There’s no turning back now for the St. John’s basketball team.
Everything it has done since the start of summer workouts has led to this moment.
A win over Kansas in the Round of 32 would punch the program’s ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, but it comes with a stipulation.
Other than UConn, there’s no opponent in the Big East that could truly prepare the Johnnies for this moment. It’s why Rick Pitino opted to put together a grueling non-conference schedule that featured four SEC and two Big 12 teams.
“Probably haven't faced anything like them since Kentucky as far as the length, size, size of the back court,” Rick Pitino said on Saturday in San Diego.
“They're certainly very well coached. They're certainly extremely talented, and it'll be interesting to see how we combat their size.”
When tasked against the size of Kentucky earlier in the season, the Johnnies wilted and eventually caved in the second half – losing by 12 points. It’s something they know cannot happen against the Jayhawks or its season will be over.
“We got to make sure we hit guys, tomorrow, make sure we get rebounds,” Dillon Mitchell said.
Kansas’ three leading rebounders are all over 6-foo-7, led by sophomore Flory Bidunga.
“I was thinking about that all last night,” Rick Pitino said when asked about how the Red Storm will try and combat the size of the Jayhawks.
“Because of their defensive presence inside, what [Bidunga] does. He does a great job of -- most people wall up and climb up and just hope you miss. This guy walls up, but then he blocks your shot. And that type of length has bothered everybody who's played against him.”
It’ll put a lot of pressure on Red Storm superstar Zuby Ejiofor to not only stay out of foul trouble but lead St. John’s offense as he typically does with his overwhelming dominance of the paint.
“Zuby is going to have to move more and not be a one-dimensional guy. Just got to get him away from the basket. He's going to have to hit the outside shot. He's going to have to do other things, but I think the most important thing for Zuby is not to rush, let the game come to him,” Pitino added.
The matchup between St. John’s and Kansas is one of the most anticipated on a day that is filled with must see games as the Hall of Fame head coaches will meet for just the second time in their storied careers.
Top-seed Duke awaits the winner in Washington D.C. on Friday night.