This off-season has been an interesting one to say the least. The route to bring players on has been an unconventional one by St. John's standards but is becoming more common amongst the college ranks. 

Rick Pitino has completely reshaped the St. John's Red Storm roster with one of the most unique strategies in the sport: loading up on international professionals, overseas veterans, and experienced older players like Quinn Ellis, Djordije Jovanović, and Babacar Sane. Is this the blueprint for the future, or a dangerous gamble? That's the thematic question many are asking about St. John's. We break down the roster construction, fit alongside Ian Jackson, Ruben Prey and Donnie Freeman, and why Pitino may be building his most fascinating team yet.

Plus what impact with the additions of incoming freshman Theo Edema, and Lazar Stojkovic in the front court make plus Avery Brown and Kyle Cuffe Jr. in the backcourt.

A lot has been made of the players added, who was missed and what they'll do with the last two spots. We discuss the roster, what Rick Pitino said earlier this week and more as Kevin Connelly of StormThePaint joins for a little off-season recap.

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

The off-season is here and the St. John's Red Storm have made their first major addition. After a season where the point guard question was asked every day, Rick Pitino and his staff have addressed it right out of the gates. Quinn Ellis has committed to St. John's, one of the best point guards overseas is headed to Queens. The 6'5 floor general picked St. John's over blue bloods and other high end programs. Joining to shed light on what Rick Pitino is getting in Ellis is his long time trainer Gary Maitland. Maitland has trained the Sheffield native since he was 16 and helped develop him into one of the premier playmakers in the EuroLeague. We discuss the kind of player he is, how his experience will lend to dominating the college game and more.

Plus some portal talk, where St. John's stands with some recruits, what's on the horizon and more.

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

Just like that it's over. A 30 win season comes to an end in Washington D.C. as St. John's loses to Duke 80-75. It took heroic efforts from Cameron Boozer, Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans as they would power the #1 overall seed passed the 5 seed Johnnies. Zuby Ejiofor, Ruben Prey, Bryce Hopkins did all they could to try and will St. John's to victory. A 10 point lead in the 2nd half was not enough as the Duke zone threw off St. John's and their paint prowess got them back into it. Ultimately the Johnnies backcourt let them down as they had too many times this season, and it was too much to overcome one more time. So we reflect on the season, the gratitude and appreciation and we look ahead to the Portal and St. John's restocking and restarting for next year.

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

For the first time since 1999, St. John's is headed to the Sweet Sixteen! After leading by 14 points in the 2nd half, Kansas mounted a come back. Tied with seconds left on the clock, Dylan "Church Bells" Darling drove to the rim and scored as the buzzer sounded sending the Red Storm to Washington DC. A game which saw Darryn Peterson make shots like a top NBA draft pick, Bryce Hopkins hit a career high six threes, Zuby Ejiofor scored 18 points and Ian Jackson contributed strongly. Rick Pitino writes another chapter of greatness in his third year as a the Johnnies leader. Joined by Jason Dimaio, Roger Rubin of Newsday and Kevin Connelly of StormThePaint and SiNow we recap the historic night and preview the Sweet Sixteen match-up against Duke.

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

The game was out of reach shortly after the ball was thrown in the air. Before most fans were in their seats it was 13-0. Northern Iowa was dead in the water. Led by Zuby Ejiofor who had a bad game by his standards, Bryce Hopkins continued strong play, and a balanced attack from the bench, St. John's got their second NCAA tournament win in as many years under Rick Pitino. Now as a matchup with Kansas on Sunday awaits, the Red Storm will have to cram to get ready fro Bill Self and his Jayhawks.

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

The Big Dance is here, March Madness is here, the NCAA Tournament is finally here. And there are plenty of storylines going into the week for the Red Storm. Much has been made of St. John's getting a 5 seed and sent out West for their first two rounds, so we'll talk about it. The Associated Press revealed their All-American teams today and Zuby Ejiofor was not on the first, second or third team. And that's nonsense, so we'll talk about it. And St. John's is a 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and they kick it off this Friday in San Diego against the 12 Seed Northern Iowa Panthers. The players you need to know on the Panthers, how they play, what to be ready for plus how to beat their defense and more.

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

St. John's did it. Back to Back Big East Tournament Champions. Back to Back Big East Conference Champions. The first team in Big East History to do so outright. It was an unbelievable performance from the boys from Queens. Three wins in three days, knocking off Providence 85-72, knocking off Seton Hall 78-68 and the cherry on top was Saturday night inside a sold out MSG, St. John's obliterating UConn 72-52 to lift that trophy one more time. Cutting down the nets at Madison Square Garden is now a yearly tradition. 

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

Brad Wachtel, Lead Bracketologist for Hoops HQ, joins to preview St. John's on Selection Sunday. Where will they be seeded, the important questions surrounding them, and how much does momentum of winning back to back big east tournament titles play into how far the Red Storm can go?

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

March is here and there's never a more important time in basketball than now. Playing for Rick Pitino takes a special type of character. Learning under Rick Pitino has benefits well beyond the basketball court. Joining the show today is someone who knows intimately what is going on in Queens right now. On the heels for the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, St. John's is ready to go on a run. But the work that goes into it is often hidden. We take a peak behind the curtain with someone that has been there, done that, as a player and as a coach. He played under Rick Pitino at Kentucky and led the way as point guard - then he was the head coach at UMass, Oklahoma State and St. Louis. Travis Ford is here to tell us what it takes to play for Rick Pitino, win under Rick Pitino and be ready for the rigors of March!

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb

St. John's has done it. A tough fought game in Newark at the Prudential Center, the Red Storm would prevail 72-65 to clinch at least a share of the Big East Title as well as the #1 Seed in the Big East Tournament. Led by Zuby Ejiofor as well as clutch play from Ruben Prey, Dylan Darling, and others, the Johnnies capped off a 25-6 regular season with their 18th win in Big East play. St. John's has been battle tested and they knew they would have a rock fight on their hands. Why would they want it to come easy, as St. John's would claw and fight for greatness. An incredible roller coaster of a season has ended on a high note!

Follow the podcast on Twitter:
@EyeonStormPod = Eye on the Storm Podcast

#sjubb