Earlier than probably the most anticipated St. John's season this century started, the college regarded again on final yr.
A video montage of the Johnnies' memorable run to the Massive East common season and postseason titles was proven. The 4 returning gamers – Zuby Ejifor, Ruben Prey, Lefteris Liotopoulos and Sadiku Ibine Ayo – acquired their diamond-encrusted rings.
Rick Pitino acquired on the microphone.
“We're after the most important prize of all,” he informed the sold-out Carnesecca Area crowd, referring to a nationwide championship.
On opening night time, the fifth-ranked Crimson Storm regarded the a part of a contender. The loaded frontcourt of Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell was dominant.
The Johnnies made pictures from deep.
They flashed their depth in a wire-to-wire 108-74 victory over MAAC favourite Quinnipiac.
On Friday, Pitino joked that he needed to ask Bobcats coach Tom Pecora to push again the sport every week, as a result of he didn't really feel like his new-look staff was prepared.
That didn't appear to be the case.
St. John's got here out with a function, scoring 19 of the sport's first 24 factors. Dillon Mitchell, an athletic specimen of a ahead, scored eight early factors, 4 approaching two ferocious dunks.
St. John's piled up 54 factors within the opening 20 minutes on a blistering 57 p.c taking pictures from the sector, and didn't let up after halftime.
At one level, the lead was 47, on the power of a 23-4 burst.
A number of Johnnies shined. Mitchell had team-highs of 18 factors, seven rebounds and 4 steals.
Ejiofor, the preseason Massive East Participant of the 12 months, had 17 factors and 6 rebounds and restricted reigning MAAC Participant of the 12 months Amarri Monroe to 10 factors on 4-of-13 taking pictures.
Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon, the 2 high-upside sophomore shotmakers, mixed for 29 factors and 4 3-pointers.
