FanNation

Today, New York Post reporter Lenn Robbins brings us the story of two more St. John's transfers. Larry Wright and Mike Cavataio are leaving the Johnnies for other opportunities elsewhere. Wright, the team's best 3 point shooter, is looking for a school in one of the major conferences and Cavatavio, who the article states as a Johnnie from birth, is probably going to transfer to a lesser conference school. In either case their departures now brings the total up to 9 transfers from the Norm Roberts era. With two more transfers, and another sub-par recruiting class coming in, I think it is time to really analyze Roberts, and the prospect of St. John's ever coming back to life in the Big East.

Personally, I feel that Roberts' needs to be fired. He came to the school with the reputation of a recruiter in New York City, due to the fact that he recruited kids from the area to Illinois and Kansas when he was an assistant. However, while as head coach he has failed to secure a reputable City player, and has spent his time recruiting JUCO's and the City suburbs to mixed results. As a recruiter he has failed to live up to his promise, and as a Coach he has been downright pitiful.

Maybe the expansion of the Big East Conference is the reason for the school's downfall? Now I cannot take credit for what I am about to go into. I got the idea from FanNation member sad redman. Sad Redman stated that it might be time for St. John's to play in a lesser conference and although it pains me to say this, I agree with him. New York City kids with ability do not want to stay home. They would rather play in the ACC or at other Big East schools. The Garden isn't a good enough draw, with the pre-season, during the season, and post-season tournaments that give schools all over the nation a chance to play there. So, if kids do not want to stay home and play for Big East member St. John's, then maybe it's time for St. John's to look at the CAA, the MAAC, or the NEC as possible athletic homes. I am sure Father Donald J. Harrington, and some of the contributing Alumni, might not like the idea of playing in a lesser conference (especially as the school is moving away from it's image as a commuter school) but for the glory of the program, and for the name St. John's it needs to happen. This school, as much as it's trying, cannot compete with some of the larger schools in the conference. It's time to start over. The Big East can survive with St. John's defection, and with a new coach (even in a smaller conference Norm must go) this school can put itself back on the map and back towards the NCAA Tournament.

I just want to be a proud alumnus again. With two more defections and no end in sight to St. John's backward slide, today isn't a good one for me. I wish Larry Wright the best wherever he ends up, but I really feel sorry for Cavatavio. As someone who was in love with St. John's from the crib, his heart must be heavy today. I wish him the best and I hope it works out for him.

As always thanks for reading.