Tyrone Grant stood on the Madison Sq. Backyard court docket in awe.
After greater than twenty years of ready, the proud alum has a staff he believes could make the type of March noise his staff did 26 years in the past.
“I can almost say they’re better than us at this point,” he stated. “I told [Deivon] Smith, for you to think about being better than us, just win the championship.”
The 1998-99 St. John’s staff was this system’s final one to succeed in the Candy 16.
These Johnnies went all the best way to the Elite Eight, earlier than shedding to Ohio State.
They had been a No. 3 seed. This group is probably going going to be a No. 2.
“This is a hard team to play against and match up with, because not only do they switch, they switch hard,” Grant, the beginning middle in 1998-99 beneath coach Mike Jarvis, stated. “The intensity is always there for 40 minutes. I have nothing but high expectations. I’ll be on the road with them for the tournament.
“What was so emotional is I know how it feels to win in New York,” he added. “It’s a whole different ballgame.”
Grant stated he’s engaged on bringing different members of the 1998-99 staff with him on the highway, together with Metta Sandiford-Artest (previously Ron Artest).
He’s excited to see how far this group can go.
“I think they can win it,” Grant stated. “I’m saying that honestly. I haven’t said that in 25 years. I think they can win it.”
Deivon Smith took one other shot to his ailing proper shoulder and missed the ultimate 5:46.
He, nevertheless, stated he advised coach Rick Pitino he may return if wanted.
“Everybody was attacking my shoulder. It was getting pulled all game,” the 6-foot level guard stated. “But like I’ve said, I’m not missing any more games. I’m going to fight through it. I was ready to go back in there, but the guys handled the win. We’re just going to rest up and get ready for the next one.”
Smith initially damage the shoulder on Jan. 11, and has been out and in of the lineup ever since.
He did play in all three Massive East Match video games.
The senior had 4 factors and 4 assists in 20 productive minutes on Saturday.
