Granted, it’s still early, but the St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team is off to a solid 2-1 start because of these key factors.
The St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball squad wanted to make amends for their disappointing 8-24 season last year.They couldn’t have asked for a better start than what’s currently been going on for them.
St. John’s is 2-1 to start the year but won a big two first games. They crushed Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 100-53 in their season opener last Friday and then followed that with another blowout victory, 77-61 over Binghamton on Monday.
Granted, their two opponents were not exactly big-name basketball schools, but still. The last time St. John’s won a game by over 40 points was back on December 7, 2013, when they beat their local rival Fordham Rams on the road 104-58.
After what we saw last season, this year’s start is pretty encouraging. This current team has more depth, talent with more athleticism and better chemistry.
One of their starters last season, Frederico Mussini, is now coming off the bench and seems better suited in that role. He scored 20 points in the opener and hit five of six 3-pointers. The bench scored 54 total points in that opener, showing more of the team’s depth.
St. John’s has drastically improved their talent and athleticism in their backcourt with two newcomers who could both end up being the team’s best players when it’s all said and done. Marcus LoVett played well in both games, scoring 19 points in the opener and then scoring 23 points vs. Binghamton. Shamorie Ponds, from Brooklyn, had a huge game vs. Bing, scoring 21 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, while also contributing with three steals. Both LoVett and Ponds have offensive, scoring talent with defensive potential as well.
St. John’s also has some inside presence as well in Yankuba Sima and Kassoum Yakwe, improving their defense down low at the same time.
In the opener, all 12 of the players dressed up and 11 of them scored at least a point, showing the improved depth.
Chemistry has improved on the court too with more ball movement and players looking for each other for easy baskets, resulting in more fast break points as well.
We all know the schedule will get more difficult and the next couple games will be pretty challenging. St. John’s plays Minnesota next and then long time powerhouse Michigan State next Wednesday so they will get tested more.
Based on how last season went and how this team has started this year, you can’t help but feel much better about St. John’s basketball now.
