Good article on Mick recruiting New York

[anbuc88]

I think that after Mooj comes back, this team will be VERY, VERY good. Mick even said that with Mooj they have a chance to be a GREAT team. He also put the starters back in the game near the end of the Mcgill exhibition, as he said he would like to build up aerobic stamina in starters, indicating they are likely going to play major minutes this year. The rotation wll thus be shortened and 7-8 guys will get the majority of minutes. I just hope Mooj's ankle heals quickly, as I want to see him and Yancy on the court together.

 

[ready2go]

Of course it doesn't prove your point, because a top 5 recruiting class doesn't mean crap. If he coaches them to the tournament this year than you can talk. Not to mention the two situations were entirely different.

btw - Mick didn't lose all of his players. Mick started with no players.

As I said, time will tell. But prior to Lavin they made a CBI and NIT. He came in and took them to the NCAA proving that he can coach, loses all the talent, then comes back with a top 5 recruiting class. The only reason they are not projected to be good is because there are 8 incoming freshman.

Again I am not disputing Micks coaching. I have said he did a nice job last year, but THIS IS A PRIME TIME TO GET THE BUZZ BACK IN THE CITY AND MAKE A 2ND STRAIGHT NCAA TOURNY

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I could see Mick taking serious heat if they do not make the tournament because they figure to take a dip next year losing Dixon and Gates.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Frankly, Mick should take serious heat if they don't make the tournament. And that's because they should make the tournament. This is a pretty darn talented team. Not making the tournament really should be out of the question; it should be what seed they will get.

Chris Mack would be on the hot seat too if they didn't make the tournament. Because if either team doesn't make the tournament it will be because of the coach. The talent is there.

 

[bearcat jeff]

As I said, time will tell. But prior to Lavin they made a CBI and NIT. He came in and took them to the NCAA proving that he can coach, loses all the talent, then comes back with a top 5 recruiting class. The only reason they are not projected to be good is because there are 8 incoming freshman.

Again I am not disputing Micks coaching. I have said he did a nice job last year, but THIS IS A PRIME TIME TO GET THE BUZZ BACK IN THE CITY AND MAKE A 2ND STRAIGHT NCAA TOURNY

he has always been a good recruiter but his teams typically underachieved for the talent level. Let's not forget he had a senior laden team last season.

 

[ready2go]

he has always been a good recruiter but his teams typically underachieved for the talent level. Let's not forget he had a senior laden team last season.

Steve Lavin's coaching included 7 NCAA Tournament appearances, five trips to the NCAA Round of 16 and 7 seasons of 21 wins or more. Underachieving?? Must be nice

But my argument is not if he's a good coach, its the fact that he basically lost his entire team and came back with a top recruiting class. What he does with them remains to be seen.

 

[UCalum08]

I could see Mick taking serious heat if they do not make the tournament because they figure to take a dip next year losing Dixon and Gates.

I know this is a premature thought but is anyone else worried about this team next year?

 

[ready2go]

I know this is a premature thought but is anyone else worried about this team next year?

Guess we'll have to see who steps up this year

 

[bearcat jeff]

I'm not. Cash will be back. Kilpatrick will probably be back. Guyn will be very good. Thomas and Sanders will be 2 years in. I think Gaines will be exponentially better with his work ethic and Mbodji will be 2 years in. What people miss is it isn't what you recruit for a year. there are few freshmen difference makers. It's what the guys in your program do to get better. Continuity is what makes 98% of programs maintain their culture. We need low post depth and a big wing. Thomas is going to be a very good basketball player.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Steve Lavin's coaching included 7 NCAA Tournament appearances, five trips to the NCAA Round of 16 and 7 seasons of 21 wins or more. Underachieving?? Must be nice

But my argument is not if he's a good coach, its the fact that he basically lost his entire team and came back with a top recruiting class. What he does with them remains to be seen.

They were several of those years UCLA was thought to have the most talented team in the country. Many said his teams underachieve for the talent level. Some of those sweet 16 teams included. I know at least one of his seasons there they were picked to win the national championship. Especially in the regular season they failed to win the PAC 10. The year they beat UC most people thought they were one of the top 5 teams in the country in terms of talent. As I said he is a good recruiter of talent. Very charismatic guy.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

We won't be at the point where the problem will be talent. I'm just saying that next years team won't be as experienced or good (still talented). If they miss the tournament this year, its not like next year will be better and they miss it because they are developing. This is "the" year to make a serious run and implant ourselves as one of the top programs in the Big East and the nation.

 

[ready2go]

We won't be at the point where the problem will be talent. I'm just saying that next years team won't be as experienced or good (still talented). If they miss the tournament this year, its not like next year will be better and they miss it because they are developing. This is "the" year to make a serious run and implant ourselves as one of the top programs in the Big East and the nation.[/QUOTE]

Couldnt have stated any better.

However some have convinced me that Mick Cronin is God. There is no one better than him out there and it cannot be debated. There is no more reason for this site. Shut her down

 

[thebeast]

As I said, time will tell. But prior to Lavin they made a CBI and NIT. He came in and took them to the NCAA proving that he can coach, loses all the talent, then comes back with a top 5 recruiting class. The only reason they are not projected to be good is because there are 8 incoming freshman.

Again I am not disputing Micks coaching. I have said he did a nice job last year, but THIS IS A PRIME TIME TO GET THE BUZZ BACK IN THE CITY AND MAKE A 2ND STRAIGHT NCAA TOURNY

He doesn't have top 5 recruiting class. 3 players were ruled ineligible. Lavins situation and micks are not all that similar. When mick got here he had cedric mcgown and when lavin got to st. johns he had a whole bunch of seniors and still didn't make it as far as UC last year.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I will say that fans like LL didn't appreciate how quickly Mick was able to get this team competitive. He is one of those fans lacked the patience and intelligence to understand the depth to which we had fallen.

Mick should have had a stand out year when he had a all time leading scorer the team, an NBA player on the team, and a future NBA forward on the team. He didnt.

Mick has earned his stripes no doubt, but hes far from the chosen one. I still have serious concerns about his offensive schemes.

 

[ready2go]

He doesn't have top 5 recruiting class. 3 players were ruled ineligible. Lavins situation and micks are not all that similar. When mick got here he had cedric mcgown and when lavin got to st. johns he had a whole bunch of seniors and still didn't make it as far as UC last year.

Hahah

Apparently he is supposed to tell the future. At the time he had a top 5 recruiting class. Those recruits chose to come to St Johns this year knowing that the talent were all seniors last year.

Micks 2nd year he got Alvin Mitchel, Biggie and Kenny Belton to name a few. Hmm

I'm trying to give Mick props for last year and say that this year is a KEY year for the program to become a house hold name again. But somehow I am brining facts about a program that I care nothing about in St Johns

 

[bearcat jeff]

We won't be at the point where the problem will be talent. I'm just saying that next years team won't be as experienced or good (still talented). If they miss the tournament this year, its not like next year will be better and they miss it because they are developing. This is "the" year to make a serious run and implant ourselves as one of the top programs in the Big East and the nation.[/QUOTE]

Couldnt have stated any better.

However some have convinced me that Mick Cronin is God. There is no one better than him out there and it cannot be debated. There is no more reason for this site. Shut her down

There are a few that believe that. I'm certainly not in that number. I thought the year before last Cronin should have made the NCAA and said after the season we needed a change. However, I also told everyone last years team would win 22-23 games because they would be more of a team. The argument that if you don't have a recruiting class with 100 stars by it that your not going to be good is just stupid. This coupled with the over inflated ideal that we were an elite program in the 90's, rather than a very good one, drives me nuts. One final four in 16 years does not make you elite. They were certainly a national program.

By recruiting good basketball players you can maintain a status as a good program. Consistent winning will help you upgrade talent. Last season people were saying they'd be lucky to win 15 games. They won 26 and two of their losses were to the national champion and all in league play. So we throw out the same argument already for next season and beyond. Talent develops and you have to allow this to enter the equation. You have the Dukes, the UConns, UNC, and Kentucky's of the world. That's a fact. UC doesn't have to be those schools to be good. UNC became good last season when a lesser valued player took the place of a highly rated player at pg.

Like LL I question Mick's offense. I do think he is good at picking out talent from the pool that is rough and needs polished.

 

[TheLongHaul]

We won't be at the point where the problem will be talent. I'm just saying that next years team won't be as experienced or good (still talented). If they miss the tournament this year, its not like next year will be better and they miss it because they are developing. This is "the" year to make a serious run and implant ourselves as one of the top programs in the Big East and the nation.

It's way too early, but I'm pretty confident about next years team. Cash, Mbodj, and Parker as seniors, Kilpatrick and Jackson as Juniors, and a good crop of freshman back for their sophomore year. You lose Gates and Dixon but IMO Dixon can and will be replaced. The key is hoping Jackson or Mbodj can provide some interior scoring to help minimize the loss of Gates. Defense should be very good. And again, the PG and most important position will be a senior who I think has the ability to be a big time player.

I don't think there will be too much to worry about the next couple years. They might not be top 10 good, but they'll easily be a tournament team.

 

[ready2go]

It's way too early, but I'm pretty confident about next years team. Cash, Mbodj, and Parker as seniors, Kilpatrick and Jackson as Juniors, and a good crop of freshman back for their sophomore year. You lose Gates and Dixon but IMO Dixon can and will be replaced. The key is hoping Jackson or Mbodj can provide some interior scoring to help minimize the loss of Gates. Defense should be very good. And again, the PG and most important position will be a senior who I think has the ability to be a big time player.

I don't think there will be too much to worry about the next couple years. They might not be top 10 good, but they'll easily be a tournament team.

I need a rum and coke zero.

 

[Butterfly]

I need a rum and coke zero.

Goes better with Pepsi Why diet? You trying to keep a cute figure?

That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with his optimism.
Really, I have no clue how good or bad this team will be in a year and neither does anybody else. Back court will obviously be good, you have two guys who appear to be pretty good at the point, Jeremiah Davis I think will grow into his role as the 2. Sean Kilpatrick is a pretty good college player, Shaq gives us athleticism and explosiveness, Jermaine Sanders seems to be another sound player.

I do not at all agree, however that we won't miss Dion Dixon. That kid has borderline X-files athleticism, can shoot the 3, shake off defenders like fleas and plays like he's 6'6 rather than 6'2-6'3. I expect him to score about 16-20 on average this year.

A front court of Gaines & Mbodj will be good defensively, and I really do think after he adds mass, Ellis will be a solid forward. Jackson... needs to play smarter. Not sure why he has his in game troubles.

In the mean time, enjoy the rid this year; not like we have any choice anyway.

 

[ready2go]

Goes better with Pepsi Why diet? You trying to keep a cute figure?
That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with his optimism.
Really, I have no clue how good or bad this team will be in a year and neither does anybody else. Back court will obviously be good, you have two guys who appear to be pretty good at the point, Jeremiah Davis I think will grow into his role as the 2. Sean Kilpatrick is a pretty good college player, Shaq gives us athleticism and explosiveness, Jermaine Sanders seems to be another sound player.

I do not at all agree, however that we won't miss Dion Dixon. That kid has borderline X-files athleticism, can shoot the 3, shake off defenders like fleas and plays like he's 6'6 rather than 6'2-6'3. I expect him to score about 16-20 on average this year.

A front court of Gaines & Mbodj will be good defensively, and I really do think after he adds mass, Ellis will be a solid forward. Jackson... needs to play smarter. Not sure why he has his in game troubles.

In the mean time, enjoy the rid this year; not like we have any choice anyway.

.3% of a professional athlete. Keep all those groupies happy, ya know.

Well said above, no one really knows what is in store