Storm needs team effort to replace D.J.

D.J. Kennedy wasn't only St. John's leading rebounder and a double-figure scorer, he was the versatile handyman who had the ability to contribute whatever was needed, especially on defense, with his team-leading 56 steals. But as much as his teammates feel the pain of Kennedy's season-ending knee injury, they must move on without him.

"Some guys have to contribute more on the offensive end and some have to contribute on the rebounding end," said backup guard Malik Boothe, whose time might increase because of his defense. "D.J. does so much that you can't have just one guy pick up what he does."

Freshman swingman Dwayne Polee is similar to Kennedy in terms of wingspan and 6-6 height, but his experience doesn't compare.

"Dwayne Polee is just as long, maybe longer than D.J.," guard Paris Horne said. "We're getting his mind-set ready and telling him he has to step up. He's good at playing the passing lanes. We have weapons. We've just got to use them."

When Kennedy went down against Syracuse in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, the Red Storm shifted to a bigger lineup featuring forwards Justin Brownlee, Sean Evans and Justin Burrell and performed well.

"It will be a little adjustment," Horne said. "We might not be as quick as we usually are with D.J. out of the picture, but we'll have more length and power. With Brownlee being versatile, he can play the 1 through 4, maybe even the 5. I think we're pretty good, but D.J. does bring a lot to the table."