Through 12 games, more than a third of the regular season, a lot more has gone right than wrong for St. John’s.
It is 10-2 and a projected NCAA Tournament team that most experts predict will finish no worse than fourth in the Big East.
Here are four Red Storm storylines so far:
Ejiofor’s star turn
The affable big man has been St. John’s best player. He’s an offensive rebounding machine — Zuby Ejiofor leads the country with 4.58 offensive boards per game — who has developed into a two-way standout, averaging 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
His baby jumper in the lane that sent the Johnnies to a last-second win at Providence on Friday night was just the latest example of his emergence.
He’s the backbone of their defense and a developing force on the offensive end.
Really, the most memorable moment of this season revolves around Ejiofor missing two free throws with 4.1 seconds left in the heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Baylor at the buzzer and St. John’s fans chanting his name before the following game to uplift him.
He’s been a dynamo since. Kansas and coach Bill Self must regret letting Ejiofor go after his freshman year.
Defensive prowess
The biggest difference between St. John’s this year and last year. The Red Storm are 12th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency.
They have positional versatility. They have rim protectors in Ejiofor and Vince Iwuchukwu, a standout who can defend several positions in North Texas transfer forward Aaron Scott and other capable defenders. St. John’s blocks shots (6.2 per game) and forces turnovers (15.8) at a high rate, leading to transition opportunities.
The defense has been especially good after halftime, a major reason St. John’s has outscored the opposition by 131 points in the second half.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS
Shooting woes
A preseason concern remains a worry. In fact, it’s at the top of the list of reasons this team won’t go as far as expected. St. John’s is next-to-last in the Big East in 3-point shooting (31.7 percent) and free-throw shooting (67.5). It is a combined 6 of 28 from distance in two league games.
Brady Dunlap, arguably the team’s best shooter, is likely out into February after undergoing surgery on his left hand.
Poor free-throw shooting cost the Johnnies in the double-overtime loss to Baylor and their 11-for-26 showing against Providence nearly was their undoing.
Second-year jump
Rick Pitino-coached teams frequently make a leap in his second season. Is St. John’s the latest squad that will do so? So far, it looks like it.
The 10-2 record and No. 12 rating in KenPom.com are promising indications of that happening. Remember, the two losses to projected tournament teams Baylor and Georgia in the Bahamas came by a combined four points.
Both games could’ve gone either way. Nine of their 10 wins have come by at least 13 points. And prized offseason addition, Seton Hall transfer Kadary Richmond, has yet to perform up to expectations, while another key newcomer, Utah transfer Deivon Smith, is only starting to find his form. If the shooting can improve even marginally, look out.