NEW YORK — Throughout the offseason, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino predicted what adding a true point guard would mean for Ian Jackson.

A shooting guard by trade, Jackson was forced to run the point for much of last season due to the Red Storm’s deficiencies at the position.

That’s why Jackson, now back to playing his natural two-guard, stands to benefit more than anyone from the Red Storm’s addition of playmaking British floor general Quinn Ellis.

The upside of that pairing was on full display during Sunday afternoon’s 104-65 win over Iona at Madison Square Garden as No. 13 St. John’s improved to 2-0.

Jackson scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-8 on 3-pointers, in 20 minutes. Six of Jackson’s baskets were set up by an Ellis assist.

The junior Jackson attempted a 3-pointer on each of the Red Storm’s first four possessions and made three of them — each on an assist from Ellis — to spot St. John’s an early 9-3 lead.

Then, in the opening minutes of the second half, Ellis set up Jackson on three separate lay-ups. The latter two came on back-to-back possessions in which Ellis corralled a rebound, pushed the tempo and found Jackson in transition.

Ellis — a touted prospect whom Pitino plucked from the EuroLeague — finished with 11 assists in 24 minutes, along with seven points and five rebounds.

Jackson’s early eruption from beyond the arc set the tone on an afternoon in which St. John’s emphasized 3-point shooting.

After going just 6 of 20 (30%) from 3-point range in last week’s season-opening win over Monmouth, the Red Storm shot 13 of 28 (46%) from deep in Sunday’s rout.

Sophomore guard Tounde Yessoufou led St. John’s with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 on 3s, and seven rebounds in 21 minutes, further demonstrating the depth and potential of the Johnnies’ backcourt.

St. John’s attempted a 3-pointer on each of its first six possessions and started 5 of 8 from downtown.

Sunday’s demolition of a lesser opponent allowed Pitino to experiment with his lineups and for the Red Storm to fine-tune weaker elements of their game.

Even with forward Babacar Sane sidelined by an ankle injury, St. John’s used 14 different players Sunday, including 11 in the first half.

Pitino’s most common critique of his new-look roster is that most of his players are too focused on scoring. But on Sunday, the Red Storm defense wreaked havoc with an improved full-court press, helping to force 19 turnovers that led to 26 points.

St. John’s forced 15 turnovers in the first half alone, leading to 21 points.

Sunday marked a reunion with forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo, who transferred to Iona during the offseason after spending the previous three years at St. John’s.

Ibine Ayo never played heavy minutes for the Red Storm, but his leadership made him so invaluable that the Johnnies named him a captain for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.

“He’s like a son to me,” Pitino said last week.

St. John’s recognized Ibine Ayo with a pregame tribute video Sunday, and the Garden crowd followed with a nice ovation.

Ibine Ayo then scored the Gael’s first seven points and finished with 11 on 3-of-9 shooting.

St. John’s is set to host Colgate at Carnesecca Arena on Wednesday night before returning to the Garden next Sunday to face Syracuse.

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