New York, NY – Heading into the matchup, St. John’s was looking to build momentum with a convincing performance before opening Big East play, and the Red Storm answered the call. Behind the hot shooting of Stanford transfer and three-point specialist Oziyah Sellers, who finished with a game-high 19 points, the Johnnies cruised to a dominant 91–64 victory over Iona. While Iona’s coaching staff had its team prepared and competitive early, it was no match for the adjustments made by Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino. After a lackadaisical first half, Pitino rallied his group on both ends of the floor, as St. John’s pulled away in the second half and turned a tight contest into a 27-point rout.
Sellers was brought in for his elite perimeter shooting, and the Johnnies will rely heavily on that skill if they hope to find consistent success this season. He offered a clear glimpse of his value in this one, finishing with 19 points in 31 minutes on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting performance, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Beyond the numbers, the guard excels moving without the ball, consistently putting himself in position to get open. His feel for spacing and willingness to do the little things—often absent from the box score—make him a seamless fit within the offense.
Iona was once again led by senior Cincinnati transfer CJ Anthony, who provided a much-needed spark for the Gaels on both ends of the floor. The veteran guard poured in 20 points on 9-of-19 shooting, consistently putting pressure on the defense with his ability to attack the rim, absorb contact, and finish through traffic. Despite drawing significant physicality, Anthony did not earn a trip to the free-throw line, yet he continued to impose his will with his strength and downhill approach. On the defensive end, he showed no fear regardless of the matchup, competing possession by possession and holding his own against St. John’s perimeter players. Anthony’s physicality, confidence, and two-way effort should allow him to make a substantial impact for Iona as conference play approaches.
For the Johnnies to live up to their lofty expectations, they must address a glaring playmaking issue. The roster lacks a true point guard, a reality head coach Rick Pitino acknowledged this offseason when he noted that the position has become a lost art in college basketball. Early returns suggest that absence has been costly. Without a clear facilitator, St. John’s has struggled at times to fully capitalize on the intricate offensive sets Pitino installs. Still, with one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history at the helm, there is reason to believe the issue can be mitigated before Big East play begins. Without improved playmaking, however, questions remain about just how far this team can realistically advance in March.
Ultimately, St. John’s accomplished what it set out to do, delivering a convincing nonconference win that showcased both its upside and its areas for growth. The Red Storm’s shooting, defensive intensity, and coaching adjustments underscored the talent and ceiling of this roster, while individual performances like Oziyah Sellers’ efficient scoring highlighted how impactful the new pieces can be. At the same time, lingering playmaking concerns remain a storyline to monitor as Big East play approaches. If Rick Pitino can solve that puzzle, St. John’s has the tools to contend deep into the season. If not, the margin for error will narrow quickly once the competition stiffens.
This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
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