In my shorter than short preview of this game in today’s print edition, here’s what I wrote: The Hoyas (9-1) won’t have to wait until the new year to open their Big East slate and make up for their two most gut-wrenching losses of 2009. In the space of eight days last March, the Red Storm (10-2) twice toppled Georgetown at Madison Square Garden, with Paris Horne (9.0 ppg) scoring a combined 39 points over two games. The Hoyas also were badly outrebounded (46-25 in each game) in those contests, but they’ve averaged nearly eight more boards than their opponents so far this year.
Man, last year’s Big East Tournament upset was torture. Walking into the locker room at Madison Square Garden after the Hoyas’ foul- and mistake-plagued was not fun. It was like a funeral, with a roster full of Georgetown players all staring into oblivion. But the Big East said we were allowed access, and so we took it.
“It’s not like the effort isn’t there,” said Chris Wright. “We’re just not making the right decisions and the right plays. I think physically, we have a very tough team. But mentally, we have to, if we’re fortunate enough to play again this year, make better decisions.”
A week earlier Georgetown surrendered a 15-point lead in the final ten minutes, 40 seconds, and lost to St. John’s in overtime.
Suffice to say, the Hoyas have motivation.
But make no mistake, St. John’s is a year older and should be better. The Red Storm weren’t too shabby in non-conference play, with a win over Temple, and both losses (Duke and Cornell) are respectable.
St. John’s junior forward Justin Burrell is set to make his return from a right ankle sprain, but Anthony Mason Jr., though dressed, is not expected to play.
