Zuby Ejiofor is driving force behind St. John’s recent defensive growth

Many would define a leader as someone who holds others accountable, who will raise one’s voice when the time demands it and make it known what is unacceptable.

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Leading by example can be just as important.

That’s what Zuby Ejiofor has done in St. John’s past two games, by far their best defensive performance of the young season. In much-needed wins over Ole Miss and Iona University following the disappointing 1-2 trip to Las Vegas, Ejiofor has averaged 9.5 rebounds, eight blocks and 1.5 steals. The 6-foot-9 tri-captain hasn’t gotten many shots — just 13 in these two contests — and it hasn’t let it affect him. He has imposed his will on the defensive end, and his teammates have followed. St. John’s held both Ole Miss (58) and Iona (64) to season-lows in points. On Saturday, the Johnnies ran the 3-point happy Gaels off the line — they attempted only 19 3s, eight fewer than their season average — and Ejiofor was there to reject countless drives. He became the first Division I player to block eight shots in consecutive games since Marshall’s Obinna Anochili-Killen in November 2021. He’s done much more than just talk about St. John’s needing to get better defensively; he has gone out there and made it happen.

It should be noted that these last two defensive efforts came in a buy game against 27.5-point underdog Iona and SEC also-ran Ole Miss, which looks like it is headed for a major down season after a trip to the Sweet 16. The Rebels are rated 75th in offensive efficiency. But, one must take into account that maybe the defensive issues earlier in the season were more about the caliber of teams that St. John’s was facing as well. The first four power-conference opponents the Johnnies met — Alabama, Iowa State, Baylor and Auburn — all are rated in the top 13 in offensive efficiency. They are lights-out offensive teams. St. John’s won’t face another opponent currently rated as highly all season, although I expect Connecticut to wind up in that same category as the aforementioned four.