“The only thing that matters about the Big East Tournament is that we get Miami, because we owe them.”ST. JOHN’S MIKE JARVIS FIRST ROUND Rutgers 64 Pittsburgh 51 RALPH WILLARD Final game with Pitt.If Rutgers is looking for congratulations after beating Pittsburgh 64-51 last night in a first-round game of the Big East Conference Tournament, Mike Jarvis isn’t the man to turn to.
When asked earlier this week on his radio show for his thoughts on the tournament, the usually politically correct St. John’s coach bluntly summed up his team’s feelings.
“The only thing that matters about the Big East Tournament is that we get Miami,” Jarvis said, “because we owe them.”
The Hurricanes beat St. John’s twice this season. But before the Red Storm can entertain thoughts of revenge, it will have to beat Rutgers for a third time. St. John’s rallied for a 77-73 win at Rutgers Jan. 2 and pulled away for an 88-78 win at the Garden Jan. 16.
The Scarlet Knights, who improved to 18-11, have their NCAA Tournament hopes riding on this game. A win over the Red Storm and Rutgers would improve its RPI and force the NCAA Selection Committee to make a hard choice.
In order for St. John’s (23-7) to get another shot at Miami, the Red Storm will have to beat the Scarlet Knights in tonight’s last quarterfinal-round game and hope that the Hurricanes dispatch Georgetown in the 7 p.m. opener. Georgetown (15-14), however, needs a win to solidify its chances of garnering an NIT berth.
The Hoyas have owned the Hurricanes in this tournament. Six times the Hoyas and ‘Canes have done battle. Six times the Hoyas have sent the ‘Canes packing.
The ‘Canes (21-5) seemed poised to march on this year. They have won eight straight, including a 73-70 win over St. John’s in the Garden Feb. 3. Miami also edged the Red Storm 84-79 Jan. 6 in Miami.
Rutgers got off to a slow start last night against the depleted Panthers and held a 28-22 halftime lead. It marked the first time in six games that Rutgers had led at the half.
The Scarlet Knights opened the second half by scoring five straight, the last three on a 3-pointer by Jeff Greer of the Bronx to seize a 33-22 lead.
It was a sad ending to coach Ralph Willard’s career at Pittsburgh. Because of suspensions to several players – the most recent being Attila Cosby for violating team rules – just seven players suited up for the Panthers.
Rutgers wasn’t at full strength either. Wide-body post man Rashod Kent, who suffered a deep bone bruise in his knee at the end of practice Tuesday, returned to New Jersey yesterday. An MRI found no evidence of ligament or cartilage damage but his status for the rest of the tournament is day to day.
Both teams started off as if there were lids on the baskets. It took more than two minutes before either team scored and the only noteworthy occurrence was that Rutgers’ senior forward Rob Hodgson had picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench.
Without Hodgson, Rutgers’ offense came to a halt. Pittsburgh wasn’t much better as Vonteego Cummings went some 10 minutes before getting his first field goal. His foul-line jumper sparked a 7-2 spurt that made the score 18-14 with 7:30 left.
Rutgers coach Kevin Bannon put Hodgson back in the game and the Scarlet Knights opened their biggest lead at 24-16. But Pittsburgh scored the next four points to cut the Scarlet Knights’ lead in half with 2:15 remaining. Geoff Billet hit a short jumper in the lane to give Rutgers its halftime lead.