For three days beginning Monday within the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, 14th-ranked St. John’s will face three high-caliber opponents, groups that ought to tell us the place this group stands three weeks into this season of excessive expectations.
First up is No. 16 Iowa State, then Baylor, adopted by an opponent to be decided. It is a chance for Rick Pitino’s Johnnies to make a nationwide statement after falling brief of their first main check, a Nov. 8 loss to No. 11 Alabama at the Garden.
The Post takes a have a look at the five most vital players for the fascinating week forward:
Zuby Ejiofor
In the final two blowout victories, Ejiofor wasn’t himself, averaging solely eight factors, 4.5 rebounds and two turnovers. I count on to see the participant who was dominant in opposition to Alabama. St. John’s gained’t give you the chance to have a superb week in any other case. The All-American candidate is that vital. Monday’s matchup can be a problem, as Ejiofor faces Iowa State standout ahead Joshua Jefferson, who’s off to a unbelievable begin. Ejiofor regularly rose to the event a yr in the past, placing up massive video games in opposition to plenty of elite entrance traces belonging to the likes of New Mexico, Creighton, Baylor and Arkansas. Ejiofor’s rebounding is down to start the season — from 8.1 a yr in the past to 6.3 — and shedding the battle on the glass was pivotal within the Alabama loss. Look for a motivated Ejiofor in Sin City.