Small forward/third guard
Projected starter: Naheim Alleyne (14 mpg)
Reserves: RJ Luis (20 mpg), Conway (6 mpg)
What’s fascinating about this group is that the least productive player from last season is also the only player that played at the power conference level. So that’s why despite averaging just 5.2 ppg last season at UConn, Alleyne gets the early edge. At Virginia Tech, his numbers as a starter were around 10 ppg and 40% from deep.
But he’s going to have plenty of competition, including freshman Luis. The former UMass guard is a 6’7 wing that averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg. He’s more of a slasher than a pure shooter but proved that he can be high volume, including a 31-point effort against Duquesne.
Luis has the size and athleticism to play at the Big East level but he’s also the youngest in the group. And if both Dingle and Jenkins lock down the first two positions in the backcourt, these two could be battling for this spot.
Conway’s shooting could be an asset since he was better than both Alleyne and Luis from deep. Last season, St. John’s was awful as a three-point shooting team. On paper, they look improved but some guys are better than others. But again, how they all look in the Big East remains to be seen.