OMAHA, Neb. — By way of the primary two months of the season, Zuby Ejiofor has established himself as arguably St. John’s greatest participant.
He’s scoring, defending and rebounding at an elite stage. He’s confirmed himself in opposition to high quality massive males like Coleman Hawkins of Kansas State, Nelly Junior Joseph of New Mexico and Norchad Omier of Baylor.
Now comes his stiffest take a look at but: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton’s dominant 7-foot-1 middle.
“It’s going to be really exciting,” the 6-foot-9 Ejiofor stated forward of the New 12 months’s Eve showdown. “It’s obviously going to be a challenge, given who he is as a player and who he is as a defensive player as well. So I think what will help me a lot is going to be doing my work early, trying to deny him post touches as much as possible.”
Kalkbrenner is a defensive savant. He has by no means fouled out of a recreation in 146 appearances and is the three-time Huge East Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Solely Patrick Ewing (4) and Alonzo Mourning (three) have gained the award as many instances.
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“I think Zuby has a different role in this game. Very few people have a great night scoring on the inside against him,” coach Rick Pitino stated. “He doesn’t allow too many points inside. He never fouls. It’s a matter of Zuby doing other things to help other players.”
In two video games in opposition to St. John’s (11-2, 2-0) final 12 months, Kalkbrenner averaged 15 factors, 9.5 rebounds and 6 blocks.
The groups break up the 2 conferences and the Johnnies practically swept, dropping a irritating one-point recreation in Omaha, Neb.
Kalkbrenner is having fun with one other sturdy season, averaging 17.3 factors, 7.7 rebounds and a pair of.5 blocks. He’s additionally a risk from the 3-point line, taking pictures it at a 37.5-percent clip on 1.3 makes an attempt per recreation.
However his power is within the paint as a rim-protector and lob risk. He’s the linchpin to every thing Creighton (8-5, 1-1) does.
An identical assertion might be made about Ejiofor and St. John’s. The Johnnies’ chief in rebounding (7.8) and blocks (2.2), and the nation’s high offensive rebounder at 4.5 per recreation, he could have to change how he performs considerably in opposition to the larger and longer Kalkbrenner.
“I would say I will use my quickness a lot more,” Ejiofor stated. “If the opportunity arises for me to take a midrange jumper here and there [I have to do it], because I know they’re going to be playing drop coverage. So having the confidence to knock down the shots and use my quickness, I feel like will help me a lot.”
