It's a big year ahead for the future of the Red Storm, particularly for its coach Norm Roberts.

Not only do the glory days of St. John's basketball seem very far away at this point, so do the dark times that followed the end of the Mike Jarvis era. Roberts was hired to clean up the program, and by and large he has done so. But now that St. John;s has stopped making the back page of the tabloids, it's struggling to get any ink in the New York City market at all.

Roberts spent the last part of 2007-08 fending off calls for his job, and though he's back for a fifth year at the helm of the St. John's program, his uncertain future already seems to be hurting on the recruiting trail. Fortunately, he returns a core group of players that is capable of succeeding without reinforcements.

Anthony Mason Jr. leads the way. The senior forward was hurt for much of last year, but is an All-Big East caliber performer when healthy and makes everyone around him better. He'll be joined by a classfull of sophomores who hope to be more consistant now that they have a year under their belts.

Playing alongside Mason in the paint will be Justin Burrell, who made the All-Big East Rookie team a year ago. Senior Tomas Jasiulionis started part of the year at center, but didn't provide much of an impact and was mostly responsible for the opening tip. Dele Coker and possibly freshman Phil Wait will press for time at center when Roberts goes big, and redshirt sophomore Rob Thomas and sophomore Sean Evans will also see time up front.

The backcourt loses four-year starter Eugene Lawrence at point, a big hole to fill early in the season. Malik Boothe will get the first crack at the job, with freshmen Quincy Roberts and TyShawn Edmondson as possibilities as well. D.J. Kennedy returns on the wing, as does Paris Horne.

The Red Storm took a big step back in 2007-08, going 11-19 following a 16-15 year in 2006-07. For Roberts to be back with the team next season, St. John's will need to return to its winning ways in a hurry.

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