2006-2007 Big East Preview: #10

#10- St. John's Red Storm

Last season: 12-15 (5-11).
Coach: Norm Roberts (3rd year). 21-33 at St. John's.

For Norm Roberts and the Red Storm, this is the year. With the high expectations that come with St. John's basketball, the Johnnies need to step it up this season. After inheriting a program in turmoil from the Mike Jarvis years, Roberts has finally turned things around and there should be no where to go but up. Recruiting is key at St. John's, a small urban school. Knowing that, Roberts has picked up a solid recruiting class in his third year on the job. Qa'rraan Calhoun will anchor this class, as this 6-8 forward will play a big role off the bench for the Red Storm. Teaming up with Anthony Spears and Lamont Hamilton in the post, St. John's has a formindable frontcourt.

In the backcourt, Daryll Hill and Eugene Lawrence will make the Johnnies very balanced. Hill, a tremendous offensive player, should have a great season and will average 15-20 ppg barring an injury. Lawrence is known around the league as a solid defender, but has become a solid offensive player as well putting up over 9 ppg last season.

St. John's could be very good this year. They had a very good season last year defensively, but they just struggled to score. With Hamilton, Hill, Lawrence, and Anthony Mason Jr. (8.4 ppg), St. John's has the potential to put up a lot of points this season. The Johnnies are the only team in the Big East that returns all five of its starters. The one thing that does concern me is their depth off the bench, as they are very thin. Calhoun and Ricky Torres are decent, but that only makes them seven-deep. Fatigue may become an issue, and Roberts will need to decide on a rotation early in the season. St. John's non-conference schedule is very easy, aside from a late season with Duke and a semi-final matchup in the 2K Sports Classic (they will be playing on their home floor however). However, the Big East schedule is very difficult in my estimation. I expect St. John's to be a team that relies on defense, but can put a lot of points on the board against certain opponents. They may challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament if they get hot.

Schedule and predictions:

11/10- vs. North Florida- W
11/11- vs. Loyola (MD) or Navy- W
11/16 vs. Maryland (likely opponent)- L
11/17 vs. Michigan State (likely opponent)- L
11/25 vs. Illinois State- W
11/28 vs. LIU- W
12/1 vs. UMBC- W
12/5 vs. St. Francis (NY)- W
12/9 @ Niagara- W
12/21 vs. NJIT- W
12/23 vs. Columbia- W
12/28 vs. Boston U.- W
12/29 vs. Hofstra or St. Joe's- W
1/3 vs. DePaul- W
1/6 @ West Virginia- W
1/11 @ Seton Hall- L
1/13 vs. Connecticut- L
1/16 @ DePaul- L
1/21 vs. Syracuse- L
1/23 vs. Notre Dame- W
1/27 @ Pittsburgh- L
2/1 vs. Georgetown- L
2/4 @ Cincinnati- L
2/7 vs. South Florida- W
2/11 @ Syracuse- L
2/15 vs. Rutgers- W
2/17 @ Providence- L
2/21 @ Louisville- L
2/25 vs. Duke- L
3/4 vs. Providence- W

Projected record: 17-13 (6-10).
Postseason: NIT 2nd round.