St John's Walks The Plank

The Seton Hall Pirates behind an inspired effort from Jeremy Hazell sent the Red Storm to their first Big East loss since January; dropping them to 5th in the Big East Standings making them a long shot for the coveted double bye. I mentioned earlier that one of the keys to the game was shutting down Hazell, but he was lights out scoring a season high 31 and out playing Big East Player of the Year candidate Dwight Hardy. Hardy scored 23 but was only 9-21 from the field and 1-5 from 3 point range.

Jeremy Hazell might have been the only bright spot on either side tonight because the game was sloppy throughout. Seton Hall seemingly turned the ball over every possession in the first half but St John's failed to capitalize ending the first half trailing by 4.

The second half brought several runs by both teams, but to much Hazell and a few timely three pointers from Fuquan Edwin down the stretch extended the Pirates lead for good. St John's lost their cool son thereafter as Coach Lavin received a double technical, and Justin Burrell a flagrant foul in the final 2 minutes that sent them both to the locker room with ejections. Now we wait and see if the Big East hands out any further punishment to Burrell. A suspension would leave him in street clothes on Senior Night at Carnesecca Arena on Saturday night and be a horrible way to end his solid career in front of his home fans.

While this is a tough loss to swallow for the Johnnies, and a promising win for the Pirates, Seton Hall better not celebrate too long because a rematch is likely in the second round of the Big East tournament; this time on the Johnnies home court Madison Square Garden. A Johnnies win on Saturday on senior night against USF, and a Pirates win over Rutgers in round one of the Big East Tournament, will send the two on a collision course in the second round on Wednesday. Look for St John's to play inspired basketball and put Seton Hall back in their place as the little brother in the Tri State Basketball Family.

Until then, the Pros are back in action tomorrow as the Knicks seek their own revenge against the pesky Cavs. Tip off is at 7:30 from the World's Most Famous Arena.

See ya Then!