[Cactus Jack]

Thoughts and predictions?

If you remember, their meeting last year had plenty of fireworks.

Given how that all went down and the amount of time that Pitino has had to stew on it, I liked St. John's in the offseason. Now, I wonder if the pendulum has swung back into UConn's favor, as they'll be able to play with less pressure and it's tough for anyone to stay as hot as St. John's has been lately.

[4 Quarters]

I see the Johnnies pulling this one out.

[King Kong]

Pulling for St John's

[-STAT-]

CJ I'll have to disagree w/ the less pressure for UConn comment. With everything they've accomplished, back-to-back National Champions, and w/ how their coach is, seems like every single game would have more added pressure on them, especially the high profile games. We've seen that this UConn team has been very up & down this season, but w/ all the expectation surrounding them, I just feel that there is more pressure on UConn than any team in the country.

As for St. Johns, they haven't had this type of success in years. I think everyone expected them to be good especially after their portal/recruiting additions, plus Pitinos ability to get the best out of his players + development, but not sure anyone expected them to be 1st in conference play, brink of a top 10 ranking and best start since 1984-85.

Even tho St Johns is in first, and this game is on the road, still think they're playing with house money here and all the pressure is on UConn to win this game, and prove they've still got it against a quality team, they did handle Marquette pretty easily last week, this will be another chance for both teams to get a win. I'm going w/ St. Johns in a high scoring affair.

St. Johns- 90
UConn-82

[4 Quarters]

CJ I'll have to disagree w/ the less pressure for UConn comment. With everything they've accomplished, back-to-back National Champions, and w/ how their coach is, seems like every single game would have more added pressure on them, especially the high profile games. We've seen that this UConn team has been very up & down this season, but w/ all the expectation surrounding them, I just feel that there is more pressure on UConn than any team in the country.

As for St. Johns, they haven't had this type of success in years. I think everyone expected them to be good especially after their portal/recruiting additions, plus Pitinos ability to get the best out of his players + development, but not sure anyone expected them to be 1st in conference play, brink of a top 10 ranking and best start since 1984-85.

Even tho St Johns is in first, and this game is on the road, still think they're playing with house money here and all the pressure is on UConn to win this game, and prove they've still got it against a quality team, they did handle Marquette pretty easily last week, this will be another chance for both teams to get a win. I'm going w/ St. Johns in a high scoring affair.

St. Johns- 90
UConn-82

If UConn is feeling pressure, it must be self inflicted, because I don't think anyone is expecting a 3-peat.

[-STAT-]

CJ I'll have to disagree w/ the less pressure for UConn comment. With everything they've accomplished, back-to-back National Champions, and w/ how their coach is, seems like every single game would have more added pressure on them, especially the high profile games. We've seen that this UConn team has been very up & down this season, but w/ all the expectation surrounding them, I just feel that there is more pressure on UConn than any team in the country.

As for St. Johns, they haven't had this type of success in years. I think everyone expected them to be good especially after their portal/recruiting additions, plus Pitinos ability to get the best out of his players + development, but not sure anyone expected them to be 1st in conference play, brink of a top 10 ranking and best start since 1984-85.

Even tho St Johns is in first, and this game is on the road, still think they're playing with house money here and all the pressure is on UConn to win this game, and prove they've still got it against a quality team, they did handle Marquette pretty easily last week, this will be another chance for both teams to get a win. I'm going w/ St. Johns in a high scoring affair.

St. Johns- 90
UConn-82

If UConn is feeling pressure, it must be self inflicted, because I don't think anyone is expecting a 3-peat.

You're right that no one is expecting a 3-peat, only one would probably be Hurley and that's just to stay relevant and fill his own ego, thus putting more pressure on his team to play better or up to par with the Championship teams. Hurley is off the hinges.