2010-11 College Basketball Season Preview: St. John’s

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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St. John’s Red Storm (Last Year: 17-16, 6-12 in Big East)



2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:


F/C: Sean Evans (Sr)/Dale Coker (Sr)

F: Justin Brownlee (Sr)/Justin Burrell (Sr)/Rob Thomas (Sr)

G/F: D.J. Kennedy (Sr)/Dwayne Polee (Fr)

SG: Paris Horne (Sr)/Dwight Hardy (Sr)/Quincy Roberts (So)

PG: Malik Booth (Sr)/Malik Stith (So)

Gone: G/F-Anthony Mason Jr, G/F-Omari Lawrence (transfer-Kansas State)



2010-11 Outlook:
Some people felt it was unfair for St. John’s to fire Norm Roberts after the end of last season. The Red Storm were returning a ton of talent and this upcoming year was going to prove Roberts’ worth. However, when you look at the splash hire of Steve Lavin and what he has already accomplished in just a few months on the job, you can understand why the university made the decision they did.

The Johnnies bring back nine of the 11 players who were part of the rotation last season. Leading that group is versatile swingman D.J. Kennedy who led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks a year ago.

Fellow seniors Sean Evans, Paris Horne and Malik Boothe should regain their spots in the starting lineup. The fifth starting position is a bit up for grabs but will probably go to Justin Brownlee who will bring some more size up front. Justin Burrell would definitely be in contention as well, but will miss first couple weeks of the season with a broken bone in his left hand.

It is uncertain how Lavin will form his rotations but he has plenty of options as all 12 scholarship players could see minutes this year. Dwight Hardy was the team’s second-leading scorer despite coming off the bench last season. Seniors Dale Coker and Rob Thomas add depth up front. Malik Stith will back up Booth at the point while Quincy Roberts returns from a redshirt year to give the Storm even more depth on the wing along with freshman Dwayne Polee.

For the first time in several years, the buzz is back about St. John’s basketball and for good reason. The Red Storm should finish with an above .500 Big East record which has not happened since the 2001-02 season. They will rely on their versatility and length, and should try to run at every chance possible since they are not a great shooting team.

Expect to see the Johnnies in the NCAA Tournament, but if you are in Rick Pitino’s camp of thinking they are going to win the conference crown, you are shooting way too high.





Player to Watch: D.J. Kennedy, G/F
Besides looking like a mix between Josh Smith and Styles from The LOX, Kennedy will do it all for St. John’s this season. The lefty can slash, create his own shot, defend, play physical and bigger than his 6-5 height and find his teammates. He hit a very respectable 38.3 percent from distance last season. He has league potential and will be the glue that keeps the Johnnies together this season.



Key Non-Conference Games:
  • 11/16 at St. Mary’s
  • 11/27 vs. Arizona State/Weber State (Great Alaska Shootout)
  • 12/20 vs. Davidson (MSG Holiday Classic)
  • 12/21 vs. Northwestern/St. Francis (MSG Holiday Classic)
  • 1/30 vs. Duke
  • 2/5 at UCLA



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