St John's post game thread

[TRest]

Alex is one of my favorite players, really unfortunate what's happened to him since the Nova game. He probably should have left after last season on top. His current draft stock can't be good right now.

People keep saying this, the league told him go back and work on things.

 

[Scoe]

It’s more so the decision making from AK more then anything he takes a 35 footer ok fine, then he passes up an open 3 in rhythtm passing trapping Hass in the corner. Not to mention the first foul at the very beginning of the game leaving your feet not worth the risk in the first half, the little things all add up.

 

[storrsroars]

When you have two guys getting double-doubles coming off the bench, you kinda expect a win.

Johnnies play an interesting brand of basketball. Luis is ridiculous with that mid-range stuff that's hard to defend.

 

[UCfor3]

They defended our offense well(with some holding and grabbing) and we have nobody who can drive, create, or get their own shot. Need a PG and another versatile offensive player for next year. We have been getting nothing from our bench but we need to play more than the same 5 guys the whole 2nd half. Samson and Stewart had to play at least a little more at least to keep the other guys fresh. As for Alex, he was in a slump the end of last year but this one is way worse. We also don't have Newt, Cling, Steph and Cam to cover.

 

[1999GoodSon]

It’s not hard. It’s on Alex.

In a minute I've counted 20 posts throwing our man Karraban under the bus. From grown men, masquerading as die hard Husky fans. Here's my permanent dislike to all. Teams win, this was a team loss, including coaches. Get over it.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Guards, guards and more guards. We currently do not gave enough if them to compliment each other.

As for AK I have no idea what the answer is. If he hits 1 or 2 of those wide open threes in the first half it may have been a difference maker.

McNeeley is a very good if not great freshman.

We lost but I can really see some potential with this group.

Too bad we missed so bad with Mahaney he is a better player than he used to be showing but he is just not the right fit for this level if physicality.

No idea what the rest of the year looks like. I will watch the games and care and still yell at the TV but we are a player or two short of being elite.

We could be very good with this team but everyone has too play their roles.

 

[uconngb]

He’ll be here for senior night next year

And that is not a good thing

 

[TheHorde]

You sure about that?? He handed the ball to St John’s at least 7 times

What would Mahaney have done playing 35 minutes tonight?

 

[uconn_jack]

I hate more than anything losing a game to a team that made a bunch of 14-16 footers. It’s just objectively a bad shot.....

Unless you make them, which the Johnnies do.

 

[bendm]

We held our own on the boards thanks to Reed, he was awesome. so was Liam in the second half. I can’t fault Diarra and Ball was bound to come back down to earth with SJU keying on him. Stew was great for the first 10 mins. We still coulda won if we hit our FTs. This is on Alex and not having a backup PG. Why did Tahaad Petiford have to go to Auburn. If we only had him instead of Mahaney and Nowell. Man.

 

[Hunt for 7]

They defended our offense well(with some holding and grabbing) and we have nobody who can drive, create, or get their own shot. Need a PG and another versatile offensive player for next year. We have been getting nothing from our bench but we need to play more than the same 5 guys the whole 2nd half. Samson and Stewart had to play at least a little more at least to keep the other guys fresh. As for Alex, he was in a slump the end of last year but this one is way worse. We also don't have Newt, Cling, Steph and Cam to cover.

McNeeley can drive and create Ball is getting better. But we need more in the create your own shot like Luis or Richmond.

 

[storrsroars]

I hate more than anything losing a game to a team that made a bunch of 14-16 footers. It’s just objectively a bad shot, so when our opponent takes one to end a possession, it makes me think we did our job on D

Pitino's offense is not based on analytics. Luis can get open for a mid-range jumper seemingly whenever he wants. And he makes most of them. They're not settling for those shots. They're the intent.

 

[Gurleyman]

Why does it seem like it takes our guys much longer to come back from ankle injuries then others.

Not fair in this case. That was a bad type of sprain. High ankle sometimes is a meaningless term, but not this time. That was an injury where his toes rolled forward, instead of the standard instep rolling sideways.

 

[Palatine]

In a minute I've counted 20 posts throwing our man Karraban under the bus. From grown men, masquerading as die hard Husky fans. Here's my permanent dislike to all. Teams win, this was a team loss, including coaches. Get over it.

Not really. Karaban has lost his shot. And his confidence. It's obvious to everyone. To point that out is not throwing him under the bus. He had three points. He was a preseason All America. Pretending there is nothing wrong is denial. I love the kid. He has been a great Husky. But our eyes are not lying to us.

 

[cellocgg]

Only bright side for me was sitting right next to Coach Mora

 

[uconngb]

They defended our offense well(with some holding and grabbing) and we have nobody who can drive, create, or get their own shot. Need a PG and another versatile offensive player for next year. We have been getting nothing from our bench but we need to play more than the same 5 guys the whole 2nd half. Samson and Stewart had to play at least a little more at least to keep the other guys fresh. As for Alex, he was in a slump the end of last year but this one is way worse. We also don't have Newt, Cling, Steph and Cam to cover.

Nothing from our bench?? We had two guys off the bench go for double doubles tonight!

 

[ATLDYKA]

Not fair in this case. That was a bad type of sprain. High ankle sometimes is a meaningless term, but not this time. That was an injury where his toes rolled forward, instead of the standard instep rolling sideways.

Understood for McNeeley, but what about Nowell? Seems like he's been hurt for a long time.

 

[WlfdHusky]

St Johns went from 4th KenPom D to 2nd after this game. Great D beat a good offense. And stating the obvious, Pitino is a dirtbag but a hell of a coach.

 

[Scoe]

Critiquing AK performance or lack there of is fine but dont try and act like a genius after the fact and say he shouldn’t have come back. That’s his decision, don’t get into the could’ve, should’ve, would’ve over someones lifetime decision because things aren’t going well.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

People keep saying this, the league told him go back and work on things.

You’re right but he was projected late first/early second last year. He could’ve gone pro. Bet on himself. It is what it is.

 

[uchusky32]

Our offense is terrible. Shot are we running sets for? You can't runs the stes when only 3 players are will to shot. Ball JS and LM. And Diarra and AK have to step up. I don't think Diarra to a 3 or jumper. Can't run motion with AK when he first want to shot. His poor shooting goes back to last season. Not sure what Hurley is going to do. The pg spot is toast. AM can't play it and Nowell hasn't played. Hope they rectify that next year. LM and Reed only guys who rebound well.

 

[TRest]

Nothing from our bench?? We had two guys off the bench go for double doubles tonight!

Oth are honestly starters.

 

[djct1999]

They’re just not that good - like top 25/30-ish.

Ball handling is a huge issue - only Diarra is mildly competent at it and he’s absolutely worn out. We’ve wrung everything out of that kid. If we gave up 50 turnovers in two games against Marq and SJU, we would give up 70 against Houston and Auburn. Pray we do not draw them.

Defense is crap. Again, Diarra is the only good defender on the roster and again, we have squeezed him dry. (But Ross! No. He’s not. Not yet.) Offense is efficient, but is entirely dependent on threes being made. There’s no plan B because we do not have a single player who is effective going to the rim. Alex and Samson are non-factors WAY too often for guys who have been here as long as they have.

Also, they do this thing where they give up a mini-run in losses where they seem to give up for like three or four minutes. They give away a gap that they do not have the time or the ability to close. Just kinda soft.

This year is a bridge year to whatever comes next.

This is your best post in like a year! Welcome back.

 

[Gurleyman]

It’s more so the decision making from AK more then anything he takes a 35 footer ok fine, then he passes up an open 3 in rhythtm passing trapping Hass in the corner. Not to mention the first foul at the very beginning of the game leaving your feet not worth the risk in the first half, the little things all add up.

Hurley made mention in the huddle - if you have a quick window for an open look with 10-15 seconds left on the shot clock, and you don't take it, you aren't necessarily getting a better look. AK put Liam in jail 3 or 4 times, and Hass a couple times. Liam should be allowed to take three of his missed field goals and give them to Alex.

Hass and Samson and Ross aren't out there to have stuff run for them. Stewart really either, although he's getting there. If AK (or Solo) freeze up, the offense really has no place to go.

AK's utter refusal to shoot in the second half (he shot once - and then had a put back) was worse than being cold.

 

[TRest]

You’re right but he was projected late first/early second last year. He could’ve gone pro. Bet on himself. It is what it is.

Projections are meaningless after they attend the combine. I watch more NBA now becau we are sending more guys there, if he isn’t an elite shooter what else gets him in the league?