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The St. John's Red Storm are gearing up for their second game of the season against Iona, another early-season matchup in which they are favored. In their opener against Monmouth, the Red Storm burst out of the gates and displayed the potential to be a formidable team. St. John's applied pressure early, which proved to be the difference. Although it was just one game, it was evident that the Red Storm intend to play with pace, and that is where they will thrive.
This roster is loaded with talent but is far from a finished product. One player with high expectations is junior guard Ian Jackson.
What Rick Pitino Wants to See From Jackson
During a media session on Wednesday, Rick Pitino discussed Ian Jackson's early performance. The head coach was pleased with Jackson's offensive contributions but wants him to shoot more and improve his defensive focus. "Offensively, he's very close. Defensively, he still has a long way to go, especially in the scouting area. But he's rebounding the ball better, and passing the ball better. I love it when he shoots," Pitino said.
In the season debut, Jackson was effective when on the court, but foul trouble was a significant issue. It is clear that he will be an impact player off the ball and a key three-point shooting threat for the team. Defensively, Jackson possesses the size, skill, and athleticism to be an excellent wing defender.
While this is a highly talented offensive squad, a Pitino-coached team always emphasizes defense. Jackson's ability to contribute to the full-court press and accelerate the tempo will be crucial to the team's success. However, he must be mindful of fouls.
Overall, there is a lot to like about what Jackson will bring on both ends of the court this year. The talented guard has the potential to be one of the best players in the conference, and Pitino will push him toward that goal.
Nick Ziegler is an alumnus of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He has been working in sports media covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL for nearly a decade with various publications online. He is currently the publisher for the New York Rangers On SI Site. With his free time, Nick enjoys being at the Jersey Shore with his wife, daughter, and their golden retriever. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @NickZiegler20.