St. John’s Red Storm vs Delaware Blue Hens Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

St. John’s Bids to Remain Hot in Clash vs. Delaware

St. John’s aims to extend its five-game winning streak as it faces Delaware on Saturday in a nonconference matchup in New York. Coming off a dramatic victory at Providence, the Red Storm (10-2) are eager to carry their momentum into their final game before resuming Big East play.

St. John’s Riding High After Buzzer-Beater

In their first true road test of the season, St. John’s secured a thrilling 72-70 victory against Providence on Dec. 20, thanks to Zuby Ejiofor’s game-winning jumper at the buzzer. The win highlighted the Red Storm’s resilience and growth under coach Rick Pitino.

“I think they’re mentally maturing,” Pitino told the New York Post. “Three weeks ago, with missing all those free throws, all those shots, we lose by 12 to 16 points. But they’re maturing mentally and getting tougher because (that night) we didn’t have it offensively, and they still found a way to win on the road in a tough environment.”

Ejiofor and Luis Leading the Way

Ejiofor has been a dominant force for the Red Storm, recording his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds against Providence. His offensive rebound and second-chance shot at the horn epitomized his gritty style of play.

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“Every shot is essentially my rebound,” Ejiofor said. “I have pride in getting my team a second chance, and that’s exactly what I did.”

RJ Luis Jr. has been another standout, averaging 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Combined with Ejiofor’s 14.6 points and team-leading 7.8 rebounds, the duo has been instrumental in St. John’s success.

Delaware Looks for Upset

Delaware (7-5) enters Saturday’s game hoping to find consistency. While the Blue Hens have won three of their last five games, two victories came against non-Division I teams. Their most impressive win during this stretch was a 93-80 triumph over rival Delaware State on Dec. 3, fueled by a remarkable 17-of-31 shooting performance from 3-point range.

“That’s what I envisioned out of this group,” coach Martin Ingelsby said. “To have multiple weapons.”

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The Blue Hens struggled to replicate that shooting touch in a 72-64 loss to Saint Peter’s on Dec. 20, making just 6 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc.

Key Players for Delaware

John Camden leads Delaware with 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Niels Lane (13.7 points), Cavan Reilly (12.9), Erik Timko (12.4), and Izaiah Pasha (10.7) provide balanced scoring. Reilly showcased his sharpshooting ability with five 3-pointers in the win over Delaware State.

What’s at Stake

St. John’s looks to keep its momentum alive ahead of a return to Big East play, while Delaware seeks to make a statement with an upset. For both teams, this matchup offers a valuable opportunity to sharpen their form and build confidence as the season progresses.