St. John’s basketball team faced a significant challenge in their recent preseason matchup against Michigan, ultimately falling short in a gripping 96-94 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden. Despite the defeat, there were several encouraging signs for the Red Storm, particularly in their resilience and the performance of their frontcourt players.
Last week’s game against Towson had already highlighted some struggles for the Johnnies, but this matchup against Michigan served as a critical litmus test. Coach Rick Pitino, a veteran in the coaching realm, acknowledged the team’s progress despite the loss. “I saw a lot of really good things,” he remarked, emphasizing the learning experience from competing against a top-tier opponent. The match featured two highly regarded forwards, Zuby Ejiofor from St. John’s and Yaxel Lendeborg for Michigan, both of whom lived up to expectations, combining for an impressive 49 points.
However, the game also exposed some glaring weaknesses for St. John’s. The Red Storm’s two starting guards, Oziyah Sellers and Joson Sanon, struggled with foul trouble, limiting their impact on the game. Sanon managed to contribute 14 points, but his early exit left the team scrambling in critical moments. Coach Dusty May of Michigan pointed to these absences as pivotal to the outcome. The Red Storm’s rebounding woes continued, with Michigan dominating the boards, outrebounding St. John’s by a staggering 12.
The frontcourt, led by Ejiofor, did shine at times, with the forward posting a stellar line of 24 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals. However, even with such performances, the team allowed a concerning 54 points in the paint, showcasing the need for improved defensive cohesion. “We’re trying to get back to that defensive mindset we had last year,” Ejiofor stated, acknowledging the challenges faced by a roster integrating eight new players.
The performance of sophomore Lefteris Liotopoulos also deserves a mention. He was instrumental in the overtime period, scoring eight consecutive points to pull the team back into contention. Unfortunately, he missed a crucial opportunity to secure the lead, missing two of three free throws with just 8.4 seconds remaining. Such moments highlight the growing pains of a young and evolving team.
Pitino’s decision to schedule tough nonconference games is strategic, aiming to expose weaknesses early in the season. “If we played a lesser team and won easily, we wouldn’t know where we need to improve,” he noted. This philosophy reflects a broader understanding of the importance of challenging environments in preparing for high-stakes games later in the season, such as those against Alabama and Kentucky.
In conclusion, while the loss to Michigan stings, it serves as a valuable teaching tool for St. John’s. The experience gained from battling against a formidable opponent will undoubtedly contribute to their growth as they head into the regular season. As they prepare for upcoming challenges, the focus will need to shift towards improving rebounding, defensive communication, and overall team chemistry. In the words of Ejiofor, “It’s going to take time, but we’re going to figure it out.” For the Johnnies, the journey is just beginning, and the lessons learned now could pay dividends when the stakes are even higher.
