When Aaron Barmore and Andy Burns started their Johnnie basketball careers in 2008, there were a total of nine freshmen on the roster.
“Now, Barmore and I are the only ones left,” Burns said.
The Saint John’s basketball team enters the 2011-12 season with Barmore and Burns as its senior captains. After graduating five players from last year’s squad that went 14-11 (10-10 MIAC), the Johnnies have plenty of talent, but little in-game experience.
“We are trying to fill spots,” Head Coach Jim Smith said. “We have younger players with not a lot of experience. But we have had great workouts and team chemistry has not been an issue.”
Smith, who begins his 48th season as head coach, said that the team will eventually utilize a rotation of at least 10 players during games. With Burns at point guard and Barmore at the wing, this rotation could include sophomore guards Kevin McKenzie and Patrick Butcher, junior wing Josh Hibbison, sophomore wings Luke Januschka and Seth Marx and a variety of options at the post that have not played any varsity minutes for the Johnnies.
Despite the lack of experience, SJU was picked to tie for seventh in the MIAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. In addition, the team has had productive workouts that have benefited the team’s chemistry.
“We have focused on defense during the preseason,” Barmore said. “We have been working with the younger guys to build confidence.”
Both Barmore and Burns are excellent sources for leadership because of their longevity with the program. Barmore, who has averaged eight points a game during his career, said that senior leadership is especially important for this season.
“Leadership has been more crucial this year than in the past,” Barmore said. “Burns and I are there for guidance on the court and off the court as well. We want to pass on what we have learned to the rest of the team.”
Burns, who enters his fourth year as starting point guard, has averaged 9.7 points per game and 6.7 assists per game in his career. Now he enters a new role in being a senior captain and team leader.
“Basketball is a unique sport since there are usually only 16 players on varsity,” Burns said, comparing the sport to others with large rosters, like football and hockey. “It’s interesting, but it’s been fun.”
The Johnnies will need leadership on the court from Burns and Barmore as they face St. Cloud State on Nov. 18 in St. Cloud. After upsetting the Huskies 70-65 in Collegeville last year, the Johnnies are excited to face them again, but understand that they will need to be well-prepared if they want to win.
“They (St. Cloud State) are going to come out with a vendetta,” Barmore said. “We may be young, but we have heart and talent. Anything can happen.”
“I have been harping to the young guys to not back down and not play timid,” Burns said. “We have energy and enthusiasm, and we want to prove people wrong.”
Smith knows that in order to win, Saint John’s cannot turn the ball over.
“It will be a difficult game,” said Smith. “It will be very physical and tough.”
With the focused and confident mentality that the Johnnies have adopted, they look toward their season with optimism.