St. John's Vs. Providence: Red Storm Begin Big East Conference Play At Carnesecca Arena

The St. John's Red Storm hope to put their disappointing non-conference performance behind them Tuesday, as they open the 2011-12 Big East Conference men's basketball season by hosting the Providence Friars (7 p.m. on MSG) at Carnesecca Arena in Queens. The Red Storm (6-5) are looking to improve on their current two-game winning streak, while the Friars (11-2) look to continue a very successful start to their season.

Last Wednesday, the Johnnies snuck by Texas-Pan American, 66-61, to earn their second straight victory and pull their overall record above. 500. Junior forward God'sgift Achiuwa scored a collegiate-best 22 points, while freshman guard D'Angelo Harrison added tied a career-mark of 21 points to propel St. John's to victory. In his first game after being ruled eligible, freshman froward Amir Garrett compiled three points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, junior guard Vincent Council paces the Friars in scoring with 16.9 points per game. Sophomore Gerard Coleman (15.8), sophomore Bryce Cotton (15.7) and freshman LaDontae Henton (13.1) are all averaging double-digits scoring totals.

The betting odds for this game have St. John's and Providence as a pick'em.