St. John’s, like virtually every other team, preaches the importance of focusing on one game at a time but can see what’s around the corner.
When the weekend is through, the Red Storm will embark on a lengthy road trip that represents their toughest three-game stretch of the season.
It begins with a flight to Omaha, Neb., to face Creighton, the nation’s second-best 3-point shooting team, and the club with fifth-highest average attendance in the country. It follows with a stop at current No. 2 Duke and ends with a visit to No. 12 Marquette.
The Johnnies’ biggest game, however, may come before they leave town.
Having dropped three of its past four games, St. John’s (15-4, 3-4) has lost the cushion of its 12-0 start. Now, beating slumping Georgetown (12-7, 2-4) on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden is no longer just an option for a team intent on reaching the NCAA Tournament — it’s practically a requirement.
“I’d say this is a must-win for us,” star guard Shamorie Ponds said. “We can’t drop two in a row, and definitely [can’t] lose at home.”
Facing the Hoyas for the second time in 22 days, the Red Storm enter the rematch looking for their first regular-season series sweep of Georgetown in 20 years.
St. John’s took the Jan. 5 meeting in Washington in overtime behind Ponds’ 37 points but has since been bounced from the Top 25 and sunk into the crowded mess of the Big East standings, sitting only a half-game above last place.
“I think some things might have got a little overwhelming,” senior Marvin Clark II said of the recent losses. “The way we’ve been losing games, not really finishing them, kind of starting out sluggish, kind of playing down to the level of our competition, we just gotta realize that’s not who we are.
“We’re anxious to play. … It’s gonna be a crazy atmosphere. Students are finally back. That’ll give us new life, new blood.”
Life was lacking for much of the Johnnies’ loss Jan. 19 at Butler in their most recent game. That defeat ended with coach Chris Mullin criticizing the team’s energy. After a week off, he expects his experienced group won’t allow it to be an issue again.
“I love the days off. I think it’s probably more important for them mentally than physically,” Mullin said. “The energy and effort and passion, it’s something you hope and assume is gonna be there. It does waver … [but] I feel confident. We got four veteran guys that are more than capable of navigating through those parts.”
