(11-04-2015 10:22 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 12:06 PM)hoops22 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 10:06 AM)stever20 Wrote:  I've said on here that Mullin has done a great job with what he's got- that he's done more in a month at St John's than Lavin did in his entire time there. this year is going to be brutal for St John's. They have Jordan, Obekpa, and that's about it. It's why I think it's such a pipedream to get Diallo. That's just the reality of the situation. Long term, it's going to be as good for St John's as it's been in ages. But short term, not so much(and something I think all St John's fans knew was coming).

Again, I think you're premature in assuming this season will be a disaster. It did look horrible when the season ended, and Jordon and Obekpa were expected to leave. Lavin had done such a poor job of restocking the roster that it looked like he'd have to go to the student cafeteria to recruit enough players for a team.

But look where things stand now. Jordon and Obekpa are back. Four star guard Marcus Lovett recently tweeted St John's is the leading candidate for him. Many analysts are predicting Diallo will also wind up at St John's. Put those four in the starting rotation along with Williams/Sima, and you have a pretty solid starting five, with some good complimentary players on the bench. Will they get both Diallo and Lovett? Who knows. But lets wait and see what happens before you go ahead and bury them for next season.

Um, can I bury now?

It's gonna be a long year for St John's. But, I think long term, St John's is on a upswing that we've not seen for 20+ years quite frankly. I think the team I compare to is Temple. 2 years ago they were awful. didn't even win 10 games. But last year they made the NIT finals, and really should have made the NCAA tourney. It can rebound in a hurry.

Stever the team you buried months ago is not the same team that played tonight. Jordon and Obekpa both said they'd be back, but neither are. Lovett was on the bench on crutches tonight. Diallo never committed. Put those four in the starting lineup and it's a completely different outlook. That's the team you were burying way back when. However, I will finally agree with you on one point, this season has the potential to be an absolute disaster. New coaching staff, all new players, no chemistry, no experience.... not a good formula for success.