After St. John’s upset win over defending national champ Duke on Sunday, and coach Steve Lavin’s UCLA homecoming looming Saturday, tonight’s Carnesecca Arena game vs. an unranked foe would be the prototypical trap game. Except that trap is rival Rutgers, who Lavin says is its toughest challenge.
Lavin said the fact the Red Storm (12-8, 4-5 Big East) had lost five of six going into Sunday’s 93-78 breakthrough win vs. Duke, which was ranked No. 3 and is now No. 5, should keep them hungry enough not to be complacent by all the accolades they have received since its shocking win.
The senior-laden team remembers last year’s loss to the Scarlet Knights, and Lavin said they are determined to avoid a repeat.
“Playing this rugged stretch of games hasn’t allowed us to overlook anybody, or be overconfident or complacent, because we’ve just gotten beat up game after game,” Lavin said. “The challenge isn’t the trap game. It’s that Rutgers is on the rise. This will be the most dangerous game. Mike Rice has them playing at a fevered pitch. He has them playing harder than anybody in the Big East.”
Lavin received 400 to 450 congratulatory texts and e-mails after the upset of Duke, including one from Chris Mullin relaying how proud Lou Carnesecca was of the job the staff was doing. But none of that will help against Rutgers (12-9, 3-6) which wants to climb over the Johnnies in the league standings.
“It felt great to beat Duke,” guard Paris Horne said. “We really wanted this game. When the coaches came in they were talking about this game since the summer. But [Rutgers is] a rival, and they beat us last year. We’ve got to focus. This game might be more important than the Duke game because we’re struggling in-conference.”
Nevertheless, after playing in front of 19,353 at the Garden, it could be a challenge for the Red Storm not to suffer a letdown vs. Rutgers, especially if expected inclement weather leaves a sparse gathering tonight.
“It felt great. Coming in here, we really wanted to revive St. John’s basketball, get the Garden rocking again. It’s a great feeling,” point guard Malik Boothe said. “I don’t think it’s going to be hard [to get motivated]. The seniors remember they beat us last year in a game they shouldn’t have. They’ll have our full attention.”
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Senior forward Justin Brownlee fractured the distal phalange on his left (non-shooting) thumb Sunday during his 20-point, nine-rebound and six-assist game. It’s a non-displaced hairline fracture, and he’s expected to play but will wear a splint tonight.