On Saturday, Pitt (3-7) travels out east to take on St. John’s (8-2) in the world-famous Madison Square Garden as part of the Gotham Classic.
Heading into the matchup, both teams have had nearly opposite starts to the season, with St. John’s coming out of the gates as one of the best offenses in college basketball and Pitt looking like one of the worst.
LEADING SCORERS
Pitt is led by John Hugley, Brooklyn native Femi Odukale, and Jamarius Burton, who combine to average a little more than 37 points per game. Their respective stat lines are as follows:
Hugley: 15.9 pts, 8.0 reb, 47% FG, 18% 3FG, 69% FT
Odukale: 11.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 38% FG, 30% 3FG, 63% FT
Burton: 9.9 pts, 2.3 reb, 35% FG, 26% 3FG, 80% FT
St. John’s is led by Julian Champagnie, Posh Alexander, and Montez Mathis, who combine to score an average of 47.4 points per game between the three of them. Their stat lines are listed below:
Champagnie: 20.3 pts, 6.7 reb, 47% FG, 43% 3FG, 75% FT
Alexander: 16.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 55% FG, 27% 3FG, 78% FT
Mathis: 10.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 52% FG, 35% 3FG, 70% FT
Courtesy of Julian Champagnie
PITT TEAM STATS
Scoring Average: 60.5 points
Scoring Margin: -4.7
FG Percentage: 41.7%
3PT Percentage: 28.3%
3PT Per Game: 4.1
FT Percentage: 64%
Rebounds Per Game: 36.9
Assists Per Game: 11.5
Turnovers Per Game: 14.3
Steals Per Game: 4.7
ST. JOHN’S TEAM STATS
Scoring Average: 85.2 points
Scoring Margin: +12.2
FG Percentage: 49.8%
3PT Percentage: 35.4%
3PT Per Game: 8
FT Percentage: 71%
Rebounds Per Game: 37.4
Assists Per Game: 19.9
Turnovers Per Game: 14.5
Steals Per Game: 10
St. John’s leads all but one stat (turnovers per game, Pitt leads with 14.3, St. John’s is averaging 14.5).
LAST THREE GAMES
Pitt has lost two of its last three games, falling in those two by a combined five points against Virginia and Monmouth.
St. John’s on the other hand, comes into this game red hot, currently on a three-game win streak.
Panthers’ Last Three
@ Virginia: L, 56-57. Hugley led with 12 points.
Vs. Colgate: W, 78-68. Hugley led with 22 points.
Vs. Monmouth: L, 52-56. Burton led with 15 points.
Pitt’s Comeback Effort Comes up Short, Panthers Fall to Monmouth 56-52
Johnnies’ Last Three
Vs. Fordham: W, 83-69. Alexander led with 23 points.
Vs. Monmouth:Â W, 88-83. Alexander led with 21 points.
Vs. Colgate: W, 82-64. Champagnie led with 19 points.