It doesn’t quite have the feel of opening night but there is a buzz around the St. John’s basketball team entering its exhibition opener on Wednesday night (6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+) against Drexel.
Last week, international prospect Babacar Sane had his temporary restraining order (TRO) extended until November 9 which means he can play until his next hearing.
On Tuesday, Keyshawn Hall learned that he could continue to play after his TRO was extended for a fifth year of eligibility until the judge comes down with a final ruling and British point guard Quinn Ellis was cleared by the NCAA to play this season.
Indiana transfer Reed Bailey, who is also seeking a fifth year of eligibility, is able to play for the Johnnies as a member of the state of California court case.
It all means that, pending health, St. John’s will have its full roster available against Drexel. With some issues still to be solved, it gives some clarity to Rick Pitino on what its roster could look like when the season begins on November 2.
St. John’s will have a busy lead up to the regular season with another exhibition matchup against Rutgers on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden and its preseason finale on Sunday, October 25 against Texas at The Mecca.
It has been a trying offseason and preseason for the Johnnies after the season ending injury to Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman and the uncertainty of its roster. St. John’s did not have a full summer program with some of its international players not arriving to campus until the start of the fall semester.
It has put the Red Storm a little behind in its preparation for the season but not overly concerning to Rick Pitino, who believes this could be his most talented team since he arrived at St. John’s.
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