In the vibrant atmosphere of Las Vegas, the 14th-ranked St. John’s basketball team faced a significant setback, suffering a narrow 83-82 defeat against the 15th-ranked Iowa State at the Players Era Festival. For sophomores Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon, the game was one to forget, as they struggled to make an impact on both ends of the court.
The duo’s shooting woes were glaring, combining for a disappointing 4-of-16 from the field, with neither player contributing a single rebound. Sanon, who started the game, managed just 2-of-10 shooting and was on the court for 27 minutes, during which St. John’s was outscored by 13 points. Jackson, coming off the bench, recorded only five points, failing to replicate the momentum he built in a prior game where he scored 20 points against Bucknell. The Bronx native’s performance was marred by two early turnovers, which hindered his ability to find a rhythm throughout the contest.
Coach Rick Pitino, known for his candid assessments, shifted the focus from individual performances to the team’s overall rebounding deficiencies. “I don’t look at what individuals do when they give great effort. Both Joson and Ian give great effort,” he stated. “I give the other team credit for playing good defense on them. The rebounding, they’ve got to do a better job of, obviously.” This perspective highlights a crucial aspect of basketball: while individual talent is vital, the success of a team often hinges on collective effort and the ability to secure possession through rebounding.
One bright spot in St. John’s lineup was Oziyah Sellers, who showcased his shooting prowess by hitting five 3-pointers out of six attempts. However, it was a missed opportunity that lingered in Pitino’s mind. Trailing by one point with only 30 seconds remaining, Sellers chose to drive into traffic instead of taking an open three-pointer. “I wanted him to shoot the 3. He was open and he took a tough 2,” Pitino lamented. “He’s open for a glimpse and you got to shoot the ball. Instead, he goes into [traffic]. It’s something that’s a weakness on his part right now because we need him to shoot 3s.” This moment encapsulates a broader issue that many players face—the hesitation to take risks in critical moments, a factor that can determine the outcome of closely contested games.
St. John’s now finds itself in a troubling trend, having lost five consecutive games against ranked opponents in nonconference play, three of which occurred under Pitino’s leadership. The last time the Johnnies celebrated a victory over a ranked foe in nonconference action was back in 2019 against Arizona. This streak underscores the challenges the team faces as they strive to reestablish their competitive edge, particularly against highly-ranked adversaries.
As the season progresses, the focus for St. John’s will likely be on refining their offensive strategies and enhancing their defensive rebounding. The potential of players like Sanon and Jackson remains high, but it will require a concerted effort to translate that potential into consistent performances on the court. With Pitino at the helm, the hope is that the team can not only learn from these setbacks but also develop the resilience needed to overcome them.
Reviewed by: News Desk
Edited with AI assistance + Human research
