St. John's University Athletics
2007-08 St. John's Men's Basketball Season Outlook
11/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y. - The past meets the present, and the present meets the future this season on the hardwood for St. John's Basketball.
Each fall brings new excitement for all of the true followers of New York City's college basketball team, but the coming season will be one in a lifetime for Red Storm fans for a variety of reasons. For one, St. John's celebrates its basketball centennial in 2007-08 - where the accomplished individuals, legendary moments, and unforgettable triumphs that contributed to 100 years of unparalleled basketball tradition will be honored throughout the year.
But perhaps more importantly for the contemporary St. John's fan, head coach Norm Roberts and his staff have set the table for the present and future, as a highly regarded seven-man freshman class brings new excitement, energy and a ton of talent to the Red Storm squad. Mixed with a core group of returnees that a season ago led St. John's to a winning record, an improved conference slate, another Top 25 victory and a return to the BIG EAST Tournament, there is plenty to be enthusiastic about as the 101st season in St. John's history gets set to tip off.
"We have young, exciting players in this year's freshmen, and the guys we have returning have really developed well. I think Anthony Mason Jr. is ready to have a big year. I think Eugene Lawrence is going to have a great year for us as a senior. I think Tomas Jasiulionis and Larry Wright have improved this summer," said the fourth-year head coach. "I am very excited about our versatility, our aggressiveness, and our athletic ability. We'll be more athletic and quicker than we've ever been in the three years that I've been here."
The influx of new talent in Roberts' most-gifted recruiting class to date is the latest indication that the St. John's program is decidedly on the rise. Certainly there will be bumps along the way as the crop of rookies adapt to the college game and life in the ultra-competitive BIG EAST Conference, but Roberts is confident that past lessons learned by his veterans will be handed down to the newcomers.
"I expect our older guys to set an example for our younger guys, and show leadership, work ethic and intensity," said Roberts. "Mason and Eugene have been through it all, and Tomas and Larry have gotten great experience too. I expect those guys to relate that to our young guys, and let them know that there are no off nights at this level. You have to come prepared every night."
Thanks to a roster that features bolstered athleticism and an added level of depth, Roberts and the Red Storm have revamped their attack for 2007-08, and look forward to an up-tempo style of play and an enhanced transition game. St. John's will have to replace big numbers with the graduation of first team All-BIG EAST performer Lamont Hamilton, as no longer will the offense be run through he or fellow 1,000 point scorer Daryll Hill, who, when healthy, was a major contributor in Roberts' first few seasons at the helm. Preparing so many fresh faces for high-level collegiate competition may be a daunting task, but with renewed enthusiasm and the knowledge that his returning group is ready to shine, it is a challenge Roberts and his staff are eager to meet.
"It will be a challenge being young and inexperienced, but you can counteract that by being disciplined, committed and hard-working," said Roberts. "If we do those things, that can supersede being inexperienced. We'll have to focus on paying attention to detail, doing things the right way, understanding our strengths and weaknesses and playing to those strengths."
BACKCOURT
St. John's enters the 2007-08 season with the deepest corps of guards during Roberts' tenure. Each of the perimeter players brings distinct and complementary skills to the Red Storm backcourt, giving Roberts the ability to mix personnel to meet different game situations and matchups.
![]() Eugene Lawrence led the BIG EAST in assists as a junior in 2006-07 with 5.6 per game. ![]() | ![]() |
"Geno is terrific, he is the heart and soul of our team. He is a senior now and he has been through it all. He is committed to doing everything we need to do to be successful as a team, and just brings a lot to the table for us," said Roberts.
With nagging injuries to the now-graduated Hill in the past two seasons, Lawrence was forced to shoulder the Red Storm's ball-handling responsibilities almost exclusively, and as a result averaged 35.4 minutes per game in league contests last year. Lawrence should get some relief and increase his productivity even more as freshman Malik Boothe emerges as a floor leader.
Boothe, a lightning-quick, pass-first point man from local powerhouse Christ the King, was a first team all CHSAA selection after leading his squad to the Catholic League championship last season. He and Lawrence have been working well together, pushing each other in preseason practices.
"Malik brings a lot of intangibles to our team. He brings toughness, he brings speed, he brings ball-handling and he brings extremely good passing ability," said Roberts. "He is a terrific leader and wants the ball in pressure situations. He and Eugene will thrive together because they make each other better every single day."
Sophomore sharpshooter Wright returns at the shooting guard position, after a rookie season in which he led the Red Storm in long range accuracy at 43.1 percent. Wright displayed his flair for the dramatic and his ability to come through under pressure when his 3-pointer beat then-No. 22/21 Notre Dame last Jan. 23 at Madison Square Garden.
Superior athlete Paris Horne gives the Red Storm a backcourt versatility at the two-guard spot, with his ability to explode to the basket on both ends of the floor. The top 30 guard prospect joined current Red Storm teammate Justin Burrell in leading Bridgton Academy (Maine) to the New England Prep School championship last season.
Determined walk-on Liam Biesty, who still owns a 50.0 percent career mark from 3-point range, will add depth at shooting guard and play a prominent scout team role at Red Storm practices.
SMALL FORWARD
Much of the Red Storm success in 2007-08 will be contingent upon the newcomers' adaptation to major conference basketball, but the leadership and progression of forward Mason Jr. will determine just how far St. John's can go.
![]() Anthony Mason Jr. is St. John's top returning scorer (11.9 ppg) and rebounder (5.9 ppg) and is poised for a breakout season. ![]() | ![]() |
"I expect Mase to really step up this year and be much more aggressive, on the offensive end and the defensive end. I expect him to be a `go-to' guy for us - and he knows that and wants that responsibility," said Roberts. "We need Mason to be a leader this year as a junior. He has been through it for two years now, and he needs to step that leadership role up. He had a great summer and has gotten bigger and stronger. He has really developed into form."
A pair of slashing scorers are also ready to emerge on the scene at the guard-forward position, in freshman D.J. Kennedy and Mike Cavataio.
Kennedy, a 6-6 gifted athlete from Pittsburgh, boasts a rare combination of size and athleticism. The first team All-Pennsylvania selection and top 35 small forward prospect led Schenley High to the state title a season ago, and figures to give Roberts and the Red Storm versatility on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
"D.J. brings a lot of intangibles that we really need. At 6-6 he has the ability to score, and he has the ability to handle the ball like a point guard with great court vision," said Roberts. "He loves to play defense, so he will be able to guard tall perimeter players, but he also gives us the ability to play smaller while still being able to rebound against bigger teams. He is just a glue guy that can do a lot of things, and in order to be successful, you have to have a guy like him on your team."
Cavataio, a local product from nearby St. Francis Prep, was a first team All-CHSAA selection after finishing second in the Catholic League in scoring at 25.0 ppg last season. Cavataio primarily scores off the bounce, but is working on a long-range game as well at the college level.
"Mike knows how to play the game, and how to move without the basketball. He has a very good knack for scoring, and he is much more athletic than some people think," said Roberts.
FRONTCOURT
Junior big man Tomas Jasiulionis heads up a young group of frontcourt players. The 6-11 "Big Lithuanian" continues to lead by example and was named one of the team's tri-captains. Jasiulionis gives St. John's a skilled option in the post, and will see significant time in 2007-08 after earning 10 starts as a sophomore last season.
![]() Tomas Jasiulionis is the Red Storm's most experienced post player, but will be joined by talented newcomers in the front court this season. ![]() | ![]() |
"We expect Justin to be a major impact guy for us this year," said Roberts. "He is a guy that can score from 15 feet, or with his back to the basket. He brings unbelievable energy and toughness and aggressiveness. I think the sky is the limit for his potential."
At 6-10, 270 lbs., imposing big man Dele Coker adds a little "thunder" to Burrell's "lightning" in the post. Originally of Nigerian descent, Coker spent the last two seasons at South Kent (Conn.), where he contributed as part of a four-man post player rotation among several Division I prospects.
Philadelphia's Sean Evans, a two-sport all-state standout in basketball and football, gives the Red Storm a versatile post player with excellent size but guard-like skills on both ends of the floor. The 6-8, 242-pounder can bang down low with BIG EAST big men, or step out onto the wing and shut down smaller players.
"Sean brings us a tremendous amount of versatility, where he can play inside and out," said Roberts. "He is 6-8, 242 lbs., and is a guy that can stretch defenses, attack the offensive glass and attack the basket in transition."
The Red Storm should get a boost midway through the season, as partial qualifier Rob Thomas becomes eligible, and healthy. Thomas, who completes his NCAA-mandated "year in residence" in December of 2007, is progressing nicely after a knee injury that threatened to keep him sidelined for the entire 2007-08 season. Once healthy, Thomas will give St. John's an inside-outside scorer that was rated a top 35 power forward in his prep school days.
Otoja Abit, a four-year walk-on and an outstanding ambassador of the men's basketball program, brings an athletic shot-blocking presence to the Red Storm scout team as he looks to earn minutes in the frontcourt.
THE SCHEDULE
Nationally televised matchups, a pre-Christmas appearance in the University of Hawaii's Rainbow Classic and road trips to Miami and Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium underscore the schedule for St. John's 101st year on the hardwood. Roberts and his talented, young squad could play as many as 15 contests against teams that reached the postseason in 2006-07, all as the BIG EAST expands to an 18-game regular season conference schedule and the University engages in a season-long celebration of St. John's basketball centennial.
In addition to the expanded regular season schedule, the BIG EAST announced an enhanced television package as well. For the first time ever, all BIG EAST conference games are guaranteed to air on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Regional or ESPN 360).
"We are looking forward to an exciting year, where we will be playing a very competitive schedule against some of the top teams in the country," said Roberts. "We have a great opportunity to play tough teams on the road like Duke and Miami, and its great to be in tournaments with history like the Rainbow Classic and our own Holiday Festival. Our non-conference schedule will be challenging, and our home schedule overall has really improved with the increased number of BIG EAST conference games. Now we have terrific BIG EAST matchups at both The Garden and Carnesecca Arena, and I hope our fans are really excited to watch great BIG EAST basketball games at both venues."
St. John's opens the season with four-straight November home games against regional squads, meeting St. Francis (N.Y.) on Nov. 14 (7:30 p.m., SportsNet New York), Sacred Heart on Nov. 20 (7:30 p.m.), Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 25 (7:30 p.m.) and LIU on Nov. 28 (7:30 p.m.) at venerable Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y.
After the season-opening homestand, the Red Storm heads to Coral Gables, Fla., for a nationally televised matchup against former BIG EAST opponent and current ACC squad Miami on Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. The game will be carried throughout the country on FOX Sports Net. St. John's then returns home to Queens for a 98th all-time matchup with fellow Vincentian school Niagara on Dec. 15 (7:30 p.m.).
For the first time since 1976, the men's basketball team will touch down in the tropics of Hawaii, as the Red Storm participates in the 2007 Rainbow Classic. The Red Storm meets the Ohio Bobcats in the opening round (Dec. 19), then faces Louisiana-Lafayette or tournament-host Hawaii and continues in championship/consolation play as the bracket rolls on, Dec. 21-22.
Winners of two of the last three Holiday Festivals, St. John's looks to recapture the crown in the 2007 version of the classic event at Madison Square Garden, presented by Aeropostale. The Red Storm meets Marist on Dec. 28, following a matchup between ACC foe Virginia Tech and Hofstra. The winners meet for the championship on Dec. 29. All games will be televised on the MSG Network.
BIG EAST conference play gets underway just after the New Year, and opens when the Red Storm heads north to the Carrier Dome for a tilt with upstate league rival Syracuse on Jan. 2 (7 p.m., SportsNet New York). St. John's plays host to Cincinnati on Saturday, Jan. 5 (6 p.m., ESPN Classic), at Carnesecca Arena for the first of two meetings with the Bearcats. Road trips to UConn on Jan. 8 (7 p.m., SportsNet New York) and the first of two matchups with reigning NIT champion West Virginia on Jan. 17 (7 p.m., MSG Network) sandwich a Carnesecca Arena home game against Vincentian BIG EAST rival DePaul on Jan. 12 (Noon, MSG Network).
St. John's faces Pitt (Jan. 23, 7 p.m., MSG Network) and Georgetown (Jan. 30, 7 p.m., FOX Sports New York) on consecutive Wednesdays at The World's Most Famous Arena, interrupted by a road trip to Louisville's Freedom Hall on Saturday, Jan. 26 (3:30 p.m., MSG Network). The Red Storm then hits the road for two consecutive road tilts, meeting South Florida on Feb. 2 (7 p.m., MSG Network) at the Sun Dome and Rutgers on Feb. 6 (7:30 p.m., ESPN 360) at the RAC. Three of the next four games are at home, as Providence visits Carnesecca Arena on Feb. 9 (Noon, FOX Sports New York), the Red Storm heads to Cincinnati on Feb. 13 (7 p.m., ESPN2), and Villanova (Feb. 16, 8 p.m., ESPN Classic) and Marquette (Feb. 20) come to The Garden. The Red Storm-Golden Eagles matchup will air nationally on ESPN 2 at 7 p.m.
St. John's heads south to Tobacco Road for its annual meeting with the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, Feb. 23, in a nationally televised contest on CBS (4 p.m.). This will be the 10th-straight season in which the two squads have met.
The Red Storm makes the return trip to Georgetown's Verizon Center on Feb. 27 (9 p.m., ESPNU) before returning to Queens to host Seton Hall on Saturday, March 1 (4 p.m., MSG Network). St. John's visits Notre Dame's Joyce Convention Center for the first time in three seasons on March 5 (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports New York), before hosting its final regular season home game at The Garden on Sunday, March 8 (Noon, MSG Network), when the Red Storm takes on West Virginia.
The BIG EAST Championship Tournament takes place at the World's Most Famous Arena from Wednesday, March 12, to Saturday, March 15 (ESPN).
In all, St. John's could play 15 regular-season games against teams that participated in postseason tournaments in 2006-07 (NCAA - Final Four participant Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Duke, Louisville, Marquette, Villanova, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Niagara; NIT - West Virginia, DePaul, Syracuse, Hofstra).
THE FUTURE IS HERE, THE FUTURE IS NOW
In three seasons, Roberts has restored respectability and relevance to one of the proud, storied programs in the history of NCAA basketball. Considerable and measurable improvements have been reached in each year of the Roberts Era, and steady and significant progress has been made. With the foundation now set for the next century of St. John's hardwood glory, Roberts' determination and effort has the Red Storm moving toward a certain and bright future.
"I want to continue on our path to success. We've taken steps every year and have improved, and we need to continue that and hopefully get to postseason play, but there are a lot of things that happen along the way," said Roberts. "You have to have some luck, and have some good things happen for you as well. But we'll continue to get better and improve because of how hard we work."