“You’re going to make me retire. I can’t live life without you,” Rick Pitino said jokingly to Zuby Ejiofor after their season-defying victory on Feb. 6 over UConn.
The vibe and scene was very different in the final home game against Georgetown, one that involved tears from the coldblooded Rick Pitino. The Johnnies celebrated the success of five seniors on March 3rd, including Zuby Ejiofor, Handje Tamba, Oziyah Sellers, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell.
The win wasn’t pretty — but the Johnnies proved yet again they can battle through adversity. Here’s five takeaways from the come-from-behind 72-69 win over Georgetown.
Dylan Darling clearly proud owner of the starting PG spot
For the second consecutive game, Rick Pitino decided it was right to start the former Big Sky Player of the Year in the point guard role. Dylan Darling, for the second-straight game, didn’t disappoint.
Darling has unlocked several different abilities that were hidden away from the bench slot, the ability to be a leading scorer. Through the first nine minutes, Darling had the most points on the floor — with eight early points, along with two rebounds.
The first-year Johnny was a key factor in the victory, finishing with 12 points, along with four steals, a career-high. One of the biggest baskets of the day came directly off a steal from Darling, a dominant layup in one-on-one coverage which gave the Johnnies a lead.
St. John’s guard play has been a key improvement as of late, with it stretching from Darling, to Ian Jackson and even now Joson Sanon. However, the addition of Darling to the starting lineup gives the Red Storm a true-PG, one who can create plays more effortlessly.
St. John’s — the epitome of Bipolarness
It’s comical at this point, one day the Johnnies will score 49 in the first half and win by 32 against a Villanova team that will be in the NCAA tournament, then next — they’re in a dogfight with Georgetown. It was a dull start for the Red Storm, who scored just 26 points in the first half, shooting 11-31 as a team.
However, in the second half, the Johnnies found themselves on a steady climb to regain the lead, cutting the game to 32-34, before Georgetown suddenly held a 10-point lead. A timeout was called by Pitino, which led to a completely different flip to be switched — one in which earned St. John’s the win. The Red Storm outscored the Hoyas 46-35 in the final 20 minutes.
This trend caused their painful second-round exit last season against Arkansas, one in which involves slow-paced play early on, and then when picking up the pace in the second half, it’s too late.
Zuby Duby Doo
A new catchy phrase has emerged for the ever so dominant Zuby Ejiofor, that is “Zuby Duby Doo.” Ejiofor has done a bit of everything for St. John’s this season, from dominating the paint, to dishing out passes, and even stretching his game to the three-point line.
Ejiofor put on a show for the Red Storm fans in attendance, ending his night with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks and steals.
“I’m glad he’s graduating, get him the hell out of here,” said Georgetown coach Ed Cooley. “Zuby was the difference-maker — he’s going to get my vote for Big East player of the Year and Defensive POY.”
Ejiofor has the Big East Player of the Year locked up, along with a spot on the All-Conference team, and even the conference Defensive Player of the Year — all awards that the legendary giant rightfully deserves.
The ability is there for Joson Sanon… Now it’s about finding consistency
There’s one thing that’s guaranteed for Joson Sanon — he isn’t afraid to take a shot.
Sanon could be compared to a loaded gun, something that could be lethal when fired off. Flashes of greatness have appeared for the former Arizona State Sun Devil, but now its about putting everything together to be great.
“He can be a really aggressive player,” said teammate Zuby Ejiofor when asked about the potential of Sanon. “When you need a three, you can give it to him, he’s not hesitant to take the shot. The sky is the limit for him, he has all the intangibles.”
The guard proved he wasn’t scared to take a shot no matter the situation in the win over Georgetown, scoring all 15 of his points in the second half, shooting 5-9 from the field in the same stretch.
“I’m never hesitant,” said Sanon. “My shots cold-blooded.”
With the recent emergence of potential consistent success from behind-the-arc, Sanon has the opportunity to be a hidden gem for the Johnnies come tournament time.
What’s at stake for St. John’s this weekend?
With their final game at the Garden in the books, St. John’s finishes with a 10-2 record at MSG, the eighth time doing so in program history.
One game remains — much at stake in terms of Big East tournament seeding. As of right now, St. John’s has at least a share of the regular season title along with the No.2 seed in the tournament — if they defeat Seton Hall on March 6th, they clinch at least a share of the regular season. On March 7th, UConn plays Marquette on the road, with a loss and a Johnnies win — they’ll earn full credit as the Big East regular season champs, and the No.1 seed in the tournament for a second-straight season.
A loss to the Pirates? The Johnnies would outright come in second, with a meeting against the winner of Providence-Xavier guaranteed in the Big East tournament.
