St. John’s Basketball: Analyzing the Red Storm’s rotation for 2018-19

St. John’s Basketball has some new pieces for the 2018-19 season. Who’ll be the projected starters and key rotation players for the Red Storm?

For the St. John’s Red Storm, depth has been a big issue in the Chris Mullin era. Take last year for example. There were times where Mullin was only using six or seven players a game. This year, however, will be a lot different as the Red Storm are stacked with a solid starting lineup and a strong bench.

The two starting guards for this year will most likely be Shamorie Ponds and Mustapha Heron if he is cleared to play. Ponds is looking to have a standout season after returning for his junior year and Heron is looking to build on the season he had at Auburn last year. Ponds and Heron will be a deadly backcourt combination that will surely be entertaining to watch.

If Heron does not receive the hardship waiver, he will have to sit out this season. In this case, Mikey Dixon will most likely play the two spot. Dixon sat out last year after transfering from Quinnipiac where he put up record breaking numbers. Although fans will want to see Heron play this year, Dixon won’t disappoint if Heron can’t play.

At the three spot will most likely be Justin Simon, who along with Heron and Ponds, will add to the scoring power. Simon averaged 12 points per game last season and was a force on the fastbreak as he likes to play above the rim. Marvin Clark will most likely play the four spot where he was very successful last year helping the Red Storm in big games.

The starting center position will likely be given to Sedee Keita who has some big shoes to fill after Tariq Owens transferred to Texas Tech. Keita sat out last season after transferring from South Carolina where he gained a lot of NCAA Tournament experience in the Gamecocks run to the semi final. Keita’s size will make him a major factor down low and his athleticism will be key on both defense and offense.

Returning from last year will be Bryan Trimble Jr who will most likely be coming off the bench. Trimble’s ability to shoot the three ball will provide a spark for Mullin and his team when they need it. Also coming off the bench will be freshman Greg Williams Jr, Josh Roberts, Marcellus Earlington and JUCO transfer LJ Figueroa. These new additions for the Red Storm will be huge as they add a lot of depth to this already stacked lineup.

Rounding out the roster are walk ons Jay Camus and Justin Cole who both saw some playing time last season. In fact, Cole was key defensively for the Red Storm in their last regular season game against Providence. Also returning is walk-on Brandon Lawrence who missed last year due to injury.

For the Red Storm this season, staying healthy will be the priority although with the most talent and depth in the Mullin era, a few injuries here and there shouldn’t drag the team down overall. If everything goes as planned, this season, could be a good one.