Cardiac Hill Big East Basketball Preview: St. John's Red Storm

Returnees: St. John's went through a bit of a rough season last year for many reasons. Coach Steve Lavin battled prostate cancer throughout most of the season and the Red Storm played a number of underclassmen, even starting five freshmen towards the end of the season. A number of players moved on for one reason or another, but the core is still in place. Lavin will return sophomore D'Angelo Harrison at shooting guard. Harrison was last year's leading scorer but no doubt has been working on his shooting - he shot 37% from the field last season. Phil Greene will join Harrison in the backcourt and will handle the point guard duties for the Red Storm. On the wings, Sir'Dominic Pointer and Amir Garrett will return as sophomores. They showed signs of good things last season, and a year of development should only help them. The post duties will be handled by God'sgift Achiuwa. Achiuwa is the lone senior on the roster, and will be counted on for being a rebounding presence.

Newcomers: The youth movement of St. John's does not stop with the sophomore class as Steve Lavin has brought in another group of talented newcomers. Seven new faces will be suiting up for the Red Storm this season. Jakarr Sampson and Christopher Obekpa are two four-star recruits that will improve the low post game. Marco Bourgault and Orlando Sanchez are two junior college transfers from Monroe College in the Bronx. Both players could highly impact this young team. Overall, Lavin was able to bring in three 4-star prospects and two 3-star players.

Final Outlook: St John's is yet again one of the youngest teams in the league. Lavin is clearly trying to up the talent level of the program and is doing a terrific job so far. With his health restored, the on-court product of the team should also improve. St. John's has plenty of pieces, but they are not put together just yet. Give Lavin time, though, and he could possibly turn it into a postseason berth with this group.

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