Game thread: St. John’s hosts Marquette

Well, this is a game the Johnnies want to have for faith and confidence that they can compete for the top of the Big East. It’s January 1st, and a lot of things can happen between now and March, but starting the season 0-2 in a weakened Big East — with a game at home and a game a bus ride away — won’t inspire the faithful or the team to think this year is as special as they thought before the season started.

Can the Johnnies knock off the ranked Marquette squad, battle tested against both major Kansas teams, Wisconsin and Buffalo?

Game Information

Who: St. John’s Red Storm (12-1) at #16/#18 Marquette Golden Eagles (11-2)

Where: Carnesecca Arena, Queens, NY (5,602)

When: Tuesday, January 1, 7:00 PM

TV: FS1 | FoxSportsGo

Audio: 970 WNYM | TuneIn Radio

Odds: The odds have moved from even to -2, St. John’s.

Last meeting: St. John’s lost to Marquette in Milwaukee last February, 85-73, with the Golden Eagles playing without Markus Howard.

Rankings & School Notes

Last season final KenPom Ranking: 53 | Current KenPom Ranking: 28

School size: 11,426 (8,335 undergraduates)

School is academically known for: journalism, nursing, theater, biology, marketing, engineering

Notable alumni: Charles P. Pierce (journalist), Chris Farley (actor), Gail Collins (columnist), Dan Harmon (creator, Community), Danny Pudi (actor, Community), Scott Walker (WI Gov — did not graduate), Leah Vukumir (WI politician), Bob Odenkirk (actor, Better Call Saul — did not graduate), Nicholas D’Agosto (Harvey Dent on Gotham), Marcus Leomis (Camping World CEO).