St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell faces off against Kansas in his sixth career matchup as the Jayhawks aim for a second-round berth SAN DIEGO — Dillon Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 forward for St. John’s, is preparing for his sixth game against Kansas, a matchup that carries significant weight for both teams. Mitchell, who previously played at Texas and Cincinnati, has a deep understanding of Kansas’ style of play, having faced the Jayhawks multiple times. His experience could be crucial as St. John’s seeks its first deep postseason run in 27 years. Mitchell, now a senior, has become a key player for the Red Storm, though his averages of 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds are modest compared to his past performances. However, teammates like Bryce Hopkins highlight his impact, noting his intelligence, unselfishness, and ability to create opportunities for the team. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without Dillon Mitchell,” Hopkins said, emphasizing his role in the team’s success. The matchup against Kansas is particularly challenging for St. John’s, as the Jayhawks’ physicality and pace have evolved since Mitchell’s last encounters. Kansas’ star guard Darryn Peterson, who scored 28 points in a recent win over Cal Baptist, poses a unique threat. Mitchell acknowledged Peterson’s NBA-level skills, describing his ability to score from all areas and draw fouls. “It’s NBA moves, pro moves that he does,” Mitchell said, underscoring the difficulty of containing him. St. John’s will need to counter Kansas’ big men, Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller, who are likely to match up against Mitchell and Ejiofor. Despite the challenges, Mitchell remains confident, citing his familiarity with Kansas’ strategies and the excitement of facing a familiar opponent.#darryn_peterson #kansas #st_john_s #dillon_mitchell #bryce_hopkins
