St. John’s Basketball Faces Defensive Test After Offseason Roster Overhaul

St. John’s University men’s basketball team, coming off a historic 2023-24 season, is now focused on building a defense to match its newly acquired offensive firepower as it prepares for the upcoming season.

Yesterday, during an intrasquad scrimmage at Madison Square Garden, coach Rick Pitino assessed the team’s progress, noting the Red Storm’s athleticism and scoring potential. The team boasts the nation’s top-ranked transfer class, according to 247Sports, featuring a starting lineup of Zuby Ejiofor, Joson Sanon, Bryce Hopkins, Ian Jackson, and Oziyah Sellers. Last season, St. John’s achieved its first outright Big East regular-season title in 40 years and a No. 2 NCAA Tournament seeding, but ranked poorly in three-point and free-throw shooting.

Despite the offensive upgrades, Pitino emphasized the importance of defense, a hallmark of his coaching career. “They’re not the defensive team of last year — yet,” Pitino said. “But I think they’re all highly intelligent, a very mature team. Whatever you ask them to do, they’ll give you 100%.” The team’s defensive capabilities will be tested early, with upcoming exhibitions against Michigan and a regular-season game against Alabama at MSG. A strong defense is crucial for St. John’s to contend for another Big East title and make a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament.

Players echoed Pitino’s commitment to defense, acknowledging the need to replicate last year’s success on that end of the court. “Everybody’s committed,” said Ejiofor. “It’s a process, and I think we’re going to get there sooner rather than later.” Pitino added that teaching defense is “much easier” than developing offensive skills, and expects his team to improve quickly. The Red Storm will continue to work on defensive schemes and communication as they prepare for their season opener.