St. John's basketball draws Oregon in Players Era, matchup with Louisville possible

St. John's will not add another high-profile non-conference game but expects three high-level matchups in Las Vegas at the Players Era Festival. Tournament pairings place St. John's on the same side of the bracket as Louisville, with a potential meeting only if both teams advance through their first-round games. St. John's plays Oregon in its opening game on Tuesday, November 24, followed by a second-round game on Thanksgiving Day against either Texas Tech or Louisville. The third game is Friday, November 27. Only undefeated teams from each half of the bracket reach the championship on Saturday, November 28. Games are at Michelob Ultra Arena or T-Mobile Arena. St. John's and Oregon have met twice, most recently in 1977. Oregon enters after a 12-20 season and roster losses including Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle. St. John's went 1-2 at the event last year, splitting with Iowa State and Baylor before losing to Auburn.

"Rick Pitino laughed on Monday when asked about the St. John's basketball schedule. He said that the team wouldn't add another high-profile game to its non-conference slate but mentioned it is expecting three high level games in Las Vegas at the Players Era Festival, insinuating that his Johnnies would be paired with Louisville in the event."

"The tournament pairings were unveiled on Thursday and St. John's will battle Oregon in its opening game of the 'Players Era 16' before playing either Texas Tech or Louisville in the second round. Tennessee, Maryland, San Diego State, and Iowa State are in the upper half of its bracket while Gonzaga, Kansas State, Baylor, Alabama, Michigan, Creighton, TCU, and Miami (FL) are on the other side of the bracket."

"St. John's will play the Ducks on Tuesday, November 24 while everyone in the event will have an off day on Wednesday, November 25. Its second game will be on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 26, while its third game will be on Friday, November 27. Only the undefeated teams from each half of the bracket will play in the championship on Saturday, November 28 and get a fourth game in the tournament."

"St. John's and Oregon have only played twice in program history with the latest being in the 1977 season. The Ducks are coming off a dreadful season at 12-20 (5-15 Big Ten) and lost nearly its entire roster including injured guard Jackson Shelstad, who transferred to Louisville, and center Nate Bittle. The Red Storm went 1-2 at the Players Era Festival last season, splitting its first two games against Iowa State and Baylor before losing its finale to Auburn."

Read at Storm The Paint