Big East Games Thread - Feb '25

[aceboon]

Marquette traded in giving up an offensive rebound on every possession to fouling instead

 

[Giddyup5]

Fascinating to see St John’s version of “5 out” to create space for driving lanes. They have 1 top of the key, 2 wings, and then 2 bigs on the elbows. Leaves the paint and circle wide open for drives and dishes.

 

[Tommyboy]

That was some impressive defense.

 

[RuffRuff]

StJ could be an early exit or they may just be able to overwhelm teams with their pressure and offensive rebounding. Their issue is that they will always lack the kill shot (10+) because they can’t shoot.

I think Marquette is the far greater chance of a R64 exit. They have nothing in the front court. How far can you go with 3 skuttlebutt guards who can’t shoot very well?

 

[gsmooth]

That was some impressive defense.

Airtight and suffocating defense. The rotations were impeccable.

 

[superjohn]

StJ could be an early exit or they may just be able to overwhelm teams with their pressure and offensive rebounding. Their issue is just that they will always lack the kill shot (10+) because they can’t shoot.

I think Marquette is the far greater chance of a R64 exit. They have nothing in the front court. How far can you go with 3 skuttlebutt guards who can’t shoot very well?

What is a skuttlebutt guard?

 

[AzHusky]

17 for 31 at the foul line for STJ

 

[Scott2Tate]

Poor end of game execution, Marquette

 

[nelsonmuntz]

UConn and Creighton could have deep runs, but both of these teams playing now look like probable first weekend exits.

 

[SoFla Steve]

Three Johnnies with double digit rebounds! 50 in all.

 

[RuffRuff]

UConn and Creighton could have deep runs, but both of these teams playing now look like probable first weekend exits.

I think StJ presents unique matchup issues for a lot of teams. Marquette has always been meh to me.

Marquette guards - three shifty so-so sized guards. Kam Jones already looks tired out carrying this team offensively, so goes the Shaka system.

 

[Scott2Tate]

Did anyone else hear the chant “We want UConn” from the MSG/St Johns crowd at the end of the St. John’s vs Marquette game (right after the FTs with about 6 seconds left)?

If so, bring it Redmen (yes, I’m that old).

 

[RuffRuff]

Did anyone else hear the chant “We want UConn” from the MSG/St Johns crowd at the end of the St. John’s vs Marquette game (right after the FTs with about 6 seconds left)?

If so, bring it Redmen (yes, I’m that old).

They’ve been waiting for this moment for 25 years. The atmospheres at Gampel and MSG may hit new heights for those two. I can see the dome blowing off Friday.

 

[uconngb]

Three Johnnies with double digit rebounds! 50 in all.

LOTS of missed shots

 

[HooperScooper]

An incredibly physical game, and Marquette has 4 fouls with St John's having two team fouls. This is how games should be officiated, let them play.

So much for that. 42 fouls called.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Neither St John's nor Marquette are as good as UConn, especially with Liam back. The Huskies hammer St John's Friday.

 

[gsmooth]

They’ve been waiting for this moment for 25 years. The atmospheres at Gampel and MSG may hit new heights for those two. I can see the dome blowing off Friday.

Jon Rothstein might be correct. They played Duke on January 21, 1999, but the biggest game might be on January 30, 1999 when they hosted UConn at MSG. Both of those games generated a ton of hype in NYC .

Don't asked how I remember those dates. I didn't even look those up.

 

[HooperScooper]

Did anyone else hear the chant “We want UConn” from the MSG/St Johns crowd at the end of the St. John’s vs Marquette game (right after the FTs with about 6 seconds left)?

If so, bring it Redmen (yes, I’m that old).

Hopefully it works out as well for them as it did for Illinois last year.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

They’ve been waiting for this moment for 25 years. The atmospheres at Gampel and MSG may hit new heights for those two. I can see the dome blowing off Friday.

exactly.

The super bowl has been re-scheduled to feb 23 for the johnnies fan base. Its going to be wild.

Uconn fans gotta start buying more tickets to keep things balanced at the garden

 

[Scott2Tate]

They’ve been waiting for this moment for 25 years. The atmospheres at Gampel and MSG may hit new heights for those two. I can see the dome blowing off Friday.

Wow. Again, I say bring it, Red “Storm.” I have faith in our Huskies and have been cheering against that team since the Chris Mullins days (that said, I was a kid back then, so I can’t remember if it was Mullins or Mullin. ). I’m so ready for the game on Friday. Go Huskies!

 

[RuffRuff]

exactly.

The super bowl has been re-scheduled to feb 23 for the johnnies fan base. Its going to be wild.

Uconn fans gotta start buying more tickets to keep things balanced at the garden

was at the game last year - StJ had the lower bowl. UConn fans did a good job taking control of 200 up. Was probably 60-40 StJ. This year, I think the Jonnies fans look to snub the whole storrs south mantra with intention.

 

[auror]

This may be a me thing. But this is some ugly basketball

As a remedy to enjoy watching it, I took the under. Twice.

 

[auror]

So much for that. 42 fouls called.

Both teams got 20% more tired and desperate and started fouling a ton. (though there were certainly uncalled fouls in the first half, too).

 

[CTBasketball]

We will be in for a battle Fri night.

 

[gsmooth]

was at the game last year - StJ had the lower bowl. UConn fans did a good job taking control of 200 up. Was probably 60-40 StJ. This year, I think the Jonnies fans look to snub the whole storrs south mantra with intention.

I was there for the game at MSG last year, too. I loved it when we did the UConn chant during the St. John's player introductions

 

[444JR]

Who guards Kadary?

Friday needs to be Solo Ball’s defensive and all around athletic phenom coming out party

 

[RuffRuff]

Both teams got 20% more tired and desperate and started fouling a ton. (though there were certainly uncalled fouls in the first half, too).

StJ is gonna be the most physical team we play all year unless we run into Houston in March. Luis, Kadari, Smith and Ejifor all plus athletes for their position. Feels like a game we are gonna need the Kodiak and Ross more often than usual. I like Ross on Kadari, wont have to worry about falling for his pumps at the 3 point line. Richmond feels like the guy that makes them go.

Smith is a bug - can accelerate up the floor mach speed

Ejifor really agile for his size, great rebounder

Luis is a high end athlete

Kadari is as big and strong a guard as it gets

 

[jibsey]

We’re rested, they not so much, we’ll see what the second half brings. They can win with bad shooting, rebounding and putbacks. It’s a foul fest and BE war and I expect chippiness. I dislike them and their coach.

 

[auror]

I am not quite sure what I am missing with this St. John's team, but it is a wonder they are as successful as they are. They certainly play hard and good defense, but this team does not feel significantly better than last year's St. John's. Maybe I am missing something, but feels like a case of a weaker BE this year allowing them to rise to the top (well until they drop both games to UConn).

They're just collectively 2 tiers better athletically (bigger, stronger, faster, explosive). Luis, Richmond, Smith, Wilcher, Ejiofor from Jenkins, Dingle, Taylor, Ledlum, Soriano. Scott is good, too.

Ejiofor, Luis, and Wilcher weren't quite fully baked last year.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

was at the game last year - StJ had the lower bowl. UConn fans did a good job taking control of 200 up. Was probably 60-40 StJ. This year, I think the Jonnies fans look to snub the whole storrs south mantra with intention.

Yup. I made it to that game also. It was a great crowd. 60 or 65% Johnnies sounds about right.

But I think this year the Johnnies fan base has really bought in. rightfully so. I'm glad I got my ticket early