Providence - Pregame Links

St. John’s opens the Big East season Tuesday against Providence at Canesecca Arena. Though six of the seven players in the rotation will be tasting conference play for the first time, they talk as if they are ready.

Amir Garrett, the newest Johnnie after becoming eligible Dec. 21, said he learned from observing in Los Angeles where he grew up that “any given night, anybody can beat anybody. Every day you’re playing a hard game. It’s so competitive. It’s being men amongst boys up here.”

Said freshman Phil Greene, a Chicago product who grew up a Big Ten fan watching the Big East from afar, “Every team is actually good. It’s a rock fight. The Big East is a lot of hitting, a lot of fouls that won’t be called. It’s men amongst boys.”



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/st-john-men-basketball-team-braces-big-east-conference-opener-providence-article-1.997157#ixzz1hjsIfSaa

Providence point guard Vincent Council of Brooklyn never has made the game about him, never paid much attention to who was getting all the love. Point guards, he believes, are measured by wins.
And the surprising Friars are winning.
They bring an 11-2 record and a seven-game win streak into tonight’s Big East Conference opener against St. John’s at Carnesecca Arena. Council told The Post he believes this is his team, he is its leader and the Friars have not gotten nearly the respect they deserve.
“I’d rather be playing in the Garden,’’ said Council. ‘‘Carnesecca is a nice gym, but it’s not the Garden. We’re 11-2. We deserve more respect.’’


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/johnnies_to_test_friar_pluck_Ksdy7krQGGhVZi4GKstldO#ixzz1hjsSPvxn

Absolutely hate the fact that we play big east games on campus. Makes other teams feel disrespected that they aren't good enough for the garden and have to play in a bottom tier arena. Wish we could find a way to make MSG our permanent big east home arena

It costs a shit ton of money for the team to rent to Garden to be their home court. It really isn't sustainable for them to book teams like Providence and DePaul to play at MSG unless it is proven they can draw a big crowd.

Seems like it will be a sell out at The Lou tonight though so that's good.

Absolutely hate the fact that we play big east games on campus.

I love the Alumni Hall games.  Much prefer it to games at the Garden.