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Preview: Seton Hall Hosts St. John's in Rematch at Historic Walsh Gymnasium

Date: January 23, 2022

By: Ryan Johnston

Seton Hall's Jamir Harris looks to score against St. John's Julian Champagnie.

Kayla Fonseca/WSOU Sports

Later tonight at 9 p.m., the Seton Hall men’s basketball team (12-5, 3-4 conference) will take on the St. John’s Red Storm (10-7, 2-4 conference) in historic Walsh Gymnasium, the first Big East game in South Orange, N.J. since the 1984-85 season.

This is the second game in two days between the two teams, the first one being a win for Seton Hall on Saturday afternoon in Madison Square Garden. In that first matchup, the Pirates found themselves victorious, winning 66-60 in a very hard-fought contest

Seton Hall struggled early, with St. John’s jumping out to an early eight-point lead and the Pirates shooting just 1/11 from the field. However, the Pirates fought back, tying up the game at halftime, 28-28. They grinded out a win in the second half, as they won by six.

Myles Cale scored 21 points and nine rebounds, and Alexis Yetna had 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the win. The Pirates snagged 60 rebounds as a team, which was their most as a team since 2001.

One notable absence for the Pirates was Bryce Aiken, who was sidelined due to concussion protocols. There is no word yet on if he will return for today’s game. Aiken averages around 15 points-per-game and has been the Pirates’ go-to late in games this year.

Although they just beat St. John’s without him, if Aiken’s out tonight, it will be a loss in the Pirates’ lineup, nonetheless.

If he is unavailable, look for the guards, specifically Kadary Richmond and Jared Rhoden to step up. Richmond struggled in Saturday’s matchup, shooting just 3/19 from the field and committing seven turnovers.

Seton Hall's Kadary Richmond looks to drive to the basket during an away game at MSG vs. St. John's.

Kayla Fonseca/WSOU Sports

Rhoden shot an uncharacteristic 2/11 from the field, scoring six points. Expect a revenge game from these two after getting used to Mike Anderson’s defensive gameplan.

However, it’ll be no easy task for either of them. St. John’s guard play is one of the team’s biggest strengths, with guys like Julian Champagnie and Posh Alexander posing serious problems for the Pirates.

The Johnnies love to press and speed up the opposing team’s guards, which was a strategy that Seton Hall struggled with early on Saturday. Be sure that the “Chiropractor” will have a set plan to break the press.

Finally, look for the Pirates to crash the glass as heavily as they did on Saturday. Joel Soriano was the only member of St. John’s to snag double-digit boards, and Aaron Wheeler was the only other player above five rebounds. With four players grabbing at least nine rebounds Saturday, expect the Pirates to try and dominate the glass once more.

The game will tip off at 9 p.m. Be sure to tune into 89.5 FM WSOU to hear Michael Daly and Jorie Mickens bring you all of the night’s action, as well as Jonathan Heite and Joe Matthews for pregame, halftime, and Hall Line.

Ryan Johnston can be reached at ryan.johnston@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Game Previews, Men's Basketball, Sports

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