Big East Basketball: Way-too-early conference power rankings for 2020-21

8. St. John’s Red Storm

2019-20: 17-15 (5-13), t-8th in Big East
Key Departures: F LJ Figueroa*, G Mustapha Heron, G Nick Rutherford, F Damien Sears
Incoming Freshmen: G Posh Alexander, G Dylan Wusu
Incoming Transfers: Vince Cole (JUCO), C Isaih Moore (JUCO), F Arnaldo Toro (George Washington)

Headline: Is St. John’s ready to make the leap

Star Watch: Julian Champagnie
Who makes The Leap: Marcellus Earlington
X-Factor: Rasheem Dunn

Let’s start with swingman LJ Figueroa, the Red Storm’s leader in minutes, points, and steals last season, who entered his name into the NBA Draft last month. He has maintained his eligibility and isn’t appearing on any big boards or mock drafts, so he certainly could be back in Queens for his senior season. Figueroa’s announcement wasn’t that different from Georgetown’s McClung, who I believe will return to campus, but for some reason, Figueroa’s decision feels more up in the air.

While St. John’s undoubtedly would like to see Figueroa back for his final season, I believe they could survive without him. Last season, 345 players posted a usage rate of at least 25 percent (min. 20 mpg and 20 games played); among those players, Figueroa’s 38 percent mark from the field ranked just 318th. He was a much more efficient player as a sophomore when he was the third option offensively, but struggled under the burden of his alpha dog status. If he is back for his senior season, he’ll likely be in that same high-usage role. I think Mike Anderson would be better off handing the keys to one of his young guys.

Speaking of said youth, Champagnie appears primed for a breakout sophomore season. The 6-foot-7 Champagnie averaged 9.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg for the year, but absolutely exploded down the stretch, posting an impressive 14 and 8 line on 46/36/70 shooting splits through his last nine regular-season games. Champagnie fought through the freshman wall after a mid-year lull, and even started launching threes at an encouraging rate. Much of his scoring came off assists from his teammates, so he’ll need to work on creating his own shot, but the foundation for a two-way wing in Anderson’s up-tempo system is there.

There are plenty of intriguing pieces dotting this roster past Champagnie as well. Earlington can absolutely get buckets as an undersized interior option. Dunn is an energizer who had some really bright moments in Big East play. Greg Williams Jr. finished the year on a tear, including hitting seven threes in the home win over Creighton. Some quality transfers are entering the fold. This team is capable of making noise, with or without Figueroa.

They are also plenty capable of falling off a cliff if some of the young players stagnate. St. John’s probably has the widest range of possibilities entering the season. It would not be all that surprising to see St. John’s finish in either the top four or bottom four of the Big East by year’s end.