Let's hear for "The Johnnies" They are BACK !

clc49 · 12-29-10, 09:08 PM

Lavin is the perfect guy for the job, give him 3 years to have that program as a legit contender in the big east... yes he does have the number 2 recruiting class but hes losing 9 guys after this year... expect them to have a sloppy year filled with excitement and plenty of youthful mistakes, they will be frustrating because they will have so much talent but no experience... Lavin will be able to keep the NYC talent at home and with his connections to the west coast hell be able to bring in top recruits from there...The Johnnies have about 10 home games at the garden a year, very attractive in recruiting .... i think lavin is the perfect fit- not even going to mention is post season success in his fairly short stint at UCLA- the guy flat out wins

I'mAWinner · 12-29-10, 09:32 PM

Nice write up, it's a shame he's losing his starting 5. But overall this team will be in the right direction.

LockPickMaster · 12-29-10, 09:37 PM

Do you play any 2nd Half games. Illini or Vandy?

CollegeOverUnder · 12-29-10, 10:33 PM

He has this team in the right direction he told this years team to give it everything they have so they can help next years team. He wants this years team setting the bar high for next years group.

clc49 · 12-30-10, 12:06 AM

Granted this is off of wikipedia but I am pretty confident the information is true....

"During Lavin’s tenure as head coach, the Bruins qualified for six consecutive NCAA Tournaments (1997–2002). During this period, Lavin became one of two coaches (along Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski) to have led his team to five NCAA Sweet 16s in six seasons. Lavin’s record in the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament is 10-1. Lavin’s winning percentage (90.9%) in the first two rounds, is second only to Dean Smith in NCAA Tournament history.

In seven seasons as head coach Lavin's record was 12-4 in games involving overtime. In one stretch (1997–2002) Lavin’s Bruins compiled nine consecutive overtime victories, including victories over Arizona, Cincinnati (2002 NCAA second round double overtime victory over No. 1 West Region seed), Kentucky, and over then #1 ranked Stanford). His Bruins team had a knack for knocking off #1 teams. Lavin lead his team to victory over the No. 1 team in the country in four consecutive collegiate seasons (Arizona ’03, Kansas ’02, Stanford ’01, and Stanford ’00)."

Pretty impressive stuff....6 out of 7 years getting to the sweet sixteen..... has had the number 1 recruiting class 2 out of 7 ('98 and '01)

The 6/7 is another recruiting draw, along with the games at Madison Square, and the fact that they are right in NYC (Jamaica Queens), but they all fail in comparison to his wife, she's unbelievable... She happens to be the best recruit he's gotten

Bottom line is he's a good coach and an even better recruiter... kids want to come play where they have a chance to win and Steve Lavin is offering that to the Johnnies...I really believe that he could have them near the top of the big east (in two to three years) despite the fact that the conference tends to be nearly the best conference in college basketball year in and year out...

Keep in mind that he took the job on March 31, 2010...he never had a shot to recruit the nations top talent this year and he has them playing solid basketball right now... the win tonight was very impressive, but everyone will see his true genius come out when he is able to coach his players, players that fit into his system

Something to think about-- with Lavin's past success against number ones he has Duke coming to Madison Square Garden on Jan 30th could be an interesting one to keep an eye on...they will be outmatched at nearly every position but hey who knows

empty cookie jar · 12-30-10, 12:20 AM

them dang ole johnnies