Preview
Remember St. John's, the team that Georgetown routed 77-60 a month ago? Forget about it.
The team that welcomes Georgetown to Madison Square Garden is a completely different team than the ones who walked off the floor at halftime of the January game trailing 42-16. From a low point of losing to DePaul on Jan. 14, the Redmen are now a legitimate contender for an NCAA at-large bid, winners of seven of its past eight. They meet a Georgetown team on a win streak of its own, and one which needs at least three wins in its remaining six Big East games to make a case for a fifth consecutive NCAA berth. With four of its final six and the bulk of the conference leadership waiting them, Georgetown needs yet another gutty road win.
The Redmen are not much changed in personnel since last month, but are much more effective. Phil Greene continues his steady play at the point for St. John's, never an easy task when St. John's was a generally undisciplined outfit on offense. Greene's shooting has picked up, but just as important has been his ball handling. St. John's ranks first in the Big East in turnover margin, and controlling turnovers has been a big part of the St. John's story in the second half of the season.
Excepting a season low four points against Georgetown, guard D'Angelo Harrison has turned in big numbers in nearly every game for the Redmen, with double figures in seven of his last eight and strong numbers from the free throw line. A three guard lineup featuring 6-4 Rysheed Jordan (8.9 ppg) has provided stability on ball handling and allowed its frontcourt, led by Jakarr Sampson (12.4 ppg) and Chris Obekpa (4.3) opportunities inside.
St, John's is not dominating from outside nor inside, but is simply getting it done. Contrary to popular thinking, SJ does not rely on an up tempo game to thrive, averaging 69 points over its last two games and 70.8 overall in Big East games.
The Redmen skated past a potential upset this week at the hands of Seton Hall with a new found weapon--free throw shooting. SJ shot 53% from the flow but 83% from the line in a one point win over the Hall.
Georgetown's four game win streak has been a function of good defense, turnover control, and the emergence of a third scoring option to Markel Starks and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. That third scorer has varied over the games, but is nonetheless essential to limit SJ simply collapsing on the guards which are vital for Georgetown's success.
Keys To The Game:
Guard Defense: Neither team will win the game in the frontcourt--controlling the scoring guards is essential.
Rebounding: Despite Obekpa inside, St. John's is ninth in the league in rebounding margin, an area of opportunity for the Hoyas.
Stay Out Of Foul Trouble:: The Hoyas have been fortunate in recent games, but the point remains--its big men need a clean and consistent effort in the first 35 minutes to be available in the last five.
Limit The Lull:: Georgetown's scoring droughts are frequent and no less painful. But controlling the gaps with substitution patterns and switching defenses may be in order to avoid falling into a hole the Hoyas cannot dig its way out of.
Remember St. John's, the team that Georgetown routed 77-60 a month ago? Forget about it.
The team that welcomes Georgetown to Madison Square Garden is a completely different team than the ones who walked off the floor at halftime of the January game trailing 42-16. From a low point of losing to DePaul on Jan. 14, the Redmen are now a legitimate contender for an NCAA at-large bid, winners of seven of its past eight. They meet a Georgetown team on a win streak of its own, and one which needs at least three wins in its remaining six Big East games to make a case for a fifth consecutive NCAA berth. With four of its final six and the bulk of the conference leadership waiting them, Georgetown needs yet another gutty road win.
The Redmen are not much changed in personnel since last month, but are much more effective. Phil Greene continues his steady play at the point for St. John's, never an easy task when St. John's was a generally undisciplined outfit on offense. Greene's shooting has picked up, but just as important has been his ball handling. St. John's ranks first in the Big East in turnover margin, and controlling turnovers has been a big part of the St. John's story in the second half of the season.
Excepting a season low four points against Georgetown, guard D'Angelo Harrison has turned in big numbers in nearly every game for the Redmen, with double figures in seven of his last eight and strong numbers from the free throw line. A three guard lineup featuring 6-4 Rysheed Jordan (8.9 ppg) has provided stability on ball handling and allowed its frontcourt, led by Jakarr Sampson (12.4 ppg) and Chris Obekpa (4.3) opportunities inside.
St, John's is not dominating from outside nor inside, but is simply getting it done. Contrary to popular thinking, SJ does not rely on an up tempo game to thrive, averaging 69 points over its last two games and 70.8 overall in Big East games.
The Redmen skated past a potential upset this week at the hands of Seton Hall with a new found weapon--free throw shooting. SJ shot 53% from the flow but 83% from the line in a one point win over the Hall.
Georgetown's four game win streak has been a function of good defense, turnover control, and the emergence of a third scoring option to Markel Starks and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. That third scorer has varied over the games, but is nonetheless essential to limit SJ simply collapsing on the guards which are vital for Georgetown's success.
Keys To The Game:
Guard Defense: Neither team will win the game in the frontcourt--controlling the scoring guards is essential.
Rebounding: Despite Obekpa inside, St. John's is ninth in the league in rebounding margin, an area of opportunity for the Hoyas.
Stay Out Of Foul Trouble:: The Hoyas have been fortunate in recent games, but the point remains--its big men need a clean and consistent effort in the first 35 minutes to be available in the last five.
Limit The Lull:: Georgetown's scoring droughts are frequent and no less painful. But controlling the gaps with substitution patterns and switching defenses may be in order to avoid falling into a hole the Hoyas cannot dig its way out of.
