Red Storm rising?

Good morning! Thanks for taking a break from your fantasy football research to spend a few minutes on college hoops. Even in summer, we’ve got stuff to share with you.

1. St. John’s gets defensive. In a good way.

It’s no secret Rick Pitino was annoyed with St. John’s last season.

His post-game rant “this has been the most unenjoyable experience I’ve had since I’ve been coaching,” was quoted, turned into a meme, and nearly served as the rally cry for an NCAA tourney berth. The Red Storm won six straight after that and their 95-90 loss to UConn in the Big East Tournament was the closest anyone came to beating the Huskies all month.

So. Will this season be more of the same?

Given the transfer portal additions St. John’s made — headed by two of the best available guards in Seton Hall’s Kadary Richmond and Utah’s Deivon Smith — Pitino should have less heartburn because of an improved defense.

Richmond and Smith are two of the best perimeter defenders in the sport. Richmond’s 6-6 frame and physicality makes him a formidable defender, while Pitino’s already called Smith one of the fastest players he’s ever coached.

Those two would be an upgrade for almost any backcourt, and should ensure that the Red Storm live up to its moniker on defense. But, as Rob Dauster and John Fanta discuss, there are concerns around perimeter shooting and the frontcourt.

To be fair, only a handful of teams don’t have perimeter shooting concerns. Snagging players who can stretch a defense has been at a premium the last few years and was high on everyone’s shopping list during the offseason.

Assuming the shots fall at an average rate, and the frontcourt depth — North Texas transfer Aaron Scott, USC transfer Vince Iwuchukwu, along with returning big Zuby Ejiofor and freshmen Ruben Prey and Khaman Maker — allows Pitino enough options that his guards aren’t left hanging, the other challenge will be balancing playing time.

Like most Pitino teams, it’s a full roster. There are four freshman and two returning sophomores in Brady Dunlap and Simeon Wilcher. Most times, having transfers come in to take spots from returning players might be an issue. But it sounds like it’s been smooth thus far, especially because Wilcher recognizes the talent of Richmond and Smith.

“I didn’t have any bad feelings or any bad thoughts about it.,” Wilcher told the NY Post. “The two guys we brought in, they’re not selfish people. We’re going to share the [ball]. It’s not really about how my role is going to change. I’m here just to be myself, play my game and see how I can contribute to this team.”

It’ll be fascinating how the minutes shake out, especially if Pitino’s bench plays its usual role (only twice since 2012 have Pitino teams given less than 30% of their overall minutes to the bench), not just because of his style, but because of his large, fairly young roster.

Will they get developed and treat this season as a bridge into 2025-26? Because that’s the Pitino move most of us have seen at previous stops.

2. Florida’s newest prospect has a familiar name

Todd Golden had the inside track to this 2025 recruit.

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