D’Angelo Harrison’s suspension sunk St. John’s last season, but his return is the reason why the Red Storm could have their best season in 15 years.
The junior guard had an electric all-around performance in Friday night’s 73-57 win over Wagner at Carnesecca Arena, finishing with a game-high 25 points (11-of-11 on free throws), while adding four assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Harrison, averaging 26 points through two games, was at his best early, scoring 12 of his team’s first 18 points, while hitting six of his first eight shots. He played inspired, energetic defense and carried the body language of a leader, offering words of encouragement to teammates even on plays on which he was passed up for open shots.
“I’m not surprised because he’s as gifted an offensive player as I’ve coached that have a knack for scoring and can put up numbers in a variety of ways, but I am pleased with the progress from a maturation standpoint on and off the court,” St. John’s coach Steve Lavin said. “He’s making good decisions, good reads, he’s playing with a purposeful poise and providing a steady hand in terms of leadership for this group.
“I’m very pleased, not surprised because we recruited him and knew he was capable of great things.”
Lavin didn’t have great scoring balance, with JaKarr Sampson (13 points, seven rebounds) and Sir’Dominic Pointer (10 points, five rebounds) the only other players in double-digits, and highly touted freshman Rysheed Jordan struggled for the second straight game, missing all seven shots from the field with two assists and no turnovers.
Nevertheless, Lavin said he has been impressed with Jordan beyond the box score, while Harrison said he’s too talented to struggle for too long.
“He’s in a rough patch, but he’ll get out of it,” Harrison said. “He’s that kind of player. I’m pretty sure the next game he might have like a triple-double or something. He’s that good. He’ll figure it out.”
Unlike during the season-opener against Wisconsin, St. John’s excelled in transition and utilized the unbelievable athleticism that has the ability to even overwhelm Big East teams.
The Red Storm (1-1) didn’t commit a turnover until nearly 15 minutes had passed, leading to an 18-point first-half lead (36-22 at halftime), but Wagner (1-2) kept it close in the second half behind Latif Rivers’ team-high 18 points.
Valparaiso transfer Jay Harris hit three of his four 3-pointers in the second half for Wagner, including one which cut the St. John’s lead to 60-54 with less than four minutes left, but the Red Storm hit 21-of-24 second-half free throws to seal the team’s first win.
Hitting from behind the 3-point line was a different story. The Red Storm, which ranked 338th in the nation last season, missed all 10 3-point attempts after hitting 2-of-13 in the season-opener.
Wagner coach Bashir Mason said that’s where he wanted St. John’s shooting after watching the Wisconsin game, a strategy that likely will be emulated often, and one which Lavin doesn’t want his group falling into.
“I actually didn’t like the 3s, I wish we took less of them,” Lavin said. “We want to make 3s, but I think we’re a better team when we’re fueling our offensive attack off our defense and we’re playing through the paint with our bigs and we’re playing at the mid-range.
“I thought we made progress tonight in all of the areas that needed to be addressed, coming off the Wisconsin loss … incremental, baby steps.”