Imagine a basketball team so offensively gifted that their defense might just take a backseat—at least for now. Is this a recipe for disaster, or the makings of something truly special? St. John’s, fresh off a historic season that saw them claim the Big East regular-season title outright for the first time in 40 years and the Big East Tournament championship after a 25-year drought, is betting on the latter. Despite glaring weaknesses in three-point and free-throw shooting last season, the Red Storm rode their dominance in offensive rebounding and a stingy defense to a No. 2 NCAA Tournament seed and their first tourney win since 2000.
But here’s where it gets controversial: the 2025-26 squad, under the guidance of coaching legend Rick Pitino, might flip the script entirely. Pitino has assembled a roster brimming with elite scorers and sharpshooters, a stark contrast to last year’s grind-it-out identity. An intrasquad scrimmage at Madison Square Garden revealed a team that’s not just athletic and fast, but also loaded with shot-makers. The starting lineup—Zuby Ejiofor, Joson Sanon, Bryce Hopkins, Ian Jackson, and Oziyah Sellers—looks downright lethal. Yet, the burning question remains: Can this offense-first approach coexist with the defensive prowess that Pitino’s teams are renowned for?
Pitino’s defensive philosophy has always been clear: suffocating pressure, quick hands, and rim protection. Last year’s team didn’t fully click defensively until December, but this season’s schedule demands a faster adjustment. With high-major matchups against Michigan and Alabama looming early, the Storm’s defense will be tested immediately. Pitino acknowledges the challenge, noting, ‘They're not the defensive team of last year—yet. But I think they're highly intelligent, a very mature team. Whatever you ask them to do, they'll give you 100%. They'll be a good defensive team.’
And this is the part most people miss: teaching defense is often simpler than refining offensive skills. Pitino’s message seems to be resonating, with players like Sellers emphasizing, ‘We’ve all bought into it, so we'll be all right.’ But ‘all right’ won’t cut it—for this team’s offensive firepower to truly shine, their defense must be elite.
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Can St. John’s strike the perfect balance between their newfound offensive prowess and the defensive grit that defined their success last season? Pitino believes they can, but only time will tell. What do you think? Is this team destined for greatness, or will their defensive growing pains hold them back? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
