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St. John’s faces an opportunity tonight to start Big East play, facing the Providence Friars at Carnesecca Arena. Tonight’s game is a big step towards the future and conference play. With two top-25 teams after tonight’s matchup, and Marcus LoVett questionable, the Johnnies want to start off hot.
Providence, by the numbers, is the third-best team the Red Storm have played... and Chris Mullin’s team has lost to the best team and second-best team they have faced. The non-conference schedule means the Red Storm need wins for an NCAA Tournament.
Providence has had struggles [more detail in the game preview] and has struggled to fend off Stony Brook, Brown, Rider, Belmont and Sacred Heart. But they have won those games, despite their head coach Ed Cooley’s complaints about toughness.
Providence is a team focused on getting to the basket and drawing fouls. The Friars, who return most of their minutes from last year while adding the talented Makai Ashton-Langford and Nate Watson to complement Rodney Bullock and Alpha Diallo, also bring a lot of height.
This should be a tough game.
But the fans have already sold it out.
Tonight's @BIGEASTMBB opener versus Providence is officially SOLD OUT! #SJUBB #WeAreNewYorksTeam
— St. John's BBall (@StJohnsBBall) December 28, 2017
And they have been instructed on what to wear (hint: WEAR WHITE).
Hey Johnnies! If you’re coming to tonight’s WHITE OUT game make sure to check the map and your seat location to see what color you should be wearing! pic.twitter.com/ZsShiRghIs
— St. John's Red Storm (@StJohnsRedStorm) December 28, 2017
Game Details
Who: St. John’s Red Storm (10-2) versus Providence Friars (9-4)
Where: Carnesecca Arena, Queens, NY
When: Thursday, December 28th, 7:00 PM ET
TV: Regional Fox Sports Channel (YES Network)
Audio: 570 AM WMCA; TuneIn Radio
Last Meeting: The Friars topped St. John’s 86-75 at Madison Square Garden last March.
Let’s do it.