Should St. John’s Head Basketball Coach Adjust His Lineup Following Secret Scrimmage Results?

The buzz around St. John’s basketball has intensified after reports from the team’s first public scrimmage began circulating, offering an early glimpse into Rick Pitino’s 2025–26 squad. After losing RJ Luis to the NBA and others due to no longer having any eligibility, the projected starting five for the Red Storm would consist of something like Oziyah Sellers, Joson Sanon, Ian Jackson, Bryce Hopkins, and Zuby Ejiofor. These five represent an exciting mix of athleticism, shooting, and versatility; however, early signs indicate a group with growing pains to address before the season begins. The Red Storm’s talent is undeniable, but their chemistry and ball security remain works in progress. Pitino’s upcoming exhibition games against Towson and Michigan will be critical opportunities to evaluate how well this unit meshes under pressure and whether adjustments to the rotation could maximize St. John’s deep roster. The scrimmage against Michigan will be a true test to see where both new teams are. Elliot Cadeau, Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara will face head-to-head with the loaded St. John’s roster.

One player making a strong case for a bigger role is Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell, whose impact has reportedly been felt in every practice. What’s notable about Mitchell’s emergence is his ability to influence games without needing the ball, and he thrives by rebounding, defending multiple positions, and creating second-chance opportunities. Pitino has long favored players who do the little things right, and Mitchell fits that mold perfectly. His selfless style could balance a starting lineup loaded with offensive-minded players like Hopkins and Jackson. While Mitchell might begin the season as one of the nation’s best sixth men, his presence could prove too valuable to limit to a bench role. In particular, if St. John’s bleeds turnovers or falters in defensive rotations, sliding Mitchell into the starting five could inject stability and energy on both ends.

At the center of attention, though, is sophomore phenom Ian Jackson, whose growth since the summer has been striking. Pitino praised the young guard’s improved shot selection and confidence, and his performance in the scrimmage backed that up. Jackson’s ability to score from all three levels gives St. John’s an elite offensive option, but it also demands structure from the rest of the lineup to keep the offense balanced. The looming question for the season remains: Will chemistry catch up to talent before conference play begins? This question not only frames the challenges ahead but also underscores the stakes of the upcoming games. The key for Pitino will be finding the right blend of scoring freedom and disciplined execution. With Hopkins and Ejiofor anchoring the frontcourt and Sellers and Jackson spacing the floor, the Red Storm have the tools to compete at a national level if the chemistry clicks. Whether or not Pitino tweaks the starting group before the season opener, the message is clear: St. John’s has the talent to win big, but success will depend on cohesion, trust, and how well Pitino leverages his depth to create a complete, connected team.