College Basketball

St. John’s rewind: A perfect game, out of nowhere

Saturday’s St. John’s game made no sense in the context of this season. It came out of nowhere.

104-58. It still looks like a typo.

Even against inferior competition, the Red Storm had failed to put together a thorough Big East-style beatdown all season, but Fordham became the first team to find out just how good St. John’s can be.

The Rams entered Madison Square Garden as an up-and-coming team looking for an upset and headed back to The Bronx embarrassed and put in their place. Their time would have to wait.

Is the Johnnies’ time now? It may be. For one day, at least, this was an NCAA Tournament team.

The Red Storm don’t play again until Sunday, in a highly anticipated home game against Syracuse. Until then, here are a few thoughts from Saturday’s win:

The Orlando Sanchez Effect

Sanchez may be the most important player on this team. When he is playing well, it opens up so much for everyone else.

The senior forward was far too passive in his first seven games, averaging 4.4 points and never taking more than six shots in a game, but apparently the pleas of his teammates to shoot more finally worked. Sanchez played his best game of the season because he was an entirely new player, displaying more aggression and confidence than at any point thus far.

With quick decisions, Sanchez showcased his entire arsenal, hitting two 3-pointers, grabbing eight rebounds and showing unique vision and ball-handling ability at 6-foot-9, handing out four assists and scoring a team-high 19 points.

Sanchez may be the most talented player on the team, but the 24-year-old needed time to adjust to his role, playing in his first and only college season. If he can consistently play with the same type of aggression, it would take this team to a new level. It could be what enables them to reach the Big Dance.

Getting Out Quick

After falling behind by 15 points in their previous two games, the Red Storm opened the game with a 7-0 lead before amazing everyone in attendance with 17 straight made shots and nearly 13 minutes without a miss. The offensive chemistry was beautiful and the defense was smothering, enabling the Johnnies to get out into transition often — and that’s where they are at their best. They moved the ball selflessly and efficiently, producing 29 assists on 39 field goals, with only nine turnovers.

The day before the game, several players emphasized the need to stop digging such big holes, knowing they can’t get away with that kind of play against teams such as Syracuse and Georgetown.

It was a positive sign to see St. John’s jump out to a great start, but it was against a team the Johnnies could overwhelm with their size and speed. Now, how will they respond against the Orange?

Rysheed Jordan’s Breakout

It’s easy to be underwhelmed by the freshman point guard’s play so far, but in all fairness, Jordan has only averaged 16.6 minutes per game. Unlike Fordham freshman Jon Severe, who plays nearly 37 minutes per game, he hasn’t had many opportunities.

Jordan’s breakout game could be coming soon, though. After coming off the bench for three straight games, following a one-game suspension, the Philly native got the start Saturday and assisted on two of the team’s first three baskets.

Jordan missed most of the first half, picking up two quick fouls, but he ended with his best line of the season, putting up nine points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal in 21 minutes.

Unlike earlier games, Jordan was looking to pass first and get others involved. In his first few games, he was clearly pressing, trying to make too much happen on his own.

On Saturday, we saw the first extended look at Jordan’s playmaking potential. And the best thing for the freshman is that he doesn’t have to carry the team, like Severe. He can be a complementary piece, perfectly suited to play alongside athletic finishers like JaKarr Sampson, D’Angelo Harrison and Sanchez.

Steve Lavin remains very high on Jordan and we may see the reason soon.