A RED ALERT
After years of losing, this is season St. John’s has been waiting for
The hype began in late May, across a dizzying 48 hours when St. John’s got its leading scorer back (Shamorie Ponds), and added one (Mustapha Heron) from the SEC regular-season co-champions.
It has only intensified in the months that have followed, building up to a fascinating season in Queens for Chris Mullin and Co. Tuesday night, it begins for real, and big results are expected from this win-starved fan base.
Since Mullin returned to the school where he became a national name, he has yet to claim a winning season, accumulating a 38-60 record. Now, he has his most talented team by far, led by Ponds, who became the first Johnnie to be named the Big East’s Preseason Player of the Year since Malik Sealy in 1991.
Expectations are through the roof, with season tickets to students already sold out and ticket sales overall up 15 percent. The pressure is on.
WHY ST. JOHN’S WILL MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Shamorie Ponds and Mustapha Heron not only give St. John’s the best 1-2 punch in the Big East, but one of the premier tandems in the country, a pair of explosive southpaws capable of turning a game with one scoring flurry. They have plenty of help, including returning starters Marvin Clark II and Justin Simon, as well as junior college All-American L.J. Figueroa. Most importantly, there is depth, with 11 scholarship players who will allow coach Chris Mullin to play up-tempo and press full court.
WHY ST. JOHN’S WON’T MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Just because the talent is there, doesn’t mean it will be utilized properly. In his first three years, Chris Mullin hasn’t made the most out of his teams. Expectations only increase the pressure and St. John’s incredibly soft non-conference schedule will leave a team with several new pieces — and minimal inside presence — poorly prepared for Big East play.
X FACTOR
Coaching is the biggest question surrounding this team. Chris Mullin (right) has faced extensive criticism for his record thus far, and much of it has been warranted despite the difficult situation he entered into. But he’s never had a team quite like this, with such depth, versatility and explosive offensive ability. It’s up to him to make sure the pieces fit.
PREDICTION
NCAA Tournament, one and done. The Johnnies won’t cruise into March Madness. There will be harrowing stretches, in part due to a tepid non-conference schedule that narrows their margin for error. But there is too much talent and experience in place, especially in a down year for the Big East, to miss the Dance.