r/RedStorm • u/Amazing-Sound-8627 • 1d ago
Way Too Early Takeaways From the Drexel Exhibition
I know it’s only an exhibition but man, there’s a lot to be excited about with this St. John’s team. I’m too excited not to share.
My biggest takeaway is that this team is at its best when the ball is moving. We saw it tonight during that roughly 10-15 point swing. When guys were sharing the ball, making the extra pass and playing within the offense everything seemed to click. With this much offensive talent nobody needs to force anything.
That’s where I think Keyshawn Hall has some adjusting to do. The talent is obviously there and there’s no questioning his ability to score, but I thought he held onto the ball too much and tried to create for himself rather than letting the offense work. Defensively he left a lot to be desired as well. I’m not overly concerned yet. It’s his first exhibition in a completely new system and I think he’ll learn what Pitino expects on both ends of the floor. It’ll be interesting to watch how he adjusts because this team has too much talent to become dependent on isolation basketball. Obviously this is a bit of an overreaction after one exhibition game, but it’s also kind of what we expected out of Hall.
Quinn Ellis might be the most important player on this roster. I was incredibly impressed with him tonight. With scorers like Hall, Babacar Sane, Reed Bailey, Tounde Yessoufou and Ian Jackson surrounding him, having a true floor general who can distribute, control the tempo and get everyone involved is invaluable. Ellis can absolutely score himself but what stood out to me was his decision-making and leadership. He seems to understand when to push the pace, when to settle things down and how to get the ball where it needs to go. WHERE WAS THIS GUY LAST SEASON
And defensively? A 6’5” point guard with that kind of length and wingspan is a luxury. He fits exactly what Pitino wants to do.
Speaking of defense, how about that full-court press?
I couldn’t help but laugh thinking back to Pitino saying (I think it was this summer) that this year’s team would probably press a little less. Then here we are barely five minutes into the first half of the first exhibition and he’s already pressing. Love it man
This roster is ridiculously athleti long and versatile. Between Ellis, Yessoufou, Sane and the rest of the rotation there’s so much potential to disrupt passing lanes, force turnovers and turn defense into easy offense. It almost feels like a waste not to press with this group. And who better to run an aggressive full-court press than Coach Pitino?
Obviously it’s October. There’s going to be some growing pains with so many new faces learning to play together. The chemistry isn’t going to develop overnight and I don’t expect it to.
But the potential is obvious. If this team buys into moving the ball offensively and playing relentless,
connected defense, the ceiling is incredibly high.
It’s only one exhibition but I’m already fired up for this season.
Long post but what stood out to everyone else tonight?
