With the graduation of Anthony Mason Jr. this past season, St. John’s now has a hole in its lineup that new head coach Steve Lavin can fill in a myriad of ways. There has already been some speculation on this site as to who will be the quintet of starters for the Johnnies in 2010-11. Having provided starting lineups as WSJU Radio‘s play-by-play announcer of Red Storm basketball for two years (2007-09), it’s time for me to weigh in. In true Carnesecca Arena tradition, the numbers are already up on the scoreboard before tip-off.
Point Guard – Paris Horne
As much of a fan of Malik Boothe as I’ve been since he was running the point for Bob Oliva at Christ the King, playing him at the point in the system Steve Lavin intends to implement may be counterproductive. Paris Horne would be my choice to anchor the Johnnies’ deep backcourt. Coach Lavin has already gushed over Horne’s versatility in a conversation with 1050 ESPN Radio of New York’s Jon Rothstein, and what better way to showcase Paris’ multifaceted game than by playing him at point guard? Horne is skilled on both sides of the ball, both as a staunch defender and capable scorer – the Johnnies’ leading scorer in 2008-09. A proven 3-point shooter as well, Horne could easily become one of Lavin’s favorite options early in the Red Storm’s 103rd basketball campaign.
Shooting Guard – Dwight Hardy
Known to fans of the Red Storm as “D-Buckets,” Dwight Hardy has already engraved his name into the list of prolific 3-point shooters at St. John’s after just one season. Coach Lavin likes to have a guard concentrate on shooting from outside, as noted by this retrospective of Lavin’s teams during his tenure at UCLA. If his Bruins teams were any indication, Hardy will see greater opportunities to reprise his role as the official team marksman, along with fellow outside options Paris Horne and D.J. Kennedy. The second-leading scorer for the Red Storm last season despite coming off the bench, Hardy should see more minutes no matter what, but would be a greater asset if he were inserted into the everyday lineup.
Small Forward – D.J. Kennedy
Everyone who knows St. John’s knows D.J. Kennedy. The Pittsburgh native has emerged as the face of the program, steadily increasing his productivity in each of his first three years in a Johnnies uniform. As he enters his final season in Queens, “The Hitman” will become a household name with college basketball aficionados nationwide. At 6-6 and 215 pounds, the left-handed Kennedy is Lavin’s type of player: An athletic wing that can play both in the backcourt and up front with no fluctuation in his performance. Already regarded as a potential NBA draft pick, Kennedy should have scouts salivating over his talent this season as the Red Storm reintroduce themselves to the national scene with nonconference road trips to St. Mary’s and UCLA, as well as Big East games broadcast on ESPN.
Power Forward – Sean Evans
Under Steve Lavin’s direction, Sean Evans has the potential to be a big body on the front line that can score on the break as well as hustle and be a force on the glass. Evans has been one of the Johnnies’ best rebounders over the years; in Lavin’s system, his scoring chances can increase when the guards are not taking the shots. His guard-like instincts should help him thrive under Lavin regardless of where and how many minutes he plays.
Center – Justin Burrell
Die-hard St. John’s fans have always included Justin Burrell as one of the Johnnies’ key pieces in each of his first three seasons. JB’s senior campaign will be no different. Through the years, Burrell has changed his game to suit those around him, evolving from a typical power forward into an occasional outside shooter, and even a sixth man after an injury early last year against Duke. Based on this year’s team photo, Burrell seems to have grown physically (see the 2010-11 Red Storm team photo by clicking here), which would best benefit Coach Lavin at the center position. Capable of unleashing a double-double on any given night, Burrell has typically contested the opening tip as if he were a center, and his presence in the paint can rival the best in the Big East.
This is just one person talking, and I’m almost positive that my starting five is quite different from that of someone else. One thing is for sure, however, and that is no matter who St. John’s places on the court with 20 minutes on the clock in the first half on November 16th when their season gets underway, we’ll all see together what the future holds for this program.