St. John’s Ian Jackson thriving in point guard role: ‘Better than I ever imagined’

PHILADELPHIA — For one night, Ian Jackson provided a glimpse of the player — and the point guard — Rick Pitino recruited him to become. That has started to become a trend for the sophomore guard, too.

Jackson collected 18 points on a season-best seven field goals during St. John’s 86-79 victory over Villanova at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday, adding a high point to an up-and-down campaign that has featured him playing point guard for the first time after transferring from North Carolina.

He also added two assists and two steals while committing three turnovers, and Jackson again drew praise from Pitino postgame for his continued adjustment to the new role as the season stretches deeper into Big East play.

“It’s very difficult for a player who’s never played the position to make the adjustment at this level,” Pitino said. “And he’s doing great at it. Great at it. Better than I ever imagined.”

This first stretch of games has been about growth for Jackson. He cracked the starting lineup in mid-December, and since that pivot, he has scored double-digit points in seven of 10 games.

Ian Jackson drives past Devin Askew during the second half of St. John’s 86-79 win over Villanova on Jan. 17, 2026 in Philadelphia. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

There’s not a shot that Jackson doesn’t like, Pitino joked Saturday.

In the first half against the Wildcats, he made all three of his shots and finished with seven points despite picking up a pair of personal fouls — forcing him to the bench.

Jackson, who entered the night averaging 10.2 points per game, then made another basket to start the second half and added the rest of his points as St. John’s built its lead and survived Villanova’s attempt at a comeback.

“I feel good,” Jackson said. “I think a performance like this … a testament to the preparation you put in, knowing how the other team’s gonna guard, knowing what they give up, knowing ways we can score.”

CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS

Pitino described the St. John’s locker room at halftime — when they led Villanova by one — as emotional, adding that he “got on” St. John’s star Zuby Ejiofor in a way that has only happened one other time in his coaching career.

“There’s only two times in my life where I’ve really gotten on two players and I felt bad about it,” Pitino said. “One was Billy Donovan in the Alabama-Birmingham game, and Zuby tonight I felt bad about. But feeling bad only lasts about five seconds with me.”

Ejiofor finished with 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting, though he did miss five free throws.

After finishing with a season-best 24 points against Marquette on Tuesday, Oziyah Sellers was held scoreless in the first half and finished with just nine points.

Villanova honored its 2015-16 national championship team as part of an alumni ceremony at halftime, with Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart contributing video messages since they couldn’t attend.

Pitino defended guard Joson Sanon after another quiet game, with the Arizona State transfer collecting just six points — his fifth consecutive game in single digits — but hitting two key 3-pointers in the second half. “I never worried about Joson for one bit,” Pitino said. “He’s had two great practices. I know he can score. He played good defense tonight. … He’s a great basketball player. Hasn’t shown it yet, but he will. He’s maybe the most physically talented young man on our team.”