DURHAM, N.C. — Painting the picture is challenging.
It’s difficult to envision an unranked squad taking down the No. 2 team in the nation. It’s tough to imagine a team with four losses in six games toppling a power with 146 consecutive non-conference home wins. It’s hard to see a roster with three soon-to-be NBA lottery picks being slowed down.
But St. John’s sees how it can happen. The Johnnies only need to look back, to look in the mirror.
After opening a three-game road trip with a one-sided win at Creighton, the Red Storm (16-5, 4-5) arrive at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to become the first non-ACC team to knock off Duke (18-2, 7-1) in Durham in 19 years.
That loss? It came at the hands of St. John’s, on Feb. 26, 2000. Last year, Shamorie Ponds led an even more improbable St. John’s upset, scoring 33 points as the Red Storm beat the fourth-ranked Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden, ending an 11-game losing streak.
“I think the experience of playing against them, it helps, but [there’s] a respect factor,” said coach Chris Mullin, who will be returning to Duke for the first time since he was recruited by Mike Krzyzewski in 1981. “It’s not so much a fear factor, but a respect factor.”
Intimidation would be understandable, too.
While much of the St. John’s core remains the same, Krzyzewski has brought in a brand new crop of phenomenal freshmen.
There is RJ Barrett, the leading scorer in the ACC. There is Cam Reddish, a likely top-five pick. There is point guard Tre Jones, who presents problems on both sides of the ball.
And, of course, there is 6-foot-7, 285-pound Zion Williamson, who is averaging 22 points, 9.1 rebounds and two blocks. His physical dominance and penchant for jaw-dropping highlights have made Williamson the biggest story in college basketball, propelling a slew of NBA teams to tank in order to secure his generational gifts.
“He’s very unique, of course. In this day and age, no one’s like him,” Mullin said. “Historically, it’s hard to compare guys, but he’s got a little Charles Barkley, a little Shawn Kemp to him. … He’s a unique player, physically. Nothing really bothers him.
“Ideally, easier said than done, you’d rather him shoot jump shots. … Executing, it’s tougher. Other teams are trying to do these things. Great players put you in tough situations.”
Great players are a given at Duke. But Bootsy Thornton’s jumper knocked off Shane Battier, Jay Williams and No. 2 Duke at Cameron. Marcus Hatten’s free throw in 2003 stunned J.J. Redick and No. 6 Duke. Dwight Hardy did enough to upset Kyle Singler, the Plumlee brothers, and No. 3 Duke in 2011.
It can happen. Anyone left from last year’s St. John’s team knows.
“I think they’re all excited to be at a historic place,” Mullin said. “You don’t play down here much. It’s a different atmosphere.”
Justin Simon (migraine) is questionable after being limited to seven minutes at Creighton.
