You can point out differences in the size of the positions. The increased athleticism will allow St. John's to play faster. Key players Simeon Wilcher, RJ Lewis, and Zuby Ejiofor return, and there is continuity.
But the biggest difference between Rick Pitino's first St. John's team and his second six weeks later is what happens after halftime. This isn't just about the high-level adjustments Pitino often makes, it's also about the players implementing those changes.
While last year's Johnnies frequently ran out of gas after halftime and saw large leads disappear, this team has a habit of finding a new gear in the second half. St. John's has outscored its opponents by a whopping 131 points in 12 games. They defeated DePaul and Providence by 33 points in two league games.
“I think that's our will. Our will to just keep going,” Ejiofor said. “We take great pride in playing for each other and having fun.”
