Kaeden Hawkins and Ryan Brown each had three points and Seb Gatto made 28 saves in goal as the London Knights defeated the Guelph Storm 6-2 on March 18 at the Sleeman Centre.

Hawkins and Brown each scored once and added two assists as London clinched the season series between the two clubs, winning four of the six games.

The win, coupled with a 4-3 Saginaw Spirit victory over the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday, lifted the Knights past Sault Ste. Marie and into fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

London and the Greyhounds each have two games remaining on their schedules.

The teams skated through a scoreless first period where each club had a chance on the power play and matched each other in scoring opportunities without having a puck hit the back of the net.

That all changed for London in the second period, as the Knights broke through and put up four goals.

Hawkins returned to the London lineup against the Storm after missing five games due to injury and he got things started as he sprinted to a loose puck and backhanded it by Zach Jovanovski of the Storm at 7:26.

A tough turnover behind the Guelph net led to Will Nicholl’s 13th goal in his 30th game this year as he put the puck into a completely empty Storm net at 13:33.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story.

Just over two minutes later, Hawkins made a beautiful drop pass to Andoni Fimis and he made it 3-0 for London and then Brown scored his 22nd of the season right off a faceoff in the Guelph zone with 1:32 remaining in the middle period. The score sat 4-0 for the Knights through 40 minutes.

The Storm hit the scoreboard 19 seconds into the third period on a wraparound goal by Ilya Shybinsky, but Jaxon Cover’s power play goal at 10:42 gave Cover 20 goals on the season and restored London’s four-goal advantage.

Jesse Nurmi slid a puck to Rene Van Bommel for Van Bommel’s 10th goal of the year at 13:18.

Shybinskyi finished out the scoring at 6-2 just one minute and six seconds later with his ninth power play goal of the season.

The Storm outshot the Knights 30-22 as Seb Gatto earned his 23rd victory of the season.

London was 1-for-3 on the power play.

The Storm were 1-for-4 on the man advantage.

Four Knights prospects named to GOHL All-Rookie team

Four members of the London Knights 2025 draft class have earned honours as members of the 2025-26 GOHL All-Rookie team.

London’s second round pick Cooper McAslan (London Nationals), third round pick Eloan Le Gallic (St. Thomas), fifth round pick Jake Ritson (Strathroy) and 14th round pick Michael Pope (Caledon) were named to the team on March 17.

Pope led Caledon in scoring with 25 goals in a tough year that saw the team win just five games out of 50 in the regular season.

Ritson led the Rockets in scoring with 72 points in 47 games.

Le Gallic tied for second in St. Thomas scoring in the regular season and leads the Stars in scoring through two playoff games with a goal and three assists.

McAslan was eighth in defenceman scoring in the league just behind Nationals teammate Cody Wood, who is also a Knights prospect.

Up next

London will play their final home game of the regular season on Friday, March 20, at Canada Life Place against the Windsor Spitfires.

Windsor is currently battling Flint for first place in the OHL’s West Division and the second overall seed in the Western Conference.

The Spitfires are one point ahead of the Firebirds and both teams have two games remaining.

Game coverage Wednesday will start at 6:30 p.m., on 980 CFPL, www.980cfpl.ca and on the iHeart Radio and Radioplayer Canada apps.

2:13
Team West prevails in 2026 Connor McDavid Top Prospects Game in Peterborough

Previous Video

Next Video

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Hockey Hall of Fame says the pucks used to score the gold medal-winning men’s and women’s goals at the Milan Cortina Olympics are part of its permanent collection after being donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The Hall released a statement about its artifacts from the Games on Wednesday, a day after Jack Hughes, who scored the golden goal in overtime for the U.S. men, told ESPN he wanted the puck so he could give it to his father, Jim.

“These artifacts are preserved, exhibited and shared with fans worldwide through our museum and international outreach programs, ensuring that defining Olympic and World Championship moments remain protected and accessible to the global hockey community,” the Hall said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. “We hold tremendous respect for the men and women who create these unforgettable moments on the ice, and we remain committed to preserving their achievements in a manner that is responsible, secure and accessible to fans everywhere.”

The U.S. swept men’s, women’s and Paralympic sled hockey gold, beating Canada in each final to win all three for the first time in the same year. Megan Keller scored the women’s golden goal, also in OT, and that puck is similarly enshrined.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.

“These donated items represent defining moments on the world’s biggest stage and carry powerful stories of national pride and hockey history at its highest level,” Hall of Fame President and CEO Jamie Dinsmore said in a statement Monday about the Olympic showcase. “The Olympics ’26 display will help ensure that these unforgettable Olympic moments are preserved for our guests from around the world to experience.”

A stick from American Brady Tkachuk and gloves from teammate Jack Eichel, along with jerseys from Canada captain Sidney Crosby and Sweden forward William Nylander, are among the more than 70 items that will be on display for a limited time.

“Since the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, the IIHF has provided the Hockey Hall of Fame with official pucks and other historic artifacts commemorating key moments from each Olympic hockey tournament, including Sidney Crosby’s iconic 2010 ‘Golden Goal,’ as well as Natalie Darwitz’s Gold Medal winning goal puck from the 2008 World Championships,” the Hall said. “Our mission is to collect, preserve, research, exhibit, and promote artifacts, images, and stories that are significant to hockey’s worldwide legacy. Established to honor and preserve the history of hockey, the Hockey Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the game.”Hoc

&copy 2026 The Canadian Press

Filling out his staff as spring football practice approaches, UCLA coach Bob Chesney on Wednesday announced the addition of eight coaching staff members.

The newcomers include three assistant position coaches, three defensive analysts and two offensive analysts.

“We were very intentional in assembling this first-year staff,” Chesney said in a statement. “Our assistant coaches and analysts will play a critical role in our success on the field while helping build a culture rooted in competition and toughness. This group brings a strong combination of veteran football knowledge and hungry, emerging talent. Together, they will elevate every aspect of our program.”

Former Michigan State quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer has been named assistant quarterbacks coach, and Mike Cordova, who has been on Chesney’s staff in each of the last five years, has been named assistant tight ends coach.

Chris Monfiletto, a coaching veteran with more than 20 years of experience across the high school, NCAA Division I and Division III levels, will be the Bruins’ assistant special teams coordinator/specialist coach.

Scott Brisson, who was an offensive analyst under Chesney last season at James Madison, will serve as a senior offensive analyst. Having served under previous coach DeShaun Foster, Matt Biondi returns to Westwood for his second consecutive season as an offensive analyst working with quarterbacks.

All three defensive analysts — Jacob Dobbs (linebackers), Ukoh Essang (defensive line) and Justice Seales (safeties) — have previous ties to James Madison.

UCLA is scheduled to open spring football practice April 2.

EDMONTON – Overlooked amid the Edmonton Oilers’ erratic season has been the steady, albeit unspectacular, performance of rookie forward Matt Savoie.

The 22-year-old native of St. Albert, a bedroom community abutting Edmonton’s northwest, has been moved around various lines as head coach Kris Knoblauch searches for consistent and effective combinations. Recently, however, the speedy, sometimes abrasive Savoie has found a fit on the top line with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.

McDavid, whose pace can be a challenge for linemates, said he has been impressed by the youngster.

“I just noticed the energy he’s playing with, lots of jump, lots of juice, keeping lots of pucks alive, getting in on the forecheck and retrieving pucks. It’s been impressive,” McDavid said. “The little things he does so well, like a dog on a bone. Super, super skilled.”

After a modest start, Savoie has produced nine points in his last 11 games, giving him 11 goals and 28 points in 69 games.

He scored the game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators on Sunday to open the Oilers’ four-game homestand, and his crease-side deflection set up Hyman’s clincher in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.

“He’s a guy who’s got an unbelievable motor — he just goes, goes, goes,” Hyman said of the Buffalo Sabres’ ninth overall pick in 2022. “He skates as well as anyone in the league and can make plays. He’s going to play in the top six for a long, long time. Just a phenomenal player.”

Related Videos

2:14
Blades Bio January 2026: David Lewandowski

Previous Video

Next Video

Hyman added that Savoie, in his first NHL season, will only improve.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.

“I think people forget how young he is. Everyone expects a first-round draft pick to come in and just light it up right away. It takes time in this league, time to understand how to play and grow. I was 24 when I came into the league, and it took me years to figure it out.”

Although his offensive and plus-minus numbers have been steady all season, Savoie said his overall game wasn’t early on.

“In the first half, there were stretches where a couple of good games, a couple bad games, get a bunch of looks and then go cold for a bit,” he said. “But I feel like since the (Olympic) break, or the Christmas break, I feel I’ve been more consistent game by game and just playing a better all-around game.”

The 5-10, 180-pound winger said the game has “really slowed down” for him since the three-week Olympic break.

“I’m feeling more comfortable with the puck, my legs are feeling really good. I was able to reset and kind of take a step away to assess how my first two-thirds of the season went. I was happy with it, but I knew there were some things I had to address.”

Then he had to adjust to the role of being, at least temporarily, McDavid’s winger.

“It can be tough playing with a guy like that — the speed he plays at and some of the plays he makes — but I’m definitely getting more used to it and accustomed to how quickly the passes come,” Savoie said.

“Sometimes you’re not expecting it, but that’s part of growing into being one of his linemates — always being ready for that play and being in a scoring position.

“And the plays he’s able to make, not many guys can. So it’s been a lot of fun. He drives a lot of the play, so it’s fun to play with him.”

That adjustment hasn’t gone unnoticed by teammates, including veteran Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has often played alongside McDavid.

“I think the offensive side of things has clicked into place a little bit,” Nugent-Hopkins said of Savoie. “But I think his mindset, the way he has played all season, hasn’t changed.

“He’s such a dynamic young player. He really thinks the game well. That’s why you can put him out there as a young kid on the penalty kill and trust him. Obviously, a great skill set, too, but he goes into those hard areas and plays with confidence. He’s been great for us all season, so it’s nice to see it starting to reward him.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2026.

&copy 2026 The Canadian Press

An Ontario junior hockey team says it will take “appropriate action” after an opposing player was subjected to racist taunts during a playoff game Monday.

The Stratford Warriors issued a statement on its website decrying the “inappropriate and unacceptable language” directed at the London Nationals player during its game in Stratford, Ont.

“We want to be unequivocally clear: there is no place in our game, our arena, or our community for racist or discriminatory language of any kind,” the team, which is a member of the Greater Ontario Hockey League, said.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story.

“This behaviour does not reflect the values of our organization, our players or the vast majority of our fans. We sincerely apologize to the player, their team and their organization for what occurred.”

The team added it is working with arena staff and league officials to review the incident, “and will take appropriate action.”

It did not specify what was said or who said it, but the Nationals issued its own statement in reply, praising Stratford’s “professional handling” of the situation.

“It is important to recognize that the actions of one individual do not reflect an entire organization, its players, or its fanbase,” the team said.

“The London Nationals remain committed to promoting respect, inclusivity, and accountability across our sport.”

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The PGA Tour’s Florida Swing comes to an end with a trip to Copperhead for the 2026 Valspar Championship.

This year’s journey through the Sunshine State has certainly delivered. All three tournaments on the famously chaotic Florida Swing have featured Sunday collapses, with Ludvig Aberg becoming the latest victim.

The Swede had a two-shot lead as he stood on the 11th fairway at last week’s PLAYERS Championship. He finished T5, allowing Cameron Young to storm from behind to collect the biggest win of his career.

The chaos should only continue this week as we head to the Snake Pit.

Xander Schauffele is a lukewarm 11/1 favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook, with last week’s runner-up, Matt Fitzpatrick (13/1), and defending champion Viktor Hovland (17/1) also inside 20/1.

This tournament does tend to produce surprising winners, most recently Peter Malnati as a 350/1 long shot in 2024, so we’ll bypass the top of the board and try to catch lightning in a bottle at a course that is made for it.

Wyndham Clark (60/1, FanDuel)

It’s been a quiet season for Wyndham Clark, but his resume stands out in this range.

The 32-year-old is a three-time PGA Tour champion, with one of his wins coming at the 2023 U.S. Open and the other two at signature events. He won’t be intimidated by a tough course or a decent field, and he’s also proven to be a terrific closer, which is vital in these conditions.

This will be Clark’s fifth trip to Copperhead as a pro, and while the results are a mixed bag, he did finish T5 in his last start here in 2023.

John Parry (110/1, bet365)

It’s fair to be hesitant to back a debutant on a treacherous course like Copperhead, but John Parry is off to a flying start as a PGA Tour rookie.

The Yorkshireman has yet to miss a cut (8-for-8) and just turned some heads with a T8 finish at THE PLAYERS, also on debut.

The numbers suggest that Parry’s start is legit. Although he’s had some issues putting, the two-time European Tour winner currently leads the varsity circuit in greens in regulation. If he can bring that accuracy with him to Innisbrook, he’ll have a chance to hang around the leaderboard at a terrific price.

Billy Horschel (110/1, bet365)

We finally got a glimpse at the good version of Billy Horschel two weeks ago.

The eight-time PGA Tour winner had a pretty sluggish start to 2026 with two missed cuts and one top-30 finish in his first six starts, but he put things together at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, finishing T13 on a tough track, and now heads to a course that has been kind to him in recent years.

Horschel finished fourth at last year’s Valspar and was 12th in 2024, so Copperhead clearly jives with the 39-year-old’s game. That shouldn’t be a shock considering Horschel is a Florida native, went to college in Gainesville, and currently resides in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Mackenzie Hughes (120/1, bet365)

Having a short game that can get you out of trouble is imperative at Copperhead, and Mackenzie Hughes has that in spades.

The Canadian won’t blow you away off the tee, and he’s certainly not the type to drop a pin from the fairway, but his short game is magical.

His volatility off the tee makes him a boom-or-bust player, but Hughes seems to have taken a liking to Florida golf. He’s had some strong showings in recent years during the Florida Swing, most notably a third-place finish at this event in 2024.

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.

TORONTO – Craig Berube read his players the riot act after a delayed response to a dirty hit that ultimately ended their captain’s season.

The Maple Leafs are playing out the string in a campaign that started with Stanley Cup talk. The team is now at least making a point of sticking up for each other — even if it’s too little, too late in the standings.

Morgan Rielly dropped the gloves to add to a handful of career NHL fights in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders after goaltender Joseph Woll was bumped. The bout followed a pair of hard-fought road games on the heels of star centre Auston Matthews being felled by a knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas last week.

The four other Toronto skaters on the ice Thursday didn’t act in the immediate aftermath of that headline-grabbing altercation, but came out hard for the third period, including the first professional fight from rookie winger Easton Cowan, in what ended as a 6-4 comeback victory.

Toronto then lost to the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in a Saturday shootout that saw blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson get angry and defend Woll before a stick-together 4-2 victory over the Wild in Minnesota on a back-to-back.

The Maple Leafs, however, were torched by media, fans and even players from other teams, namely Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk on his podcast with brother Matthew of the Florida Panthers, in the interim for not doing anything with Matthews lying on the ice in agony.

Related Videos

2:40
Toronto Maple Leafs hold state of the union amid middle of winless skid

Previous Video

Next Video

Rielly took responsibility for not immediately stepping up against Gudas, who was suspended five games for a hit that resulted in a torn MCL in Matthews’ left knee.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.

“It’s everybody,” said Berube, the Maple Leafs head coach. “They all should have been in there right away. But I think that they’ve obviously learned from it, and it’s a difference now.”

The veteran defenceman didn’t blink Tuesday following a sequence that was far less severe, going toe-to-toe with Islanders centre Kyle MacLean in the second period.

“Something that we’ve talked about in the past,” said Rielly, who was assessed an extra two-minute penalty for cross-checking. “And we’ve talked about recently.”

Berube has seen a different mentality from the club since Matthews went down.

“It’s a great job by him getting in there and sticking up for Joseph,” he added of Rielly. “That message has got across.”

Berube said following the morning skate that the injury and subsequent lack of response was a “wake-up call” for his group.

But why did it take losing Toronto’s former 69-goal man to get those juices flowing?

“It’s a good question,” Woll said. “The past few days, past few games have been really great seeing our team do that. From the time I’ve been here, I feel like we’ve had guys that stand up for our teammates, and that hasn’t been an issue.

“Everyone really cares a lot about each other in this room.”

Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz, who scored his team’s only goal Tuesday, commended Rielly’s efforts Tuesday.

“Having each other’s back has been a big part of the talks pre-game,” he said. “Making sure we’re connected out there as a group.”

He added the players are also aware of what’s been said since Matthews saw his season end.

“We’d be lying if we said we don’t hear it,” Lorentz explained. “Sometimes it takes a talk from the coach, a little bit of yelling for the guys to wake up and figure it out. We had a lot of sit-down talks, and we looked in the mirror a little bit to get to this spot that we’ve played these past few games.

“It hasn’t been consistent enough, and it’s been nice to see these past few games. It’s not about going out there and fighting, but if a guy takes a run at a guy on your team, it’s about having the liberty to stick up.”

BABY DUTY

Ekman-Larsson returned to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game in Minnesota and Tuesday’s morning skate to be wife, Maja, who delivered their second child — and second boy — on Monday.

“Not a lot of sleep, but it’s been great,” said Ekman-Larsson, who played a game-high 25:06 against New York. “Wifey had been battling, and some tough nights, but she’s been unbelievable.”

TAKING HIS CHANCE

Maple Leafs winger Benoit-Oliver Groulx created the turnover that led to Lorentz’s breakthrough in the second. The 26-year-old has four points, including three goals, in five games since being called up from the American Hockey League.

“Done a lot of good things,” Berube said. “Not just the points and the goals, it’s the other side of the game … he’s very smart and in position, does a good job. He’s played extremely well.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2026.

&copy 2026 The Canadian Press

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers knew the challenge was to come together as a unit after learning their star forward Leon Draisaitl will be out for the remainder of the regular season.

They did just that on Tuesday.

Adam Henrique picked up a pair of assists and 12 other players each had a point as the Oilers were able to rally to earn a huge 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.

“We talked about that no one guy is going to be able to replace (Draisaitl),” Henrique said. “It’s something that collectively we’re going to have to do right from here to the end of the season and see where that takes us.

“I thought tonight we did a good job responding at times through the game and chipping in like that offensively is big.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor Murphy, Vasily Podkolzin, Max Jones and Zach Hyman scored for the Oilers (34-26-9), who have won two straight to improve to 5-2-1 in March. Edmonton moved into a points tie with Anaheim atop the Pacific Division standings.

The Oilers went up 5-3 with 11:48 to play in the third period as Hyman picked up a rebound in front and lifted a backhand shot into the net from his knees for his 29th goal in just 50 games this season.

Related Videos

2:14
Blades Bio January 2026: David Lewandowski

Previous Video

Next Video

Hyman has an NHL-best 27 goals since Dec. 11.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.

“We’re not going to be able to score five every night, but it’s nice when guys are feeling a part of it,” Hyman said. “Nobody is going to be able to replace Leon, he’s one of the best players in the world. Collectively, as a group, everybody’s got to raise their game and be a little bit better. We got contributions all through the lineup.”

The Oilers were without the services of Draisaitl, who is fourth in league scoring, after it was announced earlier in the day that he is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a lower-body injury.

“Right now the timeline we’re using is the end of the regular season,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. “And once the playoffs start, we will re-evaluate. That’s where we’re at.”

Jones scored the game winner, leaving him beaming to be able to contribute so soon after being called up from the farm after spending the majority of the season in Bakersfield of the AHL.

“It’s nice to be able to come up and help the team win. Pretty special,” he said before being asked about his good fortune. “Yeah, good fortune and maybe good karma. I was waiting for the good karma, I kept losing card games and stuff.”

Murphy recorded his first goal since coming over to the Oilers in a trade deadline deal with Chicago.

“Any time a star player goes out, there’s minutes to be had that get dispersed to other players,” he said. “So it’s everyone’s time to shine, really. To step up and take those minutes in a positive way.”

Henrique was pleased to be able to chip in a pair of assists after a tough season that has seen him fail to score since Oct. 23.

“I’d love to fill Leo’s spot and just go out there and be Leo, but that’s not how it works,” he said. “I thought tonight was a good step for us and that’s something we should continue to build on.”

Connor Ingram recorded 27 saves to earn the win in the Edmonton net.

The Sharks fell to 1-13-2 this season when Macklin Celebrini failed to collect a point, as he saw a nine-game point streak come to an end.

Dmitry Orlov, Pavol Regenda and Kiefer Sherwood scored for the San Jose (32-28-6), which has lost two in a row and five of its last seven.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2026.

&copy 2026 The Canadian Press

Tempo could go a long way in determining how St. John’s opening-round NCAA Tournament game goes Friday against No. 12 seed Northern Iowa. 

The Missouri Valley Conference champions, who finished sixth in the quality mid-major league during the regular season, play at one of the slowest paces in the nation.

They don’t go after offensive rebounds, and they lead the nation in fewest points allowed (61.3). The Johnnies, the No. 5 seed in the East Region, are the opposite. They are at their best in transition by creating live-ball turnovers and pressuring the ball.

It is what makes this matchup so interesting. 

“The pace of the game is the most important thing,” a Division I assistant coach who faced Northern Iowa this season and is familiar with St. John’s said in a phone interview. “If it’s slowed down and you’re playing a possession game, that would favor Northern Iowa because they’re going to be able to run their stuff and get cleaner looks. They’re not the type of team that wants to battle back from being down.

“They want it to be a back-and-forth game at a slower tempo.”

Led by longtime coach Ben Jacobson, the Panthers play a pack-line defense, the same system made famous at Virginia by Tony Bennett. They pack the paint and look to cut off driving lanes, daring the opposition to beat them from the perimeter. Northern Iowa is still third nationally in 3-point defense (28.9 percent). The Panthers are small — their tallest starter is 6-foot-8 forward Will Hornseth. 

“Defensively, they’re really good at not necessarily turning you over, but making it really, really hard on you by packing the paint and forcing you to try and make jump shots,” the coach said. “People fall into the trap with pack-line defenses like they run, of thinking the right read is to kick out and shoot jumpers. If you’re not making them, you’re still thinking that’s the right read, and you can struggle with it.

“Just reading the closeouts is important. If they’re going to close out and still contest, having cutters and having Zuby [Ejiofor] in the paint or Zuby in the dunker, and just being able to finish plays at the rim because the reality is there’s not real shot-blockers in there.”

Northern Iowa is not nearly as strong on the other end of the floor. The Panthers rank 153rd in offensive efficiency and 278th in free-throw percentage (69.7), and they rarely go to the free-throw line, attempting 14.1 per game. Only Niagara gets to the line less. Northern Iowa’s leading scorer is senior guard Trey Campbell, who averages 13.7 points and was an All-Missouri Valley second-team selection.

The Post has you covered with a printable NCAA bracket featuring the full 68-team March Madness 2026 field.

Northern Iowa has faced two teams that made the NCAA Tournament, losing to Saint Mary’s and topping Furman. The Panthers didn’t play a single power-conference opponent. They haven’t seen athleticism like St. John’s possesses. 

“I just think St. John’s can physically overpower them, whether it’s throwing the ball into the paint — and I would assume Northern Iowa is going to be forced to double-team Zuby — and whether he’s scoring or making plays out of that,” the coach said.

“Then also attacking the offensive glass and overpowering them with length and athleticism. I think they’re susceptible to that.

“The way that St. John’s wants to play, getting up in you and pressuring the ball and making it hard for you to run your actions, I find it hard to believe that Northern Iowa has the type of players that can just break things off and go get a basket against the length and athleticism St. John’s has.”