St. John's vs St. Mary's: how to watch online, TV schedule, odds, keys to the game

St. John's (8-1), ranked #20 by the AP and #23 by the Coaches' poll, take on the St. Mary's Gaels (6-2) tonight at 7:00 PM at Carnesecca Arena. The Rumble will have live coverage as the Red Storm work to avoid overconfidence against a talented St. Mary's team.

Randy Bennett's Gaels are 6-2, with a win over Creighton sandwiched between a pair of losses to Boise State and Northern Arizona. But they have talent, a number of high-major transfers, shooting and strong post play in experienced senior Brad Waldow.

The game is the return contest for the ESPN-televised tip-off marathon game back in 2010, where the Gaels knocked off St. John's 76-71 in Steve Lavin's first official game as head coach of the Red Storm.

St. John's is coming off of a beating of the Fordham Rams in a 74-53 Holiday Festival victory where Rysheed Jordan (24 points) got his groove back, it seems. Can Jordan augment the Red Storm attack tonight against a far better opponent?

Can Chris Obekpa stay out of foul trouble against the post presence of Waldow? Can Sir`Dominic Pointer, Phil Greene IV and D`Angelo Harrison continue to play sharp defense and hit clutch shots?

How to watch online + radio

Fox Sports 1 has the broadcast. The game can be seen live-only on Fox Sports 1's app/ online and on Fox Sports 1. Rich Ackerman and Jim Spanarkel will announce the game.

For those listening on the radio, 970 AM WNYM will have the call with John Minko and Brandon Tierney.

Betting odds

St. John's are 7-point favorites tonight against St. Mary's.

Key Matchup

St. John's defense against St. Mary's ball movement. The Red Storm will play Brad Waldow as the dominant post player he is - after all, he takes 33% of the team's shots when he's on the floor and is their second-best assists man. But Waldow is excellent at identifying double-teams and kicking the ball out to the weak side for a three point-shooter - and sometimes to forward Dane Pineau.

Movement starts from the inside out for the Gaels; St. John's needs to be prepared to cover three-point shooters - especially if Kerry Carter gets hot.

Fifty-nine percent of St. Mary's shots are assisted - 70th in the country. They "share the sugar," as Steve Lavin likes to say.

Keys to the Game

Cover the outside shooters. Waldow will do some damage, but the Gaels can surge when they get Kerry Carter and Aaron Bright hot from the outside.

Take good shots inside the arc. The Red Storm will likely face soft man and soft zone defenses from the gaels - and outside shots will be open. But while those shots are tempting, the Red Storm's game is best when attacking the rim. The Johnnies need to show patience and work for good shots inside the arc - not long, hasty jumpers.

Hurry the Gaels. St. Mary's hasn't turned the ball over often, but they also have not faced the kind of pressure St. John's can bring to bear with the Johnnies' length and athleticism. The Red Storm's ability to hurry Gonzaga up kept the Johnnies in the game, and that defensive pressure continues to be the team's calling card.

Score prediction

St. John's gets a scare but is prepared for the Gaels. Win, 70-65.