St. John's Scouting Report

[cullaville]

Since the Butler game, St. John’s has ripped off an eight-game winning streak that has firmly established the Red Storm as the second-best team in the Big East. During this stretch, they’ve leaned on physical defense, dominant rebounding, and timely scoring runs—especially in the second half—to pull away from opponents. The consistency and edge they’ve shown since Butler make it clear they’ve found their identity and are peaking at the right time.

Offensively, St. John’s has been effective by playing through the paint, attacking the glass, and generating second-chance points rather than relying heavily on perimeter shooting. They’ve moved the ball with purpose, using dribble penetration to collapse defenses and create easier looks late in possessions. While not always flashy, the offense has been efficient, physical, and timely, particularly during decisive second-half runs.

Defensively, St. John’s has set the tone with physical on-ball pressure and an emphasis on taking opponents out of rhythm early in possessions. They’ve been strong on the glass, limiting second chances and turning missed shots into transition opportunities. As the winning streak has grown, their defense has become more connected and reliable, especially when locking down late to protect leads.

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Once again, Zuby Ejiofor has been a physical, high-energy presence, anchoring St. John’s frontcourt with his strength, rebounding, facilitating, and interior defense. Offensively, he’s done his best work around the rim, scoring off rolls, offensive boards, and put-backs rather than needing plays run for him. His consistency, toughness, and willingness to do the dirty work have made him a key piece of the team’s identity during this winning stretch. Additionally, with St. John’s starting lineup lacking a true point guard, Ejiofor has stepped up as the team’s assist leader. He’s also been a fantastic defender.

Backing up Ejiofor, Ruben Prey has shown noticeable growth this season, becoming a more consistent and confident scorer and rebounder. He’s improved his defensive awareness and positioning, helping St. John’s guard multiple frontcourt threats effectively, so there isn’t a significant defensive drop-off when Prey is on the floor.

Compared to his time at Providence, Bryce Hopkins has played a more streamlined, team-oriented game this season while still providing a reliable scoring punch. He’s been asked to do less isolation creation and more attacking within the flow of the offense, which has improved his efficiency and shot selection. While his role at Providence showcased him as a primary option, this year he’s looked more disciplined and impactful within a structured system.

At St. John’s, Oziyah Sellers has settled into a more defined and confident role as a perimeter scorer, thriving off movement, spot-up shooting, and opportunistic drives. Compared to his time at USC, where his role and minutes fluctuated, he looks more comfortable and decisive, especially when shooting in rhythm. The structure and pace at St. John’s have allowed him to maximize his strengths as a complementary scorer rather than forcing creation. He ranks as the weakest defender in the starting lineup.

Ian Jackson has brought instant offense and pace, using his athleticism and confidence to pressure defenses as a scorer and shot-creator. His impact has been streaky, with stretches where he can take over games offensively followed by quieter nights when shots aren’t falling and efficiency dips. Even so, his aggression, speed, and willingness to attack consistently change the tempo and give the offense a different gear.

Because of Jackson’s inconsistency, Dylan Darling has effectively shared point-guard duties, as he’s the team’s only true point guard. An excellent defender, Darling has been a steady and efficient presence, contributing primarily as a reliable floor spacer and secondary playmaker. He moves the ball well, finds open shooters, and makes smart decisions in the half court, helping keep the offense balanced. While not a primary scorer, his consistency, basketball IQ, and complementary skill set make him a quietly important rotation piece.

Dillon Mitchell fits St. John’s roster and mentality perfectly. He’s been a versatile contributor, offering size, energy, and scoring both inside and facilitating on the perimeter. St. John’s most versatile defender, Mitchell and Ejiofor form one of the most stout defensive frontcourt duos in the nation. Interestingly, the duo also leads the team in assists. While Mitchell isn’t always a focal point offensively, his consistency, effort, and ability to impact the game in multiple ways make him a valuable complementary piece. When Mitchell is on the bench, Hopkins slides to the four, or high-energy wing Sadiku Ibine Ayo picks up minutes.

After playing a primary scoring role at Arizona State, Joson Sanon has struggled at times at St. John’s, mainly due to adjusting to Rick Pitino’s team-oriented system. His production has been inconsistent, with streaky shooting making it difficult for him to earn featured touches. Combined with below-average defense, he’s settled into a microwave scoring role off the bench, reaching double figures just once during the winning streak.

With UConn looking like a championship-caliber team over the last two games, Friday’s matchup between the top teams in the Big East has the makeup of a true heavyweight bout. A key for UConn will be controlling tempo, limiting turnovers, and not allowing Pitino’s pressure to speed them up. Offensively, attacking the paint and forcing St. John’s bigs into foul trouble can open clean kick-out threes. Defensively, taking away transition opportunities and forcing St. John’s to score in the half court favors UConn’s discipline and execution.

Should be an awesome one!

Thanks. Always great write ups

 

[Umami Zen]

Do we know who the ref crew is gonna be for tonite?

Gus J on the call. Jimmy J with the analysis/ color commentary

 

[SwingDog]

I saw an article yesterday (it was behind the NY Post's sports plus paywall so I won't link it) that claimed St John's needs the refs to not ignore fouls in order to win.
The claim was that Reed will be in foul trouble unless they 'let them play'. Personally, not only do I believe the author is delusional, but I also see not swallowing the whistle helps us tremendously as St John's won't be able to do much if all fouls are called.

There always is the possibility that he only wants all fouls to be called when it's a UConn player is the potential culprit.

I just hope the refs are consistent in that if they allow the game to be physical they blow the whistle the same for both teams.

However the refs call it, I am sure Hurley is making it a point of emphasis for Tarris, Silas and the team to avoid the foolish reach-in fouls and to continue to play top-notch defense, but play smart.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[Iluvsuebird]

While I hated all the close games that we had in the month of January, those games toughened this team up a lot more than a bunch of blowout wins. This team is now battle tested. And I think that our out of conference games, as well as our close January games, will help us overcome adversity in games like tonight. We will turn the ball over; their pressure will cause TO's. They will go on runs, that's who they are. But we have overcome real adversity this year.
--Playing Zona without two starters and losing by only 4 points;
--Overcoming a furious BYU rally;
--Losing key players for extended periods of time;
--Solo's 3 point slump (still the most weird thing I have seen in a while considering how much he has improved in other areas); and
--Falling behind on several games by a significant margin, only to come back and win those games

All of that said, I think this UConn team is picking up pace and momentum Hurley style. I will ride or die with this coaching staff with how they develop teams to peak in March. Can't wait for tonight.

 

[ucp990411]

Do we know who the ref crew is gonna be for tonite?

Gus J on the call. Jimmy J with the analysis/ color commentary

Jim Burr, Tim Higgins and Larry Lembo

 

[Lafayette]

And our high screens by Reed, Jr. and Reibe have led to great switches of the defenders on our guards. I don't think our guards will be disadvantaged by taller defenders.

 

[Scot-e]

While I hated all the close games that we had in the month of January, those games toughened this team up a lot more than a bunch of blowout wins. This team is now battle tested. And I think that our out of conference games, as well as our close January games, will help us overcome adversity in games like tonight. We will turn the ball over; their pressure will cause TO's. They will go on runs, that's who they are. But we have overcome real adversity this year.
--Playing Zona without two starters and losing by only 4 points;
--Overcoming a furious BYU rally;
--Losing key players for extended periods of time;
--Solo's 3 point slump (still the most weird thing I have seen in a while considering how much he has improved in other areas); and
--Falling behind on several games by a significant margin, only to come back and win those games

All of that said, I think this UConn team is picking up pace and momentum Hurley style. I will ride or die with this coaching staff with how they develop teams to peak in March. Can't wait for tonight.

DOOMED!!!

 

[Lafayette]

Really don't know what to expect tomorrow. I think the range of potential outcomes is unusually high. Teams that attack the basket, rebound and get 2nd chance points are tough for us. Hopkins is really physical for a forward. Zuby is a beast and Tarris won't have a strength advantage for a change. Tough for both players really. Reibe could really be the difference in this one.

Last year:

At MSG:

Zuby 18, Reed 15

At UConn

Zuby 11, Reed 12

All we really need is Reed to stay close to him in points.

 

[Marat]

Last year:

At MSG:

Zuby 18, Reed 15

At UConn

Zuby 11, Reed 12

All we really need is Reed to stay close to him in points.

And he can do that if he stays on the floor - without getting fouls.

 

[jibsey]

I will try to watch this game as calmly as possible. There are pills for that right? It will be good to see just where we are in our defense and rebounding progress.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I will try to watch this game as calmly as possible. There are pills for that right? It will be good to see just where we are in our defense and rebounding progress.

For me it is called Adictivo tequila. Delish. I mix it with freshly squeezed OJ....delish!

 

[CL82]

Karaban in prayer at the Mecca of college basketball. I feel like this is a Mojo sign.

 

[Lafayette]

For me it is called Adictivo tequila. Delish. I mix it with freshly squeezed OJ....delish!

Funny just watched a landman episode where enthusiasm was relished and wished it was bottled but the reply was: it is but unfortunately comes with a worm at the bottom.

 

[Umami Zen]

Pitino will do his best to sell the refs on Tarris and Silas joining Danny on the bench with early foul trouble. They've got to play smart/solid D --read how the refs are calling the game- And stay in the game. They are too valuable to us not to be on the floor tonight.

 

[RuffRuff]

Pitino will do his best to sell the refs on Tarris and Silas joining Danny on the bench with early foul trouble. They've got to play smart/solid D --read how the refs are calling the game- And stay in the game. They are too valuable to us not to be on the floor tonight.

If anything Val will sell the refs as she doesn’t want a 20-0 team that wants out of a weak BE.

Tarris staying out of FT is big, but it goes both ways. We should got at Zubi. We have a better backup.

I hope the refs let them play.

 

[DogMania]

Keys to winning this game:

1. Stay out of foul trouble especially at the 1 & 5. We need to have our best players at these positions playing without worrying about foul trouble especially in the second half when the Johnny's tend to have their big run.

2. At least matching them on the glass, limiting 2nd chances.

3. Continue to make their layups or get fouled (refs calling them) doing so and knocking down 3s at a solid clip. Cannot afford to have a poor shooting night.

4. Play solid defense not letting them get in transition much, or in the half court, drive right to the paint all night long. They'll get there enough, but just can't be giving up too many easy baskets and piling up fouls as a result of defensive breakdowns.

If they do all four of those, we will definitely come out of there with the W. If they struggle with one or two of those, all bets are off. I think this is a game where whoever imposes their will on the other comes away with the W.

 

[Husky Alien]

Silas in the spotlight at MSG. Major key player for us tonight and he's been on a roll. Let's go Huskies!!!!!

 

[BGesus4]

They’re not ready…teasing that line up to 11 and betting the kids’ college fund

Let’s goooo

 

[gsmooth]

Really don't know what to expect tomorrow. I think the range of potential outcomes is unusually high. Teams that attack the basket, rebound and get 2nd chance points are tough for us. Hopkins is really physical for a forward. Zuby is a beast and Tarris won't have a strength advantage for a change. Tough for both players really. Reibe could really be the difference in this one.

When looking at the box scores of last year's games, Tarris and Zuby equalized each other. However, Tarris does have a big strength advantage against Ejiofor, but Zuby has not stop endurance. Tarris has to avoid foul trouble, basically the way Kalkbrenner did and Clingan did in the later part of the 2024 season after Spencer ripped into him. Tarris has to realize he shouldn't reach in at all on the hard hedges and has to remember to stay vertical with arms and hands straight up. If Zuby scores a bucket or two in a row that's okay.

 

[RuffRuff]

Silas in the spotlight at MSG. Major key player for us tonight and he's been on a roll. Let's go Huskies!!!!!

Silas - Jackson/Darling (winner UConn)
Solo - Sellers (winner good Solo)
Mullins - Mitchell (winner Mullins)
AK - Hopkins (winner AK)
Reed - Zubi (tie)

The margins are small other than Silas, so we should win on paper.

 

[storrsroars]

ESPN predicting a SJU win.

 

[gsmooth]

It's a very tough one to predict - the coaches know each other. Pitino has had the last laugh, and it smart. It's an awkward matchup with Mitchell. Key players are going to be Reed & Demary. Both teams have a number of unique parts, so this one will be somewhat of strategy match. It's really an intriguing game. StJ doesn't have any "prove it" games left outside of UConn to make up for their flat OOC, so it's important. A win would revitalize a fan base that lost some energy with this team.


I doubt Mitchell is going to shoot from the outside - he can't shoot. We could give him that all day.

I can see Malachi getting some run in this one, especially if they put Mitchell on Demary. And especially if they pressure the ball full court. NYC kid he is. Of all the great OOC games, this one still has the most juice.

Mitchell will not shoot a 3. Whoever is guarding Mitchell can stand in the paint and clog it and make entry passes to Zuby difficult. The only thing is if Mitchell does DHOs he can screen whoever is guarding Jackson or Sellers. Sellers cannot be allowed to have clean looks at the basket-he is a dead eye shooter.



If St. John's puts Mitchell on Demary, the same way English put Jamier Jones on Demary in the 2nd game at Gampel, that means Mullins and Ball will have Oziyah Sellers and Ian Jackson on them and neither of those two are strong defenders, certainly not like Mitchell. Remember, St. John's switches 1-5 so if Zuby switches off to guard a perimeter player, which he is very capable of doing, whoever has the ball has to get it to Tarris in the post for the mismatch. If Zuby pressures the would be passer to make it difficult to make the entry pass just pass the ball on the perimeter reversing it to the other side and that player can pass to Tarris in the post as he will most likley have Sellers, Jackson, Hopkins, or Mitchell sealed.

 

[RuffRuff]

When looking at the box scores of last year's games, Tarris and Zuby equalized each other. However, Tarris does have a big strength advantage against Ejiofor, but Zuby has not stop endurance. Tarris has to avoid foul trouble, basically the way Kalkbrenner did and Clingan did in the later part of the 2024 season after Spencer ripped into him. Tarris has to realize he shouldn't reach in at all on the hard hedges and has to remember to stay vertical with arms and hands straight up. If Zuby scores a bucket or two in a row that's okay.

Based on 40 minutes Tarris absolutely outplayed Zubi. If you watched the game, you could see he was bigger/stronger. This is a tough matchup for Zubi.

Game 1
Zubi - 11pts, 5 rebounds in 37 minutes
Tarris - 15pts, 12rebounds in 33 minutes

Game 2
Zubi - 18 pts, 9 rebounds in 34 minutes
Tarris - 15, 6 in 20 minutes

Over 40 minutes
Tarris - 22.5pts, 13.5
Zubi - 19, 9

 

[auror]

I think Pitino may have Mitchell cover Silas, but if he does, Solo and Mullins will have huge size mismatches.

Not really. Both of St John's guard are 6'5". They're a big team. Only true if Darling is in the game.

 

[Waquoit]

I think Pitino's game plan is obvious. I can't tell you what he'll do exactly but Job 1 will be to shut down Mullins.

 

[RuffRuff]

Keys to winning this game:

1. Stay out of foul trouble especially at the 1 & 5. We need to have our best players at these positions playing without worrying about foul trouble especially in the second half when the Johnny's tend to have their big run.

2. At least matching them on the glass, limiting 2nd chances.

3. Continue to make their layups or get fouled (refs calling them) doing so and knocking down 3s at a solid clip. Cannot afford to have a poor shooting night.

4. Play solid defense not letting them get in transition much, or in the half court, drive right to the paint all night long. They'll get there enough, but just can't be giving up too many easy baskets and piling up fouls as a result of defensive breakdowns.

If they do all four of those, we will definitely come out of there with the W. If they struggle with one or two of those, all bets are off. I think this is a game where whoever imposes their will on the other comes away with the W.

Need whoever Mitchell isn't guarding to take their man. Sellers & Jackson are not good defenders.

 

[QuickDraw]

We got this.