Know Thy Enemy: St. John's Edition

(Picture: www.nypost.com)

As the Bulls prepare for a big game against St. John's, I decided to ask my friend Mike from the Biggest Big East Fan Contest, a few questions to get a better idea of the Storm and what they will be bringing to the Forum on Wednesday night (make sure to check out Mike's site here!)

1. D'Angelo Harrison is leading SJU in scoring this season. Why is the freshman having so much success so early in his career and how will he handle the USF freshman guard Anthony Collins?

D'Angelo Harrison has stepped into Dwight Hardy's (the 2010-11 BIG EAST Most Improved Player of the Year) role and has excelled. Head coach Steve Lavin was quoted earlier in the season that D'Angelo could eventually be a better shooter than Hardy, and Harrison has worked hard to live up to such lofty praise. With just seven players in the St. John's rotation, the zone defense will be utilized for much of the game, hoping to slow down USF freshman guard Anthony Collins. If STJ does go to man, Harrison, as well as Phil Greene, Malik Stith, Sir'Dominic Pointer and even Moe Harkless could be used to shadow him.

2. With Coach Steve Lavin out for what could be the season (we send our prayers to his speedy recovery), how has the team come together without their coach on the sidelines?

First, thanks for you kind words as we all hope to see Coach Lavin on the court soon. We all hope that he could make a return to the court by the end of February, but Lav has the backing of the President, A.D. and Red Storm community to not come back until he is 100%. It has been a transition with assistant coach Mike Dunlap taking over, but with just one returning player, missing over 95% of its scoring and rebounding from last season, starting five newcomers (four freshman and one JUCO transfer) while acclimating six new players to the Division I game, the absence of Lavin is felt even more. Although he is in constant contact with the coaching staff through email and text and with the student-athletes in casual situations, his presence is needed an anxiously awaited, hopefully sooner than later.

3. Moe Harkless is a big time rebounding force. How will he contend with the big men of USF (Anderson, Gilchrist, Fitzpatrick)?

Moe Harkless has been one of the best freshman in the BIG EAST thus far and despite being slightly undersized for a power forward (he is naturally a small forward) he has taken to the boards very well. The Red Storm will rely heavily on Harkless as well as pivot man God'sgift Achiuwa to man the middle and work to out-position the bigger Anderson, Gilchrist and Fitzpatrick.

4. Augustus Gilchrist had 16 points against SJU last year in New York. How will they try to slow him down, by one on one or by double teaming him?

Even though the Red Storm may have a better time defending Gilchrist one-on-one with someone like God'sgift, since STJ only has seven men in its rotation, they may be forced to use a zone to keep their bodies fresh, well into the second quarter.

5. What is your final score prediction for the game?

After USF's huge upset of BIG EAST upstart Seton Hall, all St. John's fans should be worried. The Red Storm will no doubt look to deny Gilchrist in the post while trying to stay with Poland off the bench. STJ will rely on the hot-shooting of D'Angelo Harrison and the silky-smooth play of Moe Harkless. If the Red Storm can avoid foul trouble, and get up and down the court, they could come away with just their second road win of the season. PREDICTION: STJ 67, USF 61