Game Thread: St. John's vs. South Carolina

St. John's vs. South Carolina

When: 9 p.m. ET, Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut

How to Watch: CBS Sports Network

How to Listen: 570 WMCA

St. John's did not have an enjoyable weekend in Queens after losing two straight games to Incarnate Word (by 22) and to NJIT (by nine), but they will have to wipe the slate clean as they are set to take on an undefeated, 25th ranked South Carolina team at a neutral site.

Federico Mussini, the Johnnies leading scorer, will have a monster test against one of the better backcourts in the SEC. Duane Notice, PJ Dozier and Sindarius Thornwell all have great athleticism and will look to play physical defense against the smaller Mussini in order to create easy opportunities in transition.

The Gamecocks have plenty of balance (with five players averaging double figures), are 52nd in the country in scoring at 81 points per game and maintain an advantage on the glass with Frank Martin-like toughness (39th in the country).

This will be the Johnnies final game before Big East play begins on New Year's Eve against Creighton.

What type of energy do the Johnnies open the game with?

Can they defend the three point line more successfully against the Gamecocks?

How does Yankuba Sima and Kassoum Yakwe battle on the glass against a physical South Carolina front court?