Welcome to The Holy Land of Hoops

Tuesday 1/8/19
24 St. John's @ Villanova, 7:00, FS1- Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery
Line: Villanova -6

Big game for both programs. Looking forward to watching.

Will be a really tough game, especially given the line. I hoped for 2-2 during our first 4 challenging games, so for perhaps the first time this season the game doesn't feel like a "must win". Not expecting a W, but obviously would be thrilled to get one vs the National Champs.

Kenpom 24 vs 40, but take the Johnnies +6. SJU is not only the better team currently, but it's also a horrible matchup for Nova. It's no accident that they beat us last year. Expect SJU to come out fired up and take a big early lead if Nova's starting lineup is once again Gillespie, Booth, Cremo, Paschall, and DCR.

kayako wrote:Kenpom 24 vs 40, but take the Johnnies +6. SJU is not only the better team currently, but it's also a horrible matchup for Nova. It's no accident that they beat us last year. Expect SJU to come out fired up and take a big early lead if Nova's starting lineup is once again Gillespie, Booth, Cremo, Paschall, and DCR.

I don't know that much about Nova this year, but who do you want to be the starting 5? The 5 star (Quinerly) is finally starting to do well, isn't he?

I think nova sneaks out a win, but I don’t think it’s gobna be by more than one possession so the line is tempting

adoraz wrote:I don't know that much about Nova this year, but who do you want to be the starting 5? The 5 star (Quinerly) is finally starting to do well, isn't he?

Against SJU? Probably Quinerly, Gillespie, Booth, Bey/Samuels, Paschall. JQ doesn't even have to be great, it's just that a lineup without him is quite possibly the worst passing team in the Big East.

In addition to the one real PG not getting a lot of minutes, DCR has become a complete liability. He's either just good enough as a bench big or is being mishandled. But I'd think he doesn't see too many minutes tonight vs. SJU team without a real post threat.

adoraz wrote:

kayako wrote:Kenpom 24 vs 40, but take the Johnnies +6. SJU is not only the better team currently, but it's also a horrible matchup for Nova. It's no accident that they beat us last year. Expect SJU to come out fired up and take a big early lead if Nova's starting lineup is once again Gillespie, Booth, Cremo, Paschall, and DCR.

I don't know that much about Nova this year, but who do you want to be the starting 5? The 5 star (Quinerly) is finally starting to do well, isn't he?

Want to get Nova fans going? this is the topic!

There is a chance Jay knows better, you know given what he has accomplished, but there is a lot of desire for Quinerly to get more time. Yes, he is definitely improving and on the right path. That is awesome. Gillespie, IMHO, is a serviceable PG, probably a better 6th man for the 2 and handle the PG duties to spell the main PG. He is the best at the Line though, so he needs in at the end of the game. Long term, a PG with quickness, speed and a handle like Quinterly will take Nova to the next level (this year or next), many just want that to happen NOW. He is probably the quickest on the ball defender and appears to be grasping the team concepts on D now---that is huge. If he continues with that development his time will go up. Next for him will be an improvement in his 3 %.

So, my starters:

Certain:
Booth
Paschal
Bey

the other 2 slots might be based on the opponent out of these 4 (in my order of preference):


Quinerly
DCR
Samuels
Gillespie


Cremo--Personally, I prefer him off the bench. Great spot up shot, but a liability on D.

Interesting game for sure. This Johnnies team really seems to be the new norm in hoops--much like a Jay W constructed team. Lots of scoring punch from all over the floor with undersized but very effective players (4 G's) who can switch and apply pressure. If Nova controls pace and makes it a half court game they win IMO. If SJU can force TO's and get out and run, I'm worried. Game in the 70's = Nova. Game in the 80's = SJU.

I think the line is fair / maybe a touch high. SJU in games away from Jamaica have all been tight. @ SHU, @G'town, neutral vs VCU, G Tech and Cal. I don't see SJU running away with this one unless we lay a big egg. Hoping that 2 emotional back-to-back wins for SJU will take a little bit of the fight out of them, but we'll see.

GumbyDamnit! wrote:Interesting game for sure. This Johnnies team really seems to be the new norm in hoops--much like a Jay W constructed team. Lots of scoring punch from all over the floor with undersized but very effective players (4 G's) who can switch and apply pressure. If Nova controls pace and makes it a half court game they win IMO. If SJU can force TO's and get out and run, I'm worried. Game in the 70's = Nova. Game in the 80's = SJU.

I think the line is fair / maybe a touch high. SJU in games away from Jamaica have all been tight. @ SHU, @G'town, neutral vs VCU, G Tech and Cal. I don't see SJU running away with this one unless we lay a big egg. Hoping that 2 emotional back-to-back wins for SJU will take a little bit of the fight out of them, but we'll see.

Nah, we know we should still be undefeated, so we still have that chip on our shoulder.
Keep playing with a purpose.