UMBC Pregame Links

St. John’s Looks To Go 3-0, Red Storm Face UMBC In Sunday Matinee

St. John’s rallied to a comeback win in their last game Wednesday night, erasing a 16-point deficit to beat Lehigh on a night highlighted by the triumphant surprise return of head coach Steve Lavin.

But, in Friday’s press conference, it was clear that the Red Storm are looking forward.

In the words of their own head coach last season, St. John’s now needs to put “hammer to rock” and move on to the next one, which comes against America East program UMBC, who represented the conference in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

For the first time this season, the Red Storm compete directly with the National Football League, with a 2pm tip-off. JohnnyJungle.com gets you up to speed with everything you need to know about this Sunday’s matinee in Queens, below.

http://johnnyjungle.com/columns/calm-before-the-storm/st-johns-looks-to-go-3-0-red-storm-face-umbc-in-sunday-matinee/


After Steve Lavin Return, Defense Is the Focus for St. John’s vs. UMBC

Coming off the emotional high that accompanied head coach Steve Lavin’s return to coaching duties Wednesday night, St. John’s will have to look forward when they take the floor Sunday afternoon against UMBC.

“It gave us a surge, as we anticipated. But that’s who he is. It was very natural,” said assistant coach Mike Dunlap of Lavin’s return. “Obviously, there is some adjustment that will go on over the next couple weeks, which we acknowledge.”

http://johnnyjungle.com/game/after-steve-lavin-return-defense-is-the-focus-for-st-johns-vs-umbc/

Game 3: St. John's vs UMBC Retrievers

Game 3: St. John's vs UMBC Retrievers

Profile_pic_pd_tiny by picodulce on Nov 12, 2011 7:30 PM EST in St. John's Red Storm men's basketball

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Chase Plummer comes to Queens without star guard Chris De La Rosa, hoping to surprise the Red Storm.

Fred Beckham - APMore photos »

Chase Plummer comes to Queens without star guard Chris De La Rosa, hoping to surprise the Red Storm.

When St. John's fans look at the America East's Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers, it's easy to mark the game down as a win and think about what football teams are on, or where to get brunch.

The Retrievers may not seem like much on paper, but a developing St. John's team has made for a pair of adventurous 40 minute games.

http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2011/11/12/2557374/st-johns-vs-umbc-retrievers-pregame

http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111211aaa.html

Dunlap on the team's learning curve:
"There are two answers to that question... One, we have an offensive group. If you look at their stats, we have a lot of guys that can `score'. Second, we like that as their nature, but on the front end we have to get a buy-in factor to defense, and it's happening. You can hear it in the press conferences; you can hear it around the traps. With Phil (Greene) and our players, they're starting to talk the talk and we'll work out our schemes and our slides, but they really have to buy in. You have to give them time, we don't have that kind of experience on that, but our culture leads with defense first. We know that carries the day and can lead you to the promised land, and that for this team is trying to get into the NCAA (Tournament) and then win in the NCAA's. In fairness, we have a heck of a job to try and do given two factors. One, a brand new team, which typically in any high-level league has a hard time doing. Two, we don't have a deep bench in terms of guys on scholarship. So, we have a double whammy working for us, but we love that and with Coach (Gene) Keady and Lav and all of us, give us that challenge and we'll take it on."

http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111211aaa.html

Dunlap on the team's learning curve:
"There are two answers to that question... One, we have an offensive group. If you look at their stats, we have a lot of guys that can `score'. Second, we like that as their nature, but on the front end we have to get a buy-in factor to defense, and it's happening. You can hear it in the press conferences; you can hear it around the traps. With Phil (Greene) and our players, they're starting to talk the talk and we'll work out our schemes and our slides, but they really have to buy in. You have to give them time, we don't have that kind of experience on that, but our culture leads with defense first. We know that carries the day and can lead you to the promised land, and that for this team is trying to get into the NCAA (Tournament) and then win in the NCAA's. In fairness, we have a heck of a job to try and do given two factors. One, a brand new team, which typically in any high-level league has a hard time doing. Two, we don't have a deep bench in terms of guys on scholarship. So, we have a double whammy working for us, but we love that and with Coach (Gene) Keady and Lav and all of us, give us that challenge and we'll take it on."

Great quotes from coach Dunlap

Two games have produced two wins but both victories had to be scored in comeback fashion. The first week of the St. John’s season has been a good one – replete with head coach Steve Lavin making his return from prostate cancer surgery – but there clearly is work to be done.

The Red Storm (2-0) meets Maryland-Baltimore County Sunday at 2 p.m. in Carnesecca Arena. Lavin admitted after his squad came back from a deficit that was 16 points in the first half and still 11 in the second, he didn’t want falling back to “become a trend or a pattern.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/st-john-basketball-focuses-breaking-early-trend-game-maryland-baltimore-county-article-1.976904#ixzz1db5xAAin

Is there anywhere on the 'net to watch this game, besides ESPN3 (which I dont get.)

If anyone can somehow broadcast this game online somehow it would be greatly appreciated.  I don't get ESPN3.