Sat 1/11 BE Game Thread (3 Games).

[hoyahooligan]

The fact that the Refs reviewed that out of bounds call at the end of the game and there was clear evidence that the ball was off of Butler and they still gave butler the ball was so

I couldn't believe it. They really out to be suspended for how bad they were in that game. Worst reffing I've seen in quite a long time.

[Lavinwood]

Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's Nova/St John's game. Props to the Johnnies for competing the whole way.

1) I think you are finally seeing what Jordan can do. Similar make-up to the Nova team, in that they are guard-driven. Obekpa is a defensive beast, it's just a matter of getting him to have confidence at the offensive end to establish the low post threat.

2) Hadn't been to MSG since the renovations, the consensus was that they were masterfully done. Tiled/cleaned concourses, large and constantly updated scoreboard, all padded seats and roomier seats - they really addressed the aspects of the building that were showing aging.

3) I was in Section 112, and it was a heavy Nova contingent. My earlier prediction was about 50-50 for Nova and St John's fans, and I think that ratio held up. As for the St John's student section, they were only about 3 rows deep on our side (St John's bench side). Struggling team/student break/apathy or any other insight from the fans?

Again, a great game and Saturday of basketball

When your program has not won a tourney game in 14 years or missed the tourney all but 1 year in the past decade, what kind of support would you expect? I mean we are talking about a program that has a great chance of making it 20+ years without winning a tourney game. There is a ton of negativity around our basketball program. I think a lot of it spurs from the fact that many SJ fans are also Jets, Mets, Knicks, and Isles fans. For almost all our lives, our teams have done nothing but failed miserably. Lots of years with tons of talent, only to still suck. It just wears on you. SJ is just like the Mets…good in 2006 and 2000 like SJ was good in 2011 and 2000 but the glory years were in the mid to late 80's. Just like the Mets keep reminding fans "Hey, we won in 1986! Let's have a reunion and broadcast the games so we can relive it!", SJ tries to remind its fans "Hey, we went to the Final Four in 1985 4-5 years before some of you older students were born…we are relevant!". The problem is that New York is a win now town. Even decent teams don't cut it. Championships are expected for our pro sports and tourney runs and consistent rankings are expected for SJ. Some teams in the Big East always seem to rise to the occasion and overachieve. SJ simply cannot be in the spotlight because it's too bright for us. Expectations are high and we always fail. Every time. The only year we were ranked and made the tourney in the past decade (2011) was when we had 0 expectations. Only the true diehards are sticking with this team in terms of support.

It's just so disheartening. 2011 was the out of nowhere, "hey maybe we are back" year. Fans were piling in, vibes could not be more positive. We figured it was time we returned to national relevance consistently. Now it appears it was all a big mirage and 2011 might have been our high water mark for the next 10-15 years as much as it pains me to say. Some fans are saying "Well if we win our next 5…". Forget it. This team does not have the killer instinct or skill to win 5 straight against real teams. Lavin keeps saying "Well, we went on a big run in 2011! Maybe we do it again!", but that was hitting the lotto. It doesn't happen again. We have zero recruits for 2014 or 2015. 0. So that means we will suck for a while now. I should have known better than to be optimistic with this program. Whenever I try to be, something in my gut tells me "We will suck no matter who comes here because our program is just cursed". The negativity seems to be embedded in the very bedrock of our program. I'm beginning to think we are just destined to be one of those programs that is good once every decade or 2 then falls back out of existence. From now on every time we sign a top recruit or have high expectations, I'm not buying it for a second. I will let the results tell me where the team is at. You are what your record says you are and 9-6 0-3 is pathetic for a team that many admit has the most raw talent in the conference. I would be disappointed if we finished 5th let alone LAST. I wish I could push fast forward another decade when we might be ready to be relevant again.