St. John’s Basketball Opens Season with Strong Performance
A noticeably different Ian Jackson took the court for St. John’s, showcasing a level of confidence and decisiveness that was missing in previous exhibition games. The transfer from North Carolina started in front of a sold-out Carnesecca Arena crowd, impressively scoring 15 points and making all six of his field goals. This contribution helped the fifth-ranked Johnnys secure a 108-74 victory over Quinnipiac.
Unlike his previous appearance coming off the bench during a preseason game with Michigan, the 6-foot-5 Jackson not only started but also scored the first five points for the Red Storm. He finished with an impressive plus-31 rating during his 15 minutes on the court.
Coach Rick Pitino was encouraged by Jackson’s growth but noted areas for improvement. “He needs to be more physical on the boards,” Pitino remarked. Although Jackson didn’t record any assists or steals, the coach praised him for being a willing passer. “Defensively, he’s really improved. He’s incredibly fast and has a good shooting touch. So I’m quite pleased with Ian,” he added.
Pitino highlighted Jackson’s need to refine his ball handling skills, as he recorded two turnovers, one occurring on the very first possession of the game. “I tell him, ‘I’m going to give you the best advice I can give you as a coach. This is my 52nd year as a coach. You’re in the white jersey, don’t give in to the red jersey.’” He humorously emphasized not making unnecessary passes, pointing out that Jackson tends to make those mistakes both in games and practice.
Meanwhile, Pitino reserved high praise for Dylan Dahlin, a transfer from Idaho State. Although Dahlin only scored six points with a shooting performance of 1-of-6, he excelled in other aspects, recording six assists, three steals, and just one turnover in 17 minutes off the bench. “Sometimes you look at the stat sheet and question who had a good game. Tonight, despite just six points, I’d say Dylan had a dominant performance,” Pitino noted, acknowledging Dahlin’s impact on both offense and defense.
Reflecting on the game overall, Jackson’s strong showing helped St. John’s score its highest point total since the 2021 regular season opener, when they scored 119 points against Mississippi Valley State.
