Johnnies wrap up OOC slate with minor details to fix, but upside still at its peak

As Big East play returns to forefront, Deivon Smith has raised his game accordingly, turning up intensity since returning to St. John’s lineup on December 7. (Photo by Vincent Dusovic/St. John’s Athletics)

NEW YORK — Rick Pitino began his postgame press conference Saturday by highlighting how coaches would normally be pleased after a win such as the one his St. John’s team picked up Saturday to conclude its non-conference schedule.

However, Pitino immediately clarified he was “anything but” satisfied with the manner in which the Red Storm solidified its 11th victory in 13 attempts. And with a return to Big East play—where the Johnnies won both of their conference lid-lifters prior to the holidays—on the horizon, the veteran coach offered a more complete assessment of where his group stands heading into Tuesday’s trip to Creighton.

“I think we did our job,” Pitino said of the non-conference season. “I don’t think we’re near our potential, which is a good thing, not a bad thing. We have to get better defensively, and it’s just guys understanding personnel. If I had to point out our biggest weakness, obviously, free throw shooting is glaring, but I think our biggest weakness is absorbing the scouting report.”

Pitino harped on scouting twice last season, after St. John’s was beset by losses to Dayton and Boston College in non-league play. Unlike last year, though, the criticism of his players not grasping the scouting reports was not as scathing, met instead by a reminder of what is needed to succeed and an affirmation of that by the latest in a long line of Star point guards to develop under his tutelage.

“Guys from winning programs that come back know how important college scouting is,” Pitino elaborated. “It’s much more important than the NBA. Every single thing from out-of-bounds plays to press offenses is important, and we’re struggling with that a little bit. But the other areas, we’re doing a good job of passing the ball.”

Deivon Smith, who flirted with a triple-double against Delaware, shared his coach’s sentiment.

“I still think we need to play two complete halves,” he said. “We gotta stop the 3-ball. We’ve played against some good shooting teams, so we’ve still got stuff to work on. I think we’re definitely capable of making shots, but we’re definitely going to improve on 3-point shooting. We can’t keep beating teams off the bounce, so we’re going to need threes and free throws.”

Smith dazzled Saturday, racking up 20 points that he supplemented with 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Utah transfer continues to lead the St. John’s backcourt while Zuby Ejiofor anchors the front line.

“Anytime a point guard gets 13 rebounds, pushes the pace, forces everybody to run, that’s really a strong suit,” Pitino said of Smith’s effort. “I think Deivon has picked up his game to Zuby’s level, which is great. He’s really, really playing hard, and if we can get the rest of the pack to join in those levels from an intensity standpoint, it’d be great.”

Smith’s uptick in hustle is twofold. Not only has he learned to acclimate himself to the grueling nature of Pitino’s work ethic and system, but since returning three weeks ago from a one-game, player-imposed suspension, the senior’s mentality has also evolved, turning him into a team-first player while using his skill set for the betterment of the greater good. In Saturday’s win, Smith and Kadary Richmond combined for 15 of the Red Storm’s 23 assists.

“It’s just a lot of sacrifice,” Smith said of the Johnnies’ ability to spread the wealth. “Every guy, one through five, can play on a Power 5 team and have 20 each and every night, so there’s just a lot of sacrifice, sharing the ball, knowing each other’s talents. We spend a lot of time in the gym together, so we just really feed off each other’s energy and just play for each other. That’s how we get those assists like that.”

“I feel good, honestly. Coming back from the suspension, I’ve had a different mindset. I didn’t really want to have that feeling (again). I wasn’t playing, I was watching and I don’t really like to watch. I like to be involved, I like to have fun with them. I just use every day to compete and get better. Some days, I don’t feel like it, but this is probably the first year where I’ve had to come in each and every day and play hard as hell. I’m picking up my motor, honestly. I used to rely a lot on my athleticism and not be in a certain spot, knowing my speed would make up for it.”

Smith will have his work cut out for him Tuesday, as will his teammates, as St. John’s embarks upon its second conference road test. The Red Storm defeated Providence on an Ejiofor putback at the buzzer on December 20, instilling some confidence into a group that acquitted itself well away from home last year. The aspect of starting Big East play with two of St. John’s first three league games outside New York did not faze Pitino, who looked at the glass half-full and offered a telling glimpse into his side’s potential heading into the new year.

“We played really well on the road last year,” he recounted. “We lost at the buzzer on a tough call last year at Creighton, we lost a tough call at UConn, (but) we were a pretty good road team. If this team can get to where last year’s team was at the end of the year, with this type of talent, we’ll be a tough team come March.”