The St. John’s junior-college transfer that received all the hype was Vince Cole. He was a first team All-American, a dead-eye shooter that conceivably could fill the void left by LJ Figueroa. He put up big numbers in junior college, averaging 21.4 points per game and shooting 44.6 percent from 3-point range, yet a knee injury has slowed him down.

Instead of Cole, the junior-college addition that has really stood out so far is Isaih Moore, a versatile 6-foot-10 forward with a 7-foot-6 wingspan who dunks everything and has perimeter skills. I attended practice on Tuesday and couldn’t take my eyes off of him.

It felt like I was watching Tariq Owens, the former St. John’s forward who helped Texas Tech reach the national championship game the year before last as a graduate transfer.

Moore can do a little bit of everything. He can handle the ball some, he can shoot from deep, he can block shots and he can really finish above the rim. It’s not a coincidence that several SEC schools were after him before he committed to St. John’s. He’s going to make an impact.

— Ask anyone in the program about freshman point guard Posh Alexander and you get rave reviews. He’s tailor-made for the system. He doesn’t carry himself like a freshman. Coach Mike Anderson wouldn’t confirm his starters for me, but I would be surprised if Alexander doesn’t start. Rasheem Dunn is better off the ball anyway and Alexander is a true point guard and dogged defender. Alexander and Dunn together will be hell on ball-handlers. I found it interesting that in most of the game-like situations on Tuesday, Alexander was going up against Dunn and Greg Williams Jr., almost like Anderson wants him matched up against the team’s best two guards to test him.

— Fans and experts seem to think Julian Champagnie will be the team’s best player. A sophomore now, the well-rounded Champagnie is coming off a strong freshman campaign as an All-Big East freshman team selection. I’m picking Williams, though. I was thoroughly impressed by him in this workout, just by how sure of himself he is. He repeatedly was a menace defensively, he knocked down shots and was aggressive. Williams finally seemed to find himself late last year, after a back injury and concussion wreaked havoc with his season. Talent has never been a question with the 6-foot-3 Louisiana native. He’s skilled, athletic and quick. It’s confidence. He seems to have it now.

— Josh Roberts has added significant muscle and appears healthy following shoulder surgery. George Washington transfer forward Arnaldo Toro has impressed throughout workouts, not only with his rebounding prowess and ability to score in the post, but as a skilled passer. We’ve already discussed Moore. St. John’s seems so much more equipped in the paint. Anderson has options. Last year it was Roberts or bust for a true big man.

— Freshman guard Dylan Wusu will be overlooked. He’s the least-heralded of the four newcomers. There are a bunch of options at the two and three. But everyone within the program believes he will contribute in some way. He’s built like a fullback, 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. What I noticed the most was his patience. He didn’t force anything, like he doesn’t have anything to prove, a trait most freshmen lack.

— Anderson frequently talks about how valuable practice is to him, how important it is to have depth because players get better by being pushed by one another, by fighting for playing time. You can see that with this team. You can see it as Alexander and Dunn go at one another, or Toro and Roberts, or Cole and Marcellus Earlington. There will be battles all year for minutes. Practice will go a long way to determining them.

— Point guard John McGriff, who was a medical redshirt last year due to shoulder surgery, is currently out with a high ankle sprain. He should return somewhat soon.