Fran Fraschillas tells The Post how far this St. Johns team can go and the big college basketball change hed make
ESPN college basketball analyst and former St.John’s and Manhattan coach Fran Fraschilla takes a timeout for some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Fraschilla’s autobiography, “Don’t Mess With Happy,” was released last month. Q: What makes Rick Pitino a great coach? A: I saw Rick Pitino coach at 25 at Boston University when a good friend of mine was his first point guard [Glenn Consor].He has an ability to inspire players to take their game to the highest level possible because he is relentless at demanding intensity and effort. Q: What are your thoughts on his current St.
John’s team? A: Here’s what I would say about Rick Pitino: If you put him in Alaska-Anchorage, he would have them in a Sweet 16 in two years.He has an ability to take players beyond anything they could ever imagine they could be.
As long as he keeps the energy that he has, St.John’s is gonna be as good or even better this year. Q: A possible Final Four team? A: I think they’re an Elite Eight-level team if everything comes together.
But whatever it is, he’s gonna maximize the amount of the talent that they have. Q: What about the kid from Baylor, Tounde Yessoufou? A: He’s a linebacker disguised as a basketball player, yet Rick will likely turn him into a first-round pick.He’s what I would call a power wing, Tounde Yessoufou, who Rick has to turn into an NBA-level shooting guard before the young man leaves St.
John’s. Q: Ian Jackson? A: Super athletic.The skill level is a work in progress. Q: Keyshawn Hall? A: Love him.
You wake him up at 3 in the morning he gets 25.He’s a bucket.
He scores like he breathes.He has an ability not only to score, but he’s so powerful he’s gonna shoot 10 free throws a game. Q: Quinn Ellis? A: Because of his experience in the second-best basketball league in the world — the EuroLeague — he will dominate Big East opponents with his playmaking.
He’s played in venues where they throw smoke bombs on the court...