Zuby Ejiofor comforts St. John's guard after uneven NCAA start

After St. John's opening-round win in San Diego, Zuby Ejiofor pulled aside sophomore Ian Jackson and urged him to be aggressive following a shaky start and stronger second half.

Shortly after St. John's opening-round NCAA Tournament victory in San Diego, Zuby Ejiofor pulled sophomore guard Ian Jackson aside. Jackson had a shaky start but produced a solid second half in the rout of Northern Iowa. Ejiofor reminded Jackson that he will be needed as the tournament continues and urged him to be aggressive, not worry about the noise, and to play with a smile. Guard Oziyah Sellers said seeing family and friends in the crowd motivated him, noting he grew up in Hayward, California. With a win on Sunday over Kansas, St. John's would reach 30 victories for the second consecutive season, and the matchup will be only the second meeting between coaches Rick Pitino and Bill Self. Key details: - Zuby Ejiofor pulled Ian Jackson aside after the buzzer following the opening-round win in San Diego. - Ian Jackson started the game shakily but had a solid second half in the rout of Northern Iowa. - Ejiofor told Jackson he would be needed in the tournament, urged aggression, and encouraged him to ignore the noise and enjoy playing. - Oziyah Sellers said seeing family and friends in the crowd gave him motivation; he grew up in Hayward, California. - A win over Kansas on Sunday would give St. John's its second straight 30-win season, and this will be the second meeting between coaches Rick Pitino and Bill Self (the first came in 2021-22, when Kansas won by 13). Summary: Ejiofor's one-on-one encouragement came immediately after St. John's opening victory and was meant to lift a teammate after an uneven performance. The team advances to face Kansas on Sunday, with a win marking a consecutive 30-win season for St. John's.