St. John's University's men's basketball team is assembling a formidable roster under the leadership of head coach Rick Pitino. With the recent additions of top-notch guards Deivon Smith and Kadary Richmond to join rising sophomore Simeon Wilcher, Pitino sees similarities to his previous championship-winning trio of guards at Louisville.

Reflecting on his past successes, Pitino expressed his excitement about the dynamic playmaking abilities of Smith, Richmond, and Wilcher. He believes that having two elite lead guards in Smith and Richmond will create a synergy that will benefit both players and make it easier for them to excel. Together, they averaged an impressive 12.2 assists last season.

Pitino compared the trio to the lightning-quick and talented guards he coached at Louisville, Peyton Siva and Russ Smith. He emphasized that their positions on the court do not limit their offensive capabilities, as they all contribute to the team's perimeter play. St. John's employs a positionless offense, allowing all guards to run pick-and-rolls, attack the basket, and push the tempo.

While Smith and Richmond are not known for their shooting prowess, Pitino expects them to reach new heights in terms of their three-point shooting this season. He also emphasized that the team has enough shooting talent throughout the roster. Furthermore, the addition of Smith and Richmond brings athleticism and versatility to St. John's young core, which includes players like Wilcher, RJ Luis, Brady Dunlap, and Zuby Ejiofor.

Pitino's up-tempo coaching style, characterized by an aggressive pressing defense, fits well with the athleticism and rebounding abilities of Smith and Richmond. He highlighted Richmond's size at 6-foot-6, which provides the team with positional versatility to play either big or small lineups.

St. John's took a patient approach to recruiting, carefully selecting players who would significantly contribute to the team. The additions of Vince Iwuchukwu, Aaron Scott, Smith, and Richmond have solidified the roster, leaving just one final scholarship to be filled by a power forward who can stretch the floor.

Pitino and his coaching staff are thrilled with the progress they have made in assembling a competitive roster. The transfer class at St. John's has been ranked fourth nationally by 247Sports.com, a testament to the team's ability to attract top talent.

Looking ahead, St. John's has a challenging schedule lined up for next season, including a home game against Big 12 opponent Kansas State and participation in the Baha Mar Hoops tournament, where they will face tough competition such as Tennessee, Virginia, and Baylor. Additionally, discussions are underway to potentially face Georgia and Richard Pitino's New Mexico team at Madison Square Garden.

As the final pieces come together, Pitino and the St. John's Red Storm appear poised for a highly promising season. With an explosive trio of guards leading the way, the team is gearing up for an exciting and competitive journey on the basketball court.