Every week between video games got here at a perfect time for No. 6 St. John’s.
Accidents to Deivon Smith (neck/shoulder), RJ Luis Jr. (groin) and Kadary Richmond (double groin pull) induced all three to overlook practices in current weeks. Smith and Luis each missed not less than one recreation, too.
Missed practices results in rustiness in video games, head coach Rick Pitino mentioned Saturday after St. John’s clinched the outright Huge East championship with a closer-than-expected 71-61 win over Seton Corridor.
That’s why Pitino was wanting ahead to the seven days between that win and this Saturday’s regular-season finale at No. 20 Marquette.
“About 20-25% of the reason we win is that we are always one of the best-conditioned teams in the nation,” Pitino mentioned.
“If you play slow-tempo and you miss a day or two, it’s not a big deal. But when you play like this, at optimum conditioning, and you miss two days, it’s a lot. That’s why Kadary Richmond is not playing real well right now. It’s conditioning-based. … This week is a blessing for us because we can get back in the condition we were in.”
Though St. John’s (26-4; 17-2 in convention play) already wrapped up its first outright Huge East regular-season title since 1985, the red-hot Pink Storm nonetheless have loads to play for.
A win over Marquette (22-8; 13-6) would give St. John’s its fourth ranked win, its second ranked win on the street, and its fourth quadrant-one victory — components that will probably be thought-about when the Choice Committee determines seeding for the NCAA Event.
Saturday’s recreation additionally marks the Johnnies’ remaining tuneup earlier than subsequent week’s Huge East Event, which St. John’s seeks to win for the primary time since 2000.
The Golden Eagles revolve round senior guard Kam Jones, who might be a first-round decide on this summer time’s NBA Draft.
Jones is a profession 37% shooter from 3-point vary and has been productive this season in a brand new function as Marquette’s major ball-handler, changing Tyler Kolek, now of the Knicks.
Now in his fourth season at Marquette, the 6-5 Jones is averaging a career-high 18.4 factors per recreation, which ranks third within the Huge East, and 6.2 assists, which ranks second. He ought to present a worthy take a look at for a St. John’s protection that likes to press and excels with its perimeter size.
Saturday’s recreation options the Huge East’s prime two defenses. St. John’s holds opponents to a conference-best 65.7 factors per recreation. Marquette isn’t far behind at 66.8 per recreation. Each groups drive greater than 15 turnovers per recreation.
“We need this week to get ready for a tough Marquette team,” Pitino mentioned. “We’ll get back to the basics of being one of the best-conditioned teams in the nation.”
St. John’s received the primary assembly, 70-64, at Madison Sq. Backyard on Feb. 4, when Marquette was ranked No. 11. Jones had 15 factors on 6-of-15 capturing in that recreation, whereas Richmond led St. John’s with 18 factors on 8-of-14 capturing.
Richmond scored solely 9 factors and went 4-of-12 from the sector Saturday towards a Seton Corridor staff that’s simply 2-17 in Huge East play. That off efficiency got here six days after Pitino described the sometimes high-scoring guard as being “more injured than any player I’ve coached.”
As an entire, St. John’s was off towards the Pirates, capturing simply 43.4% from the sector whereas committing 16 turnovers and lacking 12 free throws.
“No matter how badly we played … it just felt great to get it done,” Luis mentioned of profitable the Huge East’s regular-season crown. “Like [Pitino] said, we’re going to prepare for Marquette and just keep on going, keep on winning and playing together as a team.”
