With a new offensive formation and being able to continue to play stellar defensive basketball the St. John’s Men’s Basketball team (12-5, 5-1 BIG EAST) is finding a rhythm in BIG EAST Conference play, as the guys have won games against Butler, Creighton and now Marquette in the most recent game.
Returning to New York City and Madison Square Garden the guys for sure rebounded after a though 77-71 loss to Providence by showing length in being able to deflect the basketball, stellar defense in being able to get Marquette to turn the ball over 19 times and won a must-win in the World’s Most Famous Arena.
In a fascinating stat from the game the guys were able to reach the 90-point mark in back-to-back BIG EAST regular season contest for the first time in program history.
Fans are encouraged to view the following photo gallery from the game:
Being one of the best to be able to cut around the court according to Marquette Coach Shaka Smart in finding the most optimal position to find scoring opportunity, leading the way is Oziyah Sellers had a season-high 24 points.
We also have these videos from the team’s Press Conferences after game:
For our St. John’s fans Head Coach Rick Pitino along with Sellers and Dillon Mitchell share these thoughts after the win:
Marquette Men’s Basketball fans are encouraged to watch the following video as Head Coach Shaka Smart shares these thoughts:
Continuing to lead with his on-court energy is Zuby Ejiofor as he had his seventh double-figure scoring to go along with his third 20-plus points in his last five appearances. Zuby , being named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor roll for the fifth time, also grabbed seven rebounds and went 6-for-8 from the free throw line along with three assists.
Rounding the scoring is Bryce Hopkins with 12 points, Dillon Mitchell impressed all with his rebounding ability with his eight boards, and Sadiku Ibine Ayo had a career-high three steals.
The BIG EAST Conference Schedule is now in full swing and filled with surprises and tough matchups so it’ll be fascinating to see how Head Pitino along with the rest of the squad make adjustments to the rest of the schedule.
Next stop for the Red Storm is going to be a fascinating challenge as the guys head to Philadelphia to face Villanova on Saturday, January 17.
Villanova holds the all-time mark against the Red Storm winning 67-66 games, with St. John’s playing well against the Wildcats at Madison Square Garden.
In the most recent games between these two BIG EAST rivals at the World’s Most Famous Arena, St. John’s were able to find victories by scores of 80-68, and 70-50.
As for playing on the road that is a test that the guys are hoping to pass with this year’s edition of the team, as in the most recent meeting between these two programs it was the Wildcats edging the Red Storm by the score of 73-71.
That question of how St. John’s can beat Villanova on the road is going to be answered when the tip starts on January 17th, with the start of the night scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and fans wanting to watch the action can do so on the Peacock streaming network.
For more information on the St. John’s Men’s Basketball team fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
St. John’s University Athletics – Official Athletics Website