Game #101. Undefeated Syracuse visits MSG tonight with the potential that they’ll actually be the road team as the Johnies continue their ascent up the Big East standings.
Fourth-ranked and undefeated Syracuse invades Madison Square Garden tonight for the second time this season as they face upstart St. John’s. Syracuse thumped Michigan State in this building last month in the Jimmy V. Classic in front of a partisan quasi-home crowd. The Orange (16-0, 3-0) are coming off a tougher than expected win at Seton Hall on Saturday, a game in which they shot just 47% from the free throw line and were out-rebounded by the smaller Pirates 43-30. St. John’s had their five game winning streak snapped by Notre Dame in convincing fashion on Saturday night as the Irish won by 15 in a game that wasn’t even that close. Despite the loss, the Red Storm sit at 10-4 overall and 3-1 in Big East play, right behind Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova and Louisville at the top. The upset win over Georgetown last week has sparked even more interest in Steve Lavin’s program in a city desperate for a college hoops winner. One thing to watch tonight is the atmosphere in the Garden. Syracuse travels well and has lots of fans in New York City so expect a lot of the Orange faithful to make it into the building even though it’s a home game for St. John’s. With snow in the forecast for part of Wednesday however, it’s anyone’s guess how the crowd shakes out. Join us tonight for RTC Live to find out as we bring you what should be an exciting matchup from the hoops Mecca.