The most beloved player in St. John’s history left campus again, now as just another coach unable to return the Red Storm to their former glory.
Chris Mullin returned to Queens with no coaching experience and exited in April with a 59-73 record and no NCAA Tournament wins. Following a lengthy coaching search in which mid-major coaches — among others — passed on the chance to take a Big East job, the Red Storm stumbled into one of the best options available.
With Mike Anderson — who was fired after eight years at Arkansas — St. John’s landed a coach who has made the NCAA Tournament at three different schools and has never produced a losing season in 17 years as a head coach. However, the Alabama native and Nolan Richardson protégé has never worked above the Mason-Dixon line, and the 59-year-old’s fit in New York won’t be as seamless as the Brooklyn legend he’s replacing.
Unlike Mullin, Anderson arrives with a proven system built on intense defensive pressure and a roster that brings back two key pieces (Mustapha Heron, LJ Figueroa) from last season’s 21-win team. But the loss of Shamorie Ponds, Justin Simon and Marvin Clark II — combined with an improved Big East — creates one of the greatest challenges of Anderson’s career.
Why St. John’s will make the NCAA Tournament
Heron and Figueroa combine to average 40 points per game, the three sophomores — Josh Roberts, Marcellus Earlington and Greg Williams Jr. — prove capable of handling big minutes, David Caraher emerges as the lights-out spot-up shooter this program has needed for years and Big East teams struggle adjusting to Anderson’s up-tempo pressing style.
Why St. John’s won’t make the NCAA Tournament
Two stars don’t make a team. While Heron and Figueroa will be two of the best players in the Big East, St. John’s will be too reliant on the talented duo, while struggling to find consistency elsewhere. Like so many recent seasons, the Red Storm’s lack of depth and size will be their downfall.
Three key questions
Will Anderson’s system succeed?
“Right now, it might be more like 25 minutes of hell,” Anderson conceded to The Post recently. So, yes, it will take time for the players to adapt to an entirely new style of play. Figueroa is perhaps the best fit in the press-happy scheme, exhibiting greater defensive instincts and hustle than most players in the country. How the rest of the largely inexperienced group acclimates will determine the direction of the season.
How will Heron handle a leading role?
Last season, the offense ran through Ponds. In the locker room, Clark was the most important voice. Now, Heron is the unquestioned leader, and the only senior who will see significant minutes. As a sophomore at Auburn, the 6-foot-5 guard led the co-SEC champions in scoring (16.4). Last season, he posted his lowest scoring average in college (14.6) as St. John’s second option.
Was Chris Mullin right?
Last season, Mullin kept the rotation tight, deeming Williams (8.4 minutes per game), Roberts (5.9) and Earlington (3.9) unable to produce as freshmen. This season, Anderson has no choice but to lean heavily on those returning players. Should they break through, this season will be even better than projected — and last season will look even worse.
Games to watch
St. John’s vs. Vermont (Nov. 16)
This is no typical early-season home game against a mid-major. Vermont is the heavy America East favorite coming off an NCAA Tournament bid, led by star senior forward Anthony Lamb. This will give us an early read on the Johnnies.
St. John’s vs. Arizona State (Nov. 23)
In an ironic twist, St. John’s will face Bobby Hurley — the coach it first pursued after Mullin stepped down — in the opener of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Mohegan Sun. A win could give the Johnnies a shot at defending-champion Virginia the next day. A loss would likely result in facing UMass.
St. John’s vs. West Virginia (Dec. 7)
Anderson coaches his first game with St. John’s at the Garden as part of the inaugural Big 12/Big East Challenge in what should be an entertaining matchup. Both coaches press and believe in playing two speeds: Fast and faster. Blink and you’ll miss several possessions.
St. John’s vs. Butler (Dec. 31)
Anderson’s Big East opener is significant, not merely because it is his introduction to the conference. This is a winnable game. It is also followed by a brutal stretch of three road games in four contests at Georgetown, Xavier and Providence.
St. John’s vs. Seton Hall (Jan. 18)
The two locals meet for the first time at the Garden, where — if Seton Hall is as good as advertised — St. John’s will have an opportunity for a marquee victory.
X factor
Josh Roberts
Forward Ian Steere will likely be out for the first 11 games — unless St. John’s wins its appeal to the NCAA for denying his waiver for eligibility — making it even more important Roberts produces. The 6-foot-9 sophomore was impressive in the team’s lone exhibition game, notching 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, and also had a double-double in a closed-door scrimmage against Temple. St. John’s was often overwhelmed in the paint last year, but if Roberts is as improved as some believe, and Steere can contribute when he’s eligible, it changes the frontcourt’s outlook.
Prediction
Playing under the program’s best coach this decade, the Red Storm will get the most out of their roster. Unfortunately, Anderson hasn’t inherited enough. St. John’s will miss the postseason for the fourth time in five years, and he will suffer the first losing season of his career as the Johnnies finish ninth in the Big East.