

The Red Storm also have incoming freshman Dwayne Polee, as well as sophomores Malik Stith and Quincy Roberts, who returns from a medical redshirt last season.  However, the nine seniors listed above remain the most critical aspect of the Johnnies’ immediate future. In order for the Lavin era to kick off positively, the seniors need to channel their experience and improve on their past performance if they are to return the Red Storm to its first NCAA Tournament since 2002.

Front Court Frenzy

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At the beginning of the season Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports rated St. John’s front court the 20th best in the country.

Many fans were puzzled at this positive press clipping and didn’t think too highly of their Red Storm’s front court. Between the athleticism, different skill sets, and overall depth, however, you really have to give credit to St. John’s big men. They are pretty good.

No seriously. They are.

Goodman didn’t even give acknowledgment to junior college transfer, Justin Brownlee either. The junior has made an immediate impact on the team, but may be earning more minutes than many thought he would have causing a log jam to get onto the court.

Roberts has certainly done a great job of getting everyone minutes. But this isn’t recreation basketball where everyone plays equally. Roberts needs to identify the talents and skill sets of each individual and game plan accordingly based upon his opponent. There are certainly going to be days where one guy shines while the others ride the pine.  And then the days where every body will be needed. Let’s take a look at how the big men have been rotated so far this season.

Sean Evans was St. John’s most consistent big man last season, showing perhaps the greatest improvement from his freshman to sophomore year. Expectations were big for the 6’7 junior coming into this season – many hoped he could take his game to the next level. Sean has a great motor on the offensive glass, picking up a lot of garbage points. Still,  sometimes Sean is his own worst enemy trying to do too much offensively.

Sean has some skill, but he often gets himself into trouble when he tries to do his best Magic Johnson impersonation, dribbling from end to end. Defensively, Evans has quick feet. But he often lacks the defensive awareness to keep his eye on the ball and his man, which causes defensive breakdowns.

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So far this Big East season, we’ve seen mixed results in Evans’ game. He has scored the ball pretty efficiently, shooting 53%. But he hasn’t been able to get to the free throw line. Even though no one really wants to see Evans on the free throw line (around 50% shooting for his career), only having 4 FT attempts in 3 games isn’t enough out of your starting power forward/center. Evans often tries to avoid contact when going to the rim taking double clutching layup instead of getting contact trying to dunk the basketball.

A real problem with Evans game is the fact that he has offered little defensively. He has donuts in both steals and blocks through 3 games. Zero blocks and steals in 54 minutes has to catch the eyes of the coaching staff.

Evans at times can be a match up problem being too quick for many opposing big men to defend however running Evans on high ball screens renders useless. The scouting report is out on Evans. He can’t shoot! So teams either try to trap our guards; or their bigs slide into the paint, leaving Evans outside wide open and tempting him to make a poor decision with the basketball.

Prognosis: Have Evans come off the bench to be a great energy guy. Having a guy with such a great motor coming off the bench after the first media time out would be a huge boost. At that point in the game, you can see how the opponent is defending your ball screens and you can send Evans in to attack the rim and the boards more efficiently.

Justin Burrell has potential. Aren’t you tired of hearing that? Everyone knows it, everyone can see it, and everyone is still waiting for him to live up to it. Burrell often gets the most criticism from fans because everyone expects more from him. Sometimes those expectations are unfair because they are so lofty… but Burrell can be much better than he has shown this season.

At the home opener I saw Justin Burrell warming up taking turn around jumpers in the post. I was drooling watching his footwork and his high releasing shot. I couldn’t wait to see the team work the ball into the post and let Burrell go to work. He never got the ball to try and shoot it. We saw it first play against Duke, but then he landed on his ankle and was out of action until conference play.

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So Burrell comes back against Georgetown and the first time he touches the ball he does a tomahawk jam in traffic that made Sportscenter Top 10. He’s back! Burrell showed off a fair amount of his arsenal against Georgetown however it almost seemed like we didn’t see enough of him.

Burrell is the most complete post player on the team. He has a sweet looking stroke from the high post, he can play above the rim, and he is the best interior defender who also has the ability to block shots. However, it seems like if he picks up a foul he gets penalized by his coach sitting on the bench for extended periods of time. Like 33 minutes of extended time that he sat against Louisville as St. John’s got torched on the glass.

It’s amazing that an offensive weapon like Burrell has only averaged 3 shot attempts per game in conference play. Over the course of Burrell’s career we’ve heard promises of getting him more looks. That promise usually only holds true for the next game or more like the next half of that game.

Prognosis: Start Burrell, feed him early and feed him often. Give defenses something to focus on other than forcing us to shoot from the outside. Burrell can be a zone buster being able to shoot over defenders from a variety of spots on the floor. Get the big man excited to be a part of this team and reward him for fighting for position on the block.

Justin Brownlee has certainly been a welcomed addition to the team and has shown off an array of talent. He combines a little inside and outside game to him while definitely being able to play above the rim. Even though Brownlee may have the ability to hit the 3 ball, he is better suited playing within the arc rather than beyond. His 19% from 3 point range isn’t worth the 2 to 3 attempts per game he takes.

Brownlee is also a terrific offensive rebounder so having him around the perimeter is a disservice. Brownlee, much like Evans, is best defending in the passing lanes but less effective in the post.

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Brownlee may have benefited the most from the absence of Justin Burrell while he was on the bench, injured. He posted two double doubles and his biggest contribution has come on the offensive boards. He’s averaged 4 offensive boards a game since Fordham.

Brownlee earned more minutes with his play; but he might receive too many minutes at the expense of the other guys on the team. Brownlee has averaged 11 shots a game in the first three Big East games – highest on the team. In both the Georgetown and Providence game he led the team in attempts, and was 2nd to DJ Kennedy in the Louisville game. With Brownlee shooting 35% over these three games, that’s a shot distribution/ trigger-happiness problem. When Brownlee gets the ball, Brownlee shoots the ball.

Prognosis:Brownlee’s offensive aggressiveness is not a bad thing, in controlled spurts.  Less is more with Brownlee, and if he can figure out that he is more efficient going to the basket than hanging around the perimeter, his numbers could go up with less shot attempts. He has a really nice touch around the basket but that touch fades the further he gets away from the rim. If I were the coach, I’d put a red light on his 3 point attempts and really pound it to him that he’s needed around the offensive glass. Also how about posting up some? Brownlee is better suited coming off the bench and providing a spark than starting off the game.

Dele Coker is not a freshman anymore.  He’s a junior and ready to contribute, ready to change the game. Many people questioned my love fest with the big man this off season but I promised there was hope for the green giant. In his first two seasons, Coker was known to commit silly, stupid fouls far far away from the basket. This hurt on two levels.  One, more personal fouls led to less playing time.  And two,  quick fouls combined with his teammates’ penchant for fouling left opponents in bonus early in halves, putting St. John’s defense on its heels.

Those days are over. Maybe Coker is just more disciplined with experience, or his off season conditioning has made him just that much faster. He’s no longer committing as many bad fouls. Coker had his big coming out party this season getting 19 minutes against Duke blocking 3 shots officially.

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As much as we saw out of Dele Coker in the Duke and Georgia games its surprising that he hasn’t warranted any consideration for major minutes in conference play. He’s proven during the out of conference schedule that he can play extended minutes without getting into foul trouble… so why not play the big man more?

In addition to being the best post defender on the team he is also the best defensive rebounder – and it’s something he could be better at with practice. It’s very important to protect your own basket and also limit the amount of shot attempts per possession for your opponent.

Sure, Coker isn’t the most offensively minded player; however, he plays within himself. He can hit a shot if he is left wide open and he tries to slam dunk everything. I think his 66% field goal percentage this season is evident of that. He also leads the team in blocked shots in a fraction of minutes in comparison to his counterparts.

Prognosis: Start Dele Coker along side of Justin Burrell to give you stability on the defensive end of the floor with two shot blockers. Coker is also not demanding of the ball, he can set screens, and he can also pose as enough of a threat to hit a shot off the high pick and roll. If the offense isn’t clicking or if Dele gets into early foul trouble then there is always Evans and Brownlee to bring off the bench to bring a complete change of pace.

Rob Thomas always enthuses the crowd with against all odds play making ability. He isn’t flashy, he isn’t even pretty, but he’s very efficient. Rob Thomas has incredible touch around the basket, as anything he throws up seems to go in as unorthodox as it may be. And his rebounding work on the offensive glass is a testament to perseverance and grit.

Rob Thomas is definitely the odd man out in the rotation. He’s been buried by guys who can just do more physically. However Thomas has very high basketball IQ and takes full advantage of what a defense gives him.

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His playing time in the Big East games have been sporadic and unpredictable. Thomas didn’t see any action against Georgetown on New Year’s eve after he was the hero against Georgetown last season. Maybe he could have helped the team which couldn’t score for a 7 minute clip late in the 2nd half.

As much as he could have been deserving for playing time against Georgetown for offense, he saw extended minutes against Providence much to my surprise. Likewise, he made a head scratching appearance in the Louisville game as well. Thomas’ minutes need to see more rhyme and reason other than a last resort when everything else is failing.

Prognosis: Rob is the perfect situational sub. Design an inbounds play for him and bring him in out of timeout. His hands are glue and his ability to either make a shot or get to the free throw line are probable. Thomas needs to be used in short stints and sometimes those stints won’t occur every game.

In conclusion: the starting front court should be Justin Burrell and Dele Coker with Sean Evans and Justin Brownlee coming off the bench. The combo of Burrell and Coker will add stability on the defensive end while also providing two capable jump shooters. The bash brothers of Evans and Brownlee will be the spark we need after the first media time out.

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