2008 St. Johns Red Storm Basketball Preview

The St. John’s Red Storm (11-19 overall, 5-13 Big East) put in a losing season last year after posting a winning 16-15 mark in 2006-2007. Entering his fifth year as the coach of the Red storm, Norm Roberts knows that he still has a long way to go to make this team competitive. The good thing is that he’s got the drive and vision to do so.

In the frontcourt, senior Anthony Mason Jr. (30.4 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 42.1 FG%, 66.7 FT%) and sophomore Justin Burrell (31.5 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.5 APG, 42.9 FG%, 73.5 FT%) create a solid tandem. Mason, a leader on the court, missed eight games last season and was hampered in others by an ankle injury. If he stays healthy, he’ll be dominant. It’s hoped that swingman D.J. Kennedy (26.5 MPG, 7.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 44.6 FG%, 70.6 FT%), a sophomore, can contribute more this season. Sophomore forward Sean Evans (14.0 MPG, 3.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.2 APG, 43.2 FG%, 34.6 FT%) could also have a breakout season.

With the guard spots being depleted, freshmen TyShwan Edmondson and Quincy Roberts will see plenty of action. Edmondson, who was an All-State player in Kentucky, will be at the point. Roberts, who is a combo guard, averaged 18.5 PPG in his senior year. Sophomore Malik Boothe (19.0 MPG, 3.0 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 30.3 FG%, 65.8 FT%) started six games last season for the Storm. In order to win playing time, he’ll have to improve on his point production. Junior Paris Horne (15.2 MPG, 5.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.5 APG, 44.8 FG%, 67.6FT%) made the most of his limited playing time and should see more minutes this season.

St. John’s brings back a load of sophomores, a junior and two seniors. And although much of the team is young, there’s a decent amount of experience on board. If they can put more than 62.1 PPG on the board that will help, as will better playmaking and rebounding. There’s some good new talent coming to play this year and that should help. If coach Roberts can hold onto this year’s players, next year the Red Storm could be brewing some trouble for their Big East counterparts.