This was deep in the most effective winter of St. John’s huge basketball historical past, which meant it was squarely in the course of probably the most fulfilling season Lou Carnesecca ever had, which is saying one thing. It was Feb. 17, 1985. The Redmen had been scheduled to play DePaul — nonetheless an unbiased, and nonetheless a formidable take a look at underneath Joey Meyer.
It had been 22 days because the Johnnies had gone into Georgetown and crushed the mighty Hoyas, supplanting them because the No. 1 crew within the nation. Extra essential, it had been 35 days since Mary Carnesecca had slipped an unpleasant, scratchy sweater into her husband’s baggage for a street journey to Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Area Home.
“It could get drafty in there,” Mary warned.
Looie did as he was informed, and his crew thrashed the Panthers by 31 factors the subsequent evening. Now they’d be at dwelling, that dwelling nonetheless referred to as Alumni Corridor, and each inch of area was occupied, as at all times. The official rely was 6,597. The unofficial rely was offered by Mark Jackson after the sport.
