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NCAA Basketball: 2018 Legends Classic preview and predictions

By Drew Dinnhaupt

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 7: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles the ball against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 7: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles the ball against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 7: Marvin Clark II
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 7: Marvin Clark II /

Predictions

St. John’s vs. Cal – November 19 at 7:00 PM/EST (ESPN2)

This one is a no-brainer. The Red Storm’s duo of Shamorie Ponds and Mustapha Heron will be too overwhelming for a group as weak as the Golden Bears are. I’m not even sure if this game is worth tuning into.

PREDICTION: St. John’s

Temple vs. VCU – November 19 at 9:30 PM/EST (ESPN3)

This matchup figures to be one of the most intriguing non-conference matchups between two mid-major programs. Temple is led by star-power; the Rams rely on its depth.

I really like Temple’s three scorers averaging north of 14 points per game in Alston, Quinton Rose (18.3 PPG), and Nate Pierre-Louis (14.0 PPG). The Owls haven’t seen much production from its bench, though these three alone are skilled enough to challenge a mid-major squad.

Yet, when Temple doesn’t have those three on the floor, VCU could be a problem. VCU’s bench is experienced and far more talented than Temple’s. I just don’t see how Temple could compete without Alston, Rose, and/or Pierre-Louis on the floor.

It’s very difficult to pick a winner. I don’t have much confidence with this one.

PREDICTION: Temple

Projected Third-Place Game: Cal vs. VCU – November 20 at 5:00 PM/EST (ESPNU)

If Cal can’t beat Yale and fails to truly dominate Hampton, I just don’t see how the group could quickly come together to knock off a team as deep as VCU. The Bears, the lone team in the Legends Classic with a loss, are clearly in a rebuilding year.

Cal is 215th in offensive efficiency this season, according to KenPom, while VCU is 63rd in defensive efficiency. The Golden Bears will surely be on the losing end of this one.

PREDICTION: VCU

Projected Championship Game: St. John’s vs. Temple – November 20 at 7:30 PM/EST (ESPN2)

I’m a huge fan of this contest.

Entering the season, I would have easily taken St. John’s to win this one. However, Temple is the only program in the tournament with a noteworthy win: an 81-77 victory over Georgia. The Bulldogs may be one of the worst teams in the SEC, but they are in a Power 5 conference nonetheless.

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Yet on paper, the Johnnies are clearly better. Ponds and Heron make one of the better, if not best, duos in the nation, and the former is most certainly capable of taking over a game.

The matchup will take place in St. John’s backyard in Brooklyn, and for that reason, I give the Red Storm the edge.

PREDICTION: St. John’s

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