St. John's guard Marcus LoVett didn’t travel with the team to Arizona

The St. John's Red Storm were without Marcus LoVett this past weekend in their matchup against the Sacred Heart Pioneers. To their credit, the Red Storm survived without their star guard, winning 90-55. Now, though, the Johnnies will really be tested by the absence of LoVett.

According to the NY Post’s Zach Braziller, LoVett didn’t travel with the team for their trip to Arizona today. St. John's has two upcoming matchups in the The Copper State against the Grand Canyon Antelopes and the Arizona State Sun Devils.

It’s important to note that LoVett could join the team later on in the week. But, he did not travel with the team today as they began their venture.

In seven games, LoVett has packed a punch. He’s averaged 14.9 points, second on the team behind star sophomore Shamorie Ponds. He has been terrific from long range, shooting 40.5 percent from 3-point land, the second-best mark on the team behind Michigan State Spartans transfer Marvin Clark II. LoVett scored in double figures in six of his seven contests, three in which he scored more that 15 points and a 23-point outing in the opener against the New Orleans Privateers.

Long story short, Marcus LoVett is one of St. John's' most reliable scoring options. If they do not have him in tow, the Johnnies may be in for a tough trip out west. Not so much against Grand Canyon as much as against ASU. The Sun Devils are one of the most prodigious teams in the country in terms of scoring, having scored 90 points or more in six of their first seven games of the year. They’ve hit 94 or more four times, 97 or more three times and 99 or more twice, including a 102-point showing against the Xavier Musketeers.

If the Johnnies want to make it a memorable trip to Arizona, they will have to have others step up if LoVett’s absence becomes a problem. Look for Clark, Bashir Ahmed and Justin Simon to try and take on the load along with Ponds, of course.