There has been a lot of talk about St. John's struggling to break down 3-point and perimeter shots, especially since conference play began.
But what hasn't been noticed is how exactly the Johnnys continue to win despite that problem persisting: their defense.
More than halfway through the regular season, coach Rick Pitino's team is playing a defense like no St. John's team has seen in 20 years. The Red Storm are currently in thin air, rated seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency by analytics website KenPom.com. Since the site's inception in 1997, St. John's' highest end-of-season defensive rating was 17th in 2006.
St. John's ranks third nationally in blocks per game (6.3), ties for 22nd in forced turnovers (16.0), ranks 20th in steals (9.8) and ranks 27th in two-point field goal percentage (44.9). It is Thailand. They are allowing just 67.4 points per game despite playing at the 52nd fastest pace in the country, according to KenPom. St. John's five league opponents combined for 51.6 points against the Johnnys, below their regular season average. It's not fun to face them.
