Struggling St. Johns comes to Tampa

Coming off a dramatic win over No. 24 Seton Hall last week, the USF men’s basketball team (10-8, 3-2)returns to the Tampa Bay Times Forum tonight to take on St. John’s.

After making the NCAAtournament for the first time since 2002 last season, theRed Storm is strugglingthrough a difficult seasonthis year without its headcoach Steve Lavin.

Lavin is sidelined ashe continues to recover from surgery for prostate cancer. Mike Dunlap is serving as the interim coach.

On the court, St. John’s(8-9, 2-4) has also struggled following the departure of Nurideen Lindsey, whoannounced his intention to transfer nine games intothe season. Lindsey averagedjust less than 12 pointsper game and led the teamin assists before leaving.

Without Lindsey, St. John’sis led by a pairof freshmen in MoeHarkless and D’Angelo Harrison. Harkless averages15.8 points per game,just ahead of Harrison at 15. The Red Storm alsoget meaningful scoring fromforward God’sgift Achiuwa and combo playerSir’Dominic Pointer.

The Red Storm arrivesin Tampa having lost four of its last five games.On the season, seven ofSt. John’s’ nine losseshave come againstranked teams. Whilethe losses areunderstandable, St. John’slacks a quality win. A two-point win overCincinnati is the strongeston the Red Storm’sschedule, with the rest comingover various mid-majors.

Tipoff is scheduledfor 7 p.m.