Zuby Ejiofor accepts responsibility for St. John’s defeat against Alabama

Johnny Takes Responsibility for Loss

Johnny, the standout player, felt he was to blame for Saturday’s defeat.

Zuby Ejiofor, recently recognized as the Big East’s preseason player of the year, expressed disappointment in his performance during No. 5 St. John’s’ 103-96 setback against No. 15 Alabama at Madison Square Garden. He recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists but wasn’t satisfied.

The Red Storm’s defense, he noted, has been underwhelming, and Ejiofor feels a personal need to step up that aspect of his game.

“We didn’t execute our plan. It starts with me,” he remarked. “As the captain, it’s my responsibility to ensure that my teammates are on the same page and focused on winning. It wasn’t purely about defense today.”

He went on to point out, “We made four turnovers. We have to get better.”

Ejiofor had a strong first half, racking up 21 points. However, he was held to just six points and limited to four shot attempts in the second half.

Head coach Rick Pitino also restricted his playtime, giving him only 13 minutes after the break.

“Zuby expends a lot of energy. That was a fast-paced game,” Pitino said. “He’s in good shape, but he needs to be more resilient. Just don’t call me ‘Tis’,” he added, referring to former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, known for keeping players on the floor for extended spells.