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St. John’s basketball adds third non-conference opponent, hosting NJIT

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: David Caraher #5 of the St. John's basketball team celebrates a three point basket against the Providence Friars at Carnesecca Arena on February 12, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: David Caraher #5 of the St. John's basketball team celebrates a three point basket against the Providence Friars at Carnesecca Arena on February 12, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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The St. John’s basketball program has added another non-conference opponent to its schedule as the Red Storm will host NJIT.

Things continue to take shape for the 2020-21 season for the St. John’s basketball program as the Red Storm have reportedly added another non-conference opponent to its schedule.

According to multiple reports on Tuesday morning, the Johnnies will host NJIT at Carnesecca Arena next season.

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Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog reported that NJIT head coach Brian Kennedy told him that the game will be on Thursday, December 10.

NJIT gets added to a list of La Salle and Sacred Heart of teams that will enter Queens next season as the Red Storm will also travel to face Texas Tech in Lubbock in the Big East vs. Big 12 Showdown.

Dates have not been announced for games against La Salle, Sacred Heart, or Texas Tech.

St. John’s is also slated to host a Gavitt Game, although the opponent has not yet been announced and Athletic Director Mike Cragg tweeted that the game would be held in Queens as opposed to Madison Square Garden.

The Gavitt Games will take place between November 16 and November 19.

The Johnnies will also make an appearance in the Barclays Center for the Preseason NIT Tip-off alongside Texas Tech, Arizona, and Cincinnati with the First Round on November 25 and Championship/Consolation Game on November 27.

ALSO READ: St. John’s adds another non-conference game, hosting La Salle

A bracket has yet to be announced for the tournament, but it’s safe to assume the Red Storm will not play Texas Tech in the First Round because of its already set matchup.

NJIT will be playing in its first season in the America East Conference after the school will officially leave the Atlantic Sun Conference and join the America East on July 1.

The Highlanders are coming off 9-21 season (6-10 ASUN) which did not end prematurely as the team lost to top-seeded Liberty in the ASUN Conference Tournament.

ALSO READ: Sacred Heart scheduled to visit Queens in 2020-21

St. John’s and NJIT have previously met five times, which the Johnnies boast a 4-1 record but its lone loss came in the last meeting between the schools on December 20, 2015 where NJIT came away with a 83-74 victory in Queens.

Four of the five games have come at Carnesecca Arena with the lone exception being the first game in 2006 which was played at Madison Square Garden.

St. John’s is coming off a 17-15 season (5-13 Big East) under first year head coach Mike Anderson where the Red Storm saw its season canceled at halftime of the Quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament.