There was a lot to like about Saturday night’s victory at Villanova, from St. John’s winning only its second game by single digits this season to the way in which it handled the Wildcats making a late run to the continued interior dominance of the three-forward lineup of Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell.
But the biggest positive was how well Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon performed in by far the Red Storm’s biggest win of the year.
The high-upside sophomores arrived in Queens with incredible hype. They were billed as NBA prospects who would be immediate difference-makers before making the leap to the next level after one season as Johnnies.
Of course, it hasn’t quite worked out that way. Both players experienced growing pains, particularly on the defensive end. Jackson started the season as a reserve. Now, that’s Sanon’s role.
