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Villanova vs St. John’s: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By David Mullen

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles the ball against the New Hampshire Wildcats during a game at Carnesecca Arena on November 12, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles the ball against the New Hampshire Wildcats during a game at Carnesecca Arena on November 12, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images) /
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TV schedule: Wednesday, February 3, 9:00 pm ET. CBSSN

LOCATION: Carnesecca Arena in Queens, New York

The Villanova Wildcats will travel to Queens, New York and take on the St. John’s Red Storm in a Big East battle. Villanova is in the midst of a nine-game winning streak despite a pause in play due to COVID protocols. The St. John’s Red Storm is quietly having an above-average season. The Red Storm are riding a four-game winning streak after some inconsistent play to start the 2021 season rattling off two wins, one loss, two wins, three losses, one win, two losses to start the season.

The Red Storm are coming off a two-point win against Marquette on January 31st. St. John’s only shot 29.4% from 3-point range on 17 attempts which is almost identical to their previous game against DePaul in which they only made 23.5% of their 17 3-point attempts. Three-point shooting, recently, has been entirely too big of an issue despite accumulating wins in their last two contests. St. John’s, in order to have a chance against the Wildcats, must shoot closer to 40%. However, they’ve been inconsistent all season and, at one point, went 0-12 from three-point range in an eight-point loss to Xavier.

Julian Champagnie is the Red Storm’s best three-point shooter by hitting 42.6% of his 5.9 three-point attempts per game. The sophomore guard has held his own in the last two games despite atrocious team numbers. Champagnie is 7-12 from three-point range in his last two games. Coach Mike Anderson would benefit from calling set plays to ensure Champagnie gets open and attempts around ten three-pointers during their Villanova game.

Villanova, continually a model of consistency, is a force to be reckoned with. Coach Jay Wright has compiled another team that will surely make a deep run into March Madness. Recently, the Wildcats have been trouncing Big East opponents with one exception; Seton Hall. After winning by two points on January 19th against Seton Hall, the Wildcats faced them again 11 days later and won by a wider margin; eight.

In the first game, the Wildcats were missing starting guard Caleb Daniels. Daniels, a transfer from Tulane, has averaged 27.2 minutes per game and is shooting 42.9% from 3-point range on 4.7 attempts per game. If the Wildcats did not understand how important Daniels is to their team, they definitely understand now.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will be an interesting watch during this game. Robinson-Earl has shown consistency in his sophomore season but has also left some things to be desired. Robinson-Early struggled from the field in two games against Seton Hall and Providence, shooting a pedestrian 30.4% from the field and 11.1% from 3-point range which is well below his season average of 28.9%.

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In three games prior to Seton Hall and Providence, Robinson-Earl was an offensive force shooting 61.1% from the field including 44.4% from 3-point range while amassing 18.7 points per game in about 30 minutes per game. What happened? Hard to say but the Wildcats will need Robinson-Earl to showcase the forward who shoots 61.1% from the field instead of the 30.4% success rate he’s had in his most recent contests.

PREDICTION: Villanova 79, St. John’s 71