St. John's @ Creighton preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 16, 2019 ) Creighton 66, St. John's 81

St. John's got off to a blistering start this season, opening with 12 consecutive victories and winning 14 of 15, but it is in a tailspin as it approaches a rugged three-game road trip. Losers of the four of the past five, the Red Storm will go for a season sweep of Big East rival Creighton on Wednesday night before making visits to No. 2 Duke and ninth-ranked Marquette.

St. John's posted its only win over the past five games by dominating Creighton 81-66 on Jan. 16 to halt a string of six straight losses in the series but followed that with setbacks at Butler and to Georgetown. “It’s no time (for an) emergency,” coach Chris Mullin said after losing to the Hoyas by 11 at home. “We’ll regroup and play well for the rest of the year like we have.” The loss to St. John's was the fourth in a row for the Bluejays, but they rebounded with victories over Georgetown and Butler to move into a tie for third place in the conference. Creighton improved to 7-4 at home after easing to a 75-61 win over Butler and has won all seven matchups in Omaha against the Red Storm.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1

ABOUT ST. JOHN'S (15-5, 3-5 Big East): Junior guard Shamorie Ponds has scored at least 20 points in six straight games, including a team-high 21 against Georgetown and 22 in the previous matchup with Creighton, but he knows the season is in jeopardy of slipping away. “I just think we gotta regroup and get back to our winning ways,” Ponds said. “I feel like as a team we’ve parted ways. We’re not together like we were in the beginning.” Backcourt mate Mustapha Heron scored 18 against Creighton and is averaging 18.7 points over the last three games to boost his season average to 15.5 points.

ABOUT CREIGHTON (12-8, 3-4): Sophomore guard Ty-Shon Alexander was instrumental in the two victories last week, hitting six 3-pointers and scoring 26 points in the 91-87 win at Georgetown before adding 19 points against Butler to earn Big East player of the week honors. Alexander, who is averaging 17.6 points this season after scoring only 5.7 as a freshman, struggled in the first matchup against St. John's with 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting, including 2 of 10 from behind the arc. Martin Krampelj, who is second on the team at 11.3 points, has scored at least 14 in six of the past seven games.

TIP-INS

1. Alexander has buried a 3-pointer in 24 straight games, the longest active streak in the conference.

2. St. John's F LJ Figueroa had a double-double against Creighton with 16 points and 13 boards.

3. Creighton coach Greg McDermott needs one victory to reach 200 at the school.

PREDICTION: Creighton 77, St. John's 72