Brendan Myers:
Record Prediction: 19 -10
The record is contingent upon how quickly the team adjusts to playing with without Maya Singleton and Imani Littleton, but with all the experience returning, a strong backcourt, and a talented scorer like Akina Wellere, the adjustment period shouldn’t take long.
Most Important Game: 11/23 vs. UConn:
Coach Tartamella scheduled a different non-conference schedule, and the team won’t play a better program all season than UConn. It’ll be a good test to see where the Red Storm stack up against the elite of women’s college basketball.
MVP: Akina Wellere
Best Newcomer: Curteeona Brelove
Most Improved: Kayla Charles
John Cavanagh:
Record Prediction: 21-13
This experienced team will once again return to the postseason and thrive under a more fast-paced style.
Most Important Game: 11/23 vs. UConn
An early season test on the road against the vaunted number two ranked Huskies. What an win this would be.
Team’s MVP: Tiana England
Best Newcomer: Kadaja Bailey
Most Improved: Kayla Charles
Sean Okula:
RECORD: 18 -11
The non-conference schedule has its daunting foes. Just .500 in-conference got the Red Storm to the WNIT last year. This year it might take a little more.
BIGGEST GAME: 2/17 vs DePaul
Valentine’s Day weekend features home bouts with both preseason conference favorites. Just one win could be a statement.
MVP: Akina Wellere
BEST NEWCOMER: Kadaja Bailey
MOST IMPROVED: Tiana England
Nick Bello:
Record: 20 – 9
Coming off of their 11th-straight postseason run, Joe Tartamella and his squad should have a great season with the addition of Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year Kadaja Bailey and with the returning backcourt tandem of Qadashah Hoppie and Tiana England. Although the Red Storm will face tough teams like UConn at the start of the season, they should have a great Big East campaign.
Most Important Game: 11/22 vs. Purdue
This year St. John’s plays in the Paradise Classic which features a lot of strong teams like Purdue and UConn. Purdue should be a good matchup given that both the Red Storm and the Boilermakers made it far in the WNIT.
MVP: Akina Wellere
Best Newcomer: Kadaja Bailey
Most Improved: Alisha Kebbe
Nick McCreven:
Record Prediction: 16-13. The Red Storm have a few grueling non-conference opponents to begin their season. I have them at 7-4 in non-conference play and 9-9 in the Big East, however, I believe a lot hinges upon their performance against UConn. An early season win
over the dominant Huskies could be a major confidence boost that can carry over throughout the season.
Most Important Game:11/23 vs. UConn. A game against one of the most elite programs in college sports history will always be the most exciting one to watch. A win could put the Johnnies on the map as a NCAA tournament threat later in the season.
MVP: Akina Wellere
Best Newcomer: Kadaja Bailey
Most Improved: Qadashah Hoppie
