St. John’s Struggles But Manages to Beat Franklin Pierce

It is very early in the college basketball season. Things like kinks in a team’s fluidity are expected at this point of the season. That is why it is important not to get too high or too low while evaluating teams and players on a game by game basis. Which is something that should apply to the St. John’s Red Storm who needed a second-half burst took take down Division II Franklin Pierce, 94-81.

While the first-half was ugly, mired with foul trouble for the Johnnies, the second-half showcased what everyone was hoping the Red Storm would be. Down by seven at the end of the first 20, St. John’s managed to outscore Franklin Pierce by 20 points and make the game look like less of a game than it actually was.

More good news for St. John’s fans, though. The combination of D’Angelo Harrison and Rysheed Jordan seem to be really working out. The two of them combined for 50 points (led by Harrison’s 31), 25 (17 of those from Harrison) boards and 8 assists. That is essentially what the Red Storm will need from the two if they hope to make a dent in the Big East Conference — especially from Jordan, who will need to show more consistency before anyone sane buys back into the hype. Regardless, he has done a very good job through two games. 

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Now, despite what people think, I am not a hater of Sir’Dominic Pointer. However, he still took too many shots (10) and got blown away while guarding Franklin Pierce’s Ryen Vilmont, who scored 29 against the Red Storm (not all against Pointer, obviously). The shot attempts — while I am apparently the only one who thinks so — are troubling, but Pointer is a tremendous defensive player. Getting smoked by Vilmont is a troubling sign, but could possibly be attributed to Vilmont being on fire last night, particularly from three. He did manage to get two steals during a large Johnnies run, though, that helped fuel the second-half blowout portion of the game.

Chris Obekpa ran into some early foul trouble as well. Not to make too many excuses for Pointer, but the Johnnies rely upon O’Blockpa a ton for help defense, which allows other Red Storm players to be far more aggressive. Without him in the lineup guys like Pointer are left more on an island.

Phil Greene IV also had a nice offensive game, scoring 18 points on an efficient 6-11 from the floor.

The biggest take away from the game may have been the Red Storm’s shooting from beyond the arc. It has been forever since the Johnnies have been known as even a competent team from three, but St. John’s went 6-13 from deep last night. Obviously, it is worth noting that 3’Angelo Harrison hit five of those.

So, some positives, a few negatives and a win. All things considered, with the season being this early, it is okay to have some growing pains as long as you win the games you are suppose to.

Nevertheless, another win for the Red Storm who will face the LIU Blackbirds on Wednesday next.