Weird watching Kadary Richmond play for SJU tonight against UConn...

[kcsu]

Kadary just had 2 game changing plays. A filthy crossover and hesitation move for a reverse layup and then a pickpocket steal leading to layup. These kids just play a lot harder. It’s simple

And they've got twice the talent

 

[hoopsupstate]

Watching this game vs. SU is staggering. SU just doesn’t react to anything on defense. The first play of the game against Duke they drive twenty feet from the basket for a pregame layup line basket. Later Flagg dunks on McLeod and everyone watches him drive from twenty feet. We get no steals because everyone has their feet nailed to the floor. I’ve never seen anything like it.

 

[Ghost]

We would not score 40 points against either team. They both play with more passion and toughness. That said kadary and st johns can't shoot. If they don't turn you over they won't beat the Dukes of the world.

They certainly don't shoot threes - Raftery was calling them a "throwback team" in their game earlier in the week or last weekend against Providence or Marquette. I don't recall which one it was.

They also mentioned that Kadary had made 15 of his last 18 jumpers or something wild like that...mostly long 2s, but that's his game. He did hit a couple threes that particular game, but they commented that that most certainly is NOT the norm for him from three.

 

[HyattsCuse]

Throughout the game, the announcers have been calling Storrs "the basketball capital of the world." It startled me at first but then I realized UConn has won six men's NCs and 10 women's NCs since 1999. That is 15 in 25 years.

Fixed.

 

[hoopsupstate]

They certainly don't shoot threes - Raftery was calling them a "throwback team" in their game earlier in the week or last weekend against Providence or Marquette. I don't recall which one it was.

They also mentioned that Kadary had made 15 of his last 18 jumpers or something wild like that...mostly long 2s, but that's his game. He did hit a couple threes that particular game, but they commented that that most certainly is NOT the norm for him from three.

Kadary had a good second half. First half was not very good. His first two foul shots were really ugly.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Pitino’s teams always force turnovers, just like JB’s teams did for most of his 47 year career. Remember those days. Even last year we were good at creating steals and turnovers.

It was a key to make up for shortcomings on the boards. You have to get the extra possessions somehow.

 

[IthacaMatt]

And they've got twice the talent

Their 2 best players are transfers from UMass and Seton Hall.
Mid-majors, just like we recruited guys from.

 

[Scooch]

Their 2 best players are transfers from UMass and Seton Hall.
Mid-majors, just like we recruited guys from.

I'd contend that Seton Hall is not a mid-major. The Big East is one of the 5 power conference in hoops.

I'd also contend that we got guys from low majors, not mid majors. Hofstra, Delaware and Georgia State are in one-bid conferences. That's the definition of low major.

 

[RF2044]

It’s tough to see how far off we are from true high level basketball like what was displayed in this game. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen that level of play from a Cuse team.

Anyone who watches college basketball [beyond just SU and their opponents] can see the marked contrast between how poorly coached we are, and how execute on both sides of the ball -- compared to teams that are actually good.

And I'm not just talking about top 10 good. Turn on mid-major conference games, and you'll see example after example of teams running solid offensive sets, teams that get after it defensively, and players that are in-tune with the game because they are adequately prepared and coached up.

We get blown out by double digits every time we play a team with a pulse, and look generally inept on both sides of the ball.

Duke put on a clinic against us the other day -- and it wasn't because of "more talent," it's because they are well coached, unselfish, and know how to play. Everyone on their time passes the ball beautifully and they cut with purpose. We stand around on the perimeter watching someone try to go 1-on-1, since our set offense doesn't generate shot opportunities.

 

[Cstate]

I’m sure the billionaire quoted here is allowed to spend his dollars in ways which he desires……

 

[Archimedes]

I wanted Pitino because I wanted someone proven to come in and stabilize the program after JB let it atrophy over his last 5-6 years. Then he could’ve retired after 5 years or so but the program would be in a good place to attract another top coach.

x1000. Pitino was a perfect bridge candidate for Syracuse. He had ties to the program yet was enough of an outsider to see where changes could be made. People will talk about his blemishes but we won't hear much about those if SJU wins big in March. Great hire by SJU.

 

[Scooch]

I’m sure the billionaire quoted here is allowed to spend his dollars in ways which he desires……View attachment 249410

Actually... no.

It took literally 5 seconds to Google "Mike Repole St. John's" and find this article in the NY Post from four days ago.

1) Repole works through one of the Jonnies collectives.

2) Pitino said this about him: “Mike is, for us, a godsend for our program because he gives and asks for nothing back,” Pitino said. “He doesn’t ask for any favors, doesn’t ask for any things. Just flies in, roots hard for the team, and leaves and takes off. Without him, I don’t know where the hell we would be.”

He's literally the anti-Weitsman.

It has been a thrilling season up to this point, and Mike Repole doesn’t want anything to change next year.

The billionaire’s support of his alma mater continued on Monday, when the Flat Top Fund — one of two St. John’s collectives — announced a new fundraising drive in which Repole will match up to $1 million of what is raised for Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) for the No. 12 Red Storm.

“It’s an opportunity for me to help the university, but also inspire others who are loving this and loving the feeling of having a top 12 team and [being in] first place in the Big East, and say, ‘Hey, if I’m going to give $10, it feels like I’m giving $20,’” Repole, a St. John’s alum, told The Post in a phone interview. “From my Catholic background from St. John’s, I’ve always heard success is best when shared.”

As part of the campaign, gifts of $25,000 or more will include a private dinner event hosted by Repole and coach Rick Pitino. Gifts of $10,000 or more will grant the donor and two guests access to the 2025-26 Flat Top Lounge at the Garden for the entire season.

Repole is flying up from Florida for Tuesday’s showdown against No. 11 Marquette at the Garden.

He was at a recent win over Xavier, and couldn’t help but think back to his childhood, when St. John’s was such a big part of New York City sports. He’s seeing it happen again.

The Johnnies have won eight straight games, sit all alone atop the Big East and are starting to draw big crowds. More than 19,000 fans attended Saturday’s win over Providence.

“This is a special, special, special team and a special year. But between [president] Father [Brian] Shanley and Rick Pitino and [athletic director] Ed Kull and me, this is something we want to be the norm: Having a Top 25 team every year,” said the 56-year-old Repole, who donated in the seven figures for this year’s team. “Listen, to me, this is not just about basketball, but it’s also about the university. There’s two things I’m focused on: 19,000 fans at the Garden and Father Shanley and Eddie Kull can make sure enrollment is up 20, 30 percent and get the St. John’s brand back to where it was.”

Pitino raved about the importance of Repole’s support in his Monday news conference. In this age of NIL and the transfer portal, financial backing has become crucial.

Since Pitino’s arrival, Repole has been on board, providing the kind of funding that has enabled the Queens school to do well in the portal.

“Mike is, for us, a godsend for our program because he gives and asks for nothing back,” Pitino said. “He doesn’t ask for any favors, doesn’t ask for any things. Just flies in, roots hard for the team, and leaves and takes off. Without him, I don’t know where the hell we would be.”

Junior wing RJ Luis was one of 50 players named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list by the U.S. Basketball Writers’ Association (USBWA). It is a National Player of the Year award.

 

[Col. Bleep]

And is there any chance Syracuse would come up with an inbounds play like the one SJU called for Luis at the end?
No need to answer.

 

[Sherman20]

I’m sure the billionaire quoted here is allowed to spend his dollars in ways which he desires……View attachment 249410

Pitino has always evolved. JB often preached the importance of needing to evolve, but he also talked about staying true to what you believe in. I think in his later years the changes he made came way too slowly, if at all, and he remained stuck in many of his old ways. His roster construction was a mess in his final years. But he was a master game tactician, quick thinker and got kids to play hard, so while we became mediocre, we were never terrible.