St. John’s vs Syracuse
The year 2008 means the beginning of Big East play for St. John’s, and what an appropriate team to start off against. It almost seems fitting we get thrown right into the fire by starting off the rigorous 18 game Big East schedule in the Carrier Dome against rival Syracuse. After feasting on the NEC in their first 4 games, the Johnnies have dropped 5 of their last 7, including the recent ugly performance against Virginia Tech in OUR Holiday Festival. Was it just me, or did seeing Louie C. hand over the MVP trophy to A.D. Vassallo make anyone else sick? Finishing the out of conference schedule (aside from Duke in February) with a 6-5 mark was not exactly what many Redmen fans had in mind back in November. Unfortunately there is not much time to complain or look back on what has happened in the last 7 games, as St. John’s walks right into Big East competition starting Wednesday night. Meanwhile, their opponent for that game is heading a different direction. Syracuse finished their out of conference schedule with a record of 10-3, which includes winning 6 of their last 7 games. They have played 10 of their 13 games at the spacious Carrier Dome, with their only road game being a win at Virginia. The other 2 games were played at MSG in the NIT Tipoff against Ohio State (loss) and Washington (win). One of their home games include a 73-60 win over Tulane, whom St. John’s lost to 79-71 in Hawaii.
-The Game-
On Wednesday January 2nd, the year 2008, the St. John’s Red Storm travel north to take on the Syracuse Orange. The game will be played at the Carrier Dome, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM. This Big East contest can be seen on SNY and heard on Bloomberg Radio 1130-AM.
The loss of Eric Devendorf to a torn ACL has yet to hurt the Orange, as their stud freshmen have stepped up admirably. Diaper dandies Dante Greene and Johnny Flynn are doing it all for the Orange, rebounding and dishing, as well as being the top two scorers. The loss of Devendorf for the season was just another upperclassman added to the list of inactive Orange players for the rest of this season. Junior sharp shooter Andy Rautins suffered a knee injury in the FIBA Championships this past summer, which required season ending surgery. Senior guard Josh Wright abruptly quit the team and left school after a loss to Rhode Island back on December 8th. This left the Orange with 8 underclassmen, but most of them have logged lots of minutes and provided substantial contributions for Jim Boeheim. As it was in the Virginia Tech game, there will be lots of freshmen on the court at one time for both teams on Wednesday. The difference so far between the young Redmen and the young Orangemen has been the ability to execute. It helps that Johnny Flynn and Dante Greene were highly touted recruits, but the overall preparation and execution has been more consistent by Jim Boeheim and his squad. Norm Roberts newest recruits have played exactly like freshmen, adjusting to college basketball and making rookie mistakes along the way. This is the first of 18 tests for the boys in Red and White. If the games out of conference were any indication, it could be a long season over in Queens. But just as we turn the page from 2007 to 2008 and get a chance to start fresh, the start of Big East play means clean slates across the board. So as we go into the Carrier Dome on Wednesday, we can take solace in one thing. St. John’s and Syracuse are both 0-0.
CRUSH THE ORANGE
-The Game-
On Wednesday January 2nd, the year 2008, the St. John’s Red Storm travel north to take on the Syracuse Orange. The game will be played at the Carrier Dome, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM. This Big East contest can be seen on SNY and heard on Bloomberg Radio 1130-AM.
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