The Submit’s Zach Braziller takes a crack at some St. John’s predictions, in addition to six takeaways for his or her upcoming school basketball season:
Three daring predictions
Kadary Richmond wins Large East Participant of the Yr
For the fifth time in program historical past, and first time since Walter Berry in 1986, a St. John’s participant is called the Large East Participant of the Yr.
The versatile 6-foot-6 guard leads the Johnnies to a third-place end within the league and a four-seed within the NCAA Event.
After enhancing his 3-point shot — it’s the one space of wanted enchancment in his sport — the Brooklyn native is taken early within the second spherical of April’s NBA draft.
Simeon Wilcher leads St. John’s in scoring
The previous top-40 recruit out of Roselle Catholic (N.J.) takes a gargantuan leap as a sophomore, rising as St. John’s prime scorer.
The 6-foot-4 Simeon Wilcher builds off a terrific offseason and advantages from taking part in alongside two pass-first lead guards in Richmond and Deivon Smith, and shoots 38 % from 3-point vary.
After testing the NBA draft waters, the maturing Wilcher returns for his junior season as an All-American candidate and the unquestioned chief of this system.
Depth is an early concern
St. John’s has a top-six that may match up with anybody within the Large East, however there’s a steep drop-off after.
Finally, four-star freshman Jaiden Glover turns into a pivotal piece off the bench, however there are vital rising pains with the second unit that price Pitino’s workforce video games it ought to win earlier than Glover and Prey turn into dependable reserves later within the season.
Season prediction
26-11, Candy 16
Pitino is bullish on this group, believing it might probably play deep into March.
St. John’s 3-point capturing could also be inconsistent all through the season, however it will likely be terrific defensively, and few opponents will be capable to preserve Richmond and Smith out of the paint.
A 3rd-place end in a deep Large East is adopted by a four-seed within the Dance.
After a quarter-century drought, the Johnnies lastly not solely win an NCAA Event sport, however advance to the second weekend.
Six takeaways
Newcomer To Watch
Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith are the headliners, two established guards who had been each named to the Large East preseason all-league groups.
They had been two of the very best guards to enter the switch portal.
However keep watch over the 6-foot-7 Scott.
Coach Rick Pitino has raved about him as certainly one of his most constant employees.
A stretch ahead who can defend nearly each place, he’ll begin on opening night time and may very well be this group’s glue man.
Most Vital Choice
Who will again up Zuby Ejiofor at heart? USC switch Vince Iwuchukwu or Portuguese import Ruben Prey? Neither participant has separated himself but.
Within the Rutgers exhibition, Ejiofor logged 34 minutes.
That quantity has to go down, clearly. The duo could rotate initially.
Good Days to Come
RJ Luis was considerably restricted nearly the complete 2023-24 season, hardly ever capable of follow or participate in Pitino’s famend participant improvement periods due to his shin issues.
That’s now not the case. The 6-foot-7 wing, who Pitino thinks has the potential to be a first-round draft choose, may very well be primed for a giant yr.
Bear in mind, when he scored in double figures final winter, St. John’s was 10-4.
Dangerous Days Forward
Brady Dunlap, a former four-star recruit from California, will get pushed by freshman Jaiden Glover for minutes off the bench.
St. John’s wants the 6-foot-7 sophomore to hit pictures or he might see a diminished position.
Story that gained’t go away
How for much longer will Pitino coach? He simply turned 72.
A variety of big-name coaches have retired in recent times, most not too long ago Virginia’s Tony Bennett only a few weeks in the past.
Pitino has attracted top-tier expertise and massive cash to this system, which is so necessary on this age of the switch portal and Identify, Picture & Likeness.
Pitino instructed me not too long ago that so long as he stays wholesome, he’s not going wherever, however that gained’t cease the questions.
Don’t be shocked if …
Ejiofor is likely one of the finest forwards within the Large East.
The personable junior was St. John’s finest huge man from January on final yr and has improved his perimeter jumper, to the purpose he can no less than be a menace from past the arc.
His teammates named him a co-captain, together with Richmond, a nod to his management qualities and work ethic.
He has a motor that doesn’t cease.
