Fansince59

ND basketball boards saying Cam Bleishied is red shirting and could transfer. Wonder if SLU might be interested in a hometowner,

Who is Mike Lepore?

I don't hate JM one bit. But being honest does anyone believe he progressed much last season? He was hurt and when he got in he didnt appear to have additional strength or confidence from his first year. Hope he makes a giant leap this season but I can't see it. That's why I wonder about his summer play.

Before last season some posters said he would develop to be all league by senior year. Then last year he had some injury issue I think but didn't seem to progress much from what little I saw him play. Anyone heat about his summer? Playing AAU? Big Man camps?

Obviously haven't seen any newcomer live except Mike Crawford, and I m telling you you are under rating him. He goes to the bucket like no high school kid I've ever seen. He's going to play.

Don't forget Mike Crawford. This kid brings energy. He is skilled and aggressive. I predict he gets more and more minutes as the season unfolds.

As I understand it from talking to people in Tipton, that Mike Crawford was NOT highly regarded by colleges after his junior year because he played in a smaller classification school and because he didn't attend the usual camps and play AAU ball. But he came on strong his senior year (AFTER he signed with SLU, in November.) He was then noticed, and finished high in the Mr. Basketball voting. We may be lucky on this kid. I saw him play twice and I think he will contribute his freshman year. I saw Brett Thompson at Vienna twice and wondered why we recruited him--he was less than dominant. Also saw that kid from the east side about 4 years ago, with the flattop haircut, who wasn't any good; he wasn't dominant in high school. I can't think of his name, but he left after freshman year. A group of us watched Kyle Cassity at Pickneyville and it was obvious he had a lot of skill and drive. Could be wrong, but I am saying Crawford has it, was totally dominant in high school, and will be a good player for the Billikens. Like Dwayne Evans and Jordair Jett, not every valuable player is ranked a #3 or #4. These are kids who develop at different speeds. Watch Crawford.

I doubt Crawford will redshift. He will add energy even more then GG I think. He is quick and a good driver.

JM may have a skill set but I have not seen it. He may be NBA material but to me looks slow, weak and confused. After his freshman year posters said he would develop into a valuable player but I went to every game and can't buy it yet. He showed little improvement. He may yet develop but I saw little in the 30th game that was different than the OOC games in December. Hope I'm wrong but don't see the NBA.

Could be wrong but I predict Mike Crawford will play more than Grandy Glaze. And I waited all year for Manning to improve. He just needs work in the weight room. Nice kid but should have improved more. Crawford will energize this team now that KM can't any longer. Look for MM to step up.

Biondi made the decision to build Chaivetz and to hire Majeurus. Doesn't give a damn?

I read 2 pm central Thursday on New Mexico State athletic site. Noon Pacific. Couldnt tell if it was default time

JJ looks like he might be slowed from his fall. Just hasn't been his usual aggressive driver. Anyone else think that? Also, Mitchell showing great leadership. Understands the flow of the game and adjusts so well. Dwayne is All -American in poise, toughness and touch with the ball. But I was irritated at times with Lowe. Seems to be in a fog. Won't go to the hoop!

I met his parents and the golf coach at Tipton. Mike was described as the best golfer at Tipton. His dad owns ir runs a golf course, I heard. Parents mentioned Crews as recruiting him. Not sure about Majeurus involvement. Kid is a player, I'm telling you.

Does thi appear to be correct?

LaSalle had great talent at several positions but didn't play as a team. It was obvious they missed their big center who was hurt and couldn't stop Evans and Loe but they could have set some more picks for quick threes but didn't-their guards wouldn't pass off to open men. Selfish play. On offense, our guys are unselfish and look for each other. But our D is still the key. Watching us destroy their offense second half was as enjoyable as seeing our unselfish offensive sets taking advantage of that soft middle.

I noticed JJ had trouble climbing the ladder to cut down the nets after the game. Sure hope that tumble didn't cause a problem.

Anyone help me on this--why are the bracketoligists placing us in San Jose or SLC? Why not Midwest?

Didn't infer that at all. I just thought MC was more explosive to the hoop than I recall SH being. Obviously, as I said , SH was one of my all time favorites. Scott Highmark's shooting from outside was great; he was a good defender, and a steady rebounder. Read it again. I just said it appeared to me after watching Crawford several times he had a quicker move to the hoop that I recall Scott had--could be wrong. SH had many skills I haven't seen yet in this kid.

We'll have to wait to see him. I saw him differently than you did. As to Scott Highmark, he was one of my favorite Billikens of all-time; steady, stable, smart. I just don't recall an explosive move to the basket like JJ has. He was aggressive, I do recall that. All I am saying is that Crawford seems to be the type of player RM looked for.

I saw Mike play and he has it; drive, presence, walks and conducts himself in a really noticeable way-he is smart and an athlete. He will play a lot next year. He is most like Scott Highmark in size but is more explosive than Scott. He has strong legs and goes to the hoop like JJ.

Let's just beat GW. One game at a time.

Burwell referred to the conference as SuperJesuit. I know he meant a dream of a Catholic Conference some years ago, but there are only four of the twelve mentioned teams that are Jesuit--SLU, Marquette, Georgetown and Xavier. St. John's, Dayton, Providence, Siena,Villanova, DePaul, are operated by other orders. Richmond and Butler aren't Catholic.

SLU has a 5/8 chance of being selected to play at site within reasonable driving distance for the second/third rounds. Thursday/Saturday games are near Detroit, at Rupp in Lexington, and the others are in Salt Lake City and San Jose. Friday/Sunday (what we had last year) sites are in Austin, Dayton, KC and Philly.

I think Jim Crews has done a great job this year. Defense still the way RM taught it so well. But the team seems looser on offense, not afraid to make mistakes like it seemed they were under Rick, and Jim lets our athletes fly around more. As a relatively small concern to me, though, is Crews' seeming inability to recognzie when a timeout is in order. Last night, with half the second half gone, we got befuddled, unorganized and frazzled during a late rally by Charlotte. Guys in our section keeping saying, let's take a time out. Crews just stood there until Charlotte got within five. I have noticed this refusal to call time out all year, and I recall others commenting on this. Majeurus always sensed when one was needed. What is the reason Crews doesn't want to take a 30 second timeout, just to collect the guys and re-focus when things are awry? Hope this doesn't bite us in the butt against a tough defense like VCU's. Not going nuts over this, just an observation about a guy for whom I otherwise have a lot of respect.