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St. John’s Red Storm

St. John’s Wins Second Straight Big East Tournament Title

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – On the final day of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden, the conferences’s two top teams squared off in what many expected to be an instant classic. Instead, it was the St. John’s Red Storm who controlled the game from start to finish, dominating UConn for the full 40 minutes to secure back-to-back Big East Tournament championships. The Johnnies never surrendered the lead, and the Huskies never truly looked like they had a chance to mount a comeback, as the game ended in a decisive 72–52 victory for St. John’s.

Similar to St. John’s previous two games in the tournament, attacking the paint was once again a major point of emphasis. A key part of that approach was consistently feeding the ball to the low block, where Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player Zuby Ejiofor made a significant impact. The senior big man finished with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting from the field, while also knocking down two three-pointers.

Ejiofor wasn’t the only one finding success inside. Bryce Hopkins also showcased impressive back-to-the-basket ability, using polished footwork to create space and convert several heavily contested shots around the rim. Hopkins matched Ejiofor’s scoring output, finishing with 18 points of his own on an efficient 7-of-9 from the field.

To add to the Red Storm’s strong offensive performance, they were just as dominant on the defensive end. St. John’s held the Huskies to a stifling 34% from the field and forced 17 turnovers, disrupting nearly everything UConn tried to run, from what looked like clean entry passes to blowing up dribble handoffs. Leading the defensive effort was none other than Zuby Ejiofor. He finished with 3 steals and an impressive 7 blocks, protecting the rim and giving the Huskies nothing easy in the paint. Dylan Darling also made a major impact defensively, matching Ejiofor’s steal total with 3 of his own. Darling did an excellent job reading ball handlers, timing their dribble cadence perfectly and picking their pockets at key moments.

The lone bright spot for the Huskies in this game was senior big man Tarris Reed. Reed finished with 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field while adding 7 rebounds. Similar to St. John’s approach with Ejiofor, UConn made a concerted effort to get the ball down low and take advantage of the Reed–Ejiofor matchup. Reed did a solid job using his size and strength to back Ejiofor down and convert several easy hook shots around the rim.

Despite Reed’s strong performance, it was difficult for the Huskies to keep pace while shooting just 16% from three-point range. UConn’s typical perimeter threats—Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins, and Alex Karaban—struggled throughout the game, combining to shoot just 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.

With the Big East Tournament now complete, the attention quickly shifts to Selection Sunday, where the conference’s postseason picture will officially come into focus. St. John’s, UConn, and Villanova are all expected to hear their names called, and the biggest question now becomes where each team will land in the NCAA Tournament bracket. After St. John’s dominant run through Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm will look to carry that momentum into The Big Dance, while UConn and Villanova await their seeding as they prepare for the next stage of the postseason.

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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UConn and St. John’s Advance to Big East Tournament Final

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Friday’s semifinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden featured two teams that firmly controlled their matchups from start to finish. Although the final score may suggest a closer game, St. John’s largely dominated from the opening tip, rarely taking its foot off the gas on the way to a 78–68 victory over the Seton Hall Pirates.The second semifinal followed a similar script, as UConn never surrendered the lead against Georgetown, cruising to a 67–51 win to punch its ticket to the championship game.

St. John’s entered their game with a clear plan: attack the paint. Early and often in the first half, the Johnnies fed Zuby Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell on the block, where both were able to finish with ease. When the initial shot didn’t fall, they frequently drew contact and earned trips to the free-throw line. Ejiofor (20 points), Mitchell (13 points), and Bryce Hopkins (13 points) combined for 46 of St. John’s 78 points, consistently applying pressure on Seton Hall’s interior defense.

For Seton Hall, much like in the quarterfinal round, the Pirates were led by Budd Clark and Jacob Dar. Clark finished with 17 points and showcased strong playmaking ability, adding 11 assists. Dar continued his impressive run in the Big East Tournament as well, finishing with 13 points and 4 rebounds while making multiple hustle plays that helped keep the Pirates competitive.

UConn was led by projected lottery pick and freshman Braylon Mullins. Mullins finished with 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and 2-pf-9 from beyond the arc. Despite the modest numbers from long distance, he showed that his game is far from dependent on his perimeter shooting. Mullins flashed some surprising back-to-the-basket ability and was particularly impressive with several difficult, off-balance midrange shots that he knocked down with ease.

For Georgetown, Vince Iwuchukwu led the way with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Iwuchukwu displayed impressive athleticism throughout the game, elevating through contact and converting several tough finishes over UConn big men Eric Reibe and Tarris Reed.

With the semifinal round complete, the stage is now set for the Big East Tournament championship at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s and UConn will meet tonight with the conference title on the line, setting up a highly anticipated matchup between two teams that looked dominant in their semifinal victories. With momentum on both sides, the championship game promises to bring the intensity and high-level play that has defined the tournament all week.

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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St. John’s Destroys Villanova

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – After suffering their first loss since January 3rd, St. John’s came into Madison Square Garden looking for a bounce back win vs. Kevin Willard’s Villanova Wildcats. Villanova has been one of the bigger surprises in college basketball this season being in the upper tier of the Big East so we thought we were in for a close game. However, St. John’s dominated on both ends of the floor in the first half with everyone that touched the floor providing a positive impact. Leading the way was the play of Ian Jackson and Zuby Ejiofor, Jackson in particular was extremely active in his minutes. The biggest story of the half was St. John’s defense as they forced 8 turnovers and were able to capitalize scoring 18 points off of those Wildcats mistakes. This was the key to St. John’s taking a 48-23 lead heading into the break 

Unfortunately for Villanova they would continue to get outclassed in the second half by the Johnnies. St. John’s would go on to force 8 more turnovers in the half and cause havoc in transition. The duo of Jackson and Ejiofor picked up from where they left off in the first half as Jackson would finish with 19 points while also grabbing 5 steals and Zuby would have his first career triple double as well. Villanova didn’t really get any standout performances as it was a rough night for leading scorer Tyler Perkins who finished with 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting. It was a night of domination for St. John’s last night as they took all their frustration from their loss to UConn and took it out on the Wildcats winning by a final score of 89-57. This win over Villanova was their largest win of all time vs. the Wildcats as they continue on the quest to win the Big East regular season championship for the second season in a row. 

St. John’s is hard to beat when they get positive contributions from Jackson and it was proven once again last night against a tough Villanova team. Jackson showed his potential as a microwave scorer with his ability to play on and off the ball. When the shot falls it opens up the best part of his game which is his ability to get to the rim. Although what impressed me the most about his performance last night was his defensive impact. The motor guarding on the ball and his activity in the passing lanes was incredible as he completely changed the momentum of this game. 

Once again the favorite for this season’s Big East player of the year, Zuby Ejiofor, continued to prove why he’s one of the best players in college basketball. The impact he provides on both sides of the floor is second to none on this St. John’s team and it was fully on display last night recording a triple double with 4 stocks on the side. His performance was truly a characterization of the fact that he can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court.  Ejiofor is one of the most valuable players in the country this season and has a legitimate chance to be drafted in the 1st round of the upcoming NBA Draft this June.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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St. John’s Tops Xavier in Overtime

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Coming off a monster win vs UConn, the #17 St. John’s Red Storm came into Monday night looking for their 10th win a row in a matchup vs. the Xavier Musketeers. Xavier would not make it easy for the Johnnies as this one was tight in the first half. The Musketeers shot the ball extremely well despite getting a low scoring half from leading scorer Tre Carroll who only had four points. For the Red Storm they got a solid half from Zuby Ejiofor and a great half from Dylan Darling who had 10 points and continues to give great minutes during this winning streak. It would be a back-and-forth half between these two conference foes that would end up resulting in a tie game at 42 heading into the locker room. 

The Musketeers would not go away in the second half as they continued to make life difficult for St. John’s on their home floor. Tre Carroll came alive as he scored 17 of his 21  points in this half. Xavier would go on to have five players in double figures in a well balanced offensive performance. The Red Storm had answers for Xavier throughout the half though as the trio of Ejiofor, Hopkins, and Darling continued to give them much needed performances. Xavier had St. John’s on the ropes with seconds left on the clock but a big time tip in by Oziyah Sellers would send this game into overtime.  St. John’s would then take advantage of the excessive fouling that occurred all night from Xavier and walk off the floor victorious with a final score of 87-82. The Red Storm improved to 19-5 on the season and 12-1 in conference play while also grabbing their 10th consecutive win, continuing to be one of college basketball’s hottest teams.

St. John’s got the usual dominance from Zuby Ejiofor and a great game from Bryce Hopkins but I think it’s time for Dylan Darling to receive his flowers. Darling has been pivotal for the Red Storm throughout this winning streak as he’s made big shots and made huge plays on both sides of the floor. Darling is a player that any team would like to have because of his high motor and the ball pressure he brings once he checks in the game. On the offensive end he’s a stable option out of Rick Pitino’s guard rotation, he can maintain the offense and also has the ability to make some key shots if he’s needed to as well. Personally, Darling has become my favorite guy on this St. John’s roster due to how hard he competes and how he can flip a game despite being one of shorter guys on the floor. 

As for Xavier, they had impressive showings up and down the roster but Carroll was huge in the second half to keep them in it. Carroll is a big but he has some finesse in his game that’s pleasant to watch. He’s able to break a defender down at times and get to his spots for these soft floaters near the basket. Although it can get a bit ugly sometimes especially when there’s more athletic defenders on him, he is capable of taking and making tough shots. Carroll is a versatile player for this Xavier team and is definitely a fun watch when he’s got it going like he did in that second half on Monday night against some tough St. John’s defenders in their frontcourt.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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St. John’s Gets Key Win Over UConn

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Two of the Big East’s finest met for a battle in the mecca with #3 UConn coming down to face the surging #22 St. John’s Red Storm. The game was very back and forth with both teams playing with great energy and trying to execute their style of play. St. John’s would struggle to be efficient but UConn had issues of their own with taking care of the ball and continuing to send the Johnnies to the charity stripe. Both teams had an extremely balanced box score in the first half leading to a tie at 39 between two of the hottest teams in all of college basketball. 

As the second half began, UConn would continue to have struggles against St. John’s intensity on the defensive end and their physicality on the offensive end. The Huskies had 15 turnovers on the night, Silas Demary Jr. had nine of those turnovers. St. John’s scored 20 points off those UConn turnovers and they did a great job of just pressuring ball handlers all night long. No one was more emblematic of this than Dylan Darling who was just a pest and completely shifted the game in St. John’s favor as soon as he checked in. Although we can’t overlook the usual dominance from the Red Storm frontcourt trio of Zuby Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell, and Bryce Hopkins combining for 50 of the 81 total team points.

Ejiofor continues to impress and show versatility as he had a near triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Huskies would make small pushes throughout the half even cutting the St. John’s lead down to one. However, they would not be able to finish the job as St. John’s would take down UConn 81-72 ending the Huskies 18-game winning streak and extending their own winning streak to 9. 

St. John’s had a bunch of standout performances but it’s hard to dismiss Ejiofor’s two way impact and how he continues to impress every single game. Obviously everyone knows he has the motor, the physicality, and lives in the paint but his ability to read defenses is something to behold. He’s very good at seeing the back line of the defense when he gets the ball at the free throw line extended. Especially since opposing defenses are so keyed in on him as a finisher at the rim this leads to him showing off his playmaking, finding guys like Mitchell and Hopkins for easy points. Ejiofor’s performances are becoming inevitable night in and night out. At this trajectory he’s on his way to being recognized as one of the best players to ever put on a St. John’s uniform and having that #24 in the rafters one day. 

Though the Huskies didn’t get the result they wanted as a team several of their players had some solid individual performances. Alex Karaban is a true veteran for this UConn team and he showed it last night in a big game vs. a conference rival. Karaban finished the night with 17 points and is just so good as an off ball offensive threat. He leverages his shooting ability at such a high level and isn’t afraid to take the big shots when the team needs it. The range he has is also something you want to see if you are looking at him as an NBA prospect, he can let it fly from distance and on the move as well. Karaban may not be a high level athlete but he is capable of beating his defender on closeouts and getting to the rim for some nice finishes also. Defensively there can be some question marks due to his lack of overall athleticism and foot speed but he has the body to be serviceable on that end of the floor. It will definitely be interesting watching how the rest of his senior year plays out to determine if he will be able to get his third national title in four years.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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St. John’s Continues Surge, Easily Defeats Butler

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – St. John’s headed into Wednesday night’s matchup vs Butler at MSG winners of their last six games and ranked in the AP top 25 for the first time in five weeks. As it turned out, they would continue their recent dominance in this showdown against the Bulldogs as well. The first half of this one was all Johnnies as they led the entire half and shut Butler down, allowing only 29 points on 35% shooting. St. John’s would also get solid all-around production offensively led by Dillon Mitchell (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Ian Jackson. The Red Storm dominated in the paint which is where they scored 26 of their 43 first half points, they would also shoot 41% from beyond the arc as well. This would lead to St. John’s taking a 14- point lead heading into halftime.

The offensive brilliance would continue in the second half for St. John’s as they would go on to score 49 points on even better efficiency. They ended up with four players in double figures. Even though the frontcourt duo of Ejiofor and Mitchell had great games, it was good to see Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon combine for 31 points and shoot the ball well. St. John’s has had up and down guard play all season but getting some consistency especially from Jackson could be huge at this point in the season. Butler struggled with the size and physicality of St. John’s frontcourt. When you mix that in with the Red Storm’s red hot perimeter shooting it made for a rough night for the Bulldogs. St. John’s extended their winning streak to seven and went to 9-1 in conference play with their 92-70 win.

The play of Jackson was exciting to see as he showcased the potential he brings to the table when he’s going the right way. Jackson was St. John’s leading scorer last night with 18 points and the shotmaking was on full display. He has the ability to be crafty at the rim and his athleticism really stands out when he’s on the attack downhill. Jackson is quick and shifty as a ball handler and can get to his shots. Though as a jumpshooter he can be streaky, when his jumper is falling he’s a tough cover for anyone because of the fact it opens up the floor. Jackson can also be very spotty with his decision making but he was brought to this team to do what he’s done in his last two games vs. Butler and Xavier. 

As for Butler, Michael Ajayi (19 points, 11 rebounds) was one of the only bright spots last night. Ajayi is a swiss army knife type of player for this Butler team. He provides ball handling, gets rim touches, and is great on the glass. Ajayi may not be a respectable jumpshooter but he was always on the attack and able to get to the line a bunch as well. I also really enjoyed the motor he played with especially in a game where it’s physical and the opposing team has the advantage in that area.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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St. John’s Late Comeback Topples Seton Hall

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY- Last night in the mecca we had a big-time matchup between two well matched Big East rivals in St. John’s and Seton Hall and the game lived up to the hype. Seton Hall came out in the first half and caused pure chaos on the floor. They were just outworking the Johnnies and playing high level defense all half. The Pirates got good offensive production from the duo of Staton-McCray and Simpkins who had 22 of 38 Seton Hall points. The standout player in the first half though was Stephon Payne II as he was dominant with a near double-double of 9 points and 8 rebounds. St. John’s had trouble all half offensively but what kept them in the game was the play of Dillon Mitchell, Bryce Hopkins, and Zuby Ejiofor who had 24 of their 32 total points. Seton Hall would go into the locker room leading 38-32 and the score was much closer than it actually felt watching it play out on the floor.

When the second half began Seton Hall would go on to continue their physical and defensive dominance going on a 9-0 run to start the half. The Pirates held the Red Storm scoreless for the first 4:30 of the half and took a 47-32 lead. Unfortunately for Seton Hall that was the end of what was a fun night for them up to this point. St. John’s would go on a huge 33-13 run to close the game out all with their leader Zuby Ejiofor being off the floor with foul trouble. The Red Storm dominated the glass and clamped down the Pirates flipping the script in big time fashion. Mitchell would finish the night with a double-double, grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with his game high 17 points. Meanwhile an underrated aspect of this half would be the two-way impact of Dylan Darling. His ball pressure was elite on Seton Hall’s guards and he did a great job keeping the team steady offensively while also scoring some key buckets. St. John’s would complete the comeback over Seton Hall with a 65-60 final score to win their fifth straight game and improve to 7-1 in conference play.

Dillon Mitchell may not be the first name you think of when it comes to this Red Storm team but he’s a big piece that was added to this roster over the summer and last night showed you why. Mitchell can be a two-way force at times and plays with a physicality that is fun to watch. Offensively he is a very good finisher around the rim and can finish with both force or finesse depending on what’s needed. Mitchell is also a legitimate transition threat. He can grab a rebound and go coast to coast with good ball handling out of the forward spot and finish at the basket. He does needs to improve on his perimeter shooting and also develop more consistency going to the right side of the floor though. Defensively he can move well and provides versatility with his defensive impact. Mitchell will also hit the glass and be a force to deal with for opposing matchups with his high motor. 

Although Seton Hall got higher point scoring games out of A.J Staton-McCray and Taijuan Simpkins I thought the most impactful Pirate tonight was easily Stephon Payne II. Payne was solid on both ends of the floor. He provided toughness in this game and was super active on the boards while giving them some much needed rim protection as well. On the offensive end his rebounding continued to be a key as he grabbed 8 offensive rebounds vs a tough St. John’s frontcourt. Much of those rebounds led to second chance points from Payne. He played with great energy and was the main reason for Seton Hall’s great start to this game.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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St. John’s Destroys Marquette

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – St. John’s came into last night’s matchup vs Marquette winners of their last two games both on the road against Big East rivals. They were now back at home in the mecca to host yet another Big East foe in the Golden Eagles who have been struggling this season and were desperate for a pivotal win. St. John’s had a hold on this game early grabbing a 15-4 lead in the first four minutes. Marquette would answer back to close out the half keeping the game within striking distance down 40-34. The Red Storm got great production from Oziyah Sellers who had 15 of his game high 24 points and also some great energy off the bench from Dylan Darling as well. As for Marquette they struggled with taking care of the ball, but the play of guards Chase Ross and Nigel James Jr kept them alive with 24 of their 34 total points. 

As for the second half it would not go well for the Golden Eagles in the slightest. Zuby Ejiofor who dealt with foul trouble in the first half would go on to explode in the second half. He scored 15 points to finish the night with 22 total and his energy along with his physicality was too much for the Marquette bigs to handle. The tandem of Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins destroyed the Golden Eagles in the second half with Hopkins having 10 points and 8 rebounds in the half alone. Marquette struggled on the glass and would continue to allow St. John’s to capitalize off of their careless turnovers. This would lead to the Red Storm dominating the second half and pulling away to a 92-68 victory, giving them their third straight win and moving them to 5-1 in conference play. 

St. John’s got great individual performances in this one but the two standouts to me were Oziyah Sellers and Zuby Ejiofor. Obviously Zuby is the head of the snake for this team but he continues to show potential as an NBA prospect. He plays with great energy on every possession and the physicality he displays is a problem for opponents every time he’s on the floor. Zuby is their offensive hub but he also does the dirty work at a high level. I believe Ejiofor is a consistent three point shot away from being a potential rotation level player at the next level despite being somewhat of an undersized big. Sellers also showed that he is going to be a huge part of St. John’s success this season. He showcased the ability to play on or off the ball and when his shot is falling he can mix his game up and attack closeouts or get to the rim.  

For the Golden Eagles I was extremely impressed by their backcourt duo of Chase Ross and Nigel James Jr. They were dynamic with their ability to get into the paint and finish around the rim. Their athleticism really stood out. Both can move well with a certain shiftiness that makes them hard to guard in a spaced out floor. James Jr. might be the better perimeter threat compared to Ross but they both are obviously the leading engines in Marquette’s offense. As for the defensive side they played with good energy and were active for the majority of the night. Ross was very good with going after guys from their blindside and generating some easy buckets off turnovers. I came out of that game thinking highly of both Ross and James Jr and I’m going to keep my eye on James Jr as his freshman campaign continues to be impressive.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Kentucky and North Carolina Shine in Thrilling CBS Sports Classic

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Atlanta, GA – The CBS Sports Classic once again delivered a showcase of high-level college basketball, featuring two marquee matchups that lived up to the event’s reputation for drama and intensity. The atmosphere inside the arena was electric from start to finish, with fans from all four programs—Kentucky, St. John’s, North Carolina, and Ohio State—creating a vibrant, tournament-like environment in mid-December.

The day began with a statement performance from Kentucky, which stormed back in the second half to defeat St. John’s 78–66. The Wildcats, who had struggled with consistency early in the season, found their rhythm after halftime, outscoring the Red Storm 53–34 in a dominant final 20 minutes. It was a defining win for Kentucky, marking their most complete performance of the season and a potential turning point as conference play approaches.

Otega Oweh led the charge for the Wildcats, showcasing his athleticism and scoring touch with 20 points and 5 rebounds. His energy on both ends of the floor set the tone for Kentucky’s second-half surge. Guard Jaland Lowe added 13 points and 3 assists, providing steady playmaking and timely shot-making. The biggest storyline, however, was the debut of highly touted player Jayden Quaintance, who made an impact with 10 points and 8 rebounds. His presence in the paint gave Kentucky a new dimension, both defensively and on the glass.

Kentucky’s turnaround was fueled by improved ball movement and defensive intensity. After trailing at halftime, the Wildcats came out with renewed focus, pushing the pace and attacking the rim. Their depth and athleticism overwhelmed St. John’s, who struggled to match Kentucky’s energy in transition. The Wildcats’ 53-point second half was their most explosive offensive stretch of the season, a sign that their young roster is beginning to gel.

For St. John’s, the loss was a tough setback after a promising first half. Bryce Hopkins led the Red Storm with 13 points, showing his versatility as a scorer and rebounder. Zuby Ejiofor contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Ian Jackson added 10 points and 6 rebounds in a solid all-around effort. Despite the defeat, St. John’s displayed flashes of potential, particularly in the first half when their ball movement and defensive pressure kept Kentucky off balance. However, the Red Storm couldn’t sustain that level of play once Kentucky’s offense caught fire.

The second game of the doubleheader between North Carolina and Ohio State was a thriller that went down to the wire, with the Tar Heels escaping with a 71–70 victory. The contest featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings, keeping the crowd on edge until the final buzzer.

Caleb Wilson was the star for North Carolina, delivering a dominant performance with 20 points and 15 rebounds. His ability to control the boards and score in key moments proved decisive. Henri Veesaar added 17 points and 10 rebounds, giving the Tar Heels a strong interior presence, while Seth Trimble chipped in 17 points and 3 assists, providing steady guard play and clutch shot-making down the stretch.

Ohio State battled valiantly throughout, led by Bruce Thornton’s 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Devin Royal was a force inside with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Christoph Tilly contributed a double-double of his own with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Buckeyes executed well offensively and defended with toughness, but a few late missed opportunities allowed North Carolina to hold on for the narrow win.

The CBS Sports Classic once again highlighted the depth and talent across college basketball’s elite programs. The event’s atmosphere was electric, with fans treated to two games that combined intensity, skill, and drama. Kentucky’s second-half explosion against St. John’s underscored their potential to be a dangerous team as the season progressed, while North Carolina’s resilience against a tough Ohio State squad reaffirmed their status as one of the nation’s top contenders.

As the team’s head into the heart of their schedules, the CBS Sports Classic served as both a measuring stick and a momentum builder. For Kentucky and North Carolina, the victories provided confidence and validation. For St. John’s and Ohio State, the lessons learned in defeat could prove valuable in the months ahead. In a day filled with energy, passion, and high-level basketball, the CBS Sports Classic once again delivered on its promise as one of the sport’s premier showcase events

This article was written by Andrew Keeling, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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St. John’s Rolls Past Iona

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

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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