The 5-star recruit Ian Jackson showed up for the St. John’s basketball team on Saturday night against Villanova.
For the first time all season, Jackson was as engaged defensively as he’s ever been. He was quick and electric driving to the basket on offense, which was a completely new dimension for the Red Storm as it led to an 89-57 victory over the Wildcats.
Jackson notched five quick points before his best defensive sequence of the season, registering three steals in as many possession which led to six points, including a windmill dunk.
“He’ gotten to become a better defensive player,” Pitino said after the game. “He’s picking up a lot of different things from rebounding and steals and making himself a total player and not just a scorer.”
“And that’s what we’re trying to do more than anything else because he has the abilities. He’s long, he’s fast, he’s intelligent, and he can become the best defensive gurard on the team.”
It all culminated in Jackson finishing with 19 points and five rebounds, which were both the most he recorded since January 28 in a win over Butler. His five steals were a career high.
“It’s just having the mentality of trying to impact winning” Ian Jackson explained. “Whatever it takes that night, whether it’s on defense, offense, whatever I could do to help us win is what I’m willing to do.”
After missing St. John’s win over Creighton due to an ankle injury, Jackson has come off the bench in the last two games for the Johnnies. It’s the first time he has not started since December 6, but Rick Pitino knows that regardless of where he begins the game, he will be a major factor in the team’s success in the NCAA Tournament.
“I think the backcourt is what wins in the NCAA [Tournament],” Pitino added. “I think you have to have a great backcourt, that’s how you win…If we can keep improving there, we will be tough.”
Dylan Darling, Oziyah Sellers, and Ian Jackson combined for 40 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals with only two turnovers in the victory.
It’s the recipe for success for the Johnnies.