Behind the scenes of Ian Jackson’s ceiling-raising move into St. John’s starting lineup

Rick Pitino is making a St. John’s lineup change on Saturday, a tweak that isn’t necessarily about Saturday’s meeting with Iona or the next few games after that.

It’s about the long run. It’s about March.

For the 22nd-ranked Johnnies to be an elite team, to be a team capable of going deep in the NCAA Tournament, they need Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon to be difference-makers.

The two high-ceiling sophomores will start together for the first time against Iona — with Jackson at point guard. Dylan Darling will move to the bench in a reserve role.