Ot: end of the world.. Lavin signs five star PG

[husky99]

Rysheed Jordan says yes to queens and st. johns...

I swear this is in th Book of Revelation

 

[uconnbill]

Rysheed Jordan says yes to queens and st. johns...

I swear this is in th Book of Revelation

But remember he is playing for maybe the worse game day coach in college basketball.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

At the rate they're going, i think the over/under for games played by any highly rated player at St Johns is 6 games.

take the under

 

[Zionn]

Surprise surprise - lots of questions about grades.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Now the real question is... will he ever suit up for them. Based on past history, it seems to be about a 50/50 shot.

 

[sammydabiz]

What is Lavin doing, that Ollie is not?...I don't get it, St Johns has horrible facilities.....Lavins not a great coach...the program has been MIA for almost a decade. Is it the NYC appeal? To be honest I'm still a lil uneasy about our recruiting since Calhoun left.
So far the new admin has brought in:
-Brimah & (purvis, if transfers count)
Hope things turn around and we start making threads about H.S. commitments instead of highlight tapes

 

[tcf15]

What is Lavin doing, that Ollie is not?...I don't get it, St Johns has horrible facilities.....Lavins not a great coach...the program has been MIA for almost a decade. Is it the NYC appeal? To be honest I'm still a lil uneasy about our recruiting since Calhoun left.
So far the new admin has brought in:
-Brimah & (purvis, if transfers count)
Hope things turn around and we start making threads about H.S. commitments instead of highlight tapes

Might as well count Terrence Samuel and Kentan Facey too, as Ollie was able to retain them and have them sign their LOI after Calhoun retired.

 

[superjohn]

Definitely the strangest news I've heard all week.

 

[uconnbill]

What is Lavin doing, that Ollie is not?...I don't get it, St Johns has horrible facilities.....Lavins not a great coach...the program has been MIA for almost a decade. Is it the NYC appeal? To be honest I'm still a lil uneasy about our recruiting since Calhoun left.
So far the new admin has brought in:
-Brimah & (purvis, if transfers count)
Hope things turn around and we start making threads about H.S. commitments instead of highlight tapes

Look at the results on the court. That's all that matters. Lavin had a top class last year and still missed the NCAA tournament. Lavin is a good salesman but not a very good coach

 

[UChusky916]

What is Lavin doing, that Ollie is not?...I don't get it, St Johns has horrible facilities.....Lavins not a great coach...the program has been MIA for almost a decade. Is it the NYC appeal? To be honest I'm still a lil uneasy about our recruiting since Calhoun left.
So far the new admin has brought in:
-Brimah & (purvis, if transfers count)
Hope things turn around and we start making threads about H.S. commitments instead of highlight tapes

This time next year, we will have another final 4 with a good shot at a 4th championship. Deandre will be a lottery pick and Shabazz will be a first round pick.

We will also be on the verge of opening the practice facility and hopefully linked to joining either the B10 or ACC.

Then Ollie will pull in the recruits in droves.

 

[sammydabiz]

This time next year, we will have another final 4 with a good shot at a 4th championship. Deandre will be a lottery pick and Shabazz will be a first round pick.

We will also be on the verge of opening the practice facility and hopefully linked to joining either the B10 or ACC.

Then Ollie will pull in the recruits in droves.

I like it.....that's the plan for sure

 

[Fishy]

St. John's is Providence South.

Next year is always their year.

 

[husky99]

St. John's is Providence South.

Next year is always their year.

so true!

 

[gtcam]

st johns gets the "five star" people that most other colleges won't touch because of baggage. pc is falling into that trap.

 

[MCNPA]

What is Lavin doing, that Ollie is not?...I don't get it, St Johns has horrible facilities.....Lavins not a great coach...the program has been MIA for almost a decade. Is it the NYC appeal? To be honest I'm still a lil uneasy about our recruiting since Calhoun left.
So far the new admin has brought in:
-Brimah & (purvis, if transfers count)
Hope things turn around and we start making threads about H.S. commitments instead of highlight tapes

Lavin's overall record is 185-108. 5 Sweet 16's, One Elite 8 and NCAA appearances 7 of 10 years coaching. One of those years he was sidelined with cancer. The other two were as a lame duck his final season at UCLA and this season when he suspended Harrison. Those numbers don't indicate bad coach.

Fwiw, I've heard that Rysheed Jordan has no baggage and no grade problems contrary to some comments here.

 

[sammydabiz]

Lavin's overall record is 185-108. 5 Sweet 16's, One Elite 8 and NCAA appearances 7 of 10 years coaching. One of those years he was sidelined with cancer. The other two were as a lame duck his final season at UCLA and this season when he suspended Harrison. Those numbers don't indicate bad coach.

Fwiw, I've heard that Rysheed Jordan has no baggage and no grade problems contrary to some comments here.

I know his credentials....I didn't say he was a bad coach.
I said he wasn't a great coach, and I still wouldn't call him a great coach. Great is reserved for Calhoun..K...Knight...Patino...Smith...etc. Not sure about you, but I wouldn't put Lavin in that company.

 

[MCNPA]

I know his credentials....I didn't say he was a bad coach.
I said he wasn't a great coach, and I still wouldn't call him a great coach. Great is reserved for Calhoun..K...Knight...Patino...Smith...etc. Not sure about you, but I wouldn't put Lavin in that company.

I agree with you. Not in their company at all. I was merely mentioning because some were questioning why he would go to SJU. That said, he has only been coaching a little over a decade and had a long hiatus in between. As a SJU fan, we've had some setbacks, but I like what our program looks like after Lavin did a total rebuild. It took a few years but usually does. Love Rysheed Jordan. A piece we really needed.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I agree with you. Not in their company at all. I was merely mentioning because some were questioning why he would go to SJU. That said, he has only been coaching a little over a decade and had a long hiatus in between. As a SJU fan, we've had some setbacks, but I like what our program looks like after Lavin did a total rebuild. It took a few years but usually does. Love Rysheed Jordan. A piece we really needed.

Is Gift staying or leaving? Will Harrison acclimate himself to a team first concept upon his return this summer for the team trip? If either 1 of these are missing hello NIT. If you have both good things could come your way. Hooper will need to be incorporated into the system as a specialist since your perimeter shooting has been very suspect.

 

[MCNPA]

Is Gift staying or leaving? Will Harrison acclimate himself to a team first concept upon his return this summer for the team trip? If either 1 of these are missing hello NIT. If you have both good things could come your way. Hooper will need to be incorporated into the system as a specialist since your perimeter shooting has been very suspect.

Gift is staying. Harrison is on board. Sanchez is also playing. Our shooting was suspect mostly because we had nobody to score inside so teams packed it in. I expect more out of jakarr but also adding Gift and a talented 6'9" Sanchez will help a ton. Backcourt is deep as well. Louisville wasn't the strongest perimeter team around, but won it all. Need the right pieces. Harrison can shoot and Rysheed will open it up a bit for him.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Gift is staying. Harrison is on board. Sanchez is also playing. Our shooting was suspect mostly because we had nobody to score inside so teams packed it in. I expect more out of jakarr but also adding Gift and a talented 6'9" Sanchez will help a ton. Backcourt is deep as well. Louisville wasn't the strongest perimeter team around, but won it all. Need the right pieces. Harrison can shoot and Rysheed will open it up a bit for him.

Louisville played lights out defense most of the time which was their calling card and has been for several years. This helped compensate for their periodic shooting woes. They were mentally tough with a HOF coach.

IF St. John's keeps the roster in tact they have the athletes to compete for the conference title. Sanchez is an unproven commodity but certainly a wildcard. I thought Gift might bail with his inclusion. Who do you see starting next year and why?

 

[MCNPA]

Louisville played lights out defense most of the time which was their calling card and has been for several years. This helped compensate for their periodic shooting woes. They were mentally tough with a HOF coach.

IF St. John's keeps the roster in tact they have the athletes to compete for the conference title. Sanchez is an unproven commodity but certainly a wildcard. I thought Gift might bail with his inclusion. Who do you see starting next year and why?

Starting is difficult to call as some upperclassmen will start but down the stretch might not be as pivotal.



Rysheed Jordan, D'Angelo Harrison, Jakarr Sampson, Orlando Sanchez and Chris Obekpa.

6th man Sir'Dom Pointer followed by:
Pg: Jamal Branch, SG: Phil Greene/Balamou. SF: Hooper/Bourgault, PF Christian Jones, C: God's Gift

Can run small guard-heavy lineups with 3 guards or we can run with more bigs like Sanchez, Gift and Obekpa. Nice to have Gift back who is a good rebounder and capable inside scorer. Hopefully Obekpa learns to develop some post offense. We already know how good his defense is.

IMO our biggest weakness is not having a dynamic SF who can shoot with proficiency. Sir'Dominic Pointer is overall one of the most versatile player's in college ball. If he could hone his shot, he'd be a killer.

Overall, this is the most talented SJU team top to bottom as I've ever seen. If Harrison is mentally on-board he's dangerous and will be more-so coupled its Jordan. Now we just have to put it all together on the court. I think we will this season and make a deep run. It helps that SJU is doing a European tour in August in Italy/France which will help get the team moving in the right direction. Last year we were all freshmen and sophs trying to meld together last minute and Branch was still not eligible til Big East play and then got injured. This year we have several PG's instead of just Phil Greene.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Starting is difficult to call as some upperclassmen will start but down the stretch might not be as pivotal.



Rysheed Jordan, D'Angelo Harrison, Jakarr Sampson, Orlando Sanchez and Chris Obekpa.

6th man Sir'Dom Pointer followed by:
Pg: Jamal Branch, SG: Phil Greene/Balamou. SF: Hooper/Bourgault, PF Christian Jones, C: God's Gift

Can run small guard-heavy lineups with 3 guards or we can run with more bigs like Sanchez, Gift and Obekpa. Nice to have Gift back who is a good rebounder and capable inside scorer. Hopefully Obekpa learns to develop some post offense. We already know how good his defense is.

IMO our biggest weakness is not having a dynamic SF who can shoot with proficiency. Sir'Dominic Pointer is overall one of the most versatile player's in college ball. If he could hone his shot, he'd be a killer.

Overall, this is the most talented SJU team top to bottom as I've ever seen. If Harrison is mentally on-board he's dangerous and will be more-so coupled its Jordan. Now we just have to put it all together on the court. I think we will this season and make a deep run. It helps that SJU is doing a European tour in August in Italy/France which will help get the team moving in the right direction. Last year we were all freshmen and sophs trying to meld together last minute and Branch was still not eligible til Big East play and then got injured. This year we have several PG's instead of just Phil Greene.

Also you guys are going to have to deliver at the free throw line. I haven't checked the team stats but from watching St. Johns last year that appeared to be a weakness especially with Obekpa. I like the roster quite a bit and barring injury and the usual team casualty there is no question in my mind Lavin should be able to secure a good seed in the NCAA Tournament. Suspending Harrision last year when he did was an interesting statement. If I owned St. John's stock I would hope that move paid dividends this upcoming year. Without a true leader on the court St. John's talent will go to waste in the name of poor chemistry. In my opinion you need a glue guy or dominant personality on and off the court that can create the confidence necessary to have this team achieve up to its potential. We haven't seen that yet at all with attrition and everything else.

You have a stacked roster no doubt assuming it comes to fruition.

 

[mauconnfan]

The Johnnies have a solid roster if players, really talented actually. All depends how the coach can do creating the correct chemistry and Lavin has not been able to do it that often. We'll see.......if he fails with this team I would recommend you become like sean from PC and be happy with the NIT if and when it comes to town!

 

[James]

If Harrison was the starting floor general on my team I would shoot myself. Straight jacker

 

[MCNPA]

If Harrison was the starting floor general on my team I would shoot myself. Straight jacker

He isn't going to be the starting floor general. He's going to be the starting shooting guard. Harrison is a very good shooter but only when he takes good shots. He certainly has had the tendency to try to do it all and take every shot. It is likely that Rysheed Jordan will be the starting floor general. Kid is a beast. Jamal Branch and Phil Greene backing up PG/SG respectively. Harrison shouldn't have to take bad shots all day with lots more around him. I think he'll come back from this suspension a better player.