Talk about a Young Team

[NotAnAlum]

I knew that St John's was young but holly cow.  Did they really start 4 freshman with God's Gift being the only guy on last years team and he was out all year.  So in effect they START an entire first year team.  I thought we were young when we started the 3 Amigos but atleast that team had Novak.  Its amazing that team can even be competitive in the BE and they did lead us on the road at the half.  In the first half they ran a very good offense which ended up in a bunch of easy layups.  If they stay together those guys are going to be really good in a couple years.  Compare how they looked in the first half to how we looked when we had to play with Blue, Jones, Mayo,  and Jaun on the floor when the starters were all saddled with foul trouble.  Even with that group we had more D-1 experience on the floor than they start and we looked pretty weak on offense.  Kind of puts things in prospective.

[bilsu]

God'sgift is a junior college transfer, so he was not at St. John's last year.

[Dawson Rental]

The only player on last year's St. John's team was Malik Stith, and his role this year is as the seventh (and last) man off the bench.

[Dr. Blackheart]

For a good part of the end of the 1st half, MU had all underclassmen on the floor with three being frosh.  Seems like MU held serve.

[SJUBall]

Yea, SJU starts all freshmen and the bench only goes to 7 guys.  It's basically half of a HS All-star team.  It AA apparent that SJU could hang with Marquette in the irst half but in the second, fouls and dept took a huge toll. 

Remember, not only is Achiuwa a JC transfer and a junior, but he's SJU's only C or PF!  Rest of the roster is wings.  SJU really undermanned this year.  Congrats to MU on a good win.  It will be a very different SJU team next year though as we should have double the roster and some sophs on the court. 

[brewcity77]

Remember, not only is Achiuwa a JC transfer and a junior, but he's SJU's only C or PF!  Rest of the roster is wings.  SJU really undermanned this year.  Congrats to MU on a good win.  It will be a very different SJU team next year though as we should have double the roster and some sophs on the court.

While St. John's right now isn't a very good team (not a dig, they just aren't) they do have great potential. Keep these guys around another 2-3 years and fill in around them and they'll be really good. I see SJU as probably finishing in the bottom 3 of the league this year, but if Lavin can keep up with recruiting, moving back to the top half next year, and being really competitive by 2013-14.

One question, I know you guys landed Jamal Branch, who should be solid as a legitimate PG with size, but what about the rest of next year's class? Obviously the defections this year have left you with some open scholarships, but I don't see anyone else committed as of yet. How confident are you that you'll land a Gathers, Obekpa, or anyone else to fill those open scholarships?

Clearly the talent is there, but depth is an issue.