It’s not a stretch to suggest St. John’s chances against DePaul Saturday in Chicago (Noon; SNY; WBBR-1130 AM) depend on how well rugged sophomore wing Sir’Dominic Pointer plays.
The 6-foot-5 Pointer has figured prominently in most of the Red Storm’s 10 wins. Statistics don’t necessarily reflect his impact — diving for a loose ball or tipping a rebound to a teammate doesn’t show up in the score sheet.
His two highest point totals of the season came in non-league victories over Florida Gulf Coast and St. Francis College. He also supplied defensive prowess and much-needed energy, scoring eights points in the Johnnies’ most-recent victory, 67-63 over No. 20 Notre Dame on Wednesday.
“I’ve always said [Pointer is] the heart and soul of our team,” St. John’s coach Steve Lavin said. “If you were to go back and do a study, his minutes of productiveness and our team’s runs and comebacks, even last year, the couple games I coached, he was right in the middle.
“He just brings that Tasmanian-devil energy, an Energizer Bunny, the straw that stirs the drink.”
Pointer takes pride in that role, one he has held his entire career. He gets a kick out of locking down the opposition’s top players, banging against bigger bodies on the boards, drawing the ire of the other team with his physical play and throwing down a big dunk.
“I try to bring it every game as best as I can,” he said.
If Pointer brings it today, based on recent history, St. John’s (10-7, 2-3 Big East) likely will head back to Queens victorious.
A win not only would continue the Storm’ s momentum following the big win over Notre Dame, but could get the Johnnies on a roll. If there is a soft part of the Big East schedule, this is it with today’s game followed by matchups with Rutgers, Seton Hall and DePaul again.
“This is a very good chance for us to get some great wins and better our chances of making the [NCAA] tournament,” Pointer said.