Red Storm Kick off Advocare Invitational vs. Oregon State on Thanksgiving

Orlando, FL--The Red Storm head south to sunny Florida for a three day weekend at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to take part in the Advocare Invitational tournament. The Johnnies (4-0) take an undefeated record with them as well, as they take on Oregon State (2-1) in the second game of the tournament.

The best start in the Chris Mullin era, this new look St. John's team to embark on the journey to Florida, in hope to head back to New York with a trophy, as aspirations are as high as they could possibly be so far this season. The biggest win of the season came against Nebraska in the Gavitt Tipoff Games last week, in a 23 point rout.

Up to this point in the season, Shamorie Ponds, Marcus LoVett, and Bashir Ahmed have combined for approximately 60% of the teams scoring, and this trio has drained 30 three-pointers. The two transfer who had to redshirt last year in Marvin Clark II and Justin Simon, have fit in perfectly with this Red Storm team, where Simon has averaged 10.3 PPG thus far, and leads the team in boards with 9.5 rebounds per game. Justin Simon also leads the team in steals (2.8) and assists (3.8).

Regardless of a small lineup for Chris Mullin, he has done a fine job bulking up his starting lineup, as Marvin Clark II has secured some beef in the rotation. He may be small in height, but the man can run, and shoot from beyond the arc.

Last game, Justin Simon flirted with a triple double, as he was four points shy of getting his first career stat line, where he recorded seven points, 11 boards, and nine assists.

Oregon State is the first of two Pac-12 opponents that the Johnnies will face off against this season, as they will see Arizona State at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in roughly two weeks. Tomorrow's meeting versus the Oregon State Beavers would be the third overall meeting between these two squads. Both have met at neutral sites, with the last meeting being the Great Alaska Shootout in November of 2001. 

Potential Starting Lineup for Oregon State Beavers

G- Ethan Thompson

G- Stephen Thompson

G- JaQuori McLaughlin

F- Drew Eubanks

F- Tres Tinkle

Potential Starting Lineup for St. John's Red Storm

G- Shamorie Ponds

G- Marcus LoVett

G- Justin Simon

F- Marvin Clark II

F- Bashir Ahmed

The Johnnies will continue to play stellar defense tomorrow afternoon, on ESPNU as they take on the Beavers of Oregon State in a Thanksgiving matinee. Coverage and tip off begin at 2:00pm.