Game Thread: St. John's vs. Marquette

St. John's vs. Marquette

When: Saturday, January, 9th, 2016 at 2 p.m. ET

Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

How to Watch: FOX Sports Network/YES Network

With Marquette coming off an upset win over Providence at the Dunkin' Donuts Center and St. John's receiving brutal news on Friday that Yankuba Sima is out 4-6 weeks, the Red Storm are running into the Bradley Center at a bad time. The Golden Eagles have a strong front line, consisting of Henry Ellenson and Luke Fischer, and they should have a clear advantage inside with St. John's missing their leading rebounder.

The Johnnies have lost six straight games but, they looked much improved in a home game against Xavier. Federico Mussini (who also picked up a killer technical foul late in the game) and Ron Mvouika scored 19 apiece while Chris Mullin's team limited their giveaways, losing by just eight.

The Red Storm will have to shoot the ball much better than they did against the Musketeers (34 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range), but they must bring the same energy and effort level in order to counter the Eagles on the glass. Mvouika and Durand Johnson will have to help Kassoum Yakwe, Christian Jones and Amar Alibegovic in the paint, making this a gang-rebounding game plan.

Will Yakwe produce with extended minutes?

Can Mussini build on his excellent performance versus Xavier as he faces two freshman guards, Traci Carter and Haanif Cheatham?

How do the Johnnies defend future lottery pick Ellenson?

Pre-game reading:

St. John's at Marquette preview

Yankuba Sima out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand in his non-shooting hand