Duke Steps Out Of Conference To Visit St. John's

Duke who is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference will get out of conference play for one game as they will visit St. John's who is a member of the Big East who's home court is Madison Square Garden that is also home to the New York Knicks Of the NBA on Saturday.

• Duke’s last game against St. John’s at MSG was a 77-68 win on January 25, 2015 – the 1,000th career victory for Coach K.
• A win Saturday gives Duke its 22nd consecutive 20-win season. Coach K is just the second Division-1 coach to do so.
• Marvin Bagley III leads the ACC in scoring (21.5) and rebounding (11.4) and is second in the NCAA in double-doubles (17). Trevon Duval leads the ACC in assists (6.0), while Grayson Allen is third in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.54).
• St. John’s is 10-13 overall this season and is 0-11 in the Big East. The Red Storm is currently riding an 11-game losing streak.
• Shamorie Ponds is the leading scorer for St. John’s, averaging 19.7 points per game. He became the 10th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points in his second season.
• Duke has an all-time record of 16-6 against St. John’s and has won two straight and nine of the last 10. Duke is 7-4 versus St. John’s at Madison Square Garden, including Coach K’s 1000th win, a 77-68 victory with Duke paced by Tyus Jones’ 22 points. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211695391&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Duke comes into their game with St. John's with a record of 19-3 while they're 7-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/standings/_/group/2and are coming off a win over a depleted Notre Dame team on Monday.

After its lowest-scoring game of the season, No. 4 Duke had no trouble putting up points on Notre Dame. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Gary Trent Jr. scored 22 points and tied a season high with 10 rebounds, and the Blue Devils routed the Fighting Irish 88-66 on Monday night. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Grayson Allen scored 18 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 17 to help the Blue Devils (19-3, 7-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who shot nearly 55 percent after halftime and finished with 12 3-pointers. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

They overcame a rare off night -- by his high standards, anyway -- from star freshman Marvin Bagley III, and bounced back from a two-point loss to No. 2 Virginia from what coach Mike Krzyzewski called "self-inflicted stuff." Duke has yet to lose consecutive games this season. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

"I'm not saying Virginia wasn't worthy of winning, but we had a great shot at winning that game," Krzyzewski said. "And you worry about a hangover where you're still thinking about that. And that's what we've tried to address for the last couple of days, and I thought our team did that." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

T.J. Gibbs scored 22 points and John Mooney added 14 with a career-high four 3-pointers for the injury-riddled Fighting Irish (13-9, 3-6), who have lost six straight."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Trent hit two of his six 3s and Carter scored eight points during a 28-4 run midway through the second half that broke the game open and put Duke up by 30. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

"That offensive run they had in the second half, it kind of broke our back," Irish coach Mike Brey said."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Bagley, the ACC's leading scorer at 22 points per game, finished with 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting. It was his lowest-scoring game since No. 5 Michigan State held him to four points in the third game of his career."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

BIG PICTURE

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish are trying to ride out the wave of injuries that has derailed their promising season, with ACC preseason player of the year Bonzie Colson and guards Matt Farrell and D.J. Harvey all sidelined. They were competitive for about 30 minutes before coming away with their longest losing streak since the 2008-09 team dropped seven in a row."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

"We're trying to figure this thing out," Brey said. "Maybe we'll have a few bodies back for N.C. State. ... We could use a couple more bodies back. Now you've got the back nine of the league." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Duke: The Blue Devils got back to their high-scoring ways two nights after a 65-63 loss to the Cavaliers that set a season low for scoring by 15 points. All five starters reached double figures for a team that slipped to No. 2 nationally with 90.3 points per game, a fraction of a point behind 12th-ranked Oklahoma. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

STAR WATCH

Bagley went 21 minutes between field goals. He made his first shot 20 seconds in, but didn't even attempt one in the final 13 minutes of the first half before throwing down an alley-oop from Duval 90 seconds into the second half."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

"I thought he played well," Krzyzewski said. "He didn't play great. We're all accustomed to great." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

BENCH POINTS

Krzyzewski was criticized for his refusal to use his bench in the Virginia loss -- the reserves combined to play six minutes in that one, and Duke used no subs in the second half. Little-used Jack White came in midway through the first half Monday and immediately made things happen. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The sophomore from Australia threw down an authoritative putback dunk off Allen's missed 3-pointer, then grabbed a tough rebound that directly led to one of Trent's 3s. Later, his tough rebound set up another 3 from Trent -- and earned him a midcourt backslap from Coach K -- and a 3-pointer of his own put Duke up by 20 for the first time, prompting the Cameron Crazies to chant his name."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

STAT LINE

Trent hit six 3s for the fourth time, and all of them have come against ACC opponents."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

HE SAID IT

"There's nothing like it" -- White, on hearing the students chant his name."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211694864&DB_OEM_ID=4200

St. John's meanwhile comes into their game with Duke with a record of 10-13 and 0-11 in the Big East. and are coming off a loss their last time out against Xavier.

Playing its highest ranked opponent on campus in nearly four decades, the St. John's men's basketball team held a late lead against one of the nation's top teams before falling to No. 6/6 Xavier, 73-68, on Tuesday night at Carnesecca Arena. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

After tying the game at 67 on a Marvin Clark II 3-pointer with just over two minutes to go, the Red Storm saw Xavier score six of the game's final seven points down the stretch to close it out. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Shamorie Ponds joined an elite fraternity against the Musketeers (20-3, 8-2), becoming the 51st member of the 1,000-point club at St. John's with 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting to go along with five rebounds and five assists. The Brooklyn native became only the 10th player in program history to reach the milestone in just his second season with the Red Storm. In addition to his offensive efforts, Ponds also tied a career high with six steals. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Clark finished one off his career high, netting 19 points thanks in large part to a 4-of-9 showing from beyond the arc."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Bashir Ahmed tallied his second double-double of the season and the third of his career, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 boards. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

The last time the Johnnies (10-13, 0-11) played an opponent on campus ranked inside the top six of the Associated Press Poll came on Feb. 16, 1980, when No. 2 Syracuse topped No. 7 St. John's, 72-71, inside Alumni Hall. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

The Red Storm found it hard to miss in the early going, making each of its first four shots and six of its first eight overall to take a 14-8 lead at the game's first media stoppage with just under five minutes gone in the contest."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Leading 17-11 following a Ponds three with 13 minutes to go in the half, the Johnnies saw the Musketeers rattle off a 12-0 run, regaining the lead by six, 23-17, just over four minutes later. The Johnnies were held without a point for 5:04 during the Xavier tear. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

The Red Storm pulled back within a pair, 30-28, following an old-fashioned three-point play from Ponds with 4:41 to play, but the Musketeers outscored St. John's down the stretch to take a 37-32 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes. "according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Trailing by five, 43-38, with just over three minutes gone in the latter stanza, the Red Storm uncorked a 7-0 run in the span only 57 seconds, climbing ahead by a pair forcing a Xavier timeout with 15:35 to go. Ahmed kicked off the spurt with a three from the wing before Ponds and Justin Simon added fastbreak layups."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

The Red Storm converted on seven-straight field goal attempts during the middle minutes of the latter stanza."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Trailing by four, 55-51, following a Ponds fade-away bank shot, Xavier scored the game's next five points, reclaiming the lead at 56-55 with 6:43 to go. St. John's tied the game with a 1-of-2 trip to the line from Amar Alibegovic, but Quentin Goodin answered with a triple to move ahead by three, 59-56, with 6:12 remaining."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

After Xavier extended its lead to five, 61-56, the Red Storm scored five of the game's next seven points, pulling within a pair, 63-61. Simon had an opportunity to knot the game at 63 with a two-shot trip to the line, but missed both to preserve the Musketeers' advantage. Kerem Kanter then knocked down a runner on the other end, pushing the Xavier lead back to four."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Facing another late-game deficit, St. John's dug deep and ripped off a 6-2 spurt, knotting the game at 67 on a Clark three-ball with 2:12 to play."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

After alternating turnovers on consecutive possessions, J.P. Macura, who was held to 11 points and six turnovers, missed a 3-pointer and it looked as if St. John's had grabbed the board, but Ahmed was whistled for his fourth foul during the fight for the loose ball. Trevon Bluiett subsequently knocked down both of his free throws."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

On the ensuing possession, Ahmed was fouled and made just one of his two free throw attempts, giving Xavier the ball back with a one-point lead and 42 seconds to go. After working down the shot clock, Kanter sent a floater toward the rim that was ruled goaltending by Tariq Owens after a close attempt to block it, giving the Musketeers a 71-68 edge."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Following a turnover on the other end, Bluiett converted both of his tries from the charity stripe, giving Xavier the 73-68 lead with which it would end the contest."according to http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013118aab.html

Tip-off is set for 12:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4200&SPID=1845&SPSID=22726