By Anthony Bosco
St. John’s University men’s basketball coach Mike Jarvis sat next to his wife Connie on a leather couch, surrounded by his assistants and players, all of whom were cued in on the big screen television in front of them, all eyes glued to the tube as they awaited their fate Sunday night.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Minutes into the live broadcast announcing the 65 teams to qualify for the annual NCAA Tournament, the school’s name appeared on the screen, as the No. 9 seed in the East Region, matching up with Wisconsin of the Big Ten in Washington D.C. Friday.
A roar went up throughout the viewing room at the campus’ University Center, packed with friends, family and media as the joyous players and coaches embraced at the announcement, which few would admit was not entirely locked up after the team’s less than stellar performance at last week’s Big East Tournament.
“I think we’ve had an outstanding year,” Jarvis said. “I believe we’re worthy we earned our way in. We’re certainly going to go to Washington D.C. and represent St. John’s, New York City and the Big East and all of our families to the best of our abilities.”
Senior Donald Emanuel said he was as sure as he could be that the Red Storm would get into the field of 65 teams, but was still relieved to see the school name appear on the screen.
“I woke up pretty early this morning and was like, ‘OK, today’s the day,’” Emanuel said. “The time came and we got what we were looking for.”
The Red Storm lost in the second round of the Big East Tournament to Notre Dame, but garnered their 20th win of the season a day before by squeaking by Seton Hall.
Neither performance was bound to impress the selection committee, but with both their RPI and strength of schedule among the top 40 in the nation, the Storm would not be denied entry.
St. John’s was one of six Big East schools to make the tournament, including the conference tournament champion University of Connecticut Huskies, featuring LeFrak City native Taliek Brown, which garnered the No. 2 seed in the East Region.
Pittsburgh, which features former Christ the King star Mark McCarroll, took the No. 3 seed in the South Region, while Miami was the No. 5 seed in the West and Notre Dame the No. 8 seed in the South.
Boston College, featuring Queens Village native Uka Agbai, was the last Big East team to get in, locking up the No. 11 seed in the Midwest. The Eagle will play Texas, led by Cardozo alum Royal Ivey, in the first round.
The Red Storm’s relatively high seed suited the players just fine.
“We’re in a good place,” said senior Anthony Glover. “We know we don’t have to go so far. We’re playing against a good team. I’ve been there before. For the guys who haven’t been there, I’m proud for them. It’s a new beginning a new start.”
Wisconsin (18-12) was one of four teams to share the Big Ten regular season title, but lost in the conference tournament semifinals to Iowa.
The Badgers, coached by Bo Ryan, holds wins over Marquette, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State and Iowa this season. Wisconsin has defeated St. John’s in the only two meeting between the two schools, in 1963 and 1978.
“They’re a prototypical Big Ten team,” Jarvis said. “Their big and strong, they play great ‘D’ and obviously they know how to win. We have our work cut out for us. If you told us we were playing the Lakers, we would say we would try to get ready. We’re certainly going to try to get ready for what I think is going to be a great basketball game.”
“They play a lot of defense and they like to bang, other than that I don’t know anything else about them,” Emanuel admitted. “I just know if we’re ready, it doesn’t matter what they’re going to do.”
The team’s best chance against Wisconsin is to have leading scorer Marcus Hatten return to form after struggling in the team’s most recent outings. Hatten was not with the team Sunday, having to return to his native Baltimore due to the death of his grandmother.
“He’s here in spirit with us,” Glover said.
Jarvis also stressed the need for St. John’s to become more consistent, particularly on offense.
“Maybe our inconsistency has been our most consistent thing,” Jarvis said. “One thing about coming to watch us play is that you never know what’s going to happen. I hope that we maybe play a little out of character in this tournament.”
If St. John’s manages to get by Wisconsin, a date with the No. 1 seed in the East Region, Maryland, is all but a lock for the second round. Maryland will meet the winner of the lone play-in game between Alcorn State and Siena.
Maryland (26-4), which plays in the always tough ACC, has been near the top of the national ranking all year and has scored some impressive wins this season, most notable over the Duke Blue Devils, the same team that beat St. John’s by 42 this season.
Jarvis, however, was keen on pointing out that, no matter how the brackets shake down, St. John’s has a shot.
“This is definitely a day to remember,” he said. “This is a very special group. They’re a great bunch of guys. You want to see your seniors go out with their heads held high. [They have to] go in, give it the best you got and you never know what can happen.”
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.
