SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team is set to host No. 13 Saint John’s at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Gusties enter the contest 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the MIAC, while the Johnnies are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the league.
The Series: Tonight’s game marks the 184th meeting between Gustavus and Saint John’s on the hardwood with the Gusties leading the all-time series 111-72. The Johnnies have had the upper hand of late, winning the past six matchups. Last season, SJU won 83-71 on Dec. 1 in Saint Peter, followed by an 83-54 victory on Jan. 9 in Collegeville, Minn.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus most recently dropped a decisive 90-66 game at No. 5 St. Thomas on Saturday, marking its first conference loss of the season. Through six games this season, the Gusties are strong in the post with a league-leading 3.7 blocks per game and average 37.0 rebounds, which is third-best in the MIAC. They also distribute the ball well with 17.2 assists per game, ranking second in the conference. The Achilles heel has been turnovers as the Gusties average a league-high 18.2 per game. Logan Rezac leads the offense with 14.2 points per game. Nolan Malo is next, averaging 13.8 points while shooting a team-high 53.1 percent from the floor. Isaac Douglas also average double figures at 11.0 points and a team-high 14 three-pointers made. Jake Guse leads the team with 6.8 rebounds per game and 11 total blocks.
Scouting the Johnnies: After losing its season opener to Nebraska Wesleyan, Saint John’s has won its past six games, most recently defeating Hamline 82-57 on Saturday. The Johnnies are statistically the best defensive team in the MIAC, leading the league in points allowed (60.3) and opponents field goal percentage (40.2). They also lead the league with a +6.1 rebounding margin and turn the ball over a MIAC-low 10.6 times per game. Jubie Alade is far and away the team’s leading scorer, averaging 22.2 points per game (2nd/MIAC) along with a 58.9 field goal percentage. Zach Hanson is next on the scoresheet, averaging 11.7 points. Lucas Walford leads the MIAC with 11.0 rebounds per game and contributes an average of 9.4 points, while shooting 67.4 percent (2nd/MIAC) from the floor.