Season prediction, three bold calls and six takeaways
The Post’s Zach Braziller takes a crack at some St. John’s predictions, as well as six takeaways for their upcoming college basketball season:
Three bold predictions
Kadary Richmond wins Big East Player of the Year
For the fifth time in program history, and first time since Walter Berry in 1986, a St. John’s player is named the Big East Player of the Year.
The versatile 6-foot-6 guard leads the Johnnies to a third-place finish in the league and a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
After improving his 3-point shot — it is the one area of needed improvement in his game — the Brooklyn native is taken early in the second round of April’s NBA draft.
Simeon Wilcher leads St. John’s in scoring
The former top-40 recruit out of Roselle Catholic (N.J.) takes a gargantuan leap as a sophomore, emerging as St. John’s top scorer.
The 6-foot-4 Simeon Wilcher builds off a terrific offseason and benefits from playing alongside two pass-first lead guards in Richmond and Deivon Smith, and shoots 38 percent from 3-point range.
After testing the NBA draft waters, the maturing Wilcher returns for his junior season as an All-American candidate and the unquestioned leader of the program.
Depth is an early issue
St. John’s has a top-six that can match up with anyone in the Big East, but there is a steep drop-off after.
Eventually, four-star freshman Jaiden Glover becomes a pivotal piece off the bench, but there are significant growing pains with the second unit that cost Pitino’s team games it should win before Glover and Prey develop into reliable reserves later in the season.
Season prediction
26-11, Sweet 16
Pitino is bullish on this group, believing it can play deep into March.
St. John’s 3-point shooting may be inconsistent throughout the season, but it will be terrific defensively, and few opponents will be able to keep Richmond and Smith out of the paint.
A third-place finish in a deep Big East is followed by a four-seed in the Dance.
After a quarter-century drought, the Johnnies finally not only win an NCAA Tournament game, but advance to the second weekend.
Six takeaways
Newcomer To Watch
Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith are the headliners, two established guards who were both named to the Big East preseason all-league teams.
They were two of the best guards to enter the transfer portal.
But keep an eye on the 6-foot-7 Scott.
Coach Rick Pitino has raved about him as one of his most consistent workers.
A stretch forward who can defend almost every position, he will start on opening night and could be this group’s glue guy.
Most Important Decision
Who will back up Zuby Ejiofor at center? USC transfer Vince Iwuchukwu or Portuguese import Ruben Prey? Neither player has separated himself yet.
In the Rutgers exhibition, Ejiofor logged 34 minutes.
That number has to go down, obviously. The duo may rotate initially.
Good Days to Come
RJ Luis was significantly limited almost the entire 2023-24 season, rarely able to practice or take part in Pitino’s renowned player development sessions because of his shin problems.
That is no longer the case. The 6-foot-7 wing, who Pitino thinks has the potential to be a first-round draft pick, could be primed for a big year.
Remember, when he scored in double figures last winter, St. John’s was 10-4.
Bad Days Ahead
Brady Dunlap, a former four-star recruit from California, will get pushed by freshman Jaiden Glover for minutes off the bench.
St. John’s needs the 6-foot-7 sophomore to hit shots or he could see a diminished role.
Story that won’t go away
How much longer will Pitino coach? He just turned 72.
A number of big-name coaches have retired in recent years, most recently Virginia’s Tony Bennett just a few weeks ago.
Pitino has attracted top-tier talent and big money to the program, which is so important in this age of the transfer portal and Name, Image & Likeness.
Pitino told me recently that as long as he remains healthy, he’s not going anywhere, but that won’t stop the questions.
Don’t be surprised if …
Ejiofor is one of the best forwards in the Big East.
The personable junior was St. John’s best big man from January on last year and has improved his perimeter jumper, to the point he can at least be a threat from beyond the arc.
His teammates named him a co-captain, along with Richmond, a nod to his leadership qualities and work ethic.
He has a motor that doesn’t stop.
