ST. JOHN'S HOPES TO HOST GARDEN PARTY VS. SU

February 24, 2009


At 7-7 in the Big East and losers of seven of their last 10 games, the Syracuse Orange can not afford the slightest mis-step as the Big East regular season comes to a close these next two weeks. SU has landed in the NIT the last two seasons and they need to take care of business over these next few games to avoid another nervous selection Sunday.

For St. John's, playing for pride as the regular season winds down is an all-too-familiar reality under Norm Roberts. At 4-10 the Redstorm have little hope for any postseason play, but with all 16 teams playing in the 2009 Big East Tournament, at least they have a chance this season.


Here are some pregame stories and previews from the internet on tonight's game:

Orange Scoutin Report: Syracuse @ St. John's (Post-Standard)
Ex-Cuse Storm's Poor Hospitality (NY Post)
Orange Men Look for a Critical Win (Post-Standard)

St. John's hopes to follow up Sunday evening's 70-65 win over Seton Hall in cozy Carnesecca Arena with a win tonight in Madison Square Garden against a slumping Syracuse Orange club. The Redstorm upset Notre Dame earlier this season in the Garden and, despite the usual large contingent of SU fans expected, hope to make the Garden their home once again with a big win.

Syracuse players admitted following Sunday afternoon's loss in the Dome to Villanova that they need to start winning. After facing a 10-game gauntlet of tough conference games, tonight is no time to relax and take a breather because SJU is going to come after them to take back MSG.

SU continued to show they are prone to fundamental breakdowns in the loss to 'Nova. Wether it is not getting back on defense, poor rebounding technique or questionable shot selection, the Orange continue to be a team that frustrates when watching them play. They have impressive individual talent in Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, Paul Harris, etc. However, all too often, it is the individual trying to make the play, not the team.

Tonight they will have to work together and also hope to get some production from Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson inside. If SU goes into a pass/dribble and shoot attack, the SJU defense will make that a very difficult way to succeed.

St. John's will need to find some offensive output to keep up with SU. The famed zone defense of the Orange will put the pressure on the SJU perimeter game, which is very erratic, so how point guard Malik Boothe decides to attack the defense will be the biggest key for SJU. His inexperience might get the best of him in this one.

SU is a 5 1/2-point favorite, which looks to be a solid line. In this instance, I think SJU will struggle with the Orange zone and allow Syracuse to get the win they desperately need.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Syracuse 71
St. John's 64