What to watch for in St. John’s final dress rehearsal before regular season

Saturday day will beryllium nan last tune-up for St. John’s up of nan Nov. 4 regular-season opener against Fordham astatine Carnesecca Arena.

After rallying from a large shortage to hit No. 25 Rutgers astatine Jersey Mike’s Arena, Rick Pitino’s Johnnies will beryllium backmost successful Queens to look Towson, which was picked to triumph nan CAA, successful an exhibition.

All proceeds will spell to nan kindness Autism Speaks.

Here’s what to watch:

St. John’s coach Rick PItino talks pinch reporters during Big East Media Day earlier successful nan week.. Robert Sabo for New York Post

The conflict to backmost up Ejiofor

Neither Portuguese import Ruben Prey nor USC transportation Vince Iwuchukwu stood retired successful nan triumph complete Rutgers.

Neither played successful nan 2nd half. Expect them some to spot much action against Towson.

Starting halfway Zuby Ejiofor shined successful that game, producing 27 points and 13 rebounds, but he was connected nan level for a whopping 34 minutes.

That’s not a sustainable model.

St. Johns needs 1 of Iwuchukwu and Prey to look to lessen Ejiofor’s workload.

Can Smith build disconnected beardown finish?

Deivon Smith, an All-Big East 2nd squad preseason selection, came disconnected nan chair against Rutgers aft missing extended clip successful nan preseason pinch enarthrosis and hamstring injuries.

He seemed in-between and unsure of himself for astir of nan crippled earlier helping nan Johnnies adjacent retired nan triumph precocious pinch immoderate bully passes and a fewer beardown drives.

This is simply a chance for nan highly regarded Utah transportation to build disconnected that and play his game, which intends pushing nan ball, attacking and harassing shot handlers.

St. John’s transportation Deivon Smith will beryllium a subordinate to watch successful its preseason finale vs. Towson. Noah K. Murray

This crippled matters

Pitino treated nan 2nd half against Rutgers for illustration it counted, and I expect him to grip nan 2nd half against Towson successful a akin manner if it’s close.

St. John’s wasn’t fresh to commencement nan play past year, and it showed successful nonconferences losses to Michigan, Dayton and Boston College that yet costs nan Red Storm an NCAA Tournament bid.

He has emphasized being fresh to spell by Nov. 4, moving much connected squad concepts and school his violative and protect strategy than individual skills making love backmost to nan summer.

It is why he scheduled a roadworthy accumulation astatine Rutgers and opted to play Towson, which is considered nan people of nan CAA.

He felt these games would hole nan Johnnies good for nan season.