How to Watch, Listen and Stream
Game Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: FSN (Brian Anderson, Nick Bahe)
Radio: St. Johns IMG Sports Network (St. John’s), ESPN 540 Milwaukee (Marquette)
Gamblin' Info
Line: Marquette -11 (via Oddshark.com)
Over/Under: 139
3 Things to Watch
1. Yankuba Sima out 4-6 weeks with broken hand
St. John’s received some tough news this week, as freshman center Yankuba Sima was diagnosed with a fractured bone in his left hand. Sima is currently averaging 3.1 blocks per game, good for 6th nationally and 1.1 blocks per game more than the Big East’s second leading shot blocker, Marquette’s Luke Fischer (2.0 blocks per game). Unfortunately for the Johnnies, there aren’t many bigger and better frontcourts in the BIG EAST than Marquette’s Henry Ellenson and Luke Fischer. The duo ranks first and second on Marquette in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, and poses a tall task for the thin St. John’s frontcourt. Although Marquette is 8th in the BIG EAST in offensive rebounds per game, look for the Golden Eagles to use their length to create some extra chances today on the offensive end.
2. Marquette Guards
We know what Ellenson brings to the table, and without Sima, Fischer should get some extra chances to score in the post. But in
Marquette’s recent upset of Providence it was the guards that kept the team afloat in the second half.
Duane Wilson and
Haanif Cheatham got in the lane at will and combined to shoot 16 free throws, providing a capable Robin to Ellenson’s nightly Batman. Without Sima, the lane will be more inviting for Marquette’s guards. The win at Providence is exactly what this young team needed to build confidence and bolster an already impressive resume, and they will look to avoid a letdown at home against an undermanned St. John’s team. Look for Wilson, Cheatham, and the rest of the Marquette guards to take advantage of Sima’s absence.
3. St. John's Shooting
We knew this was going to be a tough season for the Red Storm, rebuilding in their first year under coach Chris Mullin. In its most recent game against Xavier, St. John’s was able to parlay an edge in offensive rebounds, turnover margin and made three-point field goals into a game that came down to the wire. But offensive struggles hurt St. John’s again, as the team shot just 33.8 percent from the field for the game. As a team, the Red Storm is shooting just .408 percent from the field on the season, far and away the worst percentage in the conference. Against Xavier, St. John’s battled and clawed its way back into the game in the first half, and was able to hang around late due to its effort. An encouraging sign for a young team, but if St. John’s can’t find a way to consistently score the ball, BIG EAST Conference wins will remain elusive.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48530421/usa-today-9038228.0.jpg)