Rick Pitino is considering making a change at center.
After a second straight underwhelming performance by Zuby Ejiofor, Pitino could replace him in the starting lineup with Vince Iwuchukwu.
“Zuby did not have an offensive rebound, which is disturbing to me,” Pitino said after St. John’s rallied for a 96-73 win over Quinnipiac at Carnesecca Arena. “That’s two games in a row where he didn’t rebound, so we may have to go with Vince.”
Nov. 9, 2024. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In two games totaling 41 minutes, Ejiofor has just three rebounds.
The 7-foot-1 Iwuchukwu was productive again on Saturday, notching six points, six rebounds and a block in 13 minutes.
The 6-9 Ejiofor did have five blocks.
“I think Vince is going to be a great player. There’s not a doubt in my mind he’s going to be great,” Pitino said of the USC transfer. “He runs well, he jumps well, but he hasn’t grown up playing a lot of basketball, so he doesn’t have a great feel for the game. Once he develops the feel for the game — how to catch and pass, how to move without the basketball, how to set a screen and pop out — he’s going to be great.”
As Iwuchukwu gets more comfortable, Pitino plans to use Ejiofor at power forward in a big lineup at times.
But he isn’t at that point yet.
For now, Ejiofor could see his role change starting on Wednesday against Wagner.
RJ Luis apologized for his actions from the season-opening win over Fordham when he kicked the ball into the stands out of frustration.
“That was very uncharacteristic of me, that was being childish,” he said. “I let my emotions get the best of me. I didn’t mean any disrespect to anybody … I can’t do plays like that. That’s not going to happen again.”
Had Aaron Scott not been sick, Pitino was planning to bring Luis off the bench.
The junior wing started and had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the win.