Instead of running out of gas like they have in previous years, the Red Storm are showing they are at their best late in games
St. John’s struggled with finishing games in recent years, particularly last season. They would claim an impressive first half lead, then frustratingly let it slip away after halftime. Through the first ten games of this season, with the exception of the infamous Baylor game, they are the team that can close down games in the second half. Now the Red Storm are trying to figure out how they can carry over their explosive second half bursts into their slower first halves.
“I can’t really tell you that,” Zuby Ejiofor replied when asked for an explanation for the slow starts after Wednesday’s game versus Bryant. “We always preach that we’re going to come into every single game and play two halves and for some reason we haven’t been doing that. That’s something we really have to work on.”
During last Saturday’s game versus Kansas State, St. John’s trailed by as much as ten in the first half, before outscoring the Wildcats by 21 in the second half to win comfortably, 88-71. On Wednesday night, the Red Storm led Bryant by one before starting a prolonged 21-3 run to help clinch the game and build on their metrics with a 22-point win. According to CBBAnalytics.com, St. John’s has went on a 8-0 run or better 19 times this season, ranking in the top 25 nationally.
In Rick Pitino’s eyes, he would much rather have that second half scoring outburst, even if the team struggled in the first half.
“Unless you’re facing the ‘96 Kentucky team, the other team is going to make comebacks and we’re going to make comebacks,” Pitino said after the Bryant game, “Basketball is a game of runs. As long as you have your run in the second half, that’s what counts. In the first half, it’s about jockeying for position, staying out of foul trouble, seeing the matchups, and in the next twenty minutes, you have to go for it.”
Perhaps reflective of the Red Storm’s second half swings is the increasing intensity of Zuby Ejiofor’s play after a slow start to his junior season. Ejiofor only averaged seven points and three rebounds per game through his first three games, but is now averaging 17.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game over his next seven games, totaling four double-doubles and four games scoring 22 points or more in that stretch.
Rick Pitino said in Wednesday’s press conference that he used tape of Zuby Ejiofor’s offensive rebounds to Ruben Prey and Vince Iwuchukwu as demonstration of his technique of tracking the ball and clearing space in the post.
“Every player can’t work like Zuby… Ruben [Prey] has a little bit of that, but nobody on the team works like Zuby,” Pitino said, “If you can get a group of guys like him, that have that skill of working that hard, you’ve got a great team.”
It isn’t just Ejiofor who is responsible for these strong second half runs. R.J. Luis and Simeon Wilcher each improved their shooting, from both long-range and in attacking the rim, to create more space on the floor. Aaron Scott is playing the role of an offensive floor spacer and defensive stopper perfectly. Deivon Smith has added an element of pace and tenacity on the fastbreak for St. John’s, which they lacked last season. If Kadary Richmond can break out of his slow start and play with more energy, their ceiling will elevate tremendously.
The Red Storm begin Big East play next Tuesday against DePaul, so we will see if they can continue to dominate in second halves — or even become a first and second half team.