Where Big East landscape stands with St. Johns…
Big East play kicked off Saturday with Butler’s thrilling double-overtime victory over Providence and will get into full swing this week, as league powers Connecticut and St. John’s start convention motion Tuesday.
With the non-conference slate winding down, The Post’s Zach Braziller takes a broad look at the league:
Favorite: Connecticut
Player retention issues. Connecticut returned key contributors Solo Ball, Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban, along with function gamers Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross, and that continuity has performed a major function in the Huskies’ strong start. They own wins over Top 25 groups BYU, Illinois, Florida and Kansas, and their lone loss was a slim home defeat to top-ranked Arizona. Dan Hurley’s group also hasn’t been totally healthy until just lately, as Reed and freshman sharpshooter Braylon Mullins have missed time with accidents. This is a group that will get better. One space of concern: Interior protection. Arizona and Florida harm UConn inside. That might be one thing St. John’s stellar frontcourt can exploit.
Top contender: St. John’s
Ranked fifth in the preseason, St. John’s has not began as it hoped, struggling losses to ranked opponents Iowa State, Alabama and Auburn. The new-look roster stays a work in progress, although defensive progress has been made of late in wins over Ole Miss and Iona, as the Johnnies held both opponents to season lows in factors. Despite uneven play at instances, St. John’s still is one of just 9 groups ranked in the top 25 in both offensive and defensive effectivity, and high-ceiling sophomores Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon have made constructive strides just lately. The Zuby Ejiofor-led frontcourt is this unit’s clear strength. Rick Pitino’s first two St. John’s groups obtained a lot better as the yr went on, and there’s no cause to consider this group gained’t observe that script.
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