By Anthony Parelli
For the past two seasons, the St. John’s University men’s basketball team has shown glimpses of a potential that if ever realized could put them back among the top programs in college basketball.
All signs point to 2013 being the year the Red Storm brings its promise to fruition. There is one big difference this season that has been lacking the past two: depth. In 2011, St. John’s only had six scholarship players. The biggest problem this season may be that there aren’t enough minutes to go around.
“We’re three deep at every position,” Phil Greene said. “Our rotation is going to keep everyone fresh and allow everyone to play a position and fill a role they feel comfortable with.”
The additions of transfers Max Hooper and Orlando Sanchez along with the return of the red-shirted God’s Gift Achiuwa and incoming freshman Rysheed Jordan, one of the top ranked players in the country in his class, provide the Johnnies with depth they haven’t enjoyed since Steve Lavin’s first year as head coach in 2010.
Hooper and Jordan will join a backcourt of Jamal Branch, Phil Greene, Sir’Dominic Pointer and D’Angelo Harrison. Sanchez will pair with big men Chris Obekpa and reigning Big East rookie of the year JaKaar Sampson to form one of the best shot-blocking frontcourts in the country.
“If we want to go big we have Orlando and Chris and if we want to go small we can do that, too,” Sampson said. “We have something for any defense we could face.”
One of the biggest storylines for St. John’s will be how junior guard D’Angelo Harrison, one of the team’s leading scorers from a year ago, responds after his suspension at the end of the 2012 season. Lavin sat his leading scorer for conduct detrimental to the team, but after working hard to change his attitude Harrison returned with a new outlook that could make him an even more dangerous player.
“D’Angelo has worked hard both on the court and off on his attitude and I am interested to see how it translates into the games and the season,” Lavin said.
St. John’s, which was 17-16 last season and lost in the second round of the NIT, will compete in the new Big East this season and their non-conference schedule will be a good indicator of their skill level as they face perennial powerhouses Wisconsin and Syracuse. The Johnnies hope to be in position to make the NCAA Tournament and do something special in March. Harrison can’t wait for the challenge to being.
“We’re going to surprise a lot of people this year,” Harrison said. “I can’t wait, I’m so excited.”
