Advance noticed
Regular seasons don’t afford much time for reflection. Bouncing from one opponent to the next, preparation occupies most moments.
Since Chris Mullin arrived at St. John’s, the rebuilding has required looking forward at all times, but as the Red Storm enter their regular season finale — Saturday afternoon against Providence at Madison Square Garden — the coach noted the significance of this season’s development, already having septupled last season’s conference win total.
At this point last year, St. John’s was closing out its worst-ever season in the Big East and had won just one game in a 12-week span.
“I’m not really one to map [a season] out, but looking back from where we finished last year to now, it’s been a good improvement,” Mullin said. “More importantly, during the year, we’ve improved steadily, individually and collectively.
“Overall, I think it’s been a good step forward and we want to take another step. We are young, and we’ve built on that. That’s not always built in. You never know what can happen, with injuries or other things. It’s a good progression.”
Certain things can’t change Saturday. Regardless of the outcome against Providence, St. John’s (13-17, 7-10) will finish in eighth place in the Big East and play No. 9 Georgetown in the first round of the Big East Tournament on Wednesday.
Still, having lost three of their past four games, St. John’s hopes to gain some momentum by winning its fourth straight home game and pulling off a season-sweep of the surging Friars (19-11, 9-8), who have won five straight games and are battling for an NCAA Tournament bid.
On Jan. 25, the Red Storm pulled a 91-86 upset at Providence — getting 48 points combined from star freshmen guards Shamorie Ponds and Marcus LoVett — with one of their best performances of the season, showcasing chemistry that would become evident in later wins over Seton Hall and Marquette.
“I think after that game, I felt the guys really trusted each other,” Mullin said. “We’ve played the same style, the same game, but we were just more connected and had more trust and confidence. I think we’ve played better basketball since then.”
Now, St. John’s just needs its superior play at home to continue in the Big East Tournament, where the Red Storm have lost five straight games.
“I know guys feel more comfortable at the Garden and they’ve played better there,” Mullin said. “It’s a natural progression of a team. You start winning at home, you get your confidence, and then you carry that on the road. That’s the next step.”