Ian Jackson delivers impressive bounce-back performance in St. John’s opener

This was a different Ian Jackson than St. John’s saw in its two exhibition games.

He was more confident, decisive and impactful. The North Carolina transfer scored 15 points and hit all six of his shots from the field in the fifth-ranked Johnnies’ 108-74 rout of Quinnipiac to open the season in front of a sold-out crowd at Carnesecca Arena.

After coming off the bench in the Michigan preseason game, the 6-foot-5 Jackson got the start and scored the Red Storm’s first five points. He was also a team-best plus-31 in 15 minutes.

“He’s growing, he’s gotta be more physical on the backboards, but he’s a very willing passer, although he didn’t have an assist tonight, or a steal,” coach Rick Pitino said. “He’s a much-improved defensive player. He’s lightning quick. He can shoot it. So I’m very pleased with Ian.”

One area Pitino wants to see Jackson improve is taking care of the ball. He had two turnovers, including one on the game’s first possession.

“I tell him, ‘I’m going to give you the best advice I can give you as a coach. This is my 52nd year of coaching,’ ” Pitino said. “ ‘You’re wearing a white jersey. Don’t give it to the red jersey.’ He said, ‘That’s the best advice you can give me?’ I said, ‘Yes, stop just giving the ball away.’ He does it once a game, once a night, once a practice. ”

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Pitino offered his highest praise for Dylan Darling. The Idaho State transfer scored just six points on 1-of-6 shooting, but the point guard had six assists, three steals and only one turnover in 17 minutes off the bench.

“Sometimes, you pick up a stat sheet and wonder who plays well. Tonight, Dylan Darling had six points, but he gave a dominating performance — dominating,” Pitino said. “Just the way he played at both ends of the floor, he was dominant.

“I just thought he took over the game from a tempo standpoint. He got in the lane, found people, was tough on defense. I thought he was terrific.”

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St. John’s 108 points were its most since the 2021 regular-season opener against Mississippi Valley State. The Johnnies scored 119 points that night.