Deb Harris of redstorreport.com hit us with these nice dishes!
1. How are the Johnnies scoring now?
St. John's has energy, quickness, and athleticism. Like any team that is chock-full of players new to this level of college basketball, the Johnnies need to learn how to focus that energy so it can better execute in half-court sets. The team scores well in transition. They can really get after the ball and quickly capitalize on turnovers on the offensive end. At times, the team's energy and quickness can get the best of them and they can rush into ill-conceived shot attempts. It could be because the Johnnies' senior floor general Rasheem Dunn was sidelined during much of its regular-season games but, now that he's back, I'm expecting to see better ball movement and forethought before executing in the half-court.
2. Are they still playing a lot of full-court defense? Is it backed by man?
Yes, St. John's plays a full-court press. Sometimes you'll see flashes of a zone, like a 3-1-1. In the half-court, the Johnnies play opponents straight up with a man-to-man.
3. Is Mike Anderson's job safe? Has the ravenous NYC media turned on him yet?
It's season two for Mike Anderson and, usually, I don't see people start questioning that until year three -- depending on how the tenure is going. So, I'm going to assume that his job is safe. Plus, given everything going on with Covid-19, we're living in unprecedented times and that isn't lost on anyone. I think folks would be willing to cut college coaches some slack this basketball year. There are some D-I teams in the country that aren't even playing! Personally, I see this season as a year for players to get on-the-job training, but it is not the best to judge whether a coach stays or goes. Of course, leave it all on the floor, but with all the disjointedness, last-minute rescheduling because of opposing program members testing positive for coronavirus, and switching up scouting reports, you won't get a true litmus test. The NYC media isn't ravenous. They're passionate! And, from what I've seen, the media hasn't turned on Coach Anderson. I think the media is just focused on trying to carve out a semblance of normalcy with a chaotic backdrop.
4. What kind of player is Posh Alexander?
Posh Alexander definitely has a lot of that Brooklyn grit and a boatload of energy. He is raw talent. Most notably, he has a good eye on the ball and quick hands. If you don't watch your back, he'll definitely get in gaps, pick your pocket and cash out at the rim. Unfortunately, the freshman was expected to grow up quickly while Dunn was recovering from a concussion suffered back in November. He has a solid feel for the game. Alexander had a good showing in the regular-season matchups. He was a little quiet against Seton Hall, but he will have his ups and downs. He's still a freshman. With Dunn getting reintegrated into the Johnnies' system as point man, Alexander will be able to learn much more about running a team as an understudy.
5. Who is an unrecognized important player that's key for success?
I wouldn't say he's unrecognized, but it is important for Isaih Moore to be active around the rim for the team's success. He is 6-foot-10 and slender, so he can use his body to get in and out of gaps relatively quickly. Until the Seton Hall game, he had been one of the most consistent players out there. If he can pull down boards and get up buckets -- kind of be the clean-up guy around the rim -- the Johnnies will have a better chance at success.
1. How are the Johnnies scoring now?
St. John's has energy, quickness, and athleticism. Like any team that is chock-full of players new to this level of college basketball, the Johnnies need to learn how to focus that energy so it can better execute in half-court sets. The team scores well in transition. They can really get after the ball and quickly capitalize on turnovers on the offensive end. At times, the team's energy and quickness can get the best of them and they can rush into ill-conceived shot attempts. It could be because the Johnnies' senior floor general Rasheem Dunn was sidelined during much of its regular-season games but, now that he's back, I'm expecting to see better ball movement and forethought before executing in the half-court.
2. Are they still playing a lot of full-court defense? Is it backed by man?
Yes, St. John's plays a full-court press. Sometimes you'll see flashes of a zone, like a 3-1-1. In the half-court, the Johnnies play opponents straight up with a man-to-man.
3. Is Mike Anderson's job safe? Has the ravenous NYC media turned on him yet?
It's season two for Mike Anderson and, usually, I don't see people start questioning that until year three -- depending on how the tenure is going. So, I'm going to assume that his job is safe. Plus, given everything going on with Covid-19, we're living in unprecedented times and that isn't lost on anyone. I think folks would be willing to cut college coaches some slack this basketball year. There are some D-I teams in the country that aren't even playing! Personally, I see this season as a year for players to get on-the-job training, but it is not the best to judge whether a coach stays or goes. Of course, leave it all on the floor, but with all the disjointedness, last-minute rescheduling because of opposing program members testing positive for coronavirus, and switching up scouting reports, you won't get a true litmus test. The NYC media isn't ravenous. They're passionate! And, from what I've seen, the media hasn't turned on Coach Anderson. I think the media is just focused on trying to carve out a semblance of normalcy with a chaotic backdrop.
4. What kind of player is Posh Alexander?
Posh Alexander definitely has a lot of that Brooklyn grit and a boatload of energy. He is raw talent. Most notably, he has a good eye on the ball and quick hands. If you don't watch your back, he'll definitely get in gaps, pick your pocket and cash out at the rim. Unfortunately, the freshman was expected to grow up quickly while Dunn was recovering from a concussion suffered back in November. He has a solid feel for the game. Alexander had a good showing in the regular-season matchups. He was a little quiet against Seton Hall, but he will have his ups and downs. He's still a freshman. With Dunn getting reintegrated into the Johnnies' system as point man, Alexander will be able to learn much more about running a team as an understudy.
5. Who is an unrecognized important player that's key for success?
I wouldn't say he's unrecognized, but it is important for Isaih Moore to be active around the rim for the team's success. He is 6-foot-10 and slender, so he can use his body to get in and out of gaps relatively quickly. Until the Seton Hall game, he had been one of the most consistent players out there. If he can pull down boards and get up buckets -- kind of be the clean-up guy around the rim -- the Johnnies will have a better chance at success.
