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January 25 Sheet

St. John's at Virginia Tech (+2) - Game 751-752 - 11:00am Pacific
Hokies are really starting to come to life since the start of Big East play. They started by almost upsetting Villanova on the road (two missed free throws with 16 seconds left in regulation led to eventual OT loss) and followed that up by playing UConn tight for 33 minutes before a 26-4 Husky run blew the game open. Since then they have won two straight at home in convincing fashion over Providence and instate rival Virginia. The Hokies have now won four straight Big East home games dating back to last season.

This team has a little bit of everything but are led primarily by four returning starters. Center Terry Taylor (14.2ppg, 7.6rpg) and guard Brian Chase (8.1ppg, 2.5:1 assist to turnover ratio last 6 games) are seniors. Forward Bryant Matthews (16.0ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.1spg, 28.0ppg in last two wins) and wing Carlos Dixon (14.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.6apg) are juniors. This gives head coach Ricky Stokes a very experienced and talented nucleus to build around. Sophomore big man Dimari Thomkins (12.0ppg, 8.0rpg in last two) is progressing nicely in his first year as a starter.

St. John's still has not convinced me they are capable of winning games on the road. The Red Storm were down 16 with seven minutes to play at Georgetown in last game before making a highly improbable run. Otherwise they would be heading into this game 1-3 in conference play. Georgetown was playing their fourth game without guard Ashanti Cook who is one of their few outside shooting threats. Hoyas shot just .391 from the floor and committed 24 turnovers. Early in the season it appeared that SJU had found a second scoring option in freshman guard Elijah Ingram to compliment star Marcus Hatten. In first eight games, Ingram averaged 13.2ppg and shot 46% from the field. However, since Big East play begun (last 6 games) he has struggled shooting just 31% from the floor and averaging 7.5ppg. This will be the Red Storm's fourth road game in last five which includes cross country trip to UCLA and back. SJU also will host UConn on ESPN's Big Monday in just two days.

Tech riding a lot of momentum right now and have been great in recent Big East home games. This team is still very hungry after going through a very disappointing stretch early in the season in which fans were trying to run the head coach out of town. Look for them to continue their winning ways at home. Take the points.

Virginia Tech  1 UNIT

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