St. John's has one of the more interesting schedules in the Big East in 2015-16, which makes sense, as they are one of the more interesting teams. New head coach Chris Mullin inherits a roster that will return less than half of last year's players. While it's looking to likely be a transitional year for the Johnnies, here are the Red Storm's five best games on the schedule.
5) Wagner at St. John's (November 13)
This game is on here for one reason: Chris Mullin's regular season coaching debut. The Red Storm will host a Wagner team that finished 10-20 last season. While Mullin's home debut should be an easy victory for the Johnnies, it's important to watch out for Wagner's Mike Aaman, who averaged 10.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last year.
4) Rutgers at St. John's (November 19)
While both of these teams will probably struggle this year, this is one of the better Gavitt Games matchups, if only for location. It's two teams who are fairly evenly matched, and it gives Rutgers fans a chance to check out Carnesecca Arena. If Rutgers fans show up, St. John's fans will be even more hyped up in order to try and drown them out, and it creates a great atmosphere. That's what the Gavitt Games should be trying to do.
3) Seton Hall at St. John's (February 21)
Another big-time local game, this one gets helped out with the added caveat that these two will square off at Madison Square Garden for just the second time since 2009. Fans of both schools have wanted an MSG showdown for quite some time, and they'll be getting their wish this year.
2) Syracuse at St. John's (December 13)
It's always a barrel of fun when Syracuse faces off with a Big East team. Add in the fact that this one will be played at Madison Square Garden, and it becomes even more of a thrill. St. John's fans may remember last time Syracuse was at The Garden and CJ Fair and Tyler Ennis combined for 42 of the Orange's 68 points.
1) Georgetown at St. John's (January 16)
Chris Mullin's conference Madison Square Garden debut. I'm not going to sit here and bore you with superlatives about the long and storied rivalry between these two teams. I'll let Len Berman and Bill Raftery do it for me.
The only way this could have been more perfect is if it were a Big East Tip-Off game, but beggars can't be choosers.
