2012 Draft Similarity Score: Moe Harkless

Source: Rumble In The Garden by Quinn Rochford

2012 Draft Similarity Score: Moe Harkless

Our friend Ian over at SB Nation's Indiana Pacers site Indy Cornrows is conducting an analysis (on his other blog, Hickory High) of 2012 NBA Draft entrees and which current NBA players they compare to. Ian's calculations, using simple objective measures, places Harkless in a category alongside Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, and others.

Ashton Pankey transferring from Maryland, interested in St. John's

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Maryland forward Ashton Pankey - originally of the Bronx, once a target of Norm Roberts' when he was the head coach of St. John's, and current Maryland forward is transferring. Per Adam Zagoria's sources, Pankey is looking to transfer closer to home for family reasons. St. John's is one of his schools of interest, along with Iona and Fordham.

The Red Storm technically have two scholarships left - one held for verbal recruit Darrick Wood as he works to get eligible for the 2012-13 season, and one held

Ashton Pankey transferring, interested in St. John's

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Maryland forward Ashton Pankey - originally of the Bronx, once a target of Norm Roberts' when he was the head coach of St. John's, and current Maryland forward is transferring. Per Adam Zagoria's sources, Pankey is looking to transfer closer to home for family reasons. St. John's is one of his schools of interest, along with Iona and Fordham.

The Red Storm technically have two scholarships left - one held for verbal recruit Darrick Wood as he works to get eligible for the 2012-13 season, and one held

NCAA Basketball men's attendance figures: St. John's steady, Big East numbers

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

According to the NCAA's home attendance figures by Division, conference, and by top-100 programs by average attendance. St. John's maintained a spot in the mid-50s, at 54th this season.

Last season, the Red Storm enjoyed the fourth-largest year to year increase in attendance, as the team introduced new coach Steve Lavin and the senior class finished their careers with a sterling Big East season. Despite the youth of the team and lack of wins, the program's average attendance changed by 3 attendees this season, from 8,431 in 2011 to 8,428 this season.

The Big East as a whole declined in average attendance, from

()

Source: Yahoo! NCAAB

And that’s also why, despite 20 years of harassment from the Northeast media, the basketball...

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

And that’s also why, despite 20 years of harassment from the Northeast media, the basketball schools are better off sticking with the football side than splintering off into a Catholic league.

Mike Tranghese, who helped create the Big East in 1979 and served as commissioner from 1990-2009, told The New York Times earlier this week that those schools should "take a real hard look" at breaking away.

But Tranghese comes from a different time when college basketball could stand on its own in the national landscape. It simply does not anymore. Whatever the Big East gets from its television deal will be driven by the football side, while the total value of the deal will be enhanced by having the likes of

Lavin, St. John's Add Six Standouts (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAB

QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's head men's basketball coach Steve Lavin announced the addition of six standout men's basketball student-athletes to the Red Storm roster for the 2012-13 season.

Lavin, St. John's Add Six Standout Student-Athletes To Men's Basketball Roster - ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Lavin, St. John's Add Six Standout Student-Athletes To Men's Basketball Roster - ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Official release for the currently-signed scholarship athletes - 2 freshmen recruits (Jakarr Sampson and Felix Balamou), 2 Junior College transfers (Orlando Sanchez and Marco Bourgault), and two 4-year college transfers (Jamal Branch and Max Hooper).

Darrick Wood not included - may be finishing up his coursework before sending his LOI.

Big East interim commissioner Joe Bailey steps into transitional role

Source: Rumble In The Garden by Quinn Rochford

The Big East has been undergoing a bevy of changes, and that includes its new search for a commissioner.

The conference introduced Joe Bailey as interim commissioner this afternoon over a teleconference with media outlets from across the country. Bailey will temporarily take over for John Marinatto, who was asked to step down earlier this week.

Bailey, who served as the Miami Dolphins CEO from 2005 to 2009 and has done the same with the Dallas Cowboys, has served as a managing partner of the Global Sport Leadership Advisory Group. The group "advises on solving complex problems that involve

Jermaine Lawrence shows the full skill set at Mary Kline Classic.

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Jermaine Lawrence shows the full skill set at Mary Kline Classic.

Mike Dunlap a candidate for the Charlotte Bobcats head coaching job?

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Assistant Coach Mike Dunlap has often popped up on the coaching radars for college teams, including Colorado State this year. The veteran NCAA and NBA coach - with a national championship to his credit at Division II Metro State - has a lot of respect in NBA circles.

So much so that he will get a look at the Charlotte Bobcats head coaching gig.

...Bobcats will interview Mike Dunlap, associate head coach at St. John's U, & Cleveland Cavs assistant Nate Tibbetts next week, sources say

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) May 8, 2012

The Bobcats search has

John Marinatto Is Not A Fall Guy & Mike Tranghese Is Full Of Crap - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

John Marinatto Is Not A Fall Guy & Mike Tranghese Is Full Of Crap - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

A good take on the Marinatto love from the media yesterday from the Syracuse folks. Yes, they're biased, but Sean at Nunes Magician has a point.

Justin Burrell on reaching his potential, NBA aspirations

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

St. John's former standout forward Justin Burrell continues to earn publicity for his MVP award in the Basketball Japan League, helping the Yokohama B-Corsairs to a 31-21 record in their first year of existence. The bouncy Burrell, the Big East's Sixth Man of the Year as a senior in 2011, has his sights set at coming stateside.

In the Times Herald-Record, he calls the NBA his "ultimate goal" and wants to win a championship and MVP in his league.

Burrell credits St. John's coach Steve Lavin for helping him reach his

Big East Commissioner John Marinatto forced out

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Long embattled Big East Commissioner John Marinatto has resigned under duress by the league's presidents. Big East presidents asked Marinatto, the third commissioner in the conference's 33-year history, to resign on Sunday.

From CBS Sports' Brett McMurphy:

Under Marinatto the Big East had been hit by several defections due to conference realignment -- TCU and West Virginia left for the Big 12 and Pittsburgh and Syracuse will leave for the ACC in 2013 or 2014.

However, Marinatto had brought in eight new members -- Temple, Memphis, SMU, UCF, Houston, Boise State, San Diego State and Navy -- to stabilize the football side

Katie Morgan

Source: The Torch

Katie Morgan is a senior journalism major. Her interests include politics, epic poetry and Philadelphia sports. She aspires to be a foreign correspondent, and is thrilled by the prospect of reporting in high-stress situations. Her parents don’t worry about her, because as her father once said, “My kid wants to eat breakfast ten yards from [...]

Emphatic dunks, feathery 3-point shots, impressive moves around the hoop -- Jermaine Lawrence...

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Emphatic dunks, feathery 3-point shots, impressive moves around the hoop -- Jermaine Lawrence showed his entire arsenal Saturday afternoon.

Flanked by some of the East Coast's top juniors and sophomores, the ever-improving 6-foot-10 former Cardozo swingman continued his steady climb. Lawrence poured in 27 points to take home MVP honors in the second annual Mary Kline Classic underclassmen all-star game, a showcase to raise money for cancer research, at Pennington HS in New Jersey.

Lawrence's meteoric rise continues with Mary Kline Classic MVP

St. John's Bulks Up for 2012-13 - St. John's [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAB

Four removed from Spring Concert for intoxication

Source: The Torch

Public safety confirmed in an e-mail to The Torch that four people were removed from the Spring Concert on April 27 due to alcohol intoxication. According to Vice President of Public Safety Thomas Lawrence, three University students and one guest at the concert were brought to the hospital for treatment.

NBA announces early entry candidates for 2012 NBA Draft | NBA.com

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

NBA announces early entry candidates for 2012 NBA Draft | NBA.com

The NBA's early entry list.

Phil Nolan commits to UConn

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

St. John's was hoping to close the 2012 recruiting class with a swift, lithe center. Phil Nolan visited last week, and enjoyed the visit...

But Nolan has now committed to the University of Connecticut for next season

"@Coast2CoastHoop: Phil Nolan, 2012 center out of Milwaukee just committed to UConn..."

— iPhilNolan (@PhilNolan_1) May 3, 2012

Joey Natale of Coast2CoastHoop broke the story. Nolan's recruitment had been quiet since the fall, when he was linked to Marquette. He

American Justin Burrell was named most valuable player in Japan's professional basketball league on...

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

American Justin Burrell was named most valuable player in Japan's professional basketball league on Thursday.

The 24-year-old former St. John's forward, a first-year pro, averaged 18.7 points per game in helping the expansion Yokohama B-Corsairs to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference with a 31-21 record.

Burrell said the award was an honor and he was "so happy to bring this award to an up-and-coming franchise like the B-Corsairs."

The team's American coach, Reggie Geary, picked up coach of the year honors. Geary played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs from 1996 to 1998.

Catch St. John's recruits and targets this weekend at IS8, Mary Kline Classic

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

By request, we are reprinting a list of where St. John's recruits should appear this weekend in the New York tri-state area from @theorabinowitz, a man about town and Tweeter extraordinaire. Read below - top 2012, 2013, and 2014 targets will (probably*) be in action, including commits Felix Balamou and Darrick Wood, likely 2013 forward Savon Goodman, and elite targets Isaiah Whitehead, Chris McCullough, and Jermaine Lawrence.

*unofficial summer tournaments often have... fluid rosters. You may remember D`Angelo Harrison coming in to play a few games at IS8 last year, for example.

Hey everyone, so as May moves along I'm going to try and put

A closer look at St. John's 2013 target Damian Jones

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

In Dave Telep's rundown from the second session of Nike's EYBL league, he dropped a nugget about Louisiana forward Damian Jones having an offer from St. John's.

His is a name we have seen associated with the Johnnies once, back when coach Steve Lavin was working to convince Ricardo Gathers to return to the Red Storm 2012 class. It's hard to know how serious a target he is for the Red Storm, but he does have an offer.

And he is 6'9".

And he is known to be athletic.

But the Bayou forward also came off of the bench for his Scotlandville High School team last season and is known to be a

St. John's recruiting update: interest rising in 2013 targets Kentan Facey, Jermaine Lawrence

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

The Red Storm's 2012 recruiting class is almost complete. The Johnnies have ample guard depth, allowing them to apply more pressure in transition and on the perimeter. Steve Lavin and company are still interested in a center to complete the 2012 recruiting class and to help bridge the team's massive rebounding gap.

Even if the staff brings in a center, the team still could use talented forwards to score inside in future classes. Some intriguing 2013 prospects who fit the bill are getting loose at high-profile events - local talents Jermaine Lawrence and Kenton Facey.

Read on, below the fold.

2013 forward Jermaine

"I've got a talent in both [baseball and basketball]," Garrett said, "and I don't want to let it go...

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

"I've got a talent in both [baseball and basketball]," Garrett said, "and I don't want to let it go to waste."

A nice profile on Amir Garrett as he prepares to go to Goodyear AZ to train for the Reds over the summer: For Amir Garrett, Basketball for St. John's and Baseball With Reds

Brittany Hargest: Jump5 Years Later

Source: The Torch

It seems like the pop band era didn’t happen too long ago; the beginning of the century derived a staggering deal of boy bands and pop groups with not only vocal talent but also dancing talent. Just ask Brittany Hargest what it was like to be a part of a cultivated era in music. Her [...]

On Moe Harkless: "Like most players coming out of college, Harkless would do better not going to a...

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

On Moe Harkless:

"Like most players coming out of college, Harkless would do better not going to a bad team. Scouts are worried about his ability to guard in space and off the dribble. He will also be making the adjustment from college power forward to NBA small forward.

""I've got him ahead of Taylor and Green and Joseph," said the Atlantic executive. "He'll be drafted ahead of those guys. Big upside. If you get him in the early 20s or something, that has a good team and can work with him, that's a good pick.""

Read on - there is more from NBA.com. h/t @yelnats6 on Twitter.

First Listen: Wax in your ears

Source: The Torch

Social media has not only changed the way that most celebrities interact with their fans, but it has also changed the way that they rise through the ranks from every day Joe to the big time. YouTube has seen many people, like Lucas Cruikshank (also known as Fred), Bo Burnham and even Justin Beiber go [...]

Film series shows new side of revolution

Source: The Torch

Members of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program gathered with students and professors for a discussion centered on three films from female filmmakers portraying their envisions of the Arab world emerging from the revolutionary times of the Arab Spring. On April 19, Heba Khalil, a government and politics graduate student, presented clips of three out [...]

List of 2012 Early Entrants/ Transfers from Big East

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

The deadline to declare for the NBA Draft passed last night.

Barring any late surprises from players who didn't announce their intentions on Twitter or to their school, the growing list of early departures from Big East programs has slowed down to a trickle. With school semesters coming to a close, most players have met with their coaches, decided whether they wanted to stay with their programs, and are settling in to their offseason training routines.

Which means that this is a good time to start the Rumble's offseason analysis of the Big East. Keep checking in for notes about the Red Storm's rivals, Big East news, and analysis of the league and its teams.

First, let's take stock of players leaving the league's

St. John's recruiting: Darrick Wood recommits to Red Storm

Source: Rumble In The Garden by Quinn Rochford

Everyone deserves a second chance.

Bridgton Academy (ME) guard Darrick Wood has reportedly committed to St. John's, as he mentioned via his Twitter account Sunday afternoon. Wood, a native of Washington, D.C. has been on Steve Lavin's radar for quite some time.

Wood had verbally committed to the Red Storm last August, but his letter of intent never made it to the University before he ultimately

Last week in the Rumble: recruiting heats up, WBB's new coach

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

St. John's has had a news-heavy week, with a number of verbal commits, the heating up of Coach Steve Lavin's recruiting, a new coach for the women's basketball team, and the NBA debut for former Johnnie star D.J. Kennedy.

The men's basketball team hopes for more good recruiting news, with official visits from Philip Nolan, Darrick Wood, San Francisco transfer Justin Raffington, and possibly Arizona guard Josiah Turner.

More, below the fold.

Forward Orlando Sanchez and wing

Big East Weekly Rumble 4-29

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

The weekly roundup of Big East basketball news is here, including a Karen Sypher mention, the happenings at Southern Methodist (a future Big East member), transfer news, the new arena for South Florida, and more - all below the fold.

Larry Brown finally accepted the Southern Methodist job... and fired coach Matt Doherty was on hand for the introductory press conference along with Kansas head coach Bill Self and Southern Methodist stars of the past.

Brown, known for his short stints at coaching jobs, has

"He can score, defend multiple positions, rebound, run the floor and block shots. Orlando is a...

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

"He can score, defend multiple positions, rebound, run the floor and block shots. Orlando is a truly skilled and unselfish passer who could have chosen to score even more during his junior college career. My staff calls Orlando a 'prototypical Lavin player' reminiscent of a Trevor Ariza, Matt Barnes or Moe Harkless." - Steve Lavin

Official release from Monroe College: Monroe College - Orlando Sanchez selects St. John's

Kweli, Poets Rule Poetry Slam

Source: The Torch

Before there was Twitter, texting and phone calls, there were words. The purest form of communication. And with words and language being the basis for poetry, it’s an expression that anyone can pursue. This sentiment was expressed and conveyed in Carnesecca Arena on Tuesday, April 24th when the Food for Thought Poetry Club put on [...]

Tartamella Introduced as Women’s Head Basketball Coach

Source: The Torch

St. John’s announced the hiring of Joe Tartamella as the eighth women’s basketball head coach to replace Kim Barnes Arico in a press conference Friday morning. “Joe has spent the last nine years as Coach Barnes Arico’s right hand person,” Director of Athletics, Chris Monasch said.   “He has been an integral part of the evolution [...]

St. John's promotes Joe Tartamella to women's head basketball coach

Source: Rumble In The Garden by Quinn Rochford

St. John's didn't have to look very far for its new women's basketball leader.

On Friday morning, the Red Storm announced Joe Tartamella as its replacement to run the women's basketball program at a press conference held on the Queens campus. Tartamella, who has served as a coach on the Johnnies' staff for nine years, is receiving his first chance as a head coach.

Tartamella started as a graduate assistant at St. John's in 2002 after graduating from James Madison University in with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2001. Nine years later, he finds himself taking over for his superior of nearly a decade, Kim

Murray State interested in playing in the Charleston Classic?

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Next year's Charleston Classic - where the St. John's team will play from November 15-18th - is shapring up to be one of the more intriguing tournaments of the 2012-13 season.

A tournament is only as good as the competition. The Charleston Classic has selected some intriguing teams for seven of the eight tournament spots, with the eighth team is still "To Be Determined".

The Murray State Racers - undefeated until February and a six-seed in this year's NCAA Tournament - want in.

From ESPN:

Murray State

DJ Kennedy scores 12 in NBA debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Source: Rumble In The Garden by TimDimas

The last image of D.J. Kennedy that any Red Storm fan is him clutching his knee during the Big East Tournament in 2011 after tearing his ACL against Syracuse.

The newest image of D.J. Kennedy that any Red Storm fan should have is of him moving perfectly well on the court. but this time he isn't wearing a St. John's jersey. Instead, his coach is Byron Scott, he's wearing the #12, and D.J. is wearing a jersey of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kennedy was called up from the D-League 4 days ago where he had played the entire season with

Caribbean writers encourage young writers

Source: The Torch

Two renowned Caribbean writers were welcomed to the University Law School Atrium for book signing and a series of readings and conversations, regarding the current social livelihood of their countries on April 19. Diana McCaulay and Yolaine M. St. Fort read passages from their award winning works as part of the event “Readings and Conversation [...]

Alumni return after having it ‘Made’

Source: The Torch

University alumni on the rise in the entertainment industry provided insight to students during a panel discussion called #STJMADE at the D’Angelo Center on April 24. The African Students Association, the Latin American Students Association, the Resident Students Association and CLE Magazine sponsored the event. CLE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and 2011 University grad Christopher Harris as [...]

SGI takes on campus smoke

Source: The Torch

Possible changes to the current smoking policies on campus were discussed at the last Student Government, Inc. floor meeting of the 2012-2013 academic year. Vice President Kevin Grover announced the results of a campus-wide survey that was conducted over the course of this semester to the representatives present at the meeting on April 19. The [...]

St. John's recruiting: getting to know Michael Chandler

Source: Rumble In The Garden by picodulce

Once a 6'10" center prospect that made adults drool and college coaches convince themselves he would stay true to his commit, Michael Chandler is on the edge of memory, a 6'10" "where are they now" anecdote for fans of a number of programs.

Mike Chandler's recruiting commitment history has been spotty, his academics have been a question dogging him through his pre-college career, and his high school years at Lawrence North ended with an ugly incident.

But unlike players who can't decide on a school and fade into oblivion, Chandler has real high-level potential. Besides his inability to decide on a school, and an academic record that has kept him from beginning a college career, Chandler is a player, a true presence in the

Source: The Torch

Possible changes to the current smoking policies on campus were discussed at the last Student Government, Inc. floor meeting of the 2012-2013 academic year. Vice President Kevin Grover announced the results of a campus-wide survey that was conducted over the course of this semester to the representatives present at the meeting on April 19. The [...]

Project remembers victims of abuse

Source: The Torch

The University hosted its fifth annual Clothesline Project to help raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence toward women and children. Throughout the week of April 16-20, T-shirts were displayed throughout campus showing messages of encouragement to victims of sexual violence. Several lectures and events were also held throughout the week that addressed many [...]

The roads we choose will make all the difference

Source: The Torch

There is a common misconception that a goldfish will grow as large as the tank it’s placed in. This is a myth. If you put too small a goldfish in too large a bowl, it will probably just be very lonely. What you are really supposed to do is find out how large your particular [...]

Flames of the Torch: Paying for college: still worth it?

Source: The Torch

Graduating seniors may breathe an easy sigh of relief knowing that the probable student loan rate hike will not affect them. Underclassmen may wipe their brow knowing they have another year to hope for the job market to right itself. In this economy, no one has it easy upon graduation; and with the impending tuition [...]