CINCINNATI — Joson Sanon isn’t scared of the moment.
In fact, the sophomore embraces it.
Despite moving to the bench five games ago and struggling with his shot of late, the Arizona State transfer still has come up big in St. John’s last two wins.
In last Saturday’s big win at Villanova, he hit two key 3-pointers as the Johnnies held off big Wildcats runs. And in Tuesday’s come-from-behind victory over Seton Hall at the Garden, Sanon was a major part of the rally at both ends of the floor in the final 10 minutes.
“I like the end of the game, when it’s close. I’m always ready for it,” Sanon said. “I always have the confidence, trust in my game to take those shots. I just put the work in my own time, and I know the next one’s going to fall. That’s my mindset.”
Sanon had mostly been a starter prior to the Red Storm’s current five-game winning streak.
He was replaced in the starting five by Dillon Mitchell, and didn’t play in the second half of a recent win over Creighton as coach Rick Pitino rode the hot hand of Lefteris Liotopoulos that day.
“I don’t really care too much about [coming off the bench],” Sanon said. “It’s not really that serious. Anything to help the team win.”
Pitino has remained bullish on Sanon, calling him St. John’s most talented player. He has been on him to work harder on the defensive end, and the coach felt Sanon has taken that criticism to heart. He was a team-best plus-13 in 16 minutes against Seton Hall.
“Just being more aggressive on defense, crashing the glass and blocking out and doing all the little stuff,” the 6-foot-5 wing said.
Saturday’s game was moved up an hour, from 2:30 p.m. ET to 1:30 p.m. due to the winter storm that is expected to hammer the East Coast. It will be aired on TruTV in its entirety and picked up by TNT after the Providence-Georgetown game, which tips off at 12:30 p.m.
