In the heart of San Diego, St. John's forward Dillon Mitchell is gearing up for another clash with a familiar foe: the Kansas Jayhawks.
While Zuby Ejiofor, a former Jayhawk himself, might have the inside scoop, Mitchell isn't far behind in understanding KU's game. Having faced Kansas multiple times during his stints with Texas and Cincinnati, Mitchell knows the challenge that lies ahead.
Reflecting on past encounters, Mitchell remarked, "Definitely fun games. They were physical, big.
Playing at Allen Fieldhouse, it gets rough over there. But just their physicality, how big they’ve always been, this is one of the teams that they’ve played really fast, so that’ll be a little bit different, but I think it’s something that we’ll be ready for."
For St. John’s to handle KU’s high-paced strategy, Mitchell's defensive prowess will be crucial. "We played against Dillon the last three years, and so we know how athletic he is," said KU coach Bill Self, acknowledging the challenge Mitchell presents.
Despite modest averages of 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, Mitchell’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Teammate Bryce Hopkins emphasized his importance, saying, "We wouldn’t be where we are today without Dillon Mitchell."
Mitchell’s versatility will be tested against KU’s star guard Darryn Peterson, who recently dazzled with a 28-point performance. Mitchell praised Peterson's skills, noting, "It’s NBA moves, pro moves that he does. He can score it at all three levels."
As the Johnnies aim to break a 27-year drought of advancing beyond the first weekend, Mitchell’s postseason experience is invaluable. He was part of Texas’ run to the Elite Eight, a journey that included memorable battles against KU.
Recalling those encounters, Mitchell shared, "It’s always a good experience. That’s what’s awesome about it, just being with the guys every day and playing teams that you know."
Sunday’s matchup at Viejas Arena offers Mitchell one last shot at the Jayhawks, a team he knows all too well. Tipoff is set for 4:15 p.m. Central time, and it promises to be another thrilling chapter in his basketball journey.