Knight Time is the Right Time [Calm Before The Storm]

n the glorious aftermath of the Red Storm’s victory over Duke – and it was glorious – a big worry would be that the Red Storm would be basking in the glow of the victory and forget the real task at have, the next game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

But it’s hard to forget Rutgers.

For one, they ripped St. John’s to shreds last year, despite a history of being unable to score on their own in empty gyms and some wildly inefficient players, they put up 84 points at a blistering pace. They weren’t that good on offense before – or again.  The Red Storm players remember. Paris Horne in the pregame press conference:

    “Rutgers is a rival to us. And they beat us last year… this game is probably more important than the Duke game.”

Coach Lavin gave the players two hours to celebrate after the Duke game. That’s a coach who knows his priorities. At 4-5 in the Big East, the Red Storm need every win they can squeeze out to get to the NCAA Tournament. The way that Duke team played, they could have lost to a lot of programs; Rutgers will come out with that intensity they’re becoming famous for.

The fans can bask in the Duke victory; the Johnnies cannot. The Scarlet Knights are just a game behind in the standings. And St. John’s needs to make a February run. Will the Red Storm handle their business at home against the tough Rutgers squad, or will they falter after their big win?

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Predictions?

Fordham should have jumped on this guy Rice, he'll have them ready. I think we should get the ball down low or penetrate early, get that big Biruta out of game with foul trouble. Make them play at our pace, run it and lay off the dribble

We really need to keep the good vibes going our way so this is a must win. If we beat them and go to UCLA andwin there, the city really will be buzzing as we inch closer to an NCAA bid as well as get ready to face UCONN.

John the Baptist 66
Knights of the roundtable 60

SJ 74-65 over RU.

Rutgers will pack it in so we need to run when we have the opportunity

STJ 55
Rutgers 51

We are at home, focused and just more talented. Rutgers is going to come in and give their all but the in your face defense with all the different looks is going to be rough on them. We have an advantage inside with Burrell and Brownlee and we need to utilize them. This definitely a trap game but I don't see us falling into it, this is a must win for the NCAAs and the team and staff know it. SJU 72 RU 60.

Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and Sinatra - 69
Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Jim Carrol and Bobby Darin      - 64

Carmine bite your tongue! Or fingers!

Carmine bite your tongue! Or fingers!

Not to worry.  Like a broken clock, I'm only right two times a day and this probably wasn't it.

I am going tonight and my 1 and 4 record live is a bit of a concern.  I'm going to wear a different SJU hat in a futile attempt to break this black streak.

It is definitely disheartening to hear all this talk about this being a trap game.  These guys can not have a trap game right now or the rest of the season. If they get beat, let it be because the other team was better than us on that given night.  The fact is, they have 10 regular season games left to finally get to the dance and need to treat every game like they are playing Duke. 

The pattern, was two bad losses(Ford and ST.B) then reeled off 5 straight wins.  Bad losses(Cincy and Gtown), can the Duke game be the second of the 5 game win streaks? I am hoping so, because these next 5 games could put us in the drivers seat for a bid and possibly a top 25 ranking.

I am worried because on our wednesday pattern--last three wednesday's we have lost by an average of 22 points.  this game (a few of the remaining ones) are NCAA play in games; win and you are in, lose and you go home.  Rotgers will be approaching this in the same manner. 

The lads have to have the take no prisoners attitude they had against Duke and MAKE the free throws which will be the difference maker.

I think it's good that the kids are aware it could be a trap game.
Then maybe it won't be.

Hopefully they come out with the same intensity as they did on Sunday.

  It's imperative that the team not only wins tonight, but plays well again.  Momentum is everything in sports. With a good performance tonight this team will be brimming with confidence and ready to roll down the stretch.  Lets do this!

I think we destroy them 15+ pts