Mustapha Heron a Johnny?

[Bill Marsh]

Bill, you're going too far to the extent I'm agreeing more with MM. Also, his mom's injury seems more serious than you make it out to be. 30 hospital visits and 5 trips to the emergency room seems like a big deal. Obviously if he went to the NBA, then he could help her financially and could afford to fly out there.

Jon Rothstein
@JonRothstein
3h3 hours ago
No one knows if Mustapha Heron will get a waiver to be eligible next season, but if he does St. John’s is a lock Top 25 team. And would have the best roster in the Big East. #SJUBB

Gee, I read 16 hospital visits. The story grows more every time I hear it.

Seriously, do you think a kid anxious to get to the NBA is going to sit out a year? Will being in college in NYC make him any more able to help his mother?

I just don’t See the NCAA buying this. They already eliminated that rule.

Something about this doesn’t smell right. I don’t buy the story about being closer to mom. So, why else would he be leaving Auburn? My hunch is that he found out that he’s losing his academic eligibility but learned that his NBA prospects aren’t what he expected. So, someone advising him concocted this plan to keep him on the court, hoping some school would make him eligible while scamming the NCAA with the bogus hardship story. Wild guess.

[Red Rooster]

Alibigovic and Yakwe combined for 19 minutes per game. Yakwe in particular is a talented kid. I don’t know what the issues were last year, but if they can be corrected, he has a lot of potential to help a team. But it won’t be St John’s next year.

If the two of them are so easily replaced, whose the replacement for their minutes next year? With the exception of Keita, St John’s has no size next year that I know of.

Most of Yakwe's minutes were tallied earlier in the season. The last 15 games Yakwe played a total of 30 minutes. For some reason or another, he fell out of favor with the staff. I, too, think Yakwe could be useful if used properly, but he's mechanical and couldn't catch an STD if you turned him loose without a condom on 10 prostitutes.

Yes, they are easily replaced, IMO. No, St. John's doesn't have adequate size, but both Alibegovic and Yakwe barely played. So, how can two players who barely saw the floor aren't replaceable? If the incoming recruits' sit on the pine and watch the game, then they've basically done as much as those two. I'm confident in saying one (if not two) of the newcomers' will be able to duplicate or provide more than what Alibegovic and Yakwe gave us this past season (regardless, of them being big men or not).

Every player has limitations. But strengths matter. It wasn’t just the blocked shots. He was the team’s best offensive rebounder and #2 rebounder overall. His FT shooting was good for a big man, and I was impressed with his ability to hit clutch FTs.

You are too focused on what’s behind him. His minutes took a big jump each year and his play improved correspondingly. He had quite a few big games last year - especially in wins over Duke, Villanova, and Georgetown. Yes, he disappeared at times, but the challenge for him moving forward was to have the good games more consistently. College kids improve from year to year, and I’m betting that he will too. But now it won’t be with St John’s.

The issue isn’t whether Keita can be as good or better, the issue is that Keita will now be doing it alone. Imagine if they were both there to share the minutes. So even with Keita aboard, the team will still need to find another big man for the rotation. Keita will not be playing 40 mpg. Nor will Clark at the 4.

Being the #2 offensive rebounder on a poor rebounding team is like being the tallest 'Oompa Loompa' on "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." That ain't saying much. Owens was easily pushed around by forwards and centers, and was a poor rebounder for someone who played near the basket. That's not to say he won't be missed, as I think he will. But, he also had his shortcomings.

We don't know if Keita will do it alone, right? Justin Simon (who can play big) could take up the slack or one of the newcomers (Josh Roberts). I'm not confident in the latter, but I also don't know, either.

I get your point about Figueroa. Definitely a good “get” for the Johnnies. Keep in mind that they’re losing a couple of inches going from the 6-7 Ahmed to the 6-5 Figueroa. And they’re losing a couple more going from 6-11 Owens to 6-9 Keita. And Clark is already an undersized PF. And Ponds gives them one guard who is especially small. Undersized teams can score, but lack of size can hurt on D.

You said, “If the Johnnies’ big men defend . . .” There’s the rub. Using the plural. After Keita there are no big men (plural) unless I’m missing someone.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that St John’s won’t be improved, or that they won’t got to the tournament, or that they won’t contend for the BE title. I’m just saying that there are a lot of questions to be answered before we can have any assurance of that. It’s nowhere near as automatic as some of the posts here are implying.

Okay, the Johnnies are losing a couple inches between Ahmed and Figueroa. IMO, that's semantics. Justin Simon is six inches shorter than Tariq Owens, but averaged over one rebound more than Owens per game. Shamorie Ponds is 10 inches shorter than Owens, but averaged almost the same amount of rebounds per game as Owens.

Keita is giving up a couple inches to Owens, but he also weighs 45 more pounds than Owens. Keita was the same type of player who could or would give Owens fits due to the difference in size. An "undersized" PF can excel on the collegiate level, per Marvin Clark. Where have you been? St. John's actually played good defense this past season. Engineered by Simon and Clark on the ball.

There's another "big," but I'm not sure what he'll bring to the table in Josh Roberts. He's built similarly to who you've been harping on in Tariq Owens. St. John's will likely play small ball ala Villanova from several years ago. So, it can work.

I don't think a lot of things are automatic, and I don't think the Johnnies' scenario is as cut and dry as other's are insinuating (so, we certainly agree there). I also think you're dealing in semantics (and, even fallaciously), regarding some of your arguments.

[BigEast1]

I'd be surprised if Heron gets a waiver, I'd be even more surprised if Mike Rice ended up at St. John's.

[Bill Marsh]

Alibigovic and Yakwe combined for 19 minutes per game. Yakwe in particular is a talented kid. I don’t know what the issues were last year, but if they can be corrected, he has a lot of potential to help a team. But it won’t be St John’s next year.

If the two of them are so easily replaced, whose the replacement for their minutes next year? With the exception of Keita, St John’s has no size next year that I know of.

Most of Yakwe's minutes were tallied earlier in the season. The last 15 games Yakwe played a total of 30 minutes. For some reason or another, he fell out of favor with the staff. I, too, think Yakwe could be useful if used properly, but he's mechanical and couldn't catch an STD if you turned him loose without a condom on 10 prostitutes.

Yes, they are easily replaced, IMO. No, St. John's doesn't have adequate size, but both Alibegovic and Yakwe barely played. So, how can two players who barely saw the floor aren't replaceable? If the incoming recruits' sit on the pine and watch the game, then they've basically done as much as those two. I'm confident in saying one (if not two) of the newcomers' will be able to duplicate or provide more than what Alibegovic and Yakwe gave us this past season (regardless, of them being big men or not).

Every player has limitations. But strengths matter. It wasn’t just the blocked shots. He was the team’s best offensive rebounder and #2 rebounder overall. His FT shooting was good for a big man, and I was impressed with his ability to hit clutch FTs.

You are too focused on what’s behind him. His minutes took a big jump each year and his play improved correspondingly. He had quite a few big games last year - especially in wins over Duke, Villanova, and Georgetown. Yes, he disappeared at times, but the challenge for him moving forward was to have the good games more consistently. College kids improve from year to year, and I’m betting that he will too. But now it won’t be with St John’s.

The issue isn’t whether Keita can be as good or better, the issue is that Keita will now be doing it alone. Imagine if they were both there to share the minutes. So even with Keita aboard, the team will still need to find another big man for the rotation. Keita will not be playing 40 mpg. Nor will Clark at the 4.

Being the #2 offensive rebounder on a poor rebounding team is like being the tallest 'Oompa Loompa' on "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." That ain't saying much. Owens was easily pushed around by forwards and centers, and was a poor rebounder for someone who played near the basket. That's not to say he won't be missed, as I think he will. But, he also had his shortcomings.

We don't know if Keita will do it alone, right? Justin Simon (who can play big) could take up the slack or one of the newcomers (Josh Roberts). I'm not confident in the latter, but I also don't know, either.

I get your point about Figueroa. Definitely a good “get” for the Johnnies. Keep in mind that they’re losing a couple of inches going from the 6-7 Ahmed to the 6-5 Figueroa. And they’re losing a couple more going from 6-11 Owens to 6-9 Keita. And Clark is already an undersized PF. And Ponds gives them one guard who is especially small. Undersized teams can score, but lack of size can hurt on D.

You said, “If the Johnnies’ big men defend . . .” There’s the rub. Using the plural. After Keita there are no big men (plural) unless I’m missing someone.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that St John’s won’t be improved, or that they won’t got to the tournament, or that they won’t contend for the BE title. I’m just saying that there are a lot of questions to be answered before we can have any assurance of that. It’s nowhere near as automatic as some of the posts here are implying.

Okay, the Johnnies are losing a couple inches between Ahmed and Figueroa. IMO, that's semantics. Justin Simon is six inches shorter than Tariq Owens, but averaged over one rebound more than Owens per game. Shamorie Ponds is 10 inches shorter than Owens, but averaged almost the same amount of rebounds per game as Owens.

Keita is giving up a couple inches to Owens, but he also weighs 45 more pounds than Owens. Keita was the same type of player who could or would give Owens fits due to the difference in size. An "undersized" PF can excel on the collegiate level, per Marvin Clark. Where have you been? St. John's actually played good defense this past season. Engineered by Simon and Clark on the ball.

There's another "big," but I'm not sure what he'll bring to the table in Josh Roberts. He's built similarly to who you've been harping on in Tariq Owens. St. John's will likely play small ball ala Villanova from several years ago. So, it can work.

I don't think a lot of things are automatic, and I don't think the Johnnies' scenario is as cut and dry as other's are insinuating (so, we certainly agree there). I also think you're dealing in semantics (and, even fallaciously), regarding some of your arguments.

Whatever gets you through the night.

PS - 6-8 Josh Roberts is a wing. He’s no Tariq Owens.

[Red Rooster]

Whatever gets you through the night.

PS - 6-8 Josh Roberts is a wing. He’s no Tariq Owens.

Roberts play the 4 and 5. Thanks for playing anyhow.

By the way, I sleep fine, fella. Based on what you've been posting, it sounds you're lacking sleep. Go get some rest.

[adoraz]

Bill, you're going too far to the extent I'm agreeing more with MM. Also, his mom's injury seems more serious than you make it out to be. 30 hospital visits and 5 trips to the emergency room seems like a big deal. Obviously if he went to the NBA, then he could help her financially and could afford to fly out there.

Jon Rothstein
@JonRothstein
3h3 hours ago
No one knows if Mustapha Heron will get a waiver to be eligible next season, but if he does St. John’s is a lock Top 25 team. And would have the best roster in the Big East. #SJUBB

Gee, I read 16 hospital visits. The story grows more every time I hear it.

Seriously, do you think a kid anxious to get to the NBA is going to sit out a year? Will being in college in NYC make him any more able to help his mother?

I just don’t See the NCAA buying this. They already eliminated that rule.

Something about this doesn’t smell right. I don’t buy the story about being closer to mom. So, why else would he be leaving Auburn? My hunch is that he found out that he’s losing his academic eligibility but learned that his NBA prospects aren’t what he expected. So, someone advising him concocted this plan to keep him on the court, hoping some school would make him eligible while scamming the NCAA with the bogus hardship story. Wild guess.

....Is this a parody or troll? I'm so confused.

1. Everything I've read said he's very good academically. I haven't read anything to the contrary.
2. I didn't read 16 but I read 30 in the NY Post...?
3. Redmen insiders, who are right about this stuff the big majority of the time, said he'd sit out a year. Take it FWIW, as it could be just talk from Heron.
4. Redmen insiders, who knew about this transfer last week, are citing NCAA, St. John's, and BE sources who believe he will be eligible.

Don't you defend UConn a lot? Sounds like you're salty. Stick to facts and well founded thoughts, rather than wasting my time with nonsense.

[Red Rooster]

Bill, you're going too far to the extent I'm agreeing more with MM. Also, his mom's injury seems more serious than you make it out to be. 30 hospital visits and 5 trips to the emergency room seems like a big deal. Obviously if he went to the NBA, then he could help her financially and could afford to fly out there.

Jon Rothstein
@JonRothstein
3h3 hours ago
No one knows if Mustapha Heron will get a waiver to be eligible next season, but if he does St. John’s is a lock Top 25 team. And would have the best roster in the Big East. #SJUBB

Gee, I read 16 hospital visits. The story grows more every time I hear it.

Seriously, do you think a kid anxious to get to the NBA is going to sit out a year? Will being in college in NYC make him any more able to help his mother?

I just don’t See the NCAA buying this. They already eliminated that rule.

Something about this doesn’t smell right. I don’t buy the story about being closer to mom. So, why else would he be leaving Auburn? My hunch is that he found out that he’s losing his academic eligibility but learned that his NBA prospects aren’t what he expected. So, someone advising him concocted this plan to keep him on the court, hoping some school would make him eligible while scamming the NCAA with the bogus hardship story. Wild guess.

....Is this a parody or troll? I'm so confused.

1. Everything I've read said he's very good academically. I haven't read anything to the contrary.
2. I didn't read 16 but I read 30 in the NY Post...?
3. Redmen insiders, who are right about this stuff the big majority of the time, said he'd sit out a year. Take it FWIW, as it could be just talk from Heron.
4. Redmen insiders, who knew about this transfer last week, are citing NCAA, St. John's, and BE sources who believe he will be eligible.

Don't you defend UConn a lot? Sounds like you're salty. Stick to facts and well founded thoughts, rather than wasting my time with nonsense.

I figured him out a season ago. He attempts to act as if he has team in the Big East, although I've never seen where his allegiance align. A fence-straddler, as a means of diversion. He also comes off passive-aggressive.

[sju88grad]

https://nypost.com/2018/05/31/st-johns- ... ng-scorer/

My favorite part is when he says he will “still be playing in a great conference”.....sorry UConn!!!...never had a shot!!

[stever20]

It would be absolutely shocking if they granted a hardship waiver. I really don't think the NCAA wants to go down that road again at all.

And from the ESPN Story:
Heron will apply for a hardship waiver in order to play immediately for the Red Storm, sources told ESPN. St. John's is optimistic, per sources, but the NCAA has mostly eliminated the immediate-eligibility hardship waiver since a rule change in 2015.

[MullinMayhem]

To clarify:

1. Heron said after committing to us that he's in no rush to go to the NBA and wants to spend time with his mother and win. He also said he wanted to play specifically in the Big East which was such a hysterical burn on UConn and the AAC (paging Stever).

2. He's a very good student by all accounts and his family takes his academics very seriously. I've heard he has well over a 3.0 which will only help his NCAA eligibility chances. This has nothing to do with poor academic performance.

3. He has clearly said he is willing to sit a year if he has to. Can kids change their minds? Of course, but he's been very straightforward with all of this and hasn't left much to speculate.

4. The only thing left to truly speculate on is whether or not he will get waiver. Some NYC media heads think he will and someone on the UConn forum with knowledge thinks he will too. One thing I'd need clarification on is how severe the post concussion syndrome is. The rule is it has to be life-threatening and I'm not sure if it really is. The diagnosis being made prior to the transfer also helps his case or if there was an increase in severity and then requested a transfer shortly after. It also has a lot to do with how involved he will be with his mother and caring for her. Those I don't know the answers to.