Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
It will be rise and shine for the Red Storm as their early morning game against #19 Georgetown Hoyas will be a tough and physical matchup. Coming off a brutal home loss to Rutgers on Wednesday night, 58-56. The Red Storm were so close to pulling it out but with two chances in the final seconds to win or tie the game the Johnnies came up short both times. Free throws wound up being the difference as St. John’s shot only 15-27 from the line. Including some big misses down the stretch.
The Johnnies and the Hoyas will both be looking for a big win, the Johnnies in the midst of their longest home stand of the season want to get this game against the suddenly low scoring Hoya team which is looking for their first Big East win.
The Hoyas and Johnnies have a long history with each other dating back to their huge rivalry in the in the mid 80’s and their meeting in the 1985 Final Four with stars Chris Mullin & Patrick Ewing leading their respective teams. Last year the Hoyas went 2-0 against the young Johnnies, beating them by 20 at the Garden, 69-49 and then winning at home 71-61.
Game Information
Date: Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Location: Madison Square Garden- New York, New York
Time: 11:00 AM EST
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WBBR 1130 AM (John Minko, Vin Parise)
Georgetown Hoyas (10-3, 0-2)
Head Coach: John Thompson III
Georgetown has run into a little bit of trouble scoring the ball lately. In their first two Big East games at home against Pittsburgh and on the road against Marquette they are averaging only 46.5 points. Most recently against Pitt the Hoyas shot 16% in the first half and only 35.1% for the game. The Hoyas played big starting four forwards and it didn’t work out for them.
This has been a trend for the Hoyas as they have had a ton of low scoring wins before Big East play started. They won a disaster of a game, 37-36 against Tennessee in the Big East-SEC Challenge as well as winning another close one to Towson 46-40. They are learning you can’t score 40 and win in the Big East and will look to adjust against St. John’s.
Otto Porter, the sophomore forward who’s draft stock was soaring due to the Hoyas hot start to the season at 10-1 hasn’t been playing well. In his first two Big East games Porter is averaging 11 points and shot 2-6 from the floor against Pitt. If the Hoyas want any chance at a win they need Porter to be on his game.
Projected Starting Lineup:
F Otto Porter
F Nate Lubick
F Mikael Hopkins
F Greg Whittington
G Markel Starks
St. John’s (9-6, 1-2)
Head Coach: Steve Lavin
The close losses keep on coming for Steve Lavin and the Red Storm. They are a couple of last minute baskets away from being 3-0 in conference play. But two of those games the Storm came up short and are looking at a 1-2 Big East record. The loss to Rutgers on Wednesday night can’t stick in the Red Storm’s craw for too long as they need to defend their home court against the always tough Hoyas.
D’Angelo Harrison had another up and down night for St. John’s as he shot 5-15 from the field and missed a shot to put the Red Storm ahead in the waning seconds. Harrison still had 20 points, five assists and five rebounds to lead the team. Chris Obekpa is really growing into his role on this team racking up 11 rebounds and five blocks to go along with his four points.
Projected Starting Lineup:
F JaKarr Sampson
F Amir Garrett
C Chris Obekpa
G Phil Greene
G D’Angelo Harrison
Keys to Victory
▪ They’re Called FREE for a Reason- Free throws have been a problem for the Johnnies all season long but it doesn’t get more noticeable then a 15-27 showing that costs you a game. You’d like to see a conscious effort from the boys to work and get better from the charity stripe.
▪ Obekpa blocks & rebounds!– Chris Obekpa has a knack for blocking a ball right into the third row at the Garden. But his last few games he has not only been blocking and tying the St. John’s all time single season record for blocks with 76 but he has been cleaning the glass. A strong rebounder is what this team has been missing and recently the rebounding problem hasn’t been such a problem.
▪ Who’s it Gonna Be? – Every night it seems to be a different guy for the Johnnies who plays that specific role of glue guy. Last time out it was Sir’Dominic Pointer who had 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench and hit 6-8 from the free throw line. Amir Garrett also plays that role and last game finished with four points and five rebounds.
▪ Pass the Olive Branch- Jamal Branch only played eight minutes against Rutgers and recorded three assists while only taking one shot. As opposed to Phil Greene IV who ran the point for most of the game and only had one assist in 34 minutes. It should be beneficial for the Storm to see if they can play Branch more at the point and Greene more off the ball where he could possibly flourish.
Final Prediction: Georgetown Wins, 55-52
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