Long Island Blackbirds: A John Citizen Program

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BROOKLYN DAILY:The Long Island Blackbirds announced today that John Citizen has been named as the new Head Coach.

John Citizen was a top national prospect in high school prior to serious injury that forced him to quit basketball. Citizen, now 25, turned to coaching to fulfil his basketball aspirations.

Citizen expressed his bold plans for the small Blackbirds program via press release.

"The potential for this program is untapped, my job is to make sure Long Island University is known as a prestigious basketball school that recruits and develops outstanding talent. We want to be top school in New York."

Citizen highlighted recruiting as his main challenge to attaining success.

"We want the best players at Long Island and we will use any advantage we have to ensure that occurs. We will recruit not only nation wide but will scour the planet to find our next Blackbirds. Prominently our focus will be on developing players out of high school, however we will be open to Junior College players." (*Limit of 2 JC recruits per year*)

Long Island University (Prestige: 15) have won their conference championship on 5 occasions, most recently a three peat from 2010-2012. They currently play in the Northeast (Conference Prestige: 23) and requires a 840 SAT score (Academics: D+) to attend. The Blackbirds play at the Rec & Wellness Centre (Facility: C) which seats 3000.

Game Settings
Recruiting: Normal
Allow Illegal Recruiting: Off
Allow Underclassmen to Declare: Yes
Conference Movement: On

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[SIZE="5"]John Citizen 2014 Preseason Report[/SIZE]

This year is simple time passing by as we start recruiting the players we are after. Team goals are that we win 10 games and that we don't finish bottom of the division. Starting line up is as below.

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[SIZE="5"]Post Season Report[/SIZE]
Record: 12-16 (8-10)
NEC: Eliminated First Round
NCAA: DNQ

Goals
Win at least 10 games - Succeeded
Don't finish bottom of NEC - Succeeded

John Citizen Yearly Analysis
It was great to reach our team goals for the year. There is a lot of work ahead of us going forward.

Notable Graduates
-

Leaving Early for NBA Draft
-

LIU Blackbird of the Year
As presented by John Citizen
2014 - Patrick Freeman JR - PG - 11.1ppg 2.4apg 2.4rpg 0.5spg 0.0bpg

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[SIZE="5"]Recruitment[/SIZE]

John Citizen Analysis
Despite having 3 scholarship spots available we only managed to secure two recruits. They are however two players that should bring a lot to our program.

Platts is a PF that can score inside and defend. Ranked #89 in his class he is a likely starter next season.

All the way from Croatia we have managed to land Jaruj Tucman, the #27 ranked recruit. A magnificent coup. Excitement regarding Tucman is extravagant. An all-rounder whose an excellent scorer, distributer and stealer. Welcome Tucman!

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[SIZE="5"]John Citizen 2014 Preseason Report[/SIZE]

On the back of the Tucman recruitment alone we are now expected by the media to take out the NEC title, a significant improvement. Our two recruits have arrived at opposite ends of the spectrum. Platts could not be in a more raw condition. Looking at his potential there are already grave concerns this #89 recruit will not live up to the hype, let alone ever become a role player off the bench. Tucman on the other hand is everything we could have hoped for and more! He is ready to go and the Blackbird faithful are already praying he will stick around after this year. Tucman will be giving every opportunity to play maximum minutes and score at will, he is our Drazen Petrovic, our great Croatian hope.


Goals
Finish Top 3 in NEC
Win 10+ Games

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[SIZE="5"]Post Season Report[/SIZE]
Record: 21-10 (13-5)
NEC: Eliminated in Final
NCAA: DNQ
NIT: Eliminated First Round

Goals
Finish Top 3 in NEC - Succeeded
Win 10+ Games - Succeeded

John Citizen Yearly Analysis
With limited support Jaruj Tucman absolutely dominated the NEC taking out every major award and leading LIU to the NEC final. Unfortunately his 29 points 5 rebs 5 assists 3 steals and 1 block was enough in the final, as LIU lost by 2 points. Overall happy with the improvement. The best news of the year is that Tucman will return next year, as good as he is at this level it is unlikely he will be an outstanding pro, hopefully this means he will stay his full tenure.

Awards
Jaruj Tucman - NEC Player of the Year, NEC Freshman of the Year, NEC Defensive Player of the Year, NEC 1st Team
Patrick Freeman - NEC 2nd Team

Notable Graduates
Patrick Freeman - PG - 58GP - 2 year starter

Leaving Early for NBA Draft
-

LIU Blackbird of the Year
As presented by John Citizen
2014 - Patrick Freeman - JR - PG - 11.1ppg 2.4apg 2.4rpg 0.5spg 0.0bpg
2015 - Jaruj Tucman - FR - SG - 26.0ppg 1.8apg 4.2rpg 1.6spg 0.6bpg

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[SIZE="5"]Recruitment[/SIZE]

John Citizen Analysis
We managed to fill all 4 available scholarships and also opened up a further two by cutting our roster. This class includes 3 top 100 recruits and can hopefully provide us with at least 4 starters over the journey.

Holt should be a great support to Tucman immediately. Likewise we hope that Akins and Panagou can arrive ready to go. We expect Kelly and the Gilbert brothers to be raw but hope they can develop long term.

Unsuccessful Recruits
Below are two that got away. Two top 20 level recruits who had LIU as top priority prior to SAT scores being release. They both missed qualification by 40 SAT points.

[citizen]

[SIZE="5"]John Citizen 2014 Preseason Report[/SIZE]

Our starting line up looks stronger again this year with the addition of recruits Panagou and Holt as well walkon Martin at PG. Both Gilbert brothers have been redshirted for the season. Expectations have increased, we are now expected to win the NEC. Holt has been moved down from a PF to SF to utilise his outside scoring ability. Tuscan will once again star on this side and will be asked to play as many minutes as possible.

Goals
Win NEC Tournament
Win 15+ Games

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[SIZE="5"]Post Season Report[/SIZE]
Record: 18-10 (13-5)
NEC: Eliminated First Round
NCAA: DNQ
NIT: Lost Final

Goals
Win NEC Tournament - Failed
Win 15+ Games - Succeeded

John Citizen Yearly Analysis
An awful end to the NEC season occured as LIU lost in the first round of the NEC tournament. Star player Jaruj Tucman, carrying a sore wrist, was fouled out after the 12th minute leaving his support cast to perform a job they could not handle. The end result a 25 point loss to underdogs Mount State. Tucmans importance to this team cannot be underestimated. He leads the team in scoring, steals and blocks, whilst providing adequate assist and rebounding numbers. His season included an astonishing 50 point game in a loss vs Wagner. It was as if seeing Tucman struggle in the NEC tournament sparked something inside his sidekicks as they entered the NIT, suddenly there was support for the Croatian as LIU knocked off team after team to enter the final of the NIT. The game went to OT but LIU eventually faded to Houston by 6 points. The fantastic tournament run turned what looked like a disastrous season with the NEC knockout into a great building year. Tucman was also recognised for his great season recieving All American 1st team honours.

NIT Final


Awards
Jaruj Tucman - NEC Player of the Year, NEC Freshman of the Year, NEC Defensive Player of the Year, NEC 1st Team
Eusebios Panagou - NEC Freshman of the Year, NEC 2nd Team
Gerard Holt - NEC 2nd Team



Notable Graduates
T.J Ratliff - PF - 86GP - 2 year starter

Leaving Early for NBA Draft
-

LIU Blackbird of the Year
As presented by John Citizen
2014 - Patrick Freeman - JR - PG - 11.1ppg 2.4apg 2.4rpg 0.5spg 0.0bpg
2015 - Jaruj Tucman - FR - SG - 26.0ppg 1.8apg 4.2rpg 1.6spg 0.6bpg
2016 - Jaruj Tucman - SO - SG - 28.0ppg 2.1apg 4.6rpg 1.8spg 0.5bpg

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[SIZE="5"]Recruitment[/SIZE]

John Citizen Analysis
Despite 3 scholarships available LIU chose against recruiting a third player top 150 ranked player opting to save it for the following years class or for a transfer. LIU is fast becoming a international playground with another recruit from abroad, this time Taitto from Finland. He should add depth at PF/C long term without being a star. Whitehead however will add star power, and instantly. Whitehead is a Junior College star, whom along with being an excellent athlete can defend, block and steal. At 6'5" Whitehead will start in the backcourt and has two exciting seasons ahead. Another addition this coming season will be transfer recruit Davis, a sophomore SG that played at Mississippi State before sitting out at LIU this season. He was rated #70 in the previous recruit class and is an all round solid SG that will serve as a backup to Tucman.