BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: DePaul @ St. John's

January 3, 2006


It is only January 3rd and here is a game that both teams MUST have in order to get their seasons pointed in a healthy direction. DePaul has recovered from a slow start to win some good games, all of which have been at home. Now they travel to Madison Square garden for a game they should win. St. John's was supposed to be improved this year, but they have not been impressive in their pre-conference schedule, which included a double-digit loss to Hofstra at Madison Square Garden in their last game.

Here are some pre-game stories:


Storm Moves Due East (Daily News)
Storm Begins Big East Play (NY Post)
Conference Play Serves a Midseason Reprieve (Newsday)
Demons Turnaround Impresses Wainwright (Sun Times)
Demons Streak Into 2nd Big East Season (Chicago Tribune)

Sammy Mejia, along with other native New Yorkers Karron Clarke and Cliff Clinkscales, return to New York City to play in the Garden for the first time in Big East play. Last year they faces St. John's at Carnesecca Arena and failed to make the Big East tournament. Mejia should be coming off a confidence booster after scoring 40 pts, 27 inthe first half, as DePaul pulled away in the second half to demolish Northwestern State. The Blue Demons boast a talented duo in Mejia and Wilson Chandler that has the potential to be the the best pair in the conference. Mejia does it all for Jerry Wainwright's squad, leading them in scoring (16 PPG), rebounding (7/game), assists (2.9) and even turnovers. Chandler, the high-potential soph, chips in 15.7 PPG, 6.4 rebounds and a team high 1.5 blocks/game. The Blue Demons are still a little soft inside and are still looking for a consistent third scoring option to develop a mentality to step-up and assist their top two on a reliable basis.

St. John's is still a mystery to many observers as they can go through long stretches just looking BAD. Led by Lamont Hamilton (14 PPG and 8 rebounds) and JUCO transfer Avery Patterson (13.8 PPG and 38% 3-pt shooting), the Redstorm have had their share of awful games offensively. With Daryll Hill still struggling with injuries, they do not have that breakdown offensive threat from the perimeter. Eugene Lawrence runs the point, but turns it over too much for a point guard that does not score as much to make up for it. Anthony Mason has shown signs (11 PPG), but can be nowhere to be found for loing stretches as well.

I do think St. John's will put it together at times this year, but right now they are certainly struggling and have already seen Aaron Spears (suspended) and Derwin Kitchen (left school) sap some of their depth and the failure of Hill to round back into form has been detrimental to their chances. Right now, DePaul has the confidence and as a road favorite (3.5 in Vegas and projected 8-pt winner by Pomeroy), they should be too much for the Redstorm tonight.

NBE Blogger Prediction: DePaul 68 St. John's 62