ST. JOHN'S 2008-2009 SNAPSHOT

June 13, 2008


Head Coach: Norm Roberts
2007-2008 Record: 11-13 (5-13 Big East)

Returning Players:
Anthony Mason, Senior (Forward)
Tomas Jasiulionis, Senior (Center)
Rob Thomas, Sophomore (Forward)
Justin Burrell, Sophomore (Power Forward)
Malik Boothe, Sophomore (Point Guard)
Ayodele Coker, Sophomore (Center)
DJ Kennedy, Sophomore (Guard/Forward)
Paris Horne, Sophomore (Guard)
Sean Evans, Sophomore (Forward)

Incoming Players:
Ty Edmondson, Point Guard
Quincy Roberts, Shooting Guard
Phil Wait, Center

Graduated:
Eugene Lawrence, Senior (Point Guard)

Transferred Out:
Larry Wright, Sophomore (Guard)
Mike Cavataio, Freshman (Guard/Forward)


Open Items/Issues:
Norm Roberts survived another season at St. John's without even a trip to the Big East's conference tournament. In fact, he was rewarded by the administration at St. John's with a new 5-year rollover contract. Shortly after the news, Roberts got busy on the recruiting trail adding much needed depth on the perimeter with Ty Edmondson and Quincy Roberts as well as a live body for the paint, Phil Wait. The recruiting did not stop there as the Redstorm also picked up an early 2009 commitment from point guard Malik Stith out of Virginia.

Even with the existence of a new contract, the pressure to win from fans and boosters will only intensify this coming season. Playing in front of embarrasingly small crowds at Madison Square Garden was bad enough, but losing by margins of 24 and 32 was even worse. Or, how about Pittsburgh winning six games on the Garden floor with St. John's winning just once on the hallowed floor, and that came against Marist.

My, how the mighty have fallen...

Summary:
As expected, with such a young team, St. John's was unable to imrpove upon their 7-9 mark of 2006-2007 last year. Is there hope this season? Well, it will depend on how much improvement they get from last year's freshman class. The biggest thing Norm Roberts' crew has going for them is the pair of forwards in Anthony Mason Jr. and Justin Burrell. Mason is one of the best small forwards in the conference and on many occassions last year he seemed like the only player on the floor for the Redsorm capable of scoring a basket. Burrell is a strong and athletic big forward that should continue to improve as his skills mature. He is learning not everything can be a dunk at this level.

While Mason and Burrell are better than average for the Big East, not much else is for SJU. The center position could have Burell sliding down to fill it if Tomas Jasiulionis, Phil Wait or Ayodele Coker can not find any consistency in the paint offensively of defensively. I do beleive Coker will eventually be a solid contributor and Wait sounds promising if he can get stronger and more acclimated to the American style of the game.

A big key is Rob Thomas having a year under his belt, continued conditioning and strenghening exercises for his knee. If he can resemble his old self, SJU could find another capable scorer.

Perimeter shooting is going to be a big weakness for SJU as Larry Wright, their best three-point threat has transferred. Malik Boothe will run the point, but the small point guard is not much of an offensive threat. Ty Edmondson was brought in late to give a little more pop from the point and the wing guards will rotate in and out with DJ Kennedy, Paris Horne and freshman Quincy Roberts competing for time.

St. John's seems to be a lot like Seton Hall heading into next season. While they definitely could be improved on some levels, they are unlikely to be closing much of the gap between them and the teams in the top half of the conference. What makes it difficult, some of the teams below them might be improving faster and will threaten to pass them this season. It is going to be a tough chore to eclipse last year's five Big East wins, getting closer to NIT-eligible might be their meager goal for 2008-2009.