In their first 10 games, the St. John's Red Storm basketball team has left fans and coach Rick Pitino with more questions than answers. With an overall record of 7-3, the team has fluctuated between impressive wins and disappointing losses against power-conference opponents.

The Red Storm's victory over Utah showcased their potential, but defeats against Michigan and Boston College highlighted their inconsistencies. Pitino, who recently took over as head coach and revamped the roster, admitted that he is unsure of what to expect from his team as they begin their Big East campaign.

"As you look at the schedule sometimes you play, 'What would our record be?' I was hoping at best it would be 8-2, so we are not far off that. The Boston College game was a very big disappointment," Pitino expressed.

The team did bounce back from the setback against Boston College with a convincing 22-point win over Fordham. However, skepticism remains due to the Rams' offensive struggles, ranking 329th in offensive efficiency.

Despite the victory, St. John's defense, which has ranked 94th in efficiency, has been a consistent source of frustration for Pitino. It has hindered the team's performance in previous losses, making it essential for the defense to improve if the Red Storm hopes to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

The upcoming matchup against Xavier will be another test for St. John's. Xavier has already faced formidable opponents like Houston and Purdue during their challenging non-conference schedule. The Musketeers, however, have suffered upset losses and are facing challenges in the paint due to injuries.

St. John's players are well aware of the impact their defensive performance can have on their overall success. Guard Daniss Jenkins believes their recent victory over Fordham sets a standard for their defense moving forward. He emphasized, "If we don't play that defense for the rest of the year, we'll know why we lost a game because we showed we can play that defense. It doesn't matter who we're playing."

As the Red Storm head into the Big East season, the first 10 games have provided only glimpses of their potential. Pitino's deep and talented roster, with standout center Joel Soriano, believes they are ready to compete in the conference.

"This is probably one of the deeper teams I've played on. I think we shoot the ball way better than past teams [here]," said Soriano. "I think we are more connected, and I think we are very ready for the Big East."

RJ Luis, a transfer from UMass, is currently sidelined with shin splints. He has appeared in only one game this season, and Pitino believes it will be a few more weeks before Luis can return to the court.

As St. John's begins their Big East campaign against Xavier, the true potential of this team under Pitino's leadership will start to unfold. Fans eagerly await to see if the Red Storm can live up to expectations and secure a coveted NCAA Tournament spot.