What's Happening?
St. John's basketball team, ranked fifth, faced a significant challenge in their recent exhibition game against seventh-ranked Michigan at Madison Square Garden. The team was outrebounded by 12, a shortfall not attributed to their big men, who collectively
secured 23 rebounds. Instead, the issue lay with the guards, Dylan Darling, Ian Jackson, Oziyah Sellers, and Joson Sanon, who managed only one rebound among them. Coach Rick Pitino expressed concern over the guards' lack of rebounding, highlighting it as the team's most glaring weakness. Oziyah Sellers, the starting point guard, struggled with fouls, limiting his playtime to eight scoreless minutes. Ian Jackson, dealing with a sore ankle, also underperformed, shooting 1-for-8 from the field. Despite these challenges, Pitino remains confident in his players' potential to improve.
Why It's Important?
The performance of St. John's guards is crucial for the team's success in the upcoming season. Rebounding is a fundamental aspect of basketball that can significantly influence the outcome of games. The guards' inability to contribute effectively in this area could hinder the team's overall performance, especially against top-tier opponents. Coach Pitino's emphasis on improving this aspect indicates its importance in their strategy. The exhibition game against Michigan serves as a wake-up call for the team to address these weaknesses before the regular season begins. The development of the guards' rebounding skills could be pivotal in St. John's quest for a successful season.
What's Next?
St. John's will need to focus on enhancing their guards' rebounding abilities in practice sessions. Coach Pitino is likely to implement specific drills and strategies to address this issue. The team will also need to work on reducing fouls and improving shooting accuracy, as evidenced by Ian Jackson's performance. As the regular season approaches, these adjustments will be critical for the team's competitiveness. The coaching staff's ability to rectify these weaknesses will be tested in upcoming games, and their success could determine the team's standing in the league.
