Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball Power Rankings: DePaul, Butler exceeding expectations

By Lukas Harkins

VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 02: Saddiq Bey #15 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after making a basket in front of Paul Reed #4 of the DePaul Blue Demons in the second half at Finneran Pavilion on January 2, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 73-68. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 02: Saddiq Bey #15 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after making a basket in front of Paul Reed #4 of the DePaul Blue Demons in the second half at Finneran Pavilion on January 2, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 73-68. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 20: Figueroa of the Red Storm reacts. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 20: Figueroa of the Red Storm reacts. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

player. 478. . . . St. John's Red Storm. 10

St. John’s has looked better than I had expected through the first two weeks of the season but it is not enough to leave the cellar, in my opinion. Head coach Mike Anderson has clearly been able to implement his defensive scheme quickly and that will pay dividends later down the road. While it still feels unlikely that the Red Storm will compete for an NCAA Tournament bid this season, they have the potential to be quite dangerous by virtue of their defensive scheming. They also do an incredible job pushing the pace offensively and can be a reliable team from beyond the arc.

As expected, the star duo of LJ Figueroa and Mustapha Heron is leading the way this season. The two upperclassmen are combining to average 34.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game so far this season as the unquestioned top offensive options for the team. Additionally, Rasheem Dunn should provide a nice scoring punch now that he has (finally) been ruled eligible. His arrival will give the Johnnies a legit third offensive option behind Figueroa and Heron while allowing Julian Champagnie to fill the fourth spot. That shouldn’t be underestimated.

With all of this said, though, St. John’s record of 4-1 is a bit deceiving. The Red Storm only just defeated their first KenPom top-300 team this season in their last game and they lost their only true test when Vermont came to Carnesecca. A victory over the Catamounts, one of the best mid-majors in the country, would have looked great but, alas, it was not to be. Due to their poor overall strength of schedule, it is hard to draw too many conclusions from SJU’s play. The Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament should provide a decent opportunity to learn about what this team is made of.

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