Game Preview - February 1 vs. St. John's
On Wednesday night, the Golden Eagles (15-6, 5-3 BIG EAST) will host St. John’s (10-8, 3-4 BIG EAST) at the Bradley Center. This will be the twelfth meeting between the two teams, and the first since the 2003 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Legendary Marquette Warriors coach Al McGuire played for St. John's from 1948-1951. He averaged 8.5 points per game over the course of his career and helped St. John's to the 1951 NCAA Regional and NIT Semifinal.
Marquette is coming off a disappointing 77-71 loss at Pittsburgh that saw freshman phenom Dominic James leave for 71/2 minutes with a shoulder injury. It ended Marquette's three game winning streak, and the fourth straight loss that occured on a Saturday. St. John's is coming off a 66-61 loss to West Virginia that was their second straight loss since handing Pittsburgh their first loss of the season.
The Golden Eagles will have their hands’ full with the Red Storm Wednesday night on the glass as St. John's boasts a +9 rebounding margin and has outrebounded all but two opponents this season. Currently St. John’s ranks fourth in the conference in rebounding led by Lamont Hamilton who stands ninth in the BIG EAST in total rebounding (7.4 rpg) and offensive rebounding (2.78 rpg). The Red Storm also play tough perimeter defense, as they have held opponents to 30.6% 3point shooting, second best in the Big East.
Marquette will need senior leader Steve Novak to step up to get the W. Novak leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but has managed only a combined 13 points in the last two contests due to a sprained ankle. Freshman Dominic James is also a concern after injuring his shoulder in the loss to Pittsburgh. The Golden Eagles clearly lost all momentum after he left the court. He is expected to play, however it is unknown how effective he can be. With these two warriors injured and possibly limited, and with Wes Matthew still out with a stress fracture, some other players will be forced to step up their game. Fellow freshman Jerel McNeal will have to recapture the magic that he flashed at the end of non-conference play and early in the Big East schedule. He will have to limit his mistakes and find a way to get to the free throw line. Dan Fitzgerald will also need to step up. With James likely not seeing his full slate of minutes, Fitz will likely be asked to spend more time at the point, as opposed to his natural position at the three. If he can continue his hot shooting (80% from 3pt in the last two games), as well as making crisp passes and playing tight D, the Golden Eagles might be able to take a few minutes from James and Novak to prevent aggrevating their injuries.
I will be back later with the Gamecap, as always leave a comment or drop me an email about the game or anything else Marquette related.
Injury Notes
Marquette
Wes Matthews-out(foot stress fracture)
Steve Novak-expected to play(sprained ankle)
Dominic James-expected to play(strained shoulder)
St. John's
None to report
Marquette is coming off a disappointing 77-71 loss at Pittsburgh that saw freshman phenom Dominic James leave for 71/2 minutes with a shoulder injury. It ended Marquette's three game winning streak, and the fourth straight loss that occured on a Saturday. St. John's is coming off a 66-61 loss to West Virginia that was their second straight loss since handing Pittsburgh their first loss of the season.
The Golden Eagles will have their hands’ full with the Red Storm Wednesday night on the glass as St. John's boasts a +9 rebounding margin and has outrebounded all but two opponents this season. Currently St. John’s ranks fourth in the conference in rebounding led by Lamont Hamilton who stands ninth in the BIG EAST in total rebounding (7.4 rpg) and offensive rebounding (2.78 rpg). The Red Storm also play tough perimeter defense, as they have held opponents to 30.6% 3point shooting, second best in the Big East.
Marquette will need senior leader Steve Novak to step up to get the W. Novak leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but has managed only a combined 13 points in the last two contests due to a sprained ankle. Freshman Dominic James is also a concern after injuring his shoulder in the loss to Pittsburgh. The Golden Eagles clearly lost all momentum after he left the court. He is expected to play, however it is unknown how effective he can be. With these two warriors injured and possibly limited, and with Wes Matthew still out with a stress fracture, some other players will be forced to step up their game. Fellow freshman Jerel McNeal will have to recapture the magic that he flashed at the end of non-conference play and early in the Big East schedule. He will have to limit his mistakes and find a way to get to the free throw line. Dan Fitzgerald will also need to step up. With James likely not seeing his full slate of minutes, Fitz will likely be asked to spend more time at the point, as opposed to his natural position at the three. If he can continue his hot shooting (80% from 3pt in the last two games), as well as making crisp passes and playing tight D, the Golden Eagles might be able to take a few minutes from James and Novak to prevent aggrevating their injuries.
I will be back later with the Gamecap, as always leave a comment or drop me an email about the game or anything else Marquette related.
Injury Notes
Marquette
Wes Matthews-out(foot stress fracture)
Steve Novak-expected to play(sprained ankle)
Dominic James-expected to play(strained shoulder)
St. John's
None to report
posted by Rob Stack @ 12:54 PM
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