St. John’s basketball may be back. The Red Storm entered a pivotal Big East contest against a Seton Hall opponent that shocked the nation with a dominant 14-4 record (4-3 Big East), which also featured a spot in the AP Top 25 at No. 25.
The Johnnies knew this game would be gritty, against an opponent that had found a sudden identity in physical defense, holding the No. 10 spot in defensive rating on KenPom.
It was a tough win for St. John’s, one that was almost lost after a slow start — trailing the Pirates by as much as 15 points. However, they fought back, thanks to a tough lesson taught by Rick Pitino: “Are you going to win the game, or go home?” With that, here are five takeaways from a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Snoozefest on offense through first half…
Your usual script at the Mecca: boring Red Storm basketball through the first 10 minutes of play, followed by a sudden burst of momentum. The Johnnies took their average approach to the game, not taking what worked well for them in the win on Jan. 17 against Villanova into their matchup with Seton Hall — at least through the first 10 minutes of play.
The Pirates were perfect from beyond the arc to start the contest, draining their first three attempts, which provided a swift 18-12 lead. Once the 10-minute mark hit, a switch flipped causing the Red Storm to fight back, thanks to strong defense from Ian Jackson and an emphatic slam from Dillon Mitchell.
Again, Seton Hall found itself still holding a small lead of three with under three minutes to go, especially with St. John’s providing an offense that looked — off.
Going into halftime, Seton Hall held a 38-32 lead.
It was interesting to see how Rick Pitino and the Johnnies would respond. Would they double down on interior scoring? Stretch the ball beyond the arc? Fight to get to the line? Through 20 minutes, St. John’s couldn’t crack the code to the riddle Seton Hall was providing.
Follow-up: It continued…
The struggle on offense continued, failing to score through the first two minutes, with dull offensive possessions that featured missed shots and passed-up open looks. The Red Storm missed their first six attempts, carrying a scoring drought through the first five minutes of the half, with their last basket coming at the three-minute mark of the first half.
Finally, after the five-minute drought, St. John’s was able to get its first basket of the half, which was emphatically followed up by likely the second-best comeback in sports this week (shoutout Caleb Williams).
The Johnnies found themselves back in the game, scraping together a hard-fought second half in which they outscored Seton Hall 30-20, led by the night’s biggest hero — and likely the best basketball player in New York at the moment — Dillon Mitchell. The Cincinnati transfer dipped his feet into offensive play, leading the group with seven points while playing a crucial role in the Red Storm comeback.
DOUBLE DYLAN/DILLON Deluxe with a side of Ruben Prey?
The unlikely heroes of the night: Dylan Darling, Dillon Mitchell and Ruben Prey. Three of the main reasons St. John’s was able to claw its way back into the game, two unlikely bench heroes, along with the pure definition of grit and hard work in Mitchell.
It was an off night for Zuby Ejiofor. The preseason Big East Player of the Year got into foul trouble via a technical foul earned in the early minutes of play while fighting for a ball with Elijah Fisher.
The rebounding woes in the first half were on display from Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, which forced Mitchell to be a rebounding presence. In the second half alone, the point forward tallied eight rebounds, adding to his total of 11 — a season high.
Ruben Prey was crucial in his much-needed minutes with Ejiofor in foul trouble, scoring four points with three rebounds down the stretch while taking a beating under the hoop when fighting for rebounds.
Dylan Darling was critical in his minutes, serving as the primary guard through most of the second half, playing 15 minutes compared to Ian Jackson’s two minutes of play.
“I thought Dylan Darling isolated and gave us the win,” Pitino said.
St. John’s has earned its victories thanks to many different names on different nights — a sign that, when needed, the team can rally together, something necessary in March play.
Rebounding was non-existent for St. John’s…
It was a really weird night for St. John’s — offensive woes and a sudden switch in offensive rebound ratio.
Prior to the Seton Hall clash, the Red Storm had allowed just 12 total offensive rebounds through their previous two contests. Against Seton Hall, they allowed 12 in the first half, a key contribution to the Pirates’ success.
Overall, the Johnnies matched the Pirates with 41 rebounds, allowing six more offensive boards in the second half, which contributed to their total of 13 second-chance points.
St. John’s collected 27 of its 41 rebounds in the second half — another wacky stat to add and a key contribution to its late-game heroics.
Crazy to call Dillon Mitchell the team MVP?
Getting Dillon Mitchell in the transfer portal might just go down as the best decision Rick Pitino has made during his time with St. John’s. Whether the team needs defense or a lift from the crowd, Mitchell has been that guy — without a doubt.
To start the season, the forward appeared off the bench, contributing in any way he could while also being named co-captain in October. As of late, the Cincinnati transfer has found a starting role and, not only that, a possible spot as the team’s MVP.
Against Seton Hall, Mitchell did a bit of everything, totaling 17 points along with 11 rebounds, giving the Red Storm a huge lift on the boards when Ejiofor didn’t have it. Mitchell was also a force on defense, adding two steals.
“Just limiting what I can do,” Mitchell said as he reflected on his time at St. John’s so far. “Just going out there and having confidence, playing with such skilled teammates.”
Mitchell has left Pitino, one of the greatest coaches in the sport, wishing for more, being held to just one season of Mitchell, who he’s called the “most” exciting basketball player to watch next to Steph Curry.
