St. John’s to face West Virginia next season

The Big East and Big 12 will have a non-conference challenge next season. Sometime in December, the Red Storm will face West Virginia at home (likely in Madison Square Garden). The full set of matchups, per Dallas News:

• Marquette at Kansas State —Dec. 1, 2019
• Kansas at Villanova — Dec. 15, 2019
• Oklahoma at Creighton — Dec. 18, 2019
• Texas at Providence — Dec. 21, 2019
• Butler at Baylor
• Seton Hall at Iowa State
• Georgetown at Oklahoma State
• Xavier at TCU
• Texas Tech at DePaul
• West Virginia at St. John’s

Given a schedule that is said to include hosting America East champion (and annual top-three AEast squad) Vermont, and a matchup against two of Massachussetts, Virginia, or Arizona State, along with a likely Gavitt Games matchup against a Big Ten team, the schedule is shaping up to be stronger than last season’s slate.

For their part, the West Virginia Mountaineers could be a test of St. John’s ability to function under pressure, if the Mountaineers can find guards to execute their style. Three West Virginia players were kicked off the team, and a fourth may opt for the professional ranks.

In a season of tumult, West Virginia went 14-20 in the regular season, but played in the CBI, finishing 15-21 overall.