@Grand Canyon, Tues. Dec. 5, 11:30p, ESPNU 970AM
- Thread starter Knight
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ManhattAn1
Active member
We are playing in an NBA Arena and traveling. I am sure they did this trip for Justin Simon, kind of break it up play Grand Canyon. It is better to play a Neutral site. I am sure the NBA Connection as well plays in.
Need to get a split on this trip to have a realistic shot at 10 OOC wins. Arizona State a tall order so tomorrow night is big. Unfortunately has some of the makings of a tricky game: team that we should be better than but good enough to beat us, late start, NBA arena, home crowd for the opposition. Even more than usual important game to come out of gate strong and avoid sluggish start.
Get at least one on this trip and have an opportunity to sweep Iona and St. Joe’s for what would be a really good OOC performance.
Get at least one on this trip and have an opportunity to sweep Iona and St. Joe’s for what would be a really good OOC performance.
redfan259999888
Active member
If they want in the NCAA then they have to win this game, to me the huge game in the OOC schedule is AZ St.. If they want to make a statement then they gotta win both games. I don't think they can have more then 2 ooc losses, and I'm thinking Duke is a loss. They show great defense at times, lets see that defense on this trip.
SJU press release excerpt;
While St. John’s offense continues to thrive, the team’s defensive efficiency has been the story eight games into the 2017-18 campaign. The Johnnies have limited their opponents to just 60.0 points per game, including a mere 55.7 points per contest in their seven victories. In addition, St. John’s 10.0 steals, 6.6 blocks and 20.3 forced turnovers per game are figures that rank in the top-15 of Division I.
Led by Oregon transfer Casey Benson, Grand Canyon has won five of its first six games and is coming off a 68-56 victory over UC Riverside on Saturday. Benson, a 6-foot-3 guard from Tempe, Ariz., has averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 assists per game, while redshirt senior Joshua Braun leads team with a 15.5 point per game scoring average. After playing the first six games of the season inside their on-campus home, Grand Canyon University Arena, the Lopes will travel less than 10 miles to Talking Stick Resort Arena for Tuesday’s contest.
After the BBVA Compass Valley of the Sun Shootout, St. John’s will depart for Los Angeles where the Johnnies will square off with No. 16/17 Arizona State (7-0) on Friday at the STAPLES Center as part of the Hall of Fame Classic tripleheader. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m. with the contest airing on Pac-12 Network.
While St. John’s offense continues to thrive, the team’s defensive efficiency has been the story eight games into the 2017-18 campaign. The Johnnies have limited their opponents to just 60.0 points per game, including a mere 55.7 points per contest in their seven victories. In addition, St. John’s 10.0 steals, 6.6 blocks and 20.3 forced turnovers per game are figures that rank in the top-15 of Division I.
Led by Oregon transfer Casey Benson, Grand Canyon has won five of its first six games and is coming off a 68-56 victory over UC Riverside on Saturday. Benson, a 6-foot-3 guard from Tempe, Ariz., has averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 assists per game, while redshirt senior Joshua Braun leads team with a 15.5 point per game scoring average. After playing the first six games of the season inside their on-campus home, Grand Canyon University Arena, the Lopes will travel less than 10 miles to Talking Stick Resort Arena for Tuesday’s contest.
After the BBVA Compass Valley of the Sun Shootout, St. John’s will depart for Los Angeles where the Johnnies will square off with No. 16/17 Arizona State (7-0) on Friday at the STAPLES Center as part of the Hall of Fame Classic tripleheader. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m. with the contest airing on Pac-12 Network.
Not doubting you, but would a school really schedule games geographically based on a players home location ?
The AZ St game was rescheduled and perhaps in filling out the schedule they thought of this stopover as a way to ease through the travel. Regardless of size and home team advantage, GCU is a team we should beat handily. UCF basically had the same and is a better team. Yeah it is a trap but if we can't handle them well rested, even on the road without breaking much of a sweat, that is embarrassing.
Phoenix is really nice in December. Some of the best golf in the world and tons of NBA, MLB and NFL Player have a 1st or 2nd home in the phx/scottsdale area. The world class resorts in the area are practically on top of each other. Doesn't really justify a home game to a team barely in Div I even as a home/home which I don't think this is, but I'm thinking that was the motivation and maybe a favor unless there was a huge payday which I doubt.
Phoenix is really nice in December. Some of the best golf in the world and tons of NBA, MLB and NFL Player have a 1st or 2nd home in the phx/scottsdale area. The world class resorts in the area are practically on top of each other. Doesn't really justify a home game to a team barely in Div I even as a home/home which I don't think this is, but I'm thinking that was the motivation and maybe a favor unless there was a huge payday which I doubt.
