*Update: SJU's Keith Thomas ineligible

[SJHooper]

It has been discovered that Westchester players had their transcripts forged. SJ's Thomas who is a crucial part of the team as a big time rebounder in an already paper thin front court is now probably going to either miss time or be kicked off the St. John's team.

Major blow. If Thomas is gone then we go from 2nd as our ceiling to 5th. I don't believe in superstition but this team has to be cursed. It's a well-known fact that every bit of good news means bad news is lurking shortly after.

[redmen9194]

I just saw an article on it and they did nit mention that it involved him. Mentioned two players in Florida.

[adoraz11]

Come on Hooper. I've been following this closely on Redmen and Twitter the the thing relating Keith to this is Adam Zagoria tweeted it MAY affect Thomas. "That WCC transcript story could have implications for Keith Thomas at St. John's & Gio McLean at Quinnipiac."

That's the only thing I've come across, unless you have insider info or I missed something... why make a sensationalized title?

[SJHooper]

Braziller tweeted that it may have implications for Thomas. Key word being MAY. But the way SJ's luck has been the past few decades, you have to figure this will result in him either being suspended or kicked off the team. Either way that would shatter the season and almost certainly lead to us missing another tournament. Our front court is nonexistent. All we have is Obekpa. Thomas is crucial to this team. Who fills his shoes…Adonis? The kid is chubby and overweight and was missing layups and barely dunking at the Red Storm Tip Off. His brother? He couldn't even find time on the court at FIU. Amar? This kid is totally unknown and more of a shooter not an inside banger. Wasn't recruited at all by major teams.

All we can do is pray to god that he won't be affected. But we all know he will be with the way things have gone in Johnny land. Unfortunately we don't have the benefit of being a Cuse/UNC/UConn where you never get serious penalties.

[adoraz11]

And 2nd to 5th if he is off the team??? I know we are thin, but I don't believe he is even starting. I think the starting 5 is Harrison, Jordan, Green, Pointer, Obekpa. There's some backups to Pointer and Chris, and while mostly untested it's not like Thomas is a sure thing either. Maybe Christian Jones or a newcomer steps up.

A blow if he misses the season? Of course. Our ceiling going to 5th though??

OP based on too many assumptions for now.

[RDinNY]

Slander much?

[SJHooper]

I love St. John's but I am a realist. You really think if we lose Thomas for an extended time or totally lose him that there's any chance in hell we can compete?

[Amase2]

I love St. John's but I am a realist. You really think if we lose Thomas for an extended time or totally lose him that there's any chance in hell we can compete?

First off, you're jumping to conclusions pretty abruptly. Secondly, yes I absolutely think we can compete without him.

[Bill Marsh]

Braziller tweeted that it may have implications for Thomas. Key word being MAY. But the way SJ's luck has been the past few decades, you have to figure this will result in him either being suspended or kicked off the team. Either way that would shatter the season and almost certainly lead to us missing another tournament. Our front court is nonexistent. All we have is Obekpa. Thomas is crucial to this team. Who fills his shoes…Adonis? The kid is chubby and overweight and was missing layups and barely dunking at the Red Storm Tip Off. His brother? He couldn't even find time on the court at FIU. Amar? This kid is totally unknown and more of a shooter not an inside banger. Wasn't recruited at all by major teams.

All we can do is pray to god that he won't be affected. But we all know he will be with the way things have gone in Johnny land. Unfortunately we don't have the benefit of being a Cuse/UNC/UConn where you never get serious penalties.

Not a Pointer fan? Green either?

BTW, I don't believe in luck.

[adoraz11]

I love St. John's but I am a realist. You really think if we lose Thomas for an extended time or totally lose him that there's any chance in hell we can compete?

If someone told me yesterday someone MAY be ineligible, I would be most worried about....

1. Jordan- also because it will affect Briscoe.
2. Harrison
3. Obekpa

Those are the big 3 that'd really hurt. Thomas I could see the case being made anywhere from 4-7th along with Green, Pointer, Branch.

Now out of those players, Thomas is the only one untested. The only uncertainty. He performed decently in the open practices, tip-off, etc and certainly has potential. But Lavin never said he expects a double-double like he did for CO. And the media/fans haven't hyped up KT like they have with CO's improvements and some of the others players to a lesser extent.

Will I be upset by it? Yes. Do I still think we can have a great year? Of course.