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How to watch
Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: AXS TV
Series History
There have been no prior meetings between the Red Storm and Rams entering this matchup on Thanksgiving night since at least the 1949-50 season per Sports-Reference.com’s Play Index.
The Stakes
Both VCU and St. John’s were unsuccessful in their first matchups in the Battle 4 Atlantis. While the Red Storm succumbed to Miles Bridges and the Michigan State Spartans, the Rams fell to Manu Lacomte, Johnathan Motley and the Baylor Bears. These two clubs will be hoping not to fall further down the ladder on the loser’s side of the bracket.
Players to Watch
St. John’s
Marcus LoVett: The Johnnies’ point guard continues to revel in the spotlight. While he wasn’t at his most efficient against the Spartans, LoVett still amassed 20 points in 30 minutes of action. It was the third straight game that LoVett had hit 20 or more points, and he fell just one point shy of that mark in the opener against Bethune Cookman. The Red Storm will have to hope that LoVett brings his A-game for them to be able to pull off the upset against the Rams on Thursday night.
VCU
JeQuan Lewis: The senior for VCU has been terrific to start the season. In those aforementioned first four games, he’s amassed an average of 13.25 points per game including a 22-point outburst against the Bears. Lewis has been a dynamo from an efficiency standpoint, posting TS% and eFG% numbers of over 61 percent in both categories, and has posted a 3-point percentage of 46.2 percent. The Red Storm will have to keep an eye out for him on the perimeter, because he is lethal when he gets it going.