St. John’s Red Storm 2011-12 Preview
St. John’s Red Storm
Last Year:
21-12 overall, 12-6 Big East (T-3rd)
Coach:
Steve Lavin (2nd season, 21-12)
Projected starting five:
G: Nurideen Lindsey, So.
G: D’Angelo Harrison, Fr.
F: Sir’Dominic Pointer, Fr.
F: Moe Harkless, Fr.
C: God’s Gift Achiuwa, Jr.
Important departures:
Dwight Hardy 18.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.9 apg
Justin Brownlee 12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg
DJ Kennedy 10.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.0 apg
Inside the numbers:
4 percent scoring returning
2 percent rebounding returning
Additions:
G: D’Angelo Harrison, 6’3”, 186 – Rivals #40
F: Moe Harkless, 6’6”, 180 – Rivals #41
F: Sir’Dominic Pointer, 6’5” 200 – Rivals #44
Schedule:
Toughest nonconference game(s): 11/17 vs. (16) Arizona, 12/1 at (2) Kentucky
Toughest in-conference stretch: 12/31 – 1/11 at (4) Connecticut, vs. (8) Louisville, at (22) Cincinnati, at (21) Marquette
Prediction:
14th in BE; 15+ wins; NIT Bubble
What to expect:
Steve Lavin came into Queens and turned a lot of heads with an impressive first year at St. John’s. The Red Storm were a little slow out of the gate, but after dismantling Duke at Madison Square Garden, the Johnnies took off, winning nine of their next 11 games.
This year doesn’t promise to be as exciting for St. John’s as they practically lose their entire team to graduation. Lavin did unbelievably in recruiting, bringing in ESPNU’s third-ranked class, but with no senior leadership, it looks to be a rebuilding year for St. John’s.
Another blow came when Lavin was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but the coach has had surgery and hopes to be back for the start of the season. Regardless, not much can be expected from a team starting three freshman and two Juco transfers.
