The biggest win of the year for St. John’s came at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm also beat Providence there and nearly knocked off Butler. At the Garden, however, St. John’s blew late leads against Georgetown, Seton Hall and Xavier, and was blown out by Villanova.
Clearly, St. John’s is better playing on its campus, this season at least. Which, naturally, leads to the question: Should the Johnnies be playing more games at the small gym along Utopia Parkway with a modest capacity of 5,602?
“You can’t predict wins or losses based on the venue, but we feel like we need to put ourselves in the best position to win every game,” athletic director Mike Cragg told The Post on Friday, as St. John’s was preparing to close the regular season against Marquette on Saturday afternoon at the Garden (Noon, Ch. 9). “We had more games at the Garden this year, and I don’t think it was a bad decision. But it’s something that we definitely are evaluating and plan to recalibrate for next year.
“[Carnesecca] is definitely unique. It’s a place where the energy and excitement can really help a team. I anticipate we’ll have less games at the Garden next year, for sure.”
St. John’s (15-15, 4-13), locked into a ninth-place finish in the Big East, will have played seven times at the Garden after wrapping up its slate of six league games there Saturday. Cragg, in his second full year as the school’s athletic director, wouldn’t put a number on how many games he wants to play at MSG next year, since he has yet to meet with anyone at the Garden about next season yet.
When asked his thoughts, coach Mike Anderson said he loves both venues equally, citing the advantages to each setting. The results, though, say otherwise. St. John’s went 2-1 at Carnesecca in the Big East and 1-4 at the Garden.
“I think right now they’re going to have a hard balance, because Carnesecca Arena, the way Mike plays, fits their style terrifically,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said. “The pressing, constant defense, the crowd being right on top of you. But for St. John’s [the Garden] is what makes St. John’s St. John’s. So, I don’t think you can ever ignore the importance of the Mecca for St. John’s.”
St. John’s, indeed, needs the Garden. It’s such a big part of the program’s history. It’s a major selling point for recruits. New players always talk about the opportunity to play there. But the Johnnies practice at Carnesecca Arena every day, creating familiarity and comfort.
“You feel the fans while you’re playing,” sophomore forward Marcellus Earlington said of Carnesecca, adding he “loves” the Garden and grew up dreaming of playing there.
Last season, which culminated in the Red Storm reaching the NCAA Tournament under former coach Chris Mullin, they performed well at MSG in front of large crowds, defeating tournament teams like Villanova and Seton Hall. But this season, with lowered expectations, they haven’t drawn nearly as well there, averaging 9,560 fans per game, and beating just DePaul and non-conference foe West Virginia.
At Carnesecca, St. John’s stunned No. 11 Creighton last Sunday, knocked off likely tournament team Providence and nearly rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit to defeat Butler.
With more league games on campus next year, Cragg is planning to enhance the fan experience. That includes exploring the possibility of offering alcoholic beverages and improving concessions.
“Our goal is to give ourselves the best opportunity to win basketball games,” he said, “because that’s the best thing that can happen for this basketball program right now.”