As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Carnesecca Arena, Steve Lavin tapped assistant Rico Hines on the thigh a few times. Then the horn sounded and the new St. John’s basketball coach shook senior D.J. Kennedy’s hand.
The “honeymoon” continues. That’s the word Lavin has used to describe his first seven months on the job — honeymoon. He’s brought in eight elite recruits, including small forward Amir Garrett, who signed yesterday.
Lavin has schmoozed boosters, energized the fan base and glad-handed every basketball figure in the New York area.
And just when the honeymoon almost turned into an annulment, his Red Storm players, understanding that an 0-2 start might land them all on Divorce Court, turned up the defense and crushed Columbia in the second half.
Lavin won his home opener, 79-66, and the players gave him the game ball. Senior Justin Burrell, who had the highlight dunk of the night, said the ball would be painted with the score and signed by the players. Lavin said he’d put it in his new office adjacent to the House That Looie Built.
“We really wanted to get this win for Coach Lavin,” said Burrell. “We’ve been together. We know we’ve got each other’s back from here on out.”
Burrell is one of 10 seniors. An NCAA tournament berth is their primary concern. The same can be said for Lavin.
After seven years at UCLA and seven more at ESPN, Lavin chose St. John’s for his coaching return because he believes this is place that can win a national title.
He already has the nation’s third best recruiting class signed for next season. This year he needed to marry his style and his prize freshman, Dwayne Polee Jr., to the seniors.
New staff; 10 seniors; 0-2 start, you do the emotional math.
“Nobody wants to start their season 0-2,” said Paris Horne, whose finger-roll layup and foul with 4:39 left gave the Johnnies a 72-62 lead.
St. John’s got out to a 24-12 lead, but Lavin said he substituted too much and Columbia, shooting 8-for-15 on 3-pointers, rallied for 39-35 lead at halftime.
Lavin’s halftime speech was simple. Rebound the basketball and tag Columbia’s shooters, especially Dyami Starks, who was 5-for-8 in the first half.
Mission accomplished. Some 39 hours after a 76-71 loss at St. Mary’s, Kennedy scored 18 points against the Lions (1-2). Polee had 10 and a team-high nine boards.
“It’s always good to get the first win, especially with a new coach, new staff,” said Kennedy. “It’s a new year.”
Actually, it’s a new era. Garrett, a 6-6 small forward from Los Angeles playing at high school power Findlay Prep, is the sixth top-100 recruit to sign.
Lavin said he was relieved by the win. But he also said he’d join special assistant Gene Keady for a Maker’s Mark. The honeymoon continues.