NEW YORK – One of those “typical” nights in the Big East. Significant runs, intensity and a game going down to the wire. St. John’s defeated UCONN 71-65 before 8,441 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. The 71-65 decision improved the Red Storm to 7-4 (15-8 overall) in conference while the Huskies, a solid 15-6 overall, dropped to 5-4 in conference play.
The pace:
UCONN 68 possessions
St. John’s 69
It was a brisk pace. Not all-out transition, but faster than “walk it up” strict half court.
Offensive Efficiency:
UCONN 96
St. John’s 103
For St. John’s, above average on offense and defense, the result: an entry in the win column. The last time out, a 67-51 loss at Georgetown, the Hoyas held a 117-89 nefficiency edge. This go round, the Storm improved on both ends of the floor.
Observations and notes:
1. Jim Calhoun took in the game behind the Husky bench but times hasve decidedly changed. UCONN, a strict man-to-man defensive team under Calhoun, will show appreciable amounts of zone should the situation and matchups call for it. Coach Kevin Ollie also utilizes some zone pressure.
Back in the day Lou Carnesecca was strict man-to-man at St. John’s. Again, times change. Steve Lavin will zone and his opening defense was a soft man to man. So soft and zone-like, Ollie had UCONN run zone offense against it.
2. Impressed with Marco Bourgault of St. John’s. The junior swing man brought a good deal of energy, scring 11 points (3 for 3 from three), grabbing four boards and not committing a single turnover.
3. Shabazz Napier was scoreless the first half. The UCONN junior guard finished with 14 points. Napier ignited a second half run that saw the Huskies storm back from 15 down to eventually take a late lead.
3. Which leads us to RESILIENCY. St. John’s could have folded allowing a significant double-digit lead to slip away. They didn’t. Making the plays in the stretch and canning 16 of their final 18 free throw attempts.
4. Also impressed with St. John’s’ ability to overcome foul trouble and still maintain effectiveness. “Coach (John) Wooden often said the bench can be a coach’s best friend,” Lavin said. That was certainly the case as the St. John’s mentor had to go to the bench at crucial junctures. As Lavin pointed out Chris Obekpa, a freshman center and 27 minute per game player in Big East contests, was limited to 13 minutes before eventually fouling out.
5. Jakarr Sampson also fouled out but led the Red Storm with 18 points. The Huskies were led by a Brooklyn native, Omar Calhoun a freshman guard, with a game-high 21 points.
6. Dance Fever: Winners of three of their last four, St. John’s is facing a crucial stretch. On tape are road games at Syracuse and Louisville before coming home to face South Florida and Pitt. A difficult four games ahead and as noted, crucial, to Red Storm NCAA tournament aspirations.
