Busting Brackets
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St. John’s Basketball: 5 keys to a successful 2018-19 campaign

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 7: Bryan Trimble Jr. #12 of the St. John's Red Storm high fives Shamorie Ponds #2 against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 7: Bryan Trimble Jr. #12 of the St. John's Red Storm high fives Shamorie Ponds #2 against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 16: Mustapha Heron #5 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates his basket. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 16: Mustapha Heron #5 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates his basket. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Mustapha Heron granted eligibility

There might not be a more important NCAA decision left regarding this upcoming season than the eligibility of Mustapha Heron. After electing to transfer from Auburn after this last year to be closer to his family, many expected that the decision to deem him immediately eligible would come quickly and easily. Yet, it is now mid-September and a decision is yet to be made. Easily one of the best transfers in the entire country, Heron has the potential to dramatically raise the ceiling for St. John’s this season.

During this past season, Heron was an offensive leader for Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers, who were a top-25 team throughout the year. While displaying quality efficiency (.439/.331/.803), the then-sophomore guard posted averages of 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. Considering this was all done at the high-major level, there should no doubt that Heron can be a major star in the Big East.

If Heron receives his waiver to play this season, then the backcourt of St. John’s will more than likely be the best in the conference. Sure, the team will lack size in the frontcourt but a team trotting out Heron/Ponds/Simon/Clark would be very difficult to match up against on both ends of the floor. In order for this potential “death lineup” to come to fruition, though, Heron will need the NCAA to approve his hardship waiver to play right away.