SJU-Big East Conference Releases Full Schedule

The Big East Conference has released the 2018-2019 schedule. With newly acquired talent coming from different division I programs, or simply transferring, or graduating, and some being drafted to the NBA, the Big East garners one of the best league-wide schedules, student athletes, along with national television coverage in the nation.

The St. John’s Red Storm have a new look as they head in to their new season, with a full roster for the first time since the Steve Lavin era. Additions include Auburn Tiger standout Mustapha Heron, Greg Williams, and Josh Roberts. The redshirts from last season include MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, Mikey Dixon at Quinnipiac, and Final Four particiapant in Sedee Keita from the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Big East Conference schedule begins with a showdown across the Hudson River as the Johnnies face the new look Seton Hall Pirates, who begin an era without their “Big 3” that consisted of Khadeen Carrington, Angel Delgado, and Desi Rodriguez. On the turn of the calendar and on New Years Day evening, Chris Mullin welcomes Steve Wojciechowski and the Marquette Golden Eagles for an epic showdown at Carnesecca Arena. Then followed by a crucial two game road trip down to our nations capital to play the Georgetown Hoyas, and go up against lifelong friend Patrick Ewing for the fourth time as the leaders of their respective alma-maters. The Red Storm then head back north to Philadelphia to play the defending national champions in the Villanova Wildcats, who no longer have Jalen Brunson, Omari Spellman, Donte DiVincenzo, and Mikal Bridges, as they were all drafted to their respective NBA teams. The Johnnies will now be facing prospective freshman player of the year Jahvon Quinerly, at the newly renovated Finneran Pavilion.

Two weeks into the season, Carnesecca Arena opens its doors to the DePaul Blue Demons, along with the Creighton Blue Jays on January 12th, and 16th respectively.

A national television (FOX) contest in Indianapolis features the Butler Bulldogs with Kamar Baldwin now the leader of the pack, after Kelan Martin graduated. A week later, the Johnnies set foot into the “World’s Most Famous Arena” as the Shamorie Ponds and Justin Simon welcome in the Georgetown Hoyas for the second and final meeting in just roughly three weeks. That game will be played at noon on January 27th, also on FOX.

FUN FACT: The previous three meetings between both schools, has seen the Red Storm garnering victory twice, both of which coming in the Big East Tournament coming as the 8 seed (2017), and the 9 seed (2018).

Three days later, a road trip that could spell out the season for the Johnnies depending on their early contests. Beginning with a trip out to Omaha for a contest with Greg McDermott and his Creighton Blue Jays, then a non conference showdown with Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils, and back out to Milwaukee to play in the Fiserv Forum for the first time in the building’s existence. The Duke contest will spell homecoming for newly appointed athletic director Mike Cragg. Cragg served as Deputy Director of Athletics since 2004, and was in Durham since 1987.

A three game homestand for the Johnnies, two games are to be played in Manhattan at Madison Square Garden against the Providence Friars, and the Villanova Wildcats. Between the two contests includes the Butler Bulldogs at Carnesecca Arena on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12th).

The final five games of the 2018-19 season will include three of their last five games coming on the road with matchups against the Providence Friars, DePaul Blue Demons, and Xavier Muskateers. All of which were games that were in the loss column last season.

All games can be recapped on the I-95 Sports and Entertainment Network from Joey Jarzynka the entire way. The schedule can be seen here in its entirety by clicking here: https://redstormsports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball