Questions i asked Marley Paul of Redstorm Report
1) the Johnnies have taken some L's on the chin. How are they holding up? Is the fan base still supportive? Does frustration exist for team or fans?
2) Dunn seems to have elevated himself on the team. Is it his squad now?
3) what's happened to Figuroa? Is it fair to say he's struggled vis a vis expectations?
4) how has andsrson and the staff approached recruiting? Are they rebuilding the school's recruiting brand in NYC/Jersey?
5) is the pressure defense of st johns being addressed/answered by conference foes?
6) what has happened to Williams? I anticipated big things from him.
His answers
1) I think the Mike Anderson will earn his money this year keeping this locker room together in what is trending to becoming a lost season. Most fair-minded fans understood the transition to a new style of play with a different coach's player wouldn't click to success in Year 1 but the lack of success by the team's top returning players have been alarming.
2) I wouldn't say it's his team necessarily but he's certainly emerging as the most lethal scoring threat in one-on-one situations. Dunn carries an alpha dog mentality on the court but LJ Figueroa remains the #1 at this point.
3) Speaking of LJ, I do think he's struggled in transitioning to being at the top of the scouting report. His best skills include catch-and-shoot 3's and being an effective slasher but his inability to consistently beat defenders off the dribble has hindered his success as a primary option.
4) The new coaching staff has attacked the recruiting trail, particularly locally, pretty hard. They're a presence at essentially every showcase and have evaluated kids in the public, private, and catholic leagues across the metropolitan area. JUCO is also a major focus.
5) I think the pressure defense has been effective, for the most part, however the absence of an effective halfcourt offense puts the squad in a bad position.
6) Williams missed the entire preseason with a back injury in September and continued to work his way into shape. I'm not sure how much that's affected him since but he hasn't performed to most people expectations as a sophomore.
1) the Johnnies have taken some L's on the chin. How are they holding up? Is the fan base still supportive? Does frustration exist for team or fans?
2) Dunn seems to have elevated himself on the team. Is it his squad now?
3) what's happened to Figuroa? Is it fair to say he's struggled vis a vis expectations?
4) how has andsrson and the staff approached recruiting? Are they rebuilding the school's recruiting brand in NYC/Jersey?
5) is the pressure defense of st johns being addressed/answered by conference foes?
6) what has happened to Williams? I anticipated big things from him.
His answers
1) I think the Mike Anderson will earn his money this year keeping this locker room together in what is trending to becoming a lost season. Most fair-minded fans understood the transition to a new style of play with a different coach's player wouldn't click to success in Year 1 but the lack of success by the team's top returning players have been alarming.
2) I wouldn't say it's his team necessarily but he's certainly emerging as the most lethal scoring threat in one-on-one situations. Dunn carries an alpha dog mentality on the court but LJ Figueroa remains the #1 at this point.
3) Speaking of LJ, I do think he's struggled in transitioning to being at the top of the scouting report. His best skills include catch-and-shoot 3's and being an effective slasher but his inability to consistently beat defenders off the dribble has hindered his success as a primary option.
4) The new coaching staff has attacked the recruiting trail, particularly locally, pretty hard. They're a presence at essentially every showcase and have evaluated kids in the public, private, and catholic leagues across the metropolitan area. JUCO is also a major focus.
5) I think the pressure defense has been effective, for the most part, however the absence of an effective halfcourt offense puts the squad in a bad position.
6) Williams missed the entire preseason with a back injury in September and continued to work his way into shape. I'm not sure how much that's affected him since but he hasn't performed to most people expectations as a sophomore.