Villanova 78, St. John’s 63: Rapid Reaction

By Jason Dimaio (@JasonDimaio1)

VILLANOVA, Pa. —  Coming into today, St. John’s had a lot to prove to the college basketball world despite having an 11-1 record. 

To the dismay of the Red Storm faithful, tonight didn’t help its cause for credibility or enhance a lackluster resume with a win it can fall back on if the Johnnies want their name called on Selection Sunday, after a 78-63 thumping against Villanova at Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday.

St. John’s (11-2, 1-1 Big East) came out swinging to start this game. Making five shots beyond the arc in the first half, the Johnnies found themselves up 31-20 with ten minutes remaining in the opening stanza and had The Finn sounding like a library. Freshman AJ Storr seemed to be on pace for his breakout game, hitting his first three shots of the game, two of which came from the 3-point line and the St. John’s bench was in a frenzy.

“It took time for us to feel them out,” Villanova coach Kyle Neptune stated. “Not many teams play like they do. You can't practice for them.”

After Storr went to the bench with eight minutes to go in the half, the roof caved in on St. John’s and the Red Storm was never able to recover. The offense went completely dry as the Johnnies couldn’t hit any shots they put up. Rushed 3-pointers early in the shot clock, contested and forced layups all paved the way for Villanova to take a 17-2 run to end the half and go up by four, 35-31, at the break.

As the second half got underway, St. John’s was able to recapture the magic. Poor shot selection continued, Joel Soriano was a non-factor and Posh Alexander seemed lost at times. What was once a silent crowd turned into a madhouse as Brandon Slater hit a 3-point shot to put Villanova up 56-41, effectively icing a game and the Wildcats ended the game on a 60-34 run over the final 26:16.

Storr, who was the best player on the floor for the Johnnies, didn’t check back in until the game was far out of reach, Sophomore Rafael Pinzon did not get check into the game at any point.

“He was tired,” Anderson explained when asked about the extended absence of Storr.

St. John’s had a chance to earn some credibility with a win against a Villanova team still finding its own way, but the doubts and criticism that this team has faced all season will continue to linger until proven otherwise, as the Red Storm has yet to earn a Quad 1 or 2 win approaching the new year. The Johnnies have a week off before Xavier comes to Carnesecca Arena on December 28, an opportunity to finally get a win it can feel good about.