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Sunday, June 24
Updated: July 23, 4:58 PM ET
Team preview: St. John's Red Storm
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 14-15; 8-8 in Big East (t3rd in East)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Who will replace Omar Cook at the point? Is Marcus Hatten really a point or a shooting guard? Will the Red Storm have that same dominant personality in the backcourt.
2. Can Anthony Glover handle being the sole provider in the post again? Will the Red Storm get the necessary development out of Mohamed Diakite, Kyle Cuffe and Abe Keita?
3. Will Willie Shaw and Alpha Bangura give the Red Storm consistent perimeter play, scoring punch and defensive stoppers on the wings? Does either player have leadership capabilities?
Three Key Facts
1. It wasn't a Sweet 16th season for Mike Jarvis, who after 15 winning campaigns suffered his first losing season. St. John's lost seven of its last nine games.
2. Willie Shaw made 37.5 percent of his 3-pointers, but shot only 31 percent over the final 12 games -- including nights against Virginia Tech (1-11), Providence (2-9) and Syracuse (4-13) when he really struggled to find his shot behind the arc.
3. Tristan Smith, a 6-foot-1 freshman point, was slated to be Omar Cook's understudy this season. Instead, he is in line to become the third starting point guard in Jarvis' four years at St. John's, even though the first two -- Erick Barkley and Cook -- still would have college eligibility had they not left early for the NBA.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Red Storm have the chemistry in place, Hatten adds to it and they make a run toward an NCAA Tournament berth.
Worst case: They can't settle on a point, lack consistent inside scoring and struggle to finish in the top five in the league.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Willie Shaw
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So.
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F
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6-6/185
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PTS: 13.8 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 0.8
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Anthony Glover
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Sr.
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F
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6-6/225
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PTS: 13.7 | REB: 5.9 | AST: 1.1
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Kyle Cuffe
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So.
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F
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6-8/210
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PTS: 8.3 | REB: 4.4 | AST: 0.2
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Sharif Fordham
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Sr.
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G
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6-4/200
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PTS: 4.8 | REB: 4.9 | AST: 1.2
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Omar Cook
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G
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6-1/190
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PTS: 15.3 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 8.7
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Reggie Jessie
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F
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6-7/213
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PTS: 5.9 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 1.8
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Providence Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Marcus Hatten
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G
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6-2
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Tallahassee CC (Fla.)
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Tristan Smith
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G
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6-1
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Amityville (N.Y.)
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