St. John’s basketball out for revenge against Marquette in Milwaukee

St. John’s basketball is out for revenge against the Marquette Golden Eagles. 

Adjust and adapt; that has been the mentality for not only the St. John’s basketball program every college basketball team during the 2021 season and it will be on display on Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

St. John’s (10-7, 4-6 Big East) was scheduled to be playing the UConn Huskies in Queens while Marquette (8-8, 4-6 Big East) was scheduled to have the weekend off as the Golden Eagles were surely trying to correct some mistakes in practice.

However, the Huskies paused basketball operations after an official tested positive for COVID-19 following its game against Butler on Tuesday night, the Bulldogs played on Saturday, and the scheduled needed be adjusted.

The Red Storm and Golden Eagles met in Queens on January 16 as the Johnnies were unable to complete the comeback and couldn’t get a good shot on its final possession, falling 73-71.

ALSO READ: Another schedule change for St. John’s, faces Marquette

St. John’s loss to Marquette has been its only defat in its last four games while the victory was its only win in its last three games.

It doesn’t appear likely that the Johnnies will have the services of junior guard Greg Willams Jr. (back) who has missed the last two games and only played six minutes in its victory over UConn.

Williams Jr. scored 15 points against Marquette in the Red Storm’s loss.

Marquette’s last two games have been losses to DePaul and Providence and the Golden Eagles’ offense has not been spectacular, shooting a combined 13-of-49 from three-point range in its last two losses.

St. John’s basketball must continue to commit to what works

In its first game against Marquette, St. John’s erased an 11-point halftime deficit behind the defense from Josh Roberts and offense from Julian Champagnie.

Roberts was limited to two minutes in the first half because of foul trouble but played 18 minutes in the second half and finished with a team-high +/- rating of +19 in the loss.

Champagnie posted 18 of his 20 points in the second half.

Posh Alexander must continue to play his brand of basketball and create chaos in the backcourt while Rasheem Dunn also must be productive as his performances have flown under the radar in the Johnnies’ most recent stretch.

ALSO READ: St. John’s freshman guard Posh Alexander fueled by motivation

If St. John’s is able to limit the explosive plays of Koby McEwen and DJ Carton, the Red Storm could be in great position to push its winning streak to four and secure its first three-game road winning streak in the Big East since the 2012-13 season.

St. John’s is trending in the right direction, Marquette is trending in the wrong direction but this still feels like the ultimate toss-up game.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30pm EST (FOX) from the Fiserv Forum.

PREDICTION: St. John’s 74, Marquette 69