Posh Alexander imposed his will yet again Wednesday night, rattling Collin Gillespie as St. John’s scored upset of No. 3 Villanova. (Photo by Fox Sports)
NEW YORK — Rise up and take the power back
It’s time the fat cats had a heart attack
You know that their time’s coming to an end
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend
— Muse, “Uprising”
Just over two weeks ago, at 2-6 in Big East Conference play, this did not even look remotely possible.
Yet, as Don Henley so famously cautioned, in a New York minute, everything can change.
The come-from-behind win inside longtime house of horrors Gampel Pavilion set the wheels in motion. A non-conference interlude sustained momentum, and road wins at DePaul and Marquette made the realm of possibility realistic. Wednesday night made it official.
COVID-19 has brought few reasons to smile, but its attraction of Villanova to Carnesecca Arena for the first time since 1994 — when Bill Clinton was president and the Dallas Cowboys were reigning Super Bowl champions — ended up giving St. John’s fans reason to dream big yet again after the third-ranked Wildcats became the latest victim of the on-campus bandbox in a resounding 70-59 smackdown of the perennial Big East powerbroker.
Gear up, Johnnies fans. It looks like you’re about to go for another one of those patented late-season magic carpet rides, albeit from a further distance than customary due to the current circumstances, which quelled the delirium on the corner of Union and Utopia, but not enough to prevent the Red Storm faithful from declaring its baby as having yet again arrived on the national stage.
“It was the Johnnies’ night,” a proud Mike Anderson declared as St. John’s (12-7, 6-6 Big East) not only won its fourth straight contest, but also its fifth of six behind a take-charge outing from Posh Alexander and a resurgent double-double from Julian Champagnie after a struggle of a first half. “I thought our defense was the catalyst in this win. They came out swinging, they threw the first punch and it was 10-3, but our guys, once we got into a flow, it was good.”
“Going into halftime, I was a little frustrated,” Champagnie recollected of a lackluster beginning that has plagued the sophomore more than once this season. “Shots weren’t falling and things weren’t going my way, but coming into the second half, I had to tell myself to continue to play and do what my team needs me to do. I had to come out and rebound, play defense, and push my teammates to be better players.”
In Alexander, St. John’s has itself a freshman guard who seems to be hitting his stride and raising his own personal stakes every time he steps on the floor, answering his teammate’s challenge by rendering Collin Gillespie, regarded by many as the best point guard in the nation, into one of his worst nights on the year, especially from a ball handling standpoint.
“He had a phenomenal night,” said Anderson of Alexander. “This dude, whoever’s got the biggest heart, this guy might top them. He’s a leader, that’s what he is. He’s got one speed. I think as he plays teams, he looks at it as a challenge, and I think our team takes on that personality as well.”
“It’s in his willingness and drive,” Champagnie echoed with regard to Alexander’s defensive prowess. “Before the game, I spoke to him and just told him we got the No. 3 team in the country coming in, with a potential player of the year, and I kind of saw he took it personally. I wasn’t surprised in how he played, but I was surprised he stuck to his word and did all he could do to keep Collin shut down.”
Saturday afternoon could witness another affirmation to the Johnnies’ resurgence when the Red Storm heads up the New England Thruway to face a Providence team in dire need of a victory, especially after mustering a mere 43 points at home Wednesday against Seton Hall. What makes St. John’s even more formidable is a confidence that, although quiet throughout the season, now borders on unbreakable in the same vein that a powerhouse goes about its business.
“We came into the season thinking we would be a NCAA Tournament team,” Champagnie proclaimed, even in the throes of a 1-5 beginning to league play. “We’re a legit contender.”
“I think they realize they have the opportunity to be a good basketball team,” Anderson concurred. “They’re believing and trusting in each other, and seeing it through my eyes. We took the opportunity, and now we made it work. It just tells our guys that when you play together, play the right way, and defend, you can play with anybody in the country.”
If this keeps up, St. John’s will not be forced, degraded, or controlled. It will be victorious.
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