John P. Miciotta

@NamethatYank Mike Pagliarulo

NAME THAT YANK! This 3B LHB was a Yank for 6 years out of his 11 year career. Considered a long ball specialist, hitting for a career high 32 homers& 100+ as a Yankee. Winning his only WS as the starting 3B was the Twins where he only managed 6 homers in his 121 games. This is the FIRST PLAYER of this week’s theme. Answers MAY NOT be hidden. No peeking.

Avery has physical traits (size and strength) that Dylan can't match. Dylan did a terrific job becoming a leader quickly for St. John's and I expect Avery will do the same because he's been a leader everywhere he's been. What Dave reported from Rick about needing a senior leader for an otherwise young team is especially important for this team because they do not have a player who can match what Dillon Mitchell gave them wrt pushing tempo and initiating offense. Brown is strong wjth the ball and can push tempo with what he does at both ends.

@jpm114 Hi John, Getting back to Avery Brown. How would you compare him to Dylan Darling, our PG this season? Thanks in advance?

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I have at Fairfield prep with the gauchos and for Columbia. He’s a strong athletic kid who penetrates well offensively and puts good pressure on the ball defense. It’s also worth noting, even though I’m not a fan of scouting on television that I saw the upset win against Villanova on TV and at the time I thought a big reason Vollen over lost was because they underestimated what Columbia‘s guards could do to them physically they really controlled the game. It will be interesting to see how the back court rotation shakes out, but I’m confident that brown will be an important and positive factor.

@jpm114 @SJUDave Have you seen him play John?

Avery Brown has committed to St. John's. The point guard from Columbia had his year cut short due to a facial fracture against UConn. Brown notably scored 18 pts to help the Lions upset Villanova in '24-'25. Averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 assists and 1 steal per game last season.

Really glad to see this tough andsmart point guard who can score when needed come from Fairfield prep and the post grad year at Northfield Mount Herman same school that gave the Johnny Chris Ledlum. He may be a back up point guard but he can play a lot of minutes if needed and can play with Ellis who appears to be an aggressive score.

Dave, a lineup like that would make them huge as you suggest but it also might make them slow. Unless they’re willing to put in a zone or a combination defense, the lineup might struggle. Also, it’s not really a line lineup that they can press with. I think they may find that they might have better success using Freeman as a power forward where he can create quickness mismatches he can even play as a 5 in their press

At 6'9" I think Donnie Freeman will be utilized in Queens like a prototypical NBA forward. I think Rick Pitino will be able to use him at the 3 and 4. Playing him at SF could make St. John's absolutely gigantic should they land the center at the top of their wish list. #sjubb

@OleTimeHardball Any list like this has to include Lyman Bostock

Who is the most “what if” player in MLB history? Drugs, injury, etc. 1. Eric Davis 2. Dwight Gooden 3. Mickey Mantle 4. Mike Trout 5. Don Mattingly 6. Herb Score 7. Sandy Koufax 8. Mark Prior 9. Josh Hamilton 10. Pete Reiser

@DalyDoseOfHoops Did Jared leave Knox?

Other coaches have done worse and gotten second chances. If Jared wants to get back in the college ranks, I would support him wherever he went.

@DalyDoseOfHoops @GholsonRonald Yaxel was a high schooler in NJ before heading fo AZ Western JC.

Let me tell you something: @GholsonRonald was the first person on Yaxel when he was still a JUCO kid. I can vividly remember Ron saying Mike Anderson should have gone after him at St. John’s a couple years ago. He did, Yaxel gave a verbal, but then Anderson got fired. #sjubb

@tominsalem I hope so with respect To Mo b because he would bring toughness, defensive, versatility, and strength under the basket. I think Thiam is very important because his play around the basket gives them a presence that compliments Prey and any other face up bigs they might add

@jpm114 Change isn't always good JOHN, but this won't last forever. Looks like St. John's will get Mouhamed Dioubate today. Your impressions?

Cdc

@NYPost_Brazille @DalyDoseOfHoops I know someone will disagree, but I really think he’s more of a combo forward someone who could be a really virtual piece. He’s really long and if he’s healthy really active.

@jpm114 @DalyDoseOfHoops Eligibility stuff related to HS transcript. He’s good now.

Manhattan wing transfer Will Sydnor is looking at Seton Hall (visiting today), Rutgers, Rhode Island, Grand Canyon and UNLV, per source.

Tom Tom for me the hardest part is seeing kids leave high school in the middle of the year for EYBL option I get wanting to accelerate a kid’s development, but I don’t know how joining a team in the middle of the year helps with that also several other kids from here are part of overtime elite it’s hard for a civilian like myself. They keep track of everybody and I’m keeping track of the kids progress is a big part of evaluating a kid properly

@jpm114 What's new John. Crazy basketball world, huh?

@DalyDoseOfHoops I think if Mo had been on this year’s roster he might’ve been their best option guarding Boozer, not at the rim but on the floor keeping him from getting to his scoring spots

Yes to both, John. I like Dioubate in that system a lot. He’s not going to have a gaudy points per game average, but he just does so many things right that affect winning.

@DalyDoseOfHoops Jaden is it fair to say also that Bashir is more of a swingman who can play either wing spot and thus fit better into more combinations? Also if they get Mo he goes a long way towards replacing Hopkins’ toughness

Never said he was anything close to replacing Bryce Hopkins. I don’t think St. John’s can get anybody who can do that, at least not by themselves. Bashir has hit more clutch shots and has been more consistent than Sanon, and I think he’s a much better fit.

Fingers and toes crossed that the Dioibate rumor has legs Some fans may recall that Mo started at John Bowne HS in Kew Gardens before heading to prep school. Since graduation he has become an important glue guy at Mizzou Alabama and Kentucky. Do not be fooled by modest numbers . He guards 2 thru 4 and will help his team establish the physicality and toughness it needs to win at the highest level #sjubb

@PortalPredict Offers both switch ability and potential rim protection. Functional moving the ball on DHO’s which is important to keep the middle open. Really golf runner and athletic big

Gonzaga and St. John’s are the schools to watch early here. 📈

@paultzman @StJohnsBBall @StJohnsRedWhite @StJohnsStats @StJohnsBballPod Bob, sorry to hear about your technical difficulties. Please follow me as soon as you can. This ex thing isn’t nearly as much fun without you :-)

Account replacement @paultzman for me due to technical issues #SJUBB @StJohnsBBall @StJohnsRedWhite @StJohnsStats @StJohnsBballPod #nymets #nygiants #nyjets