The Hoyas have lost six straight to St. John's and six of eight dating back to the 1994-95 season. On the other hand, Georgetown is 6-0 against the Redmen after the regular season: 5-0 in Big East tournament play, 1-0 in NCAA action.
St. John's has won five NIT titles, the most of any school. Its last title was in 1989. Georgetown is seeking its first NIT title, having finished as runners-up in 1993.
While Georgetown has earned its NIT trip as road warriors, the Redmen have enjoyed its share of home games. In fact, since February 26, nine of St. John's' last ten games have been played in New York.
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Bulletin Board Material
From the Associated Press: "A simple message is posted in [the St. John's] locker room: "Know your ring size. St. John's goes for [title] No. 6."
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Preview
Amidst a season of sour finishes to games, Georgetown has redeemed some of its pride with a trip to the NIT finals. To take the final step, they must purge their record of the St. John's Redmen, a team which dealt the Hoyas perhaps the worst loss of the season.
Trailing by 17 points in the final 7:23 of play, the St. John's Redmen (nee Red Storm) turned to senior Marcus Hatten, who scored 19 of his game-high 34 points down the stretch in a 77-72 win at MCI Center. The Hoyas not only allowed St. John's back in the game, but committed five fouls and seven turnovers in the final 4:22.
That game sent the Hoyas reeling to lose seven of its next eight, but this is not the same Georgetown team that met the Johnnies in January. A better offense, fewer turnovers, and big efforts from Mike Sweetney have propelled the Hoyas to its season finale. Some payback is in order.
The Redmen haven't changed much since that January game--they are capable of great finishes (Duke, Texas Tech) but also had their share of slumps and inconsistent play. In a game versus Syracuse, SJU was 9 for 41 from three point range and lost by only six.
Here's a brief look at some possible matchups with the stats from the Jan. 18 game:
Elijah Ingram (4-7, 10 pts.) versus Tony Bethel (3-11, 10 pts). Bethel has played better of late but remains a step slow on defense. Ingram is the Storm's best three point threat and will be a key factor if Georgetown's pressure holds Marcus Hatten down. Up court, Bethel needs to avoid getting caught in trapping defenses and reduce turnovers.
Marcus Hatten (14-25, 34 pts.) versus Gerald Riley (2-7, 5 pts.). Riley suffered through one of his poorer offensive games in January, but it wasn't until Riley fouled out with 5:00 to play in the Jan. 18 game that Hatten went to town on the Hoyas. Riley must be careful to avoid early foul problems, while forcing Hatten into bad shots from the perimeter. If Riley can play the length of the game, Hatten will be challenged in a big way to carry the Redmen.
Anthony Glover (2-8, 4 pts) versus Brandon Bowman (4-7, 12 pts). Bowman shut down Minnesota's Michael Bauer in Tuesday's game, and has the potential to do well against Glover. The key for Bowman will be to avoid fouls and drive inside to relieve pressure on Sweetney. As Bowman's offense has improved of late, his shot selection will be important in transition.
Kyle Cuffe (2-6, 5 pts) versus Victor Samnick (0-0, 1 pt.). Samnick played sparingly in the Jan. 18 game while Wesley Wilson got the start, but Samnick has been an important stabilizing force of late. His 13 points and 4 assists Thursday night was huge, and Samnick must provide the points that Courtland Freeman cannot.
Grady Reynolds (3-7, 10 rebounds, 7 pts.) versus Mike Sweetney (5-8, 11-13 FT, 21 pts.). It's hard to believe that Mike Sweetney hasn't been named to a single All-America list to date, so Thursday's game will be his opportunity to remind them of the efforts he has made all season. Reynolds played well in January but the ability of Georgetown to feed Sweetney down low will be critical. Patience and persistence have been Sweetney's key weapons down the stretch.
Another key to the game? Fouls. Georgetown lost three starters down the stretch in the Jan. 18 game, which set up the collapse. In its last four NIT games, it has lost only one player (Courtland Freeman, vs. Providence) to fouls.
The St.John's style of play has frustrated the Hoyas over recent years and the last six losses to the Redmen have all come down to the Hoyas having foul trouble and diminished resources late in the game. The Hoyas must prepare for 40 minutes and have all the pieces in place at the end.
The three keys for the Jan. 18 game also apply here: defense, transition, and rebounding.
Defense--the team that can pressure its opponents' guards will be the team to beat. Shutting down the St. John's guards will be critical.
Transition--expect a fast-paced game and Georgetown will need to get out ahead of the plays.
Rebounding--chances are both teams will miss a lot of shots. Georgetown owns a height advantage it must use in rebounding.
At the start of the season, the title of The HOYA's basketball preview asked "Contender...or Pretender?" At the end, the 2002-03 Hoyas were neither, a team where inconsistency and inattention hurt them so many times. As April arrived, however, the experience and energy of the NIT has reinvigorated this team, giving them a solid opportunity to add a championship banner inside McDonough for the first time in 19 years.
Pre-game articles
http://www.sportserver.com/basketball/colm/general/story/837988p-5896367c.html
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1049354139241580.xml
http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/college/ny-storm0403,0,439224.story?coll=nyc-sports-short-navigation
http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20030403-91504660.htm
http://www.nypost.com/sports/mmadness/33395.htm
St. John's has won five NIT titles, the most of any school. Its last title was in 1989. Georgetown is seeking its first NIT title, having finished as runners-up in 1993.
While Georgetown has earned its NIT trip as road warriors, the Redmen have enjoyed its share of home games. In fact, since February 26, nine of St. John's' last ten games have been played in New York.
--------
Bulletin Board Material
From the Associated Press: "A simple message is posted in [the St. John's] locker room: "Know your ring size. St. John's goes for [title] No. 6."
---------
Preview
Amidst a season of sour finishes to games, Georgetown has redeemed some of its pride with a trip to the NIT finals. To take the final step, they must purge their record of the St. John's Redmen, a team which dealt the Hoyas perhaps the worst loss of the season.
Trailing by 17 points in the final 7:23 of play, the St. John's Redmen (nee Red Storm) turned to senior Marcus Hatten, who scored 19 of his game-high 34 points down the stretch in a 77-72 win at MCI Center. The Hoyas not only allowed St. John's back in the game, but committed five fouls and seven turnovers in the final 4:22.
That game sent the Hoyas reeling to lose seven of its next eight, but this is not the same Georgetown team that met the Johnnies in January. A better offense, fewer turnovers, and big efforts from Mike Sweetney have propelled the Hoyas to its season finale. Some payback is in order.
The Redmen haven't changed much since that January game--they are capable of great finishes (Duke, Texas Tech) but also had their share of slumps and inconsistent play. In a game versus Syracuse, SJU was 9 for 41 from three point range and lost by only six.
Here's a brief look at some possible matchups with the stats from the Jan. 18 game:
Elijah Ingram (4-7, 10 pts.) versus Tony Bethel (3-11, 10 pts). Bethel has played better of late but remains a step slow on defense. Ingram is the Storm's best three point threat and will be a key factor if Georgetown's pressure holds Marcus Hatten down. Up court, Bethel needs to avoid getting caught in trapping defenses and reduce turnovers.
Marcus Hatten (14-25, 34 pts.) versus Gerald Riley (2-7, 5 pts.). Riley suffered through one of his poorer offensive games in January, but it wasn't until Riley fouled out with 5:00 to play in the Jan. 18 game that Hatten went to town on the Hoyas. Riley must be careful to avoid early foul problems, while forcing Hatten into bad shots from the perimeter. If Riley can play the length of the game, Hatten will be challenged in a big way to carry the Redmen.
Anthony Glover (2-8, 4 pts) versus Brandon Bowman (4-7, 12 pts). Bowman shut down Minnesota's Michael Bauer in Tuesday's game, and has the potential to do well against Glover. The key for Bowman will be to avoid fouls and drive inside to relieve pressure on Sweetney. As Bowman's offense has improved of late, his shot selection will be important in transition.
Kyle Cuffe (2-6, 5 pts) versus Victor Samnick (0-0, 1 pt.). Samnick played sparingly in the Jan. 18 game while Wesley Wilson got the start, but Samnick has been an important stabilizing force of late. His 13 points and 4 assists Thursday night was huge, and Samnick must provide the points that Courtland Freeman cannot.
Grady Reynolds (3-7, 10 rebounds, 7 pts.) versus Mike Sweetney (5-8, 11-13 FT, 21 pts.). It's hard to believe that Mike Sweetney hasn't been named to a single All-America list to date, so Thursday's game will be his opportunity to remind them of the efforts he has made all season. Reynolds played well in January but the ability of Georgetown to feed Sweetney down low will be critical. Patience and persistence have been Sweetney's key weapons down the stretch.
Another key to the game? Fouls. Georgetown lost three starters down the stretch in the Jan. 18 game, which set up the collapse. In its last four NIT games, it has lost only one player (Courtland Freeman, vs. Providence) to fouls.
The St.John's style of play has frustrated the Hoyas over recent years and the last six losses to the Redmen have all come down to the Hoyas having foul trouble and diminished resources late in the game. The Hoyas must prepare for 40 minutes and have all the pieces in place at the end.
The three keys for the Jan. 18 game also apply here: defense, transition, and rebounding.
Defense--the team that can pressure its opponents' guards will be the team to beat. Shutting down the St. John's guards will be critical.
Transition--expect a fast-paced game and Georgetown will need to get out ahead of the plays.
Rebounding--chances are both teams will miss a lot of shots. Georgetown owns a height advantage it must use in rebounding.
At the start of the season, the title of The HOYA's basketball preview asked "Contender...or Pretender?" At the end, the 2002-03 Hoyas were neither, a team where inconsistency and inattention hurt them so many times. As April arrived, however, the experience and energy of the NIT has reinvigorated this team, giving them a solid opportunity to add a championship banner inside McDonough for the first time in 19 years.
Pre-game articles
http://www.sportserver.com/basketball/colm/general/story/837988p-5896367c.html
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1049354139241580.xml
http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/college/ny-storm0403,0,439224.story?coll=nyc-sports-short-navigation
http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20030403-91504660.htm
http://www.nypost.com/sports/mmadness/33395.htm
