There is one major issue with the Kings of New York as though they have won the NIT more than any other program (it is in their backyard as MSG after all) they have never won the Big Dance.  That is the goal for this year and Coach Lou Carnesecca is back to make sure this happens.  Louie left on a respite to the pros in a leap frog thing with legendary Joe Lapchick.  Lapchick, a phenomenal player as well in the early barnstorming days of this sport, was the architect of this program and Carnesecca replaced him as he too once left for the pros.  Lapchick led the Knicks to prominence before the stress became too much and he stepped down.  Of course when the Johnnies called after Louie left he was right back in the chair but after several heart attacks on the sidelines (REALLY) he finally stepped down for good and Louie was back.  Of course the fellow that coached St. John’s in between these two hopscotching legends was none other than the great Frank McGuire who might have been the best of the bunch and left to bring big city basketball to the Carolinas.  These are three of the most important men in basketball history and are a huge part of the one of the great basketball programs of all time.  But will this finally be their year to put their moniker (as new as it may be) with the all-time elite programs?  The Red Storm are undoubtedly the most important program who have never won it all but to be considered with the Bruins, Wildcats, Tar Heels, Hooisers and Blue Devils of the world you have to win the big one!  Ask fellow New Yorkers Buffalo about that one!

The Red Storm will have one of the most dynamic pair of wings in the country playing next to each other.  Jackson and sophomore sharpshooter Chris Mullin complement each other perfectly.  Jackson is dynamic with his drives and ability to post up other wings.  He maybe only 6’4 but plays much bigger as this athletic stud from the City (aren’t they all) is as good as they get at getting inside and drawing fouls.  To say Carnesecca is happy to have this kid eligible is an understatement of biblical proportions.  As great as the players have been in the storied history of the Red Storm Jackson is in a class by himself in his ability to score and carry a team on his back.  Of course that might all be changing with the gym Rat who broke into the lineup last year.  Mullin could be the best shooter in the Big East.  The Super Southpaw has great range and a quick trigger.  He is also six foot six so he can get his shot off against most two guards (and threes which he plays quite often).  Nowhere near as athletic as Jackson, Mullin more than makes up for it with guile and desire.  There is some depth here as well but perhaps the best of the wings might not be back.  Senior Max Zaslofsky has had a tumultuous run here in Queens but when he has been on the court he has been a huge offensive weapon.  He was not happy when he was missed a few games (he has missed a ton of time while here) and Mullin came in and stole his job.  He is perfectly suited for instant offense off the bench but the pros have been sniffing around Zaslofsky and there are rumors this kid is going to jump ship after last year’s demotion and Jackson’s recent good news.  This team is better with him but there is no way that he is bumping Jackson or Mullin for a starting role so we shall see.  Carnesecca does have some other options as Senior Kevin Loughery has bided his time and learned a ton about this game from his corner seat on the end of the bench for last year.  Loughery transferred from Holy Cross after 2 years as this Bronx kid came home.  This was before the new rules that allow you to transfer without missing a year so Loughery had to sit out a year and watch.  Loughery is a cerebral gamer who plays both ends and will bring toughness from off the bench.  He is the perfect role player as Carnesecca has said he knows as much about this game as he does and this year he should get a chance to show his knowledge carries over on the court.  Louis has also brought in a slew of freshmen (and juco transfers) who will keep the Johnny tradition going for years to come and depending on Zaslofsky’s ‘situation’ might be sooner than later.  Leading this group is five star recruit and NYC High School legend (Rice) Felipe Lopez.  The 6’5 stud does it on both ends and if he should be able to learn a ton from both Jackson and Mullin and he is kind of a combination of both.  This Dominican does like going to the hoop but like all the new kids understands becoming consistent from behind the arc is a prerequisite to long term success no matter how popular you are in the Heights.  Fellow freshmen Malik Sealy is in the mix as he gives the Johnnies a bit more size at 6’7 and fits more into the small forward slot.  He can score and helps on the boards and gives Carnesecca more options on the perimeter.  There is some room here for minutes especially if Zaslofsky moves on up but Carnesecca might also swing over a senior point guard to get more experience on the court as he has a pair of loyal studs who have been stuck behind one of the premiere table setters in the country for the last three years. 

Senior Dick McGuire is as iconic in the Big Apple as singing an Ol’ Blue Eyes song at a local bar underneath the Empire State Building.  Lapchick made it a point that he would have the best ball handling team in the country and McGuire was his centerpiece. Tricky Dick revolutionized the game with his behind the back dribble but does not just use it for show (though you know the kids love it) but as a way to get past a defender and where he wants to go.  McGuire does not score near as much as he could as he seems he is always getting past his guy and into the key but man can he set up his teammates.  Carnesecca does not need a point guard to put up many points but he does need someone to run the show and get the ball to the big boys down low and his stellar wings.  McGuire is that man here in Queens and to be honest always has been.  The aforementioned seniors Alan Seiden and Jack McMahon have shared the job backing up McGuire for far too long.  McMahon is a inner who does everything well and might be the kind of guy who gets more PT at the next level than he has got here behind the legend.  Seiden is only 5’11 but can flat score.  He is more in tune with the scoring point guard that is becoming all the craze and if he was a bit bigger would be a heck of a two guard.  He might get some minutes there this year but Seiden has never been known for his defense and guarding bigger, stronger and more athletic wings is not what he is built for.  He was alright doing this a few years back before the Big East came around and turned perimeter players into athletic warriors who can do it all on the court.  Seiden’s time might have come and gone.  Sophomore Mark Jackson got a cup of coffee last year but impressed running the show on the JV team.  He looks like a McGuire clone with a bit better defensive pressure and that is not all bad especially if you want to be the next King of Madison Square Garden.  They do love their unselfish point guards in this City!      

At center Carnesecca has some choices to make as there is some talent but is it enough to keep up with these new beasts of the East?  The starter will be Senior Leroy Ellis who has had a fine career for the Red Storm. A tremendous board man and solid defender Ellis has the height at 6’11 to match up with anyone.  The problem here is the girth as Leroy only goes about 210 and facing the behemoths that now inhabit this conference is that enough to fend for himself.  Ellis is an okay rim protector as well but not an especially dynamic offensive force as he relies on putbacks and dunks to get his points.  Carnesecca does have some other options who are more talented in the paint but none of them can board like Ellis.  Fellow seniors Zeke Zawoluk and Harry Boycoff both have some size and both can score some.  Of course there best days were before the Johnnies joined this league and they do seem to get a bit overmatched against the young studs who have seemingly taken over the East Coast by sheer force (Warriors anyone?)!   They will both get their shot to show they can still contribute but Carnesecca is looking for other options at the post.  Sophomores Bill Wennington and Wayne McCoy are the future at center and might be in the mix after a year of seasoning on the JV.   McCoy is a big time recruit (perhaps the biggest ever here) who showed some promise in the few games he was called up but at 6’9 might be a bit undersized trying to hang with the Ewings and Bouie’s of this league.  Some expected McCoy to come in and play right away but the kid has some growth to do and the hype did not help in his development.  Limited offensively, Wennington is a big body (a true seven footer) who will bang but this Canadian kid has a way to go before he gets on the court more than a few minutes a game.  Of course the five fouls he brings to every game no matter how long he is in are not to be undervalued.  Another option is senior Billy Paultz who transferred in last year from a JC.  He barely played last year but this whopper of a man has the eize (6’11 235) and demeanor if not quite the skill set to help down low.  Paultz might just be part of group of guys who rotate in to bang and guard the rim and contribute some fouls but not every team has Patrick Ewing at their disposal. 

The power forward position is in good hands for the Red Storm.  A trio of physical beats will trade in for Carnesecca and of course with many other waiting in the wings ready for their shot in this Big City basketball machine.  Senior Sonny Dove (the only true Redman on the team) comes into the season as the returning starter at the four.  Dove has a solid all-around game who can score inside and out but at 6’7 and a svelte 200 pounds does get outmuscled by bigger fours.  He is hugely popular here and unless someone with a bit more size and more dynamic offensive game comes along Carnesecca will get the majority of minutes for the team.  He does have competition with a group of upperclassmen who bring a variety of skills to the table.  Junior Mel Davis is a heck of a board guy but like Dove he is a little vertically challenged.  The muscle bound Davis is 6’6 220 pounds who can score some but is here for the beef.  Fellow junior George L Johnson is another solid option who has not received a ton of playing time but continues to impress when he does.  GJ is another Brooklyn kid who is good defender and board man.   But let’s not forget there is always going to be some highly recruited freshmen ready to compete and take up minutes from these veteran studs.  That is the way this program has done things for a long time around here and it will continue to do for years to come. 

 The St. John’s Red Storm go into this season with high expectations.  The chosen school for New York City fans has become a machine on the East Coast.  They were one of the schools that were behind the development of the conference that in a short time has become a juggernaut with nationwide attention.  Coach Lou Carnesecca has more than enough horses to make a run to the top of the Big East this year but the goal is to finally get over the mountain and not only compete but win the Big Dance.  These Big Apple boys have dominated their hometown tournament for years even when it was equal (if not better) with the national tournament.  The players are in place for a great year and the schedule is one of the most competitive in the entire country.  The question is not whether or not the Storm will rise to the top but how high will they go?