SJU (4-1, 0-0 MIAC) begins conference play against St. Olaf (5-0, 0-0 MIAC) this Saturday, Dec. 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Sexton Arena in Collegeville. – Listen Live | Live Stats

Preview Video:
-Head coach Jim Smith (2:19)

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's used a 24-0 run near the end of the first half to build a 44-19 halftime lead to a 79-58 non-conference win at Martin Luther this past Wednesday, Dec. 1. Junior Aaron Barmore (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) celebrated his 21st birthday by leading all scorers with 18 points on nine of 10 shooting. Senior Aaron Burtzel (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) just missed his first double-double of the season with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Senior Sam Blank (Rollingstone, Minn./Winona Cotter) added 12 points, including two of the Johnnies' three three-pointers on the night. SJU, which led by as much as 34, pulled all of its starters with 11 minutes left in regulation. SJU outscored MLC 40-8 in the paint and shot 51.8 percent in the game despite a 3-for-16 (18.8 percent) night from behind the arc.

A LOOK AT THE OLES: Senior Tucker Sheley had 17 points to lead St. Olaf to a 66-54 victory over McPherson (Kan.) last Sunday, Nov. 28, in the final round of the Wisconsin-Platteville Thanksgiving Classic. Sheley made four three-pointers in the first half as St. Olaf never trailed and led by as many as 25 in the opening frame. McPherson was within 10 on two occasions in the second half, but St. Olaf closed out the game by making 18-of-24 at the free-throw line. Junior Bobby Fong added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Oles, who are off to a 5-0 start for the first time since the 1995-96 season. Fong currently leads STO in both points (18.8 ppg.) and rebounds (8.2 rpg.).

THE LAST MEETING: Burtzel recorded his second triple-double of the season and Blank added 20 points off the bench as the host Johnnies defeated St. Olaf 84-61 on Feb. 3, 2010. Burtzel tallied 16 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to earn the rare honor. Blank's 20 points led five Johnnies in double figures as the home team shot 53.2 percent (33-62) overall and made 12 three-pointers in the game. Mark Torell led the Oles, who lost their fifth straight, with 17 points. 

SERIES HISTORY: The Johnnies are 59-24 all-time against St. Olaf under the direction of head coach Jim Smith, including a 37-5 record in Collegeville. SJU has won 18 of the last 23 meetings and 10 of the last 12 in Sexton Arena.