01-13-2010, 01:29 PM
Cincinnati's and former Lincoln high school star Lance Stephenson to face St. John's for 1st time
BY Roger Rubin
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Originally Published:Tuesday, January 12th 2010, 8:15 PM
Updated: Wednesday, January 13th 2010, 10:53 AM
Lance Stephenson has caused St. John's nothing but embarrassment. Wednesday night the Red Storm will try to turn the tables when the former Lincoln High star returns as a Cincinnati freshman for the Johnnies' first Big East game at the Garden this season.
St. John's (10-5, 0-3) coveted Stephenson when he was the city's top recruit. Coach Norm Roberts saw him as a potential centerpiece for a breakthrough season and pied piper for the city blue-chippers who have eluded the Red Storm for most of a decade. As it turned out, recruiting the 6-5 swingman did the Johnnies more harm than good.
They were in his announced final three with Kansas and Maryland. When the Jayhawks and Terrapins dropped out, Stephenson humiliated St. John's by not committing. Ultimately Roberts had to announce that St. John's had stopped recruiting him. Soon after, Stephenson committed to the Bearcats.
Then he showed Roberts little respect when he explained his decision on Monday.
"At St. John's I felt the players were good, plus I knew some of the players who were on the team already - that's why St. John's was on my list," Stephenson said. "I felt Cincinnati was more of a family and I felt (coach) Mick (Cronin) could help me be a better player, and I felt like he was a better coach."
Roberts said he was "not offended," but Johnnies Paris Horne, Sean Evans and Justin Burrell all lauded Roberts for improving their games.
"You can use it as bulletin board (material). You could use it as inspiration," Horne said. "We're just worrying about this game because we need this game."
That's an understatement. St. John's was in position to win its first three Big East games before unraveling late. After the Red Storm was outhustled in the second half at Louisville last Saturday, the team held a players-only meeting at the airport before the flight home to address the losing and make sure, in Burrell's words, "everyone is pulling the oars in the same direction."
"I would describe it as necessary," Evans said of the meeting. "To be a good team on the court, you have to be a good team off the court. Talking starts that."
Stephenson, averaging 4.8 rebounds, 2.8assists and a team-high 12.7 points, can't wait to get back on the floor where he helped Lincoln win four public school titles. Because he didn't pick the Storm, he expects a hostile reception.
"Everybody wanted me to go somewhere close to home," Stephenson said. "I think at the Garden they're going to boo me much harder than Rutgers did (Jan. 2). It makes me play harder."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/colleg...8Sports%29
BY Roger Rubin
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Originally Published:Tuesday, January 12th 2010, 8:15 PM
Updated: Wednesday, January 13th 2010, 10:53 AM
Lance Stephenson has caused St. John's nothing but embarrassment. Wednesday night the Red Storm will try to turn the tables when the former Lincoln High star returns as a Cincinnati freshman for the Johnnies' first Big East game at the Garden this season.
St. John's (10-5, 0-3) coveted Stephenson when he was the city's top recruit. Coach Norm Roberts saw him as a potential centerpiece for a breakthrough season and pied piper for the city blue-chippers who have eluded the Red Storm for most of a decade. As it turned out, recruiting the 6-5 swingman did the Johnnies more harm than good.
They were in his announced final three with Kansas and Maryland. When the Jayhawks and Terrapins dropped out, Stephenson humiliated St. John's by not committing. Ultimately Roberts had to announce that St. John's had stopped recruiting him. Soon after, Stephenson committed to the Bearcats.
Then he showed Roberts little respect when he explained his decision on Monday.
"At St. John's I felt the players were good, plus I knew some of the players who were on the team already - that's why St. John's was on my list," Stephenson said. "I felt Cincinnati was more of a family and I felt (coach) Mick (Cronin) could help me be a better player, and I felt like he was a better coach."
Roberts said he was "not offended," but Johnnies Paris Horne, Sean Evans and Justin Burrell all lauded Roberts for improving their games.
"You can use it as bulletin board (material). You could use it as inspiration," Horne said. "We're just worrying about this game because we need this game."
That's an understatement. St. John's was in position to win its first three Big East games before unraveling late. After the Red Storm was outhustled in the second half at Louisville last Saturday, the team held a players-only meeting at the airport before the flight home to address the losing and make sure, in Burrell's words, "everyone is pulling the oars in the same direction."
"I would describe it as necessary," Evans said of the meeting. "To be a good team on the court, you have to be a good team off the court. Talking starts that."
Stephenson, averaging 4.8 rebounds, 2.8assists and a team-high 12.7 points, can't wait to get back on the floor where he helped Lincoln win four public school titles. Because he didn't pick the Storm, he expects a hostile reception.
"Everybody wanted me to go somewhere close to home," Stephenson said. "I think at the Garden they're going to boo me much harder than Rutgers did (Jan. 2). It makes me play harder."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/colleg...8Sports%29