The team that went to the elite eight had tyrone grant at 6'7" Patrolling the middle. This team next year is going to be good. They just have to make a commitment to playing defense.
They also had two first round NBA forwards, a first round PG, and Bootsy. Artest was 6'7 260 and probably the strongest kid in the country. Postell was the best offensive rebounder from the three I've ever seen at St. John's by a mile as well.
You can win with a small team if you have nasty forwards or if you dominate the on both sides of the perimeter game. We don't have a dominant defense and I would not classify Ahmed as that type of forward. Perhaps Simon can be that guy in time, but I doubt it's next season.
Jarvis wasn't a good X's and O's coach, but he did make sure his bigs were strong and bulky, that four guys hit the glass hard on both ends, played tough defense, and could all catch the ball. That really goes a long way.