How supposedly overmatched St. John’s can expose San Diego St.

This isn't the mismatch some described at first glance.

Yes, when eighth-seeded San Diego State takes on No. 9 St. John's in a South Region second-round contest Friday night in Charlotte, N.C., it will be two contrasting styles, and yes, it will be an all-guard quintet against four forwards and a guard, small ball against a more traditional lineup, but there are advantages at both ends.

The immediate reaction by many was the Red Storm — who will be without their one functioning big man, shot-blocking dynamo Chris Obekpa, suspended for two weeks on Sunday for testing positive for marijuana — received a tough draw because of how big the Aztecs are, but at closer inspection, there are areas coach Steve Lavin's team can look forward to exposing.

San Diego State (26-8), the Mountain West co-champion and in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight year, is offensively challenged. The Aztecs average just 61.8 points per game, 305th in the country, and shoot just 32 percent from 3-point range. They never replaced last year's star, point guard Xavier Thames, though freshman Trey Kell has come along lately.

"I like this matchup for St. John's," ESPN analyst Sean Farnham said in a phone interview. "It's strength on strength to a certain extent. They have the ability to score the basketball and San Diego State has the ability to defend the basketball. San Diego State has issues with long scoring droughts. In the NCAA Tournament you can't have those kinds of issues and have success."

San Diego State is as good defensively as anyone. The Aztecs allow just 53.1 points per game, second-fewest in the country. They have absurd length on the perimeter, with players such as 6-foot-8 Winston Shepard and 6-7 Dwayne Polee II — a St. John's transfer — able to match up with guards. They block five shots per game.

"If they can score at all they can beat anybody," CBS analyst Dan Bonner said on a conference call on Monday. "Their problem is they have a hard time putting the ball in the basket."

St. John's (21-11) can't rely on the jump shot, a tendency it has in the half-court. The Johnnies have to attack, wade deep into the Aztecs' defense, and create problems that way, either by setting up open shots or finishing in the lane. Sophomore Rysheed Jordan, who has been the Johnnies' best player recently, will be important, as the Red Storm's chief penetrator.

"Teams that have success against San Diego State have been able to get inside their defense. That's where the size and quickness of St. John's makes for a favorable matchup," Farnham said. "I think they can have success getting inside their defense, getting some of their interior guys in foul trouble, which would neutralize their rebounding advantage.

"They need to attack the rim. They can't settle for mid-range jump shots. That's exactly what San Diego State wants you to do, and that will let them dictate and control the tempo."

CBS analysts Bonner and Reggie Miller called San Diego State's 45-43 loss to Wyoming in the Mountain West Tournament title game. Both were immediately impressed by the Aztecs' size and length.

"They came out on the floor and looked like an NBA team," Bonner said. "They're big and long, can really run."

San Diego State, however, lost the game, because it shot just 32 percent from the field. Wyoming only committed seven turnovers, limiting the kind of easy baskets the Aztecs rely on.

"The way San Diego State scores is they turn you over and get out in transition," Miller said. "If Coach Lavin and his team can limit their mistakes and not turn the basketball over, I can see them moving on."

Bonner added: "I think that's a very difficult matchup [for St. John's], but as we saw in the Mountain West final, sometimes San Diego State's offense desserts them completely. I think they are one of the tournament's most dangerous teams, but because of San Diego State's offensive problems, it's a game St. John's has a chance to win."

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