With nine scholarship seniors on the roster, not only was 2010-2011 poised to be the final run for this experienced group, but the following, enormous recruiting class would define the program for years to come.
During the previous 6 years under coach Norm Roberts, this St. John's program was in recovery mode. After a flurry of scandals and negative press, including the mid-season firing of head coach Mike Jarvis in 2003, St. John's needed to right ship. The Johnnies were falling into the depths "untouchable" programs, where respectable coaches' careers go to die, plagued in controversy.
Roberts did what the administration needed him to. He recruited kids who were not only quality ball players, but quality men as well, staying away from controversy, though never regaining the national prominence that was formerly synonymous with the Red Storm.
But, as the pendulum
of this program swings back in the winning direction, St. John's needed a coach who could put them over the top, back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002.They needed a perfect storm and they got one.
After 7 seasons as an ESPN analyst, former UCLA head coach Steve Lavin expressed interest in returning to the sidelines, but he would only do so if he were put in a position to succeed.
He had entertained an offer from NC State that he ultimately turned down before coming to the Red Storm in March, 2010. And he wasted no time making an impression.
Within five weeks, he landed one of the most highly-touted remaining players in the 2010 recruiting class, 6'8" forward Dwayne Polee.
Since taking over the reins in Queens, Lavin has led the Red Storm to 5th in the supremely competitive Big East, including 4 wins over Top 15 teams, and put his team in a position to control their own destiny down the stretch toward the NCAA Tournament.
It is becoming clear as this season goes along that Lavin is the perfect candidate for this St. John's program. He is the "triple threat" coach, not only able to represent the school well, but is a superior recruiter, and a skilled on-court coach.
Lavin is a dapper figure on the sideline, decidedly Hollywood, with his slicked-back hair and sharp-looking suits. He carries himself with high-brow professionalism and calculated intelligence. In the media, he is a convenient talking point, especially for ESPN, who loves to mention former colleagues who go on to have success elsewhere. His lengthy, detailed explanations make for great radio and television.
On the recruiting front, he has already nailed down the #2 ranked incoming class in the nation, according to ESPN, including 6 Top 100 recruits and a point guard in Nurideen Lindsey who is already projected as an NBA Draft pick. His ability to reach from coast-to-coast has put St. John's back on the map in the national recruiting game.
And, most importantly, on the court, Lavin has been a master motivator and controller of the X's and O's. Last season, the Red Storm dropped a number of games after leading at the half, including against highly-ranked West Virginia and Villanova.
This season, it has been a different story, and those 4 wins against Top 15 teams are proof. Finally, coming down the stretch, this team has confidence that they can put away key victories. In today's important victory over Cincinatti, St. John's withstood a 16-1 run by Cincincatti near the end, knocked down their free throws, and capped the win.
This is a very different team, and the media's new darling, Steve Lavin, is to be credited for much of it.
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