bison75
Masters Student
Posts: 487
Reg: 01-26-06
|
03-30-23 09:03 AM - Post#355346
In response to MrPhillie
The reception after the press conference was excellent, complete with a video, cheerleaders, and I would guess at least a couple hundred people packed into the Terrace Room. Lots of energy, and plenty of opportunity before and after John’s remarks to meet him and chat with Pat Flannery, Trevor Woodruff, and others from the Bucknell basketball family. Speaking of Flannery, he told me that Mike Rhoades, the new Penn State coach, played for him at Lebanon Valley. Definitely a fun event, and glad I made the drive.
|
Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
|
03-30-23 09:51 AM - Post#355349
In response to bison75
The reception after the press conference was excellent, complete with a video, cheerleaders, and I would guess at least a couple hundred people packed into the Terrace Room. Lots of energy, and plenty of opportunity before and after John’s remarks to meet him and chat with Pat Flannery, Trevor Woodruff, and others from the Bucknell basketball family. Speaking of Flannery, he told me that Mike Rhoades, the new Penn State coach, played for him at Lebanon Valley. Definitely a fun event, and glad I made the drive.
Rhoades not only played it, LVC, but he was a two-time All-American there. He was the key to the LVC team that won the national championship under Flannery, and then the next year he was D3 POY.
One other little bit of trivia: he was Nathan Davis’s predecessor as head coach at Randolph Macon.
|
BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
|
03-30-23 01:08 PM - Post#355365
In response to bison75
BRW, following up on your last post, a couple of us were wondering if Paulsen might end up at a PL rival.
That's going to add an entertaining new dynamic to league competition.
Meanwhile, it still feels like Jamion Christian is one of the likeliest and best picks for American.
|
BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
|
03-30-23 01:12 PM - Post#355366
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
From City of Basketball Love, a long story on Griffin taking charge, with Griffin providing some hints about how he'll pursue recruiting and scheduling. Where the latter is concerned, it sounds like we'll be able to count on a heightened frequency of games in Philly.
https://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article/...
|
JDBison2010
Masters Student
Posts: 763
Loc: Charleston, SC
Reg: 11-23-10
|
04-05-23 10:14 AM - Post#355565
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
One thing I've noticed in the short time since Griff has been named coach is the commitment to social media. John has been posting on Twitter more, even congratulating Scott Heather on his win last night at Penn State. I'm not in the local community so I can't say this with confidence but my sense is that John is a big relationship guy and has taken the time to build relationships with other coaches more so than ND ever did. Maybe ND was just a very private person and did in fact have those relationships but one thing I really loved was when our athletes supported each other and I'm hoping we can get back to seeing that with a more high energy coach leading the way.
Athletic department has also been putting out content. Posted this "Day in the life" video of John's 1st days on campus with the guys. Better days are on the horizon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-2yjlDPwjE
|
Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
|
04-05-23 06:25 PM - Post#355589
In response to JDBison2010
Long interview with Steve Jones on the local ESPN station:
https://www.wkok.com/new-bucknell-coach-gr iffin-lo...
Among other things, JG mentions the value of the Bucknell brand (even after what ND did to it) and reigniting local support. Also talks about what he learned while working for the Indiana Pacers. Additionally he says he is "almost finished" with assembling his coaching staff.
|
BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
|
04-21-23 10:09 PM - Post#355836
In response to Bison137
Entertaining Griffin interview with Ethan Hennessy of "Happening Hoops," who plans to interview all five of the new Patriot League head coaches:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2rlC8QcLdk
|
MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
|
04-24-23 01:52 PM - Post#355847
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
Any word on potential roster additions? Are there openings?
|
Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
|
04-24-23 07:04 PM - Post#355861
In response to MrPhillie
Any word on potential roster additions? Are there openings?
There were two openings when Griffin took over, one due to Screen's departure and the other because the current recruiting class only consisted of two players even though there were three openings.
However one of the spots has now been filled - a transfer that has been rumored for a couple of weeks: 6-1 PG Quin Berger who played sparingly for St. Joes this year. Berger was a frosh at SJ but could possibly become part of Bucknell's Class of 2027 depending on how many credits carry over and how Griffin wants to orchestrate things.
Berger was lightly recruited while playing for his father at powerhouse Westtown in West Chester (PA). He had one offer (Charleston) prior to the end of his senior season - and that may have subsequently been off the table - but then picked up a late offer from NJIT and a later offer from St. Joes, which he accepted. At Westtown, he averaged 15 ppg, 4 rpg, and 3 apg. Was 3rd team All-State for private schools. I think he may be a contributor, but I don't see him as a real difference maker. His brother plays for Lafayette, btw, after having played first for Georgetown and then for San Diego.
Here's an article on Berger from when he committed to St. Joes: https://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article/...
|
MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
|
06-12-23 02:13 PM - Post#356751
In response to bison75
Just an observation. John Griffin’s communication with fans and the Bucknell basketball community seem to be much more sincere and personal than what Davis put out. Davis seemed to do it because he was forced to, and it often showed. Griffin seems to WANT to engage with the community, whether it is on campus or off. This will pay dividends down the road.
|
BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
|
06-12-23 02:28 PM - Post#356752
In response to MrPhillie
Just an observation. John Griffin’s communication with fans and the Bucknell basketball community seem to be much more sincere and personal than what Davis put out. Davis seemed to do it because he was forced to, and it often showed. Griffin seems to WANT to engage with the community, whether it is on campus or off. This will pay dividends down the road.
Very true, and another reason for every Bison fan to join the Backcourt Club by donating even a small amount of money to the program -- doing so will put you on Griffin's email list.
Great email from him today, which I'm guessing is what prompted your post.
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/11145/donat io...
|
MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
|
06-12-23 03:12 PM - Post#356754
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
Yes. Great message.
|
Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
|
06-12-23 05:06 PM - Post#356757
In response to MrPhillie
IMO John Griffin has already reached out to the alums, students, and other fans more in three months than Nathan Davis did in seven years. About the only interaction ND had with the fans was figuring out how to avoid them - whether it was hiding behind a pillar, pretending he didn't see them (despite a group all wearing orange shirts), or quickly walking the other way to avoid fans.
In contrast, JG has already reached out to the alums, the students, and the community to a significant degree. An example: https://twitter.com/Bucknell_MBB/status/1 666960327...
|
Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
|
06-13-23 10:12 PM - Post#356773
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
Just an observation. John Griffin’s communication with fans and the Bucknell basketball community seem to be much more sincere and personal than what Davis put out. Davis seemed to do it because he was forced to, and it often showed. Griffin seems to WANT to engage with the community, whether it is on campus or off. This will pay dividends down the road.
Very true, and another reason for every Bison fan to join the Backcourt Club by donating even a small amount of money to the program -- doing so will put you on Griffin's email list.
Great email from him today, which I'm guessing is what prompted your post.
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/11145/donat io...
Speaking of communication and marketing the program. Since he was hired, about 2 1/2 months ago, Griffin has directly tweeted 60+ times (not counting his retweets or the ones from Bucknell MBB). In his final 1 1/2 years, Nathan Davis tweeted 29 times.
For those who don't follow Griff on twitter, I recommend it. Here's a link to see what he has posted: https://twitter.com/JohnGriffinIII
|
MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
|
06-14-23 02:42 PM - Post#356792
In response to Bison137
John is ja breath of fresh air that Bucknell basketball desperately needed.
|
Bucknellbisonfan21
Masters Student
Posts: 548
Loc: Bloomsburg
Reg: 11-12-15
|
07-04-23 07:33 PM - Post#357086
In response to MrPhillie
John Griffin interview on the Field of 68 podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-field- of...
|
Bucknellbisonfan21
Masters Student
Posts: 548
Loc: Bloomsburg
Reg: 11-12-15
|
07-04-23 09:31 PM - Post#357087
In response to Bucknellbisonfan21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6h5vPeLrs
|
BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
|
07-06-23 03:47 PM - Post#357110
In response to Bucknellbisonfan21
That was some great off-season entertainment...thanks for sharing that.
|
