With eight returning players and an incoming freshman core who the coaching staff feels is better than projected, Mike Anderson expressed confidence in his 2022-23 St. John's team.

Having scored two highly regarded transfers in DePaul's David Jones and former LUHI point guard Andre Curbelo from Illinois, while possessing depth and veteran experience, Anderson is stoked about this team's chances.

He said he has the most talented roster since he arrived at the doorstep in Queens in the spring of 2019. This group also is tailor made for Anderson's trademark style of an up-tempo attack and wall to wall defensive pressure throughout.

"I’m excited by this team," Anderson said during St. John's Big East media at Carnesecca Arena on Thursday.

"I’m looking forward to this team going out and showing not only this university, but this city — the whole country — what St. John’s is all about.”

The 6-foot-6, 195-pound Jones averaged 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.

The pace he plays at and Big East experience playing at DePaul is what makes him such a readymade addition. While Curbelo underachieved during his sophomore season at Illinois, he's got the type of playmaking and adeptness in feel for the game to bolster St. John's lineup.

Plus, with Posh Alexander shouldering a more prominent offensive role and having improved as an outside shooter, the two should co-exist in a manner which fortifies the backcourt.

While the Red Storm will miss a high scoring option on which they leaned heavily in Julian Champagnie, who is currently with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way contract, SJU has several pieces to help cushion the loss collectively.

Though the lineup may lack the type of shooter capable of really spreading the floor out, as Champagnie did, expect St. John's to increase its interior production.

Having now made conditioning a principal component of his life, Stepinac product and 6-foot-11 forward/center Joel Soriano has transformed his body and game. He's developed more of an instinctive scoring style, as he displayed during SJU's summer trip to the Dominican Republic. Soriano was finishing authoritatively, soaring in for putbacks, and manufacturing points at the free throw line in what Anderson hopes was a portent of things to come.

As a veteran role player and hard attacking guard, 6-foot-4, 210-poind Montez Mathis brings battle tested toughness and adds scoring depth.

Few players improved this summer at the rate of Esahia Nwiye, a versatile 6-foot-10 senior with a now polished inside-outside scoring presence. He's got the active rebounding and rim protecting to make an impact, after playing sparingly during last season's 17-15 campaign.

Another player who showed flashes during the three game Dominican Republic slate is bruising 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward O'Mar Stanley.

Stanley is looking to make a quantum transition after putting up less than pedestrian numbers last season.

He shot a combined 8-for-15 in a pair of games during the sunbaked Dominican Republic trip, providing energy and a stabilizing spark off the bench.

Freshman AJ Storr, the highest recruit of the Anderson era, is a better shooter than many envisioned. The big 6-foot-6 guard is an acrobatic finisher who could make a sizable Impact.

South Florida native Kolby King is a hard-edged defender who should provide depth as a perimeter shooter and an all-around scorer.

Having packed muscle onto a no longer spindly frame, 7-foot-1 Mo Keita brings size, rim protection, and evolving versatility.

St. John's was woeful in closing out tight games last year, as many attainable wins slipped by the wayside as they registered an 8-11 Big East conference record.

“I feel like this team [last year] only had eight or nine games where they made plays down the stretch," Anderson said.

"That changed the fortunes of our season. Did we learn from that? Did we bring in guys that can add to that? I think so."

With guys that have gelled ahead of time, unlike last year's patchwork team that needed time to find cohesion, Anderson is confident SJU can navigate New York City's constant pressure cooker.

"The pressure is on for each and every day, trying to get better and become the best team we can be," Anderson said.

"We have size, we have guard play, we have versatile parts. We got a jump start this summer (with the Dominican Republic Trip). I think we’re going to see a significant difference with this team.”