BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: St. John's @ Cincinnati

February 4, 2007


The Big East gives us an appetizer to the Superbowl with St. John's travelling to Cincinnati to meet the Bearcats. After the excitement of a pair of upset wins at home over Syracuse and Notre Dame, St. John's came back to Earth with a loud thud in losses to Pittsburgh (72-46) and Georgetown (72-48). At 3-6, the Redstorm are still very much in a fight to qualify for the Big East Tournament, something they have been unable to participate in for the last three seasons.

The Bearcats have lost eight ot nine and sit at the bottom of the conference with a league record of 1-6. Only a stirring come-from-behind OT upset win over West Virginia has found them on the right side of the scoreboard in the last nine game. Even after losses to Pittsburgh and Georgetown, Mick Cronin thought his team was improving, but after a series of defensive lapses in their loss to Louisville on Wednesday, Cronin was left fuming about the play of his Bearcats.

If St. John's can keep Lamont Hamilton on the floor and out of foul trouble, they should be in good shape. However, in their four preview conference road games, they have lost on average by 20 points. The Bearcats should have an angry chip on their shoulders in a building that they do tend to play tough in. Cincinnati has athletes, as does St. John's, so it will be which team can make shots, whoch neither has been known to do consistently.

When in doubt, take the home team in a close one.

NBE Blogger Prediction: Cincinnati 64 St. John's 63