St. John’s isn’t exactly going into Kentucky on a roll.
The Johnnies lost to Northeastern of the CAA, 78-64, Saturday afternoon at Carnesecca Arena and have now lost three of four heading into Thursday’s SEC/Big East Challenge game at Rupp Arena.
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“Everybody knows that this is a new team and we’re still a work in process,” Johnnies forward God’sgift Achiuwa said. “We learn every day, and as Coach Lavin and Coach Dunlap emphasize, we’re going to face different opponents. What we need to do is learn every day, and become better players.” Steve Lavin missed the game as he recovers from prostate cancer surgery, and Mike Dunlap coached the team in his absence. St. John’s (4-3) continues to play with just eight scholarship players — including one former walk-on — after three players were declared academically ineligible in September. They are hoping to get 6-7 wing Amir Garrett eligible for the second semester in December. No. 2 Kentucky (6-0), meanwhile, remained undefeaed after routing Portland, 87-63, behind 19 points apiece from Darius Miller and Terrence Jones. Anthony Davis added 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. One of the key storylines to come out of that game was that Miller, the senior, could soon replace freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the former Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick star, in the starting lineup. It’s possible Miller could start against St. John’s.
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