2017 Gavitt Games discussion thread

[TAMU Eagle]

First view of the Johnnies last night. Reminded me a lot of SHU circa 2014-15. You can see the raw talent. I think you guys can expect extreme highs and some head scratching lows but if they stick together that team will be a force in time. You'll need patience as they find themselves and figure out how to play the game together, but also expect a few unexpected scalps along the way. Just hope it's not us any time soon.

Thought the same thing. Lots of raw talent but little cohesion. When they figure it out, they will be very dangerous

[REDMEN1415]

First view of the Johnnies last night. Reminded me a lot of SHU circa 2014-15. You can see the raw talent. I think you guys can expect extreme highs and some head scratching lows but if they stick together that team will be a force in time. You'll need patience as they find themselves and figure out how to play the game together, but also expect a few unexpected scalps along the way. Just hope it's not us any time soon.

Thought the same thing. Lots of raw talent but little cohesion. When they figure it out, they will be very dangerous

Hopefully by February

[gtmoBlue]

Hopefully by 30 December...c'mon Johnnie's. Need ya to grow, gel, n disrupt the BEast. Make folks show some respect.

[Hall2012]

Hopefully by tomorrow...and lasts until about December 29th lol

[SJHooper]

For the first time in a long time as a SJ fan I feel like we have a chance in any game. Ok maybe not against a Duke, Kansas, or Kentucky yet, but we have a chance vs. MSU, Minnesota, Cuse, etc. College hoops is a guards game and we have arguably the best freshman guard duo in the country. If there is a better duo let me know. We used to go through long runs where we would be held scoreless, but those days are over. This is the first time I've never worried about us putting points on the board. It's the defense that is concerning at this stage and that's refreshing. Our bigs are raw and skinny but if Brown is cleared next year plus Clark on his way, we will have 2 bruisers in the paint that could make us a top 25 team all season next year if we stay healthy and get lucky with Brown (though I expect he will not qualify). Usually I'm really nervous watching games but we don't really have any expectations this year and I know we at least have a chance in any game on our schedule so it's fun.

Next year and the year after is when we will really see if Mullin is our guy or not. If he can't have tourney worthy teams at the very least next year and the following year then something is wrong. We used to have athletes, not basketball players under Lavin and he couldn't coach them up. Now we have basketball players who are also athletes and I already see positive development with Mussini and Ellison. I also give Mullin credit for having LoVett and Ponds playing like veterans out of the gate. Very impressive.

[ArmyVet]

Imagine if the Hoyas held on and the Big East was up 4-0 right now. Even with that loss, still a great start for the Big East.

[stever20]

For the first time in a long time as a SJ fan I feel like we have a chance in any game. Ok maybe not against a Duke, Kansas, or Kentucky yet, but we have a chance vs. MSU, Minnesota, Cuse, etc. College hoops is a guards game and we have arguably the best freshman guard duo in the country. If there is a better duo let me know. We used to go through long runs where we would be held scoreless, but those days are over. This is the first time I've never worried about us putting points on the board. It's the defense that is concerning at this stage and that's refreshing. Our bigs are raw and skinny but if Brown is cleared next year plus Clark on his way, we will have 2 bruisers in the paint that could make us a top 25 team all season next year if we stay healthy and get lucky with Brown (though I expect he will not qualify). Usually I'm really nervous watching games but we don't really have any expectations this year and I know we at least have a chance in any game on our schedule so it's fun.

Next year and the year after is when we will really see if Mullin is our guy or not. If he can't have tourney worthy teams at the very least next year and the following year then something is wrong. We used to have athletes, not basketball players under Lavin and he couldn't coach them up. Now we have basketball players who are also athletes and I already see positive development with Mussini and Ellison. I also give Mullin credit for having LoVett and Ponds playing like veterans out of the gate. Very impressive.

I'd pump the brakes on things a bit- only because look at the competition that St John's has faced- 336 Bethune Cookman and 272 Binghamton. 20-40 last year vs d1 teams. The next 4 games will tell a far bigger story. Minnesota, Michigan St, Baylor/VCU, and then another Battle 4 Atlantis game(where worst case is Old Dominion who is 2-0 right now).

Even saw with the upgrade in opponent the offensive rating sunk in game 2. Vs Bethune Cookman- 1.39 pts per poss. vs Binghamton 1.01 pts per poss. Let's see what happens tomorrow against a team with a pulse.

[Hall2012]

Imagine if the Hoyas held on and the Big East was up 4-0 right now. Even with that loss, still a great start for the Big East.

That would've been awesome. We can still clinch the challenge today though. Just need DePaul to protect home court and 1 of SHU and PC to steal a game on the road. They're both dogs, but I wouldn't bet against it. I believe SHU is a better team than Iowa and would be favored if the game was played anywhere else, and while @ Ohio State is a tough draw for the Friars, a win wouldn't surprise me there either. Cooley's a great coach and will have his team ready to go.

[billyjack]

With St John's, in 2016 they struggled in a group of games against weak Binghamton-type opponents:

These were single digit wins for SJU in 2016:
- 293 Rutgers.
- D-2 Chaminade.
- 273 St Francis Brooklyn.
- 318 Niagara.

Much different feel to their 2017 games so far, where neither game was in doubt after 8 minutes, and their guard play has been excellent, and Mussini can focus on his shot. Compare this to their 48-44 win over 318 Niagara.

[stever20]

With St John's, in 2016 they struggled in a group of games against weak Binghamton-type opponents:

These were single digit wins for SJU in 2016:
- 293 Rutgers.
- D-2 Chaminade.
- 273 St Francis Brooklyn.
- 318 Niagara.

Much different feel to their 2017 games so far, where neither game was in doubt after 8 minutes, and their guard play has been excellent, and Mussini can focus on his shot. Compare this to their 48-44 win over 318 Niagara.

yeah definitely no doubt. But lets see some real competition to see if the statement that they have a chance against MSU, Minnesota, Cuse(who they beat last year) is really true. The Bethune Cookman/Binghamton type games are ones where it's a 1 way thing. IF you struggle in those games, it's a negative and a sign that you just aren't good.. If you blow them out- really not much you can glean from that. I know it sounds negative, but that's pretty much reality.