With practices getting underway for the St. John's Red Storm, that means the season is right around the corner. For a team coming off a great season, expectations will be high.
Entering year four of the Rick Pitino era, St. John's could have their most talented roster year. Even though they have won back-to-back Big East titles and reached the Sweet 16 last year, the Red Storm have Elite 8 or Final Four potential.
However, while the potential is there for the team to accomplish great things, the uncertainty surrounding the eligibility rules in college basketball is a dark cloud over their head.
The Red Storm aren't the only program being impacted by this, but they have some key players who would really help raise their season, currently being ineligible.
However, while that will all have to be sorted out, there are still some very talented players that will be on the team. While all eyes will be on Tounde Yessoufou, who could be one of the best players in the conference, there will be some hope that other players will break out.
St. John's Needs a Breakout Year from Ian Jackson
While there are a couple of different players that the Red Storm would like to see a breakout season from, Jackson could be the most important. The talented wing player struggled a bit in his first year with St. John's, especially when asked to be the primary ball-handler.
This just simply wasn't a role that fit him, and the Red Storm worked hard this offseason to improve at point guard, which will allow him to move off the ball.
After a solid freshman season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, Jackson was a player that many believed would take a step forward last year. While that didn't happen, he will fall into the same category this season.
Last year, he averaged just 9.4 points per game and saw both his field goal percentage and three-point percentage drop quite a bit. The hope will be that getting Jackson in a better position to succeed will help him play more like he did as a freshman at North Carolina and take a step forward.
Due to all of the eligibility concerns on the team, the Red Storm are relying on Jackson to play a significant role. He is a player who could average 15 points per game for them, and that would certainly help them achieve their goals this year.
Today's best reads
- Predicting Ian Jackson's Stats for St. John's Basketball in 2026-27
- Why Tounde Yessoufou Will Be Big East Player of the Year for St. John's Basketball
- Rick Pitino Heaps Praise on St. John's Basketball Star
- Eligibility Limbo of Quinn Ellis Will Be Key for St. John's Basketball
- St. John's Basketball Upside Hinges on Eligibility Rulings
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/st-johns as St. John's Basketball Needs a Breakout Season From This One Player .