St. John’s vs Boston College: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
St. John’s squares off with former BIG EAST foe Boston College; can the Red Storm newcomers stay hot and secure St. John’s third straight win?
TV schedule: Monday, November 30, 6:00 pm ET. ESPU
Arena: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
St. John’s looks to capture its third win of the 2020-21 campaign on Monday in a neutral site contest with former BIG EAST foe Boston College at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mike Anderson’s squad is coming off a two-win performance in the Lapchick Tournament, knocking off St. Peter’s and La Salle on its home court.
After two impressive games, Vince Cole (20 ppg, 3.5 rpg) is the player to watch for the Johnnies (2-0). The JUCO transfer from Charleston, S.C. has been lights out in his first two games as a member of the Red Storm, putting up a 21-point effort in the Red Storm’s 76-75 win over St. Peter’s on Wednesday.
Freshman point guard Posh Alexander (12 ppg, 3 apg) added 16 points in his collegiate debut in St. John’s win over St. Peter’s. Junior forward Isaih Moore (10.5 ppg, 8 rpg) has been a dominant presence in the paint in his first two games in a Red Storm uniform.
Juniors Marcellus Earlington and Greg Williams Jr. have been reliable supporting cast contributors on the offensive side, combining for 37 points through two games. Freshman guard Dylan Addae-Wusu provided 10 critical points in Thursday’s 82-65 victory over La Salle and has proven to be a pesky on-ball defender in Anderson’s “40 Minutes of Hell” playing style.
Redshirt senior point guard Rasheem Dunn missed Thursday’s clash with La Salle after suffering a nasty concussion in the second half of Wednesday’s season opener against St. Peter’s. Prior to leaving Wednesday’s game, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native added five points and dished five assists.
Sophomore Julian Champagnie has been unable to suit up for the Johnnies in 2020, nursing an ankle injury. The BIG EAST All-Freshman Team selection from a year ago is listed as day-to-day and will be a game-time decision for Mike Anderson and the training staff. Last year, Champagnie started 26 of St. John’s 32 games, scored in double figures 17 times, and recorded four double-doubles in his rookie season.
St. John’s utilized their pressure defense to perfection on Thursday, forcing 26 La Salle turnovers, 17 of them being steals. The Red Storm have outrebounded their opponents 81-65 and have forced 28 steals in its first two contests.
Boston College (1-1) split its two games in the 2K Empire Classic held at the Mohegan Sun Arena, falling to No. 3 Villanova on Wednesday, 76-67, and defeating Rhode Island on Thursday, 69-64. Jim Christian’s men battled hard for 40 minutes against the reigning BIG EAST champions.
Sophomore guard Jay Heath led the Golden Eagles with 16 points and redshirt junior guard Makai Ashton-Langford added 15 points in Wednesday night’s loss to No. 3 Villanova.
In Thursday’s win over Rhode Island, junior guard Wynston Tabbs recorded his first collegiate double-double, finishing with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Senior forward Steffon Mitchell and fifth-year guard Rich Kelly combined for 24 points.
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These two programs have had some classic battles, dating back to when Boston College was a member of the BIG EAST. Expect this Bubbleville showdown to be another exciting affair with both teams needing to rely on their frontcourts for most of their scoring.