2015 NCAA Tournament: St. Johns Red Storm vs. San Diego State Aztecs 5 Bold Predictions

Unheralded Players Step Up

Mar 19, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; St. John’s Red Storm center Joey De La Rosa (34) pulls down a rebound during practice before the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

With Chris Obekpa serving a two week suspension, the Red Storm will be extremely short-handed. Head coach Steve Lavin uses only a six man rotation most nights, sometimes playing a seventh. Without Obekpa someone is going to have to step-up for the Red Storm.

There is no one player that will replace what Obekpa brings to the table for the Red Storm, but instead a team effort. Senior Joey De La Rosa is one of the options to start, and what better time to show up big time for your team? De La Rosa and freshman Amar Alibegovic will combine to put up the stats that Obekpa normally would.

The unheralded duo will combine for a double double with three blocks. It will be a huge boost for a Red Storm team that will be looking for production from anyone outside their five regulars they will have going.