OMAHA, Neb. — Through the first two months of the season, Zuby Ejiofor has established himself as arguably St. John’s best player.
He’s scoring, defending and rebounding at an elite level. He’s proven himself against quality big men like Coleman Hawkins of Kansas State, Nelly Junior Joseph of New Mexico and Norchad Omier of Baylor.
Now comes his stiffest test yet: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton’s dominant 7-foot-1 center.
“It’s going to be really exciting,” the 6-foot-9 Ejiofor said ahead of the New Year’s Eve showdown. “It’s obviously going to be a challenge, given who he is as a player and who he is as a defensive player as well. So I think what will help me a lot is going to be doing my work early, trying to deny him post touches as much as possible.”
Kalkbrenner is a defensive savant. He has never fouled out of a game in 146 appearances and is the three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Only Patrick Ewing (four) and Alonzo Mourning (three) have won the award as many times.
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“I think Zuby has a different role in this game. Very few people have a great night scoring on the inside against him,” coach Rick Pitino said. “He doesn’t allow too many points inside. He never fouls. It’s a matter of Zuby doing other things to help other players.”
In two games against St. John’s (11-2, 2-0) last year, Kalkbrenner averaged 15 points, 9.5 rebounds and six blocks.
The teams split the two meetings and the Johnnies nearly swept, dropping a frustrating one-point game in Omaha, Neb.
Kalkbrenner is enjoying another strong season, averaging 17.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. He’s also a threat from the 3-point line, shooting it at a 37.5-percent clip on 1.3 attempts per game.
But his strength is in the paint as a rim-protector and lob threat. He’s the linchpin to everything Creighton (8-5, 1-1) does.
A similar statement can be made about Ejiofor and St. John’s. The Johnnies’ leader in rebounding (7.8) and blocks (2.2), and the country’s top offensive rebounder at 4.5 per game, he may have to alter how he plays somewhat against the bigger and longer Kalkbrenner.
“I would say I will use my quickness a lot more,” Ejiofor said. “If the opportunity arises for me to take a midrange jumper here and there [I have to do it], because I know they’re going to be playing drop coverage. So having the confidence to knock down the shots and use my quickness, I feel like will help me a lot.”
