In last night’s
season opening win over local rival Fordham at Carnesecca Arena St. John’s shot
54.5% from the field. Not bad considering that the team devoted much of their preseason
work to defense.
“This year it’s
been about 80/20”, coach Rick Pitino said of his emphasis on defense in practice.
He explained further that the bulk of that time has been spent on the basics,
half court man to man defense. “We haven’t
focused on pressing, haven’t focused on 2-2-1.
All we’ve been doing is working on our man defense our switching defense.”
He then explained why, harkening back to last season’s slow start which many fans
believe cost them an NCAA tourney bid he said, “….we knew we had to be ready
early in the season because of Quinnipiac, New Mexico and then the Bahamas. We
have a long way to go but we’re getting better.”
The emphasis on defense may have been one of
several factors that helped the tesm play free and easily. Especially in the
first half they eschewed the 3-point shot in favor of a dominant effort both in
the paint and in transition. Sophomore guard Simeon Wilcher finished with a team
high 17 points+ on 7-9 shooting from the floor. That he shot just 1-2 from
beyond the arc may worry some fans but it’s likely a sign that he’s simply more
comfortable as a sophomore and will go to his bread-and-butter middle game
while taking the three when he can shoot in rhythm.
“Especially in
the beginning of the season last year trying to figure everything out. From the
pace of the game to the physicality of everything with a year under my belt and
having so I can grow and become a better player Everything just feels like I’m just
going with the game and not really thinking too much,” Wilcher said.
The comfort he described is likely aided by two transfer
portal additions Kadary Richmond and Devian Smith. Richmond played, with new teammates, the kind
of game that Big East fans have come to expect from his time at Seton Hall and
New York hoops fans know from his time at PSAL power South Shore High. He
finished with 16 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists. He and forward Aaron Scott
another portal addition from North Texas State helped provide a mobile and physical
presence that can help the defense all season long. Smith added a team high 6
assists and provided steady pressure on the ball defensively. St. John’s led by
14 at the half and broke the game open as Scott and sophomore forward Brady Dunlap
found the range from beyond the arc. Jackie Johnson III a senior transfer from
UNLV kept Fordham within hailing distance in the 1st half and
finished with a game high 23 points. The Johnnies will play Quinnipiac at Carnesecca
Arena on Saturday at 2pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment