St. John's basketball team seems to have found a new lease of life after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Boston College. The loss served as a wake-up call, prompting the team to reassess their defensive strategies. Since then, they have played two games in which their defense has been exemplary, a far cry from their earlier struggles.

In their first game after the Boston College loss, St. John's faced off against Fordham and held them to a measly shooting percentage of 25.4%. This was a significant improvement and showcased the team's determination to tighten up their defensive play. However, it was their game against Xavier that truly solidified their defensive prowess.

During their clash with Xavier, St. John's displayed a dominant defensive performance, effectively shutting down their star duo of Desmond Claude and Quincy Olivari. The two players were held to just 8 of 17 shooting and only managed to make one 3-pointer out of six attempts. Xavier's overall scoring output was 10 points below their season average, and they struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 34.9% from the field and making only 1 of 11 3-point attempts in the second half.

To achieve this defensive success, St. John's coach Rick Pitino implemented a zone defense for the first time this season. He had observed the effectiveness of this strategy in previous games and decided to give it a try against Xavier. The results were remarkable, as Xavier only managed to convert 3 of 21 shots when St. John's employed the zone defense.

Pitino was pleased with his team's performance and praised their adaptability in implementing a new defensive strategy. He commended their ability to execute the plan effectively within just two days of preparation. The team's success in implementing the zone defense against Xavier has given them newfound confidence in their defensive abilities.

Offensively, St. John's saw strong contributions from Nahiem Alleyne, who provided a spark on both ends of the floor with 15 points and four rebounds. Additionally, Joel Soriano dominated Xavier's undermanned frontcourt, recording an impressive stat line of 18 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks, and five assists. Chris Ledlum contributed 13 points and six rebounds, while Daniss Jenkins had 11 points and five assists. Jordan Dingle added 10 points off the bench.

With their recent defensive improvements and strong offensive performances, St. John's is gaining momentum as they head into their upcoming game against fifth-ranked Connecticut. Pitino acknowledges that their early losses may have been beneficial in terms of team growth and learning experiences. The team's defensive improvements have been particularly noteworthy, and Pitino believes that their defense is currently the best it has ever been.

Despite still being somewhat of a mystery to Pitino and themselves, St. John's is optimistic about the future. They feel they have become a more connected team and have improved their shooting abilities. The players are excited about their prospects in the Big East and believe they are ready to compete at a higher level.

However, the team is not without its challenges. RJ Luis, a talented transfer from UMass, is currently sidelined with shin splints. Pitino expects him to return in a few weeks and hopes that his presence will further strengthen the team.

As St. John's continues its journey through the season, the team is determined to maintain their newfound defensive intensity. They recognize the importance of their defensive play in securing victories and are optimistic about their chances moving forward. The early setbacks they faced have served as valuable lessons, pushing them to grow and strive for improvement. With their recent performances, St. John's has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Big East.