The No. 13 St. John’s Red Storm kick off their 2024-25 campaign at home, hosting the Monmouth Hawks in a matchup that pits interior power against perimeter precision. As the top-ranked team in the AP poll, St. John’s enters the season with high expectations after a strong previous year, aiming to establish early momentum in front of a home crowd. The Red Storm’s status as the preseason favorite underscores the pressure to perform, setting the stage for a critical opening contest that will define their trajectory in the Big East Conference.
Home favorites look to leverage paint dominance against a perimeter-heavy Monmouth squad
Statistical analysis highlights a distinct stylistic clash between the two programs. St. John’s offense was built on efficiency and physicality last season, averaging 80.9 points per game with a significant 36.4 points coming from the paint. Their ability to generate 16.9 points off turnovers and 13.5 on fast breaks indicates a high-tempo, aggressive approach that Monmouth will struggle to match physically. In contrast, the Hawks rely heavily on outside shooting, averaging 20.7 points from three-point range, and will need to hit shots at a high clip to keep pace with the Red Storm’s interior scoring.
The historical context favors St. John’s, who posted a 30-7 overall record and a dominant 15-2 home mark in the previous season. Monmouth, finishing 19-15 overall, struggled on the road with a 6-9 record, suggesting they may face challenges away from their home base. For the Red Storm, containing Monmouth’s perimeter threat while maintaining their paint dominance will be the key to securing a decisive victory and solidifying their status as a national contender.
Source: Yahoo Sports
