Duke vs. St. John’s: Game preview, TV schedule, prediction
In Duke’s next game, they will take on a team struggling more than anyone else. Can St. John’s pull off the upset at Madison Square Garden?
Matchup: Duke Blue Devils (19-3, 7-3 ACC) at St. John’s (10-13, 0-11 Big East)
Tip-time: Saturday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: FOX
Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Saturday will be Coach K’s 40th game at Madison Square Garden. That will most likely be one of the bigger motivators for this Duke squad. They will have to avoid falling into what could be a potential “trap game”. Blue Devils freshman Marvin Bagley III is a legit National Player of the Year candidate, averaging 21.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game on 59.9 percent shooting. He and fellow freshman frontcourt mate Wendell Carter Jr. have been dominant inside all season long. Carter’s average of two blocks per game show how he is the more defensive-minded of the duo.
In Duke’s latest victory over Notre Dame, it was their perimeter scoring that put them over the top. Another of the Blue Devils’ four starting freshmen, Gary Trent Jr., is the most consistent 3-point shooter on the team. He is hitting 43.5% of his 3-pointers this season, a mark that is good for sixth in the ACC. While Bagley had an uncharacteristic poor shooting night against the Irish, Trent knocked down six 3-pointers. As a team, Notre Dame only made seven 3-pointers. A 15-point advantage from the 3-point line helped the Blue Devils bury the injury-ravaged Fighting Irish team.
This is NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin‘s third season coaching St. John’s and he is hoping to increase his winning percentage for the third time in a row. The Red Storm were 14-19 last season and currently sit at 10-13. St. John’s is a physical team, and they rely on the scoring of their backcourt to win games. That was a lot easier before second-leading scorer Marcus LoVett went down in early January with a sprained MCL that shut him down for the season. LoVett was averaging 14.9 ppg and shooting 38.5% from the 3-point line.
Thee person affected most by LoVett’s absence is St. John’s scoring leader and Brooklyn-native Shamorie Ponds. The 6’1″ Ponds has a slick game befitting his Brooklyn roots. He has an extremely tight handle and can finish well at the rim. The problem for Coach Mullin has been that Ponds is shooting 21.5% from 3-point range while still taking 6.1 attempts per game from the 3-point line.
Shamorie Ponds will have to reign in his shot selection against a Duke defense that will surely go with a zone look at some point. If Ponds takes the Blue Devils’ bait and chucks up many 3-pointers, he will play right into their hands. Duke’s incredible size advantage up front is usually the difference against struggling teams. I don’t see this game going in St. John’s favor unless 6’11” junior Tariq Owens has a career day on the glass.
Next: Most recent Bracketology field (Jan. 29)
In this matchup, look for Coach K to feed Carter and Bagley in the post early and often. And if St. John’s starts to double team, that is when Duke will find open shooters. Ponds will surely beat Blue Devils defenders off the dribble, but a zone defense will test his discipline, thereby minimizing his effectiveness. I believe Duke will be fired up for this one just because of the MSG crowd. I expect this one to be over early.
Prediction: Duke 94, St. John’s 80