Game Thread: St. John's vs. Incarnate Word

St. John's vs. Incarnate Word

When: Friday, December 18, 2015

Where: Carnesecca Arena Jamaica, New York

How to Watch: FOX Sports 1

How to Listen: 970 WNYM

After a big victory over Syracuse at Madison Square Garden, the Johnnies are back in action on Friday night against Incarnate Word (3-5), which will begin a stretch of three games in five days. St. John's will receive a boost tonight with the likely return of shooting guard Malik Ellison, who averaged 4.5 points per game and 3.5 rebounds in two games before injuring his foot.

As for their opponent, the Cardinals have failed to defeat a Division I opponent this season as they have wins over Texas Lutheran, Schreiner and Dallas Christian. Sophomore guard Jontrell Walker is the team's leading scorer at 16.5 points per game, but the Cardinals rank 305th in the country in rebounding and have only one player that stands taller than 6'8".

With a jolt of confidence coming off their biggest win of the season, this is the type of game that the Johnnies must maintain their focus and discipline while taking advantage of the size mismatch with Kassoum Yakwe, Yankuba Sima and Christian Jones.

How many minutes will Ellison play tonight?

Can the Johnnies limit the turnovers?

Yakwe looked excellent against Syracuse's zone but how will he build on that performance against a lower level opponent?

Will the defense continue their dominance at Carnesecca?

Pre-game reading

St. John's vs. Incarnate Word Preview

Recruiting Roundup (Bashir Ahmed will be visiting tonight)