John Fanta
University basketball broadcaster and reporter
When number 22 Xavier visits St. John’s Wednesday night (9 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports app), the broadcast will feature a unique viewing experience and a behind-the-scenes look at the Musketeers and Red Storm shows.
That’s because Xavier head coach Sean Miller and St. John’s Mike Anderson have agreed to participate in the latest edition of FOX Sports “All-Access”. This commercial-free presentation will give exclusive and rarely seen access inside each group, the dressing rooms and interactions between head coaches, players and officials rarely seen by a national audience. A concept started by FOX Sports and the Big East Conference in 2016, this broadcast series has provided a special look at college basketball programs.
Miller, who is in the first year of his second stint at Xavier, has put the Musketeers back on the map and in the Top 25 with a 10-3 record on the season. His passionate personality should be interesting to watch on the sidelines as Xavier looks to win on the road behind Souley Boum (17.3 points per game) and a top-10 offense in college basketball.
On the other side of the game, a team from St. John’s 11-2 did the trick during non-conference play, but has yet to pick up a signature win for the resume this season. Wednesday night offers a prime opportunity for the Red Storm to make a statement. The Johnnies have been boosted by senior Joel Soriano, as well as a pair of transfers, David Jones (DePaul) and Andre Curbelo (Illinois). It will be interesting to see Anderson in action implementing the “40 minutes of hell” style he adopted from his mentor, Nolan Richardson.
With both coaches on live microphones, an already intriguing matchup at the Carnesecca Arena even more so.
The all-access broadcast on FS1 follows the 72nd meeting between No. 2 UConn and Villanova at 6:30 pm ET from Hartford. The Huskies are one of three undefeated teams left in college basketball. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET with FS1 College Hoops Extra before the night’s triple header, which will conclude with Mountain West leader San Diego State hosting Air Force at 11 p.m. E.T.
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John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers sports in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.
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