Deadspin: No. 13 St. John’s strives to build chemistry in opener against Monmouth

A reshaped Red Storm roster

St. John’s enters Pitino’s fourth season after winning consecutive regular-season and conference tournament titles. Zuby Ejiofor’s emergence helped drive that success before he became a late first-round NBA draft pick in June.

Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins are among the departures. Pitino added transfers and international players, with Babacar Sane and Keyshawn Hall expected to help fill the gaps.

Newcomers to watch

Sane averaged 9.9 points while shooting 46.7 percent in Germany last season and has NBA G League experience. He scored 34 points across St. John’s three preseason exhibitions; a Nov. 9 hearing is scheduled on his eligibility.

Building the backcourt

Ian Jackson is one of the few returning players and could improve on his 9.4-point scoring average. St. John’s is also looking to a backcourt trio that includes Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou and Quinn Ellis, an England native who shot 37.7 percent from three-point range in Euroleague play.

After the Texas exhibition, Hall said St. John’s had enough skill to match up with any team. Pitino, however, said the team may not yet be ready for Arizona or the Players Era event and expects it to be better by January.