Thursday $$
- Thread starter TLove
- Start date
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 13th, 12:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Madison Square Garden (19,763) -- New York, New York.
Television: ESPN2. Home Record: St. John's 8-5, Boston College 9-5. Away
Record: St. John's 7-5, Boston College 8-4. Neutral Record: St. John's 1-2,
Boston College 0-1. Conference Record: St. John's 7-9, Boston College 10-6.
Series Record: St. John's leads, 45-22.
GAME NOTES: Fresh off an opening round upset victory over Notre Dame, the St.
John's Red Storm are set to face Boston College in the quarterfinals of the
Big East Tournament. Awaiting the winner of this tilt is a semifinal matchup
with either Providence or Pittsburgh. Yesterday, fifth-seeded St. John's
recorded an 83-80 decision over Notre Dame, the nation's 17th-ranked team.
The squad now owns a 16-12 overall record on the strength of four straight
wins, including a dramatic victory over Duke on March 2nd. The Red Storm has
won three Big East Tournaments in program history, with the most recent coming
four years ago. In 42 games played at this event all-time, it owns a 23-20
record. As for Boston College, it caught fire down the stretch and secured the
top seed in the East Division. Before an embarrassing 91-54 loss to UConn at
home in the regular season finale, the Eagles had posted six consecutive
victories. They have two Big East Tournament titles to their credit, including
the most recent two years ago. Although St. John's owns a commanding 45-22
lead in the all-time series between these two teams, Boston College won both
meetings this season.
St. John's got key contributions from several different players in the victory
over Notre Dame, and Marcus Hatten was once again at the head of that list.
Hatten posted 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists on the night, proving
once again to be among the league's elite. Elijah Ingram added 17 points
thanks to five three-pointers, and Kyle Cuffe chipped in 13 points. The Red
Storm held a commanding 21-point lead at intermission, but sloppy play at both
ends of the floor over the final 20 minutes almost led to a loss. St. John's
only committed seven turnovers and shot a solid 46 percent from the field on
the night. Few teams in the nation rely more on one player than the Red Storm,
as Hatten is counted on regularly to supply a large portion of the team's
scoring punch. Hatten recently broke the Big East scoring average record for a
career with 23 ppg, besting the previous mark of 22.6 ppg held by former
Georgetown star Allen Iverson.
There are several outstanding players in the Big East this season, so Troy
Bell's Player of the Year award certainly carries a lot of weight. The veteran
guard shared the honor two seasons ago, and he is closing out what has been a
sensational career. Bell shot 43.1 percent from three-point range against
league opponents during the regular season and averaged a gaudy 27.8 ppg.
While he is clearly the most recognizable player for the Eagles, there is
plenty of talent on the roster. Craig Smith is one of the nation's top
freshman frontcourt players, as he is averaging 19.6 ppg and 8.0 rpg overall.
Ryan Sidney rounds out the tremendous trio with 13.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 4.6
apg. Boston College averaged 81 ppg against Big East opposition during the
regular season, but it did allow 78 ppg at the defensive end.
Hatten proved against Notre Dame that he is more than just an explosive
scorer, and St. John's was certainly relieved to see so many of its players
contribute. While another victory tonight is certainly possible, give a slight
edge to Boston College. Watching Bell and Hatten battle may be the highlight
of this tournament.
DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 13th, 12:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Madison Square Garden (19,763) -- New York, New York.
Television: ESPN2. Home Record: St. John's 8-5, Boston College 9-5. Away
Record: St. John's 7-5, Boston College 8-4. Neutral Record: St. John's 1-2,
Boston College 0-1. Conference Record: St. John's 7-9, Boston College 10-6.
Series Record: St. John's leads, 45-22.
GAME NOTES: Fresh off an opening round upset victory over Notre Dame, the St.
John's Red Storm are set to face Boston College in the quarterfinals of the
Big East Tournament. Awaiting the winner of this tilt is a semifinal matchup
with either Providence or Pittsburgh. Yesterday, fifth-seeded St. John's
recorded an 83-80 decision over Notre Dame, the nation's 17th-ranked team.
The squad now owns a 16-12 overall record on the strength of four straight
wins, including a dramatic victory over Duke on March 2nd. The Red Storm has
won three Big East Tournaments in program history, with the most recent coming
four years ago. In 42 games played at this event all-time, it owns a 23-20
record. As for Boston College, it caught fire down the stretch and secured the
top seed in the East Division. Before an embarrassing 91-54 loss to UConn at
home in the regular season finale, the Eagles had posted six consecutive
victories. They have two Big East Tournament titles to their credit, including
the most recent two years ago. Although St. John's owns a commanding 45-22
lead in the all-time series between these two teams, Boston College won both
meetings this season.
St. John's got key contributions from several different players in the victory
over Notre Dame, and Marcus Hatten was once again at the head of that list.
Hatten posted 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists on the night, proving
once again to be among the league's elite. Elijah Ingram added 17 points
thanks to five three-pointers, and Kyle Cuffe chipped in 13 points. The Red
Storm held a commanding 21-point lead at intermission, but sloppy play at both
ends of the floor over the final 20 minutes almost led to a loss. St. John's
only committed seven turnovers and shot a solid 46 percent from the field on
the night. Few teams in the nation rely more on one player than the Red Storm,
as Hatten is counted on regularly to supply a large portion of the team's
scoring punch. Hatten recently broke the Big East scoring average record for a
career with 23 ppg, besting the previous mark of 22.6 ppg held by former
Georgetown star Allen Iverson.
There are several outstanding players in the Big East this season, so Troy
Bell's Player of the Year award certainly carries a lot of weight. The veteran
guard shared the honor two seasons ago, and he is closing out what has been a
sensational career. Bell shot 43.1 percent from three-point range against
league opponents during the regular season and averaged a gaudy 27.8 ppg.
While he is clearly the most recognizable player for the Eagles, there is
plenty of talent on the roster. Craig Smith is one of the nation's top
freshman frontcourt players, as he is averaging 19.6 ppg and 8.0 rpg overall.
Ryan Sidney rounds out the tremendous trio with 13.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 4.6
apg. Boston College averaged 81 ppg against Big East opposition during the
regular season, but it did allow 78 ppg at the defensive end.
Hatten proved against Notre Dame that he is more than just an explosive
scorer, and St. John's was certainly relieved to see so many of its players
contribute. While another victory tonight is certainly possible, give a slight
edge to Boston College. Watching Bell and Hatten battle may be the highlight
of this tournament.
