Game Preview: St. John’s says aloha Vanderbilt

The 3-0 Red Storm will have their toughest test yet with the No. 17 Vanderbilt Commodores in the opening round of the Maui Invitational.

The Red Storm are most likely without Malik Ellison (ankle) and Darien Williams (shoulder) today after they suffered injuries last week. This will limit the Johnnies to a rotation of 7 and make Amar Alibegovic the only big available off the bench.

The Commodores are simply a really solid team. They have a pair of 7 footers who have complimenting skills sets and guards who can all score efficiently. They have five guys scoring in double figures with the 6th scoring 9ppg. They only turn the ball over 8 times a game (which includes an OT game).

Game Info

Date: Monday, November 23, 2015
Location: Lahaina Civic Center, Honolulu, HI
Time: 2:30 PM EST
TV: ESPN2, Watch ESPN App
Radio: 970 WYNM, TuneIn app

Key Match-Up

Durand Johnson vs Matthew Fisher-Davis

Many people might think the key matchup would be in the paint with Sima vs Jones/Kornet which it certainly is a key to the game but the gunners from the wing could prove to be the difference in this game. Both Johnson and MFD are as streaky as they come. Who will be hot? Who will be cold? Can one shut down the other?

Keys to Victory

• Dictate the tempo- Vanderbilt is a really solid rebounding and likes to spread the ball around offensively. Don’t let them get comfortable and control the tempo of this game. St. John’s will need to speed up Vanderbilt’s pace and throw their timing off.
• Be the more physical team- Stony Brook was able to hang with Vanderbilt because they played physical in the paint and out rebounded Vanderbilt. Physicality is not just limited to rebounding. Sima and Jones must keep Jones and Kornet off their block. Make them catch it out of their comfort zone.
• Pump in the paint- Typically in these neutral site tournaments the refs tend to get whistle happy. Use that to your advantage and try to draw fouls against Vanderbilt. For a young team like St. John’s the free throw line will continue to be a good resource for points. In the same breathe St. John’s can’t fall for pumps in the paint either. They will need to stay out of foul trouble to have any chance in this game.
• Don’t over commit on close out- While Riley LaChance and Wade Baldwin are really good shooters for Vandy, they are more dangerous putting the ball on the floor. They want you to close out at 100mph so they can blow by you, get to the rim, or move the ball around till they get best shot. Make these two be shooters instead of playmakers.