BIG EAST TEAM PREVIEW #8 ST JOHN'S RED STORM

Rick Pitino showed that he was one of the best coaches in the country last season. In just his second year after leaving the University of Iona to take the St John's job, they had a 31-5 record and won the Big East regular season and conference titles. St John's did get upset by Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but all things considered, it was still an excellent season.

Projected Lineup:

G Ian Jackson (St John's transfer)

G Joson Sanon (Arizona State transfer)

F Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati transfer)

F Bryce Hopkins (Providence transfer)

F Zuby Ejiofor

St John's enters this season with expectations to be in contention for a national title. They have arguably the best transfer class in the country, and they return their second-best player from last season's team in Zuby Ejiofor. Ejiofor started in 35 games last year and averaged 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds, earning all-conference honors and winning the most improved player in the Big East. To play alongside him in the frontcourt, they brought in Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins. Hopkins has been at Providence for the last three seasons, but he's only managed to play in 17 games over the last two seasons due to injuries. When he's on the floor, Hopkins has a huge impact. In the 50 games he's played in at Providence, he's averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. Another talented forward they brought in through the portal is Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell. Mitchell was a five-star recruit out of high school, committing to Texas. He will be at his third school in four years, as he spent last season at Cincinnati. Mitchell had a good season last year, but he didn't get a ton of shots in a guard-first Cincinnati offense. Mitchell averaged 9.9 points and 6.9 boards, while having an impressive 61.4% field goal percentage.

The backcourt will also be very good next year for Rick Pitino and company. Their most notable transfer was 6-foot-4 combo guard Ian Jackson, who was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class and comes to St John's after spending just one season at North Carolina. In his freshman season, Jackson averaged 11.9 points on 45.6% percent shooting. Rick Pitino has stated his intentions for Jackson to run the point next season for St John's. At UNC last year, Jackson spent most of his time playing the two. Jackson wasn't the only top recruit from last year's cycle that St John's landed in the portal. They also brought in 6-foot-5 Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon. Sanon was ranked as the #24 player in the 2024 recruiting class by 247 Sports. He had a solid freshman season, averaging 11.9 points and 3.4 rebounds. Expect Stanford transfer shooting guard Oziyah Sellers and Idaho State transfer point guard Dylan Darling to both make a big impact for the Red Storm next year as well.

There are so many things to like about this St John's team next year. I think there's an argument that they're the most talented team in the entire country. Joson Sanon and Ian Jackson should be one of the most fun duos in college basketball next season, and the frontcourt trio of Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, and Zuby Ejiofor should dominate opposing teams. If I had to take St John's or the field to win the Big East regular season title next season, I would take St John's.