If San Juan part ways with Mike Anderson, their best player could follow him out the door.
Center Joel Soriano, the Big East’s Most Improved Player and the Johnnies’ MVP, made it clear where he stands when it comes to the embattled Mike Anderson.
“He is a great coach. Love him to death. That’s my coach,” Soriano said of eighth-ranked St. Louis. John’s crushing 72-70 overtime loss to top-seeded Marquette in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament Thursday afternoon at the Garden. “I will go to war for him. I will die for that guy. … If he is not here, I will not come back here. He’s my coach.”
The hope is that St. John’s is expected to move on from Anderson after his fourth season, despite four years remaining on a contract that pays him a total of $10 million.
Unless the Johnnies receive an unlikely NIT invite, St. John’s would miss the postseason in all four years with Anderson at the helm and failed to record a single 20-win season.
St. John’s Center Joel SorianoNY Post: Charles Wenzelberg
A senior from Yonkers, the hard-working and personable Soriano has an extra season of eligibility left due to COVID-19 if he chooses to use it.
He plans to spend the next week weighing his options.
Sources told The Post that senior high schools have reached out through intermediaries to express interest in Soriano, should he decide to transfer.
These schools have also included important Name, Image and Likeness packages.
Of course, he can also go pro, and Soriano improved his stock with a strong season in terms of playing overseas.
He leads the nation with 25 double-doubles, averaging 15.3 points and 11.9 rebounds, down from a year ago.
Under Anderson, the 6-foot-11 Soriano became an All-Big East second-team selection out of Fordham before last season.
Unlike Soriano, Posh Alexander did not want to comment on his future at the school.
This season the Brooklyn native came around, although Alexander played his best late in the year.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Alexander said.