After the last game – a loss to St. Bonaventure where the Johnnies’ lack of accuracy at the free throw line killed them (among other issues) – the team needs a refocusing game. A reboot. The fans need to keep hope alive. The players need to remember that there is a lot of good going on within the team, despite the flaws and occasional struggles. Everyone involved around St. John’s basketball needs to shake it off and focus on the next game
On Saturday, St. John’s faces another repeat opponent from last year – the in-city Fordham Rams. The Rams, coached by former Hofstra coach Tom Pecora, welcome the Johnnies to Bronx’ Rose Hill gym; it’s a road game, but not a real road game. It’s sold out, partly because of the St. John’s fans who will help fill up the 3000-seat arena.
In last year’s game at Carnesecca Arena, St. John’s beat Fordham soundly (73-56). How much better have they gotten with a new coach and new players? We will find out on Saturday night. The Rams consider this one of their biggest weeks; St. John’s needs to stamp out their hopes of a resurgence.
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Team Reviews – Fordham (4-4)
Fordham has doubled their win total from last year, with the most impressive win being a defeat of Lehigh on the road. The Rams have lost to Brown, Hampton, Long Island U, and Harvard, being fairly competitive in all but the Harvard game. That statement used to be embarrassing; but Harvard is very good this year.
The Rams give the ball away a fair amount while having one of the nation’s lowest rates of turnovers forced. That’s actually a Pecora staple; playing back, making the other team take tough contested shots, and clogging the lane. It’s helped the Rams; their defense has had some stingy moments. But unless they get stingier, they may want to end some teams’ possession with a turnover rather than a shot.
Fordham hasn’t been a great scoring team, but their individual scoring numbers should worry opponents. Their problem is that most of the player cough up the ball a lot. And the Rams only go 6 or 7 deep; fatigue could be a factor.
The man who takes the most shots is still Chris Gaston. He’s a mobile forward with a little range and fair strength. He has shot just under 50% from the field, rebounds the defensive end like a DeJuan Blair or Greedy Peterson (so far), and has gotten to the free throw line frequently. Then things go south – he’s shot 46% on his 50 free throw attempts.
The supporting cast has some strengths. Point guard Brenton Butler has had some strong games and doesn’t often turn over the ball. Freshman combo guard Branden Frazier and small forward Alberto Estwick both have shot decently from beyond the arc. Frazier does a number of things to fill the statsheet. Estwick has been steady outside the arc and strong inside the arc as well – he could be dangerous, but gets far fewer shots than his accuracy should indicate.
Forward Marvin Dominique rebounds well on both ends. Center Kervin Bristol blocks shots… that seems to be the extent of his contribution, though he did have 16 rebounds against Manhattan. Rayner Moquete gets some time, but hasn’t done any one thing well as yet.
Keys to the Game
Force Turnovers. Fordham turns the ball over. St. John’s would love to help them out by taking the ball and reducing the number of shots the Rams take.
Defend the Outside Shot. The Rams have some dangerous perimeter shooters; and defending the perimeter shot has been a weakness of the Red Storm.
Make the Shots. It doesn’t help to steal the ball if the Johnnies can’t convert on the other end.
Negate the Rebounders. The Rams have some size and skill on the boards; St. John’s needs an edge to extend possessions with offensive rebounds.
Get Into the Depth. Since the Rams only go 6 deep, their staff obviously doesn’t think their other players are ready. St. John’s should see how unready those players are.
Prediction: A bounce back win. 68-59, St. John’s
Cornell played St. John’s tough last year without their player of the year, point guard Louis Dale. St. John’s shot very well against the Big Red, but will have to improve the defensive effort to beat them if they face each other this year. The Ivy Leaguers feature a number of solid shooters, some size at center, and some quickness at point guard. St. John’s can beat them by playing smart basketball, and winning the battles on the offensive glass; Justin Burrell tied his season high with 11 rebounds in that game.