NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The biggest surprise during St. John's two-thirds of its trip to the Bahamas was Johnny's 3-point shooting.
A perceived weakness entering the season was a strength in a double overtime loss to No. 13 Baylor and a defeat of Virginia.
No. 22 St. John's is 24-for-48 from long range, and is now shooting a solid 39.3 percent from deep in six games this year.
The 24 tries in the two matches in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship were higher than the Red Storm's average of 21.7 over the first four competitions.
“We're doing the work behind closed doors. We're shooting the 3 every day. As you can see now, after practice, there's a lot of guys working on their 3,” said senior wing Aaron Scott, who is shooting 40 percent from long range this season. “Actually, I don’t think anyone can guard us individually. We got my destiny [Richmond]Devon [Smith]R.J [Luis]Simon [Wilcher]. They all beat defenders head-on and found open guys like me and Brady [Dunlap]spot-up, knockdown shooters. We're just waiting for the ball. We know they will find us and we know they will beat their guy one on one and the other team will have to help us.
In St. John's (5-1)'s first four games at Carnesecca Arena and The Garden, he averaged 7.2 3-pointers.
In this tournament, the Red Storm scored 12 goals per game.
Maybe the Johnnies should play more games in a hall like this.
After games on back-to-back nights, you might assume coach Rick Pitino would give his players a break.
Well, think again.
After watching the Georgia-Marquette game together on Saturday before the matchup with the SEC school on Sunday, Pitino put his players through a two-hour workout.
“I was kind of surprised,” Richmond said. “We got it, though. I feel good. There's no lanes, really.” [here]”.
Dunlap (hip) practiced Saturday.
The hope is that he will be available on Sunday.
He was left out of Friday's win over Virginia.
