{"id":276051,"date":"2025-05-10T16:48:30","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T16:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/projected-starting-lineup-impact-players-and-rotation\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:08:32","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:08:32","slug":"projected-starting-lineup-impact-players-and-rotation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/projected-starting-lineup-impact-players-and-rotation\/","title":{"rendered":"Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"4911868\" data-slug-id=\"2512623\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Most teams diving deep in the transfer portal are trying to rebuild entire rosters or make up for disappointing seasons, but not Rick Pitino at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/college-basketball\/st-johns-red-storm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">St. John&#8217;s<\/a>. Pitino has publicly disclaimed high school recruiting and is basically casting his fate on the portal. St. John&#8217;s had some massive losses after an impressive 31-win season, but Pitino is rebuilding on the run.<\/p>\n<p>St. John&#8217;s is generally considered to have the nation&#8217;s top portal class. Pitino will likely lean on that class for four starters, as he did manage to have one massive returnee from last season. The talent is amazing and if they congeal well, St. John&#8217;s could have another 30+ win season.<\/p>\n<h2>St. John&#8217;s Season Preview<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Big man Zuby Ejiofor could be the key piece for Pitino's third St. John's team. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1284\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"Big man Zuby Ejiofor could be the key piece for Pitino's third St. John's team. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)\" src-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25741422-1746894266.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201284%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Big man Zuby Ejiofor could be the key piece for Pitino&#8217;s third St. John&#8217;s team. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A 31-win season was magical, but a second-round NCAA Tournament exit left a bad taste in Pitino&#8217;s mouth. Star RJ Luis is gone, but Pitino has rebuilt an impressive roster on the fly. As far as talent, St. John&#8217;s will be up there with any program in the nation. How will the chemistry be?<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<h3>Starters<\/h3>\n<p>Guard: Ian Jackson<\/p>\n<p>A player who has a significant chance to become a national star, Jackson was a five-star recruit whose season at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/college-basketball\/north-carolina-tar-heels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">North Carolina<\/a> was less than magical. He averaged 11.9 points per game, but saw his playing time decrease down the stretch. An impressive wing scorer, Jackson can finish off the rough edges of his game under Pitino and could be a superstar.<\/p>\n<p>Guard: Joson Sanon<\/p>\n<p>A 6-foot-5 transfer from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/college-basketball\/arizona-state-sun-devils\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Arizona State<\/a>, Sanon had a high-scoring year for Bobby Hurley&#8217;s floundering team. He averaged 11.9 points and 3.4 boards per game and shot 37% from 3-point range. Pitino loves mult-level scorers at guard and that&#8217;s Sanon&#8217;s game. He needs consistency, but could find it with the Red Storm.<\/p>\n<p>Guard: Oziyeh Sellers<\/p>\n<p>A 6-foot-5 guard from Stanford, Sellers averaged 13.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Sellers shot 40% from 3-point range and is an 88% career free-throw shooter. With a trio of 3-point aces, Pitino may have to rethink an offense approach that saw the Red Storm 330th in the nation in 3-pointers made a season ago.<\/p>\n<p>Forward: Bryce Hopkins<\/p>\n<p>A transfer from Kentucky and Providence, the only question with Hopkins is health. The 6-foot-6 forward was an All-American level player at Providence in 2022-23, averaging 15.8 points and 8.5 boards per game. The only problems is that in the ensuing two years, he&#8217;s only been able to play 17 total games. If he&#8217;s right, Hopkins is a brilliant, undersized forward who will produce.<\/p>\n<p>Forward: Zuby Ejiofor<\/p>\n<p>A 6-foot-9 forward, Ejiofor was one of the nation&#8217;s most improved players at year ago, putting up 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Pitino has already transformed his game and another year can only help finish that transition. Ejiofor is one of the best returning big men in college basketball. <\/p>\n<h3>Rotation Players<\/h3>\n<p>There are a million options here. Idaho State&#8217;s Dylan Darling will help out in the backcourt. Cincinnati forward transfer Dillon Mitchell will have a big role and a bigger one if Hopkins has injury issues again. High-school recruit Kelvin Odih is a talented wing who might remind Pitino of why the high school kids are still worth seeking. <\/p>\n<h3>Impact Players<\/h3>\n<p>Jackson&#8217;s ability to find another gear will be pivotal. Hopkins&#8217;s health is the only worry on his role. But Ejiofor, who so often was the heart and soul of the Red Storm a year ago, might play an even bigger role on this turned-over roster. <\/p>\n<p><em>What do you think of our St. John&#8217;s overview? Share your take on the Red Storm below in our comments section!<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-action-container\">\n<div class=\"like-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-like-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"like\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"like selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dislike-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-dislike-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"dislike\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-dis-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"avatar selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-author-info-parent\">\n<span class=\"about-the-author\">About the author<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"author-info-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-pic-holder\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"author-pic\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg width=\" height=\"100\"\/><rect width=\"100\" height=\"100\" style=\"fill:rgb(128, 128, 128);\"\/>&#8221; data-lazy=&#8221;https:\/\/keedag.sportskeeda.com\/user-pic\/2328001-1713532681-200.jpg?w=200&#8243;<br \/>\nalt=&#8221;Joe Cox&#8221; height=&#8221;72&#8243; width=&#8221;72&#8243;&gt;\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-bio-detail-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p class=\"author-bio\" id=\"author-bio-text\">\nJoe is a journalist who covers college and professional sports, particularly basketball, football, and baseball. He has written or co-written over a dozen sports books, including several regional best sellers. A member of the Society for American Baseball Research, Joe has been a guest on MLB Network, the Paul Finebaum Show, and numerous other television and radio programs. He has been inside MLB dugouts, covered bowl games and conference tournaments, and most importantly, still loves telling the stories of sports&#8217; movers and shakers.\n<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"author-know-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/author\/joe-cox-28aa5\" aria-label=\"Author know more\">Know More<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bottom-tagline bottom\" data-tab=\"bottom\">\n<p><em>Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey &#8211; who is NCAAW&#8217;s highest-paid coach? Find out <\/em><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/college-basketball\/5-highest-paid-women-s-college-basketball-coaches-2024-25-season-ft-kim-mulkey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\" class=\"bottom_tagline_link\" data-tab=\"bottom\">here<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Joe Cox<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/college-basketball\/st-john-s-basketball-2025-2026-season-preview-projected-starting-lineup-impact-players-rotation\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] Most teams diving deep in the transfer portal are trying to rebuild entire rosters or make up for disappointing seasons, but not Rick Pitino<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":276052,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[180],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276051"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=276051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276051\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/276052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=276051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=276051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=276051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}