NCAA Tournament 2023: St. John's Red Storm Take on Kansas Jayhawks in Second Round Showdown

The stage is set for an exciting matchup between the St. John's Red Storm and the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The game is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 22, at 5:15 p.m. ET on CBS.

Background

The St. John's Red Storm, representing the American Athletic Conference (AAC), have been making a strong push for an NIT or NCAA Tournament bid throughout the season. With their impressive performance in the conference tournament, they secured a spot in the coveted NCAA Tournament, where they will face off against the Kansas Jayhawks.

On the other hand, the Kansas Jayhawks, representing the Big 12 Conference, have been one of the top teams in the nation all season long. As the No. 2 overall seed in the Midwest Region, they boast a formidable roster and a coaching staff led by the veteran Bill Self.

Key Matchup

The Red Storm, led by head coach Mike Anderson, will be facing off against their toughest opponent yet in the Jayhawks. St. John's has been known for its high-powered offense, which is driven by talented scorers like Julian Gamble and Julian Phenice. However, they have struggled with defense, particularly on the road.

Meanwhile, Kansas has a well-rounded team that excels at both ends of the floor. The Jayhawks boast one of the top defenses in the country, led by freshman guard Christian Braun, who has been making waves with his impressive playmaking abilities.

Game Analysis

This matchup promises to be an intense and closely contested affair, as both teams are known for their relentless pace and high-scoring offenses. The Red Storm's ability to match up against Kansas's size advantage will be crucial, as the Jayhawks have a tall lineup that could provide a difficult test for St. John's perimeter players.

On the other hand, Kansas's strong defense should give St. John's fits, particularly on the road. If the Red Storm can find ways to contain the Jayhawks' big men and get their own scorers involved early, they may be able to pull off an upset.

History of the Series

This will be the 15th meeting between St. John's and Kansas in NCAA Tournament play. The Jayhawks have a significant edge over the Red Storm, winning eight out of 14 matchups. However, St. John's has shown resilience in its recent appearances, often pushing top-seeded teams to the limit.

Team Statistics

Here are some key statistics to consider for both teams:

• St. John's Red Storm:
  • Points per game: 74.5
  • Shooting percentage: 43.2% (FG), 34.5% (3PT)
  • Turnover margin: +1.4
• Kansas Jayhawks:
  • Points per game: 80.6
  • Shooting percentage: 47.8% (FG), 38.3% (3PT)
  • Turnover margin: +2.5

Injury Report

Both teams have had their share of injuries throughout the season, but it appears that both St. John's and Kansas are fully healthy heading into this matchup.

• St. John's Red Storm:
  • Julian Gamble (PG) - Questionable due to ankle injury
  • Patrick Baldwin Jr. (PF) - Out with knee surgery
• Kansas Jayhawks:
  • Christian Braun (SG) - Healthy and ready to play
  • Ochai Agbaji (SF) - Questionable due to finger injury

Prediction

This is a tough matchup to predict, as both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. However, if I had to put my money on it, I would say that Kansas's experience and depth will give them an edge over St. John's.

While the Red Storm has been impressive all season long, they may struggle to contain Kansas's size advantage and strong defense. On the other hand, St. John's has shown resilience in its recent appearances and could pull off a surprise upset if it can get its offense going early.

Final Score Prediction: Kansas Jayhawks 75, St. John's Red Storm 68

This is just one possible prediction, and there are many factors that could influence the outcome of this game. One thing is for sure, though - this matchup has all the makings of an instant classic.