It was a familiar feeling last night in Mile High for St. John’s. I guess the NCAA crack committee wasn’t too kind when they rewarded our first team to make the Big Dance since 2002 Gonzaga, who’s in their 13th straight March Madness.

Nine years prior, the Red Storm were stopped by the Zags for a place in the Sweet Sixteen, 82-76 out West. However, that was a heavily favored No.2 seed many liked to make its first Final Four since 1985. Yesterday was different for Steve Lavin’s scrappy sixth seeded bunch who were no match for Mark Few’s tourney tough Zags.  What started out promising with Justin Brownlee sinking a three and a bucket for a 5-0 lead turned into a familiar nightmare for St. John’s fans.

Once the unfriendly 11th seed settled in and worked the ball to behemoth Robert Sacre, the Zags took full advantage of their size, scoring at will in the paint while holding a ridiculous edge on the glass (43-20). With the 7-foot monster hurting the Johnnies for nine points and nine rebounds along with 6-7 forward Elias Harris damaging the smaller Red Storm for 15, eight boards and three assists, it opened the perimeter up for Steven Gray, who hit four daggers on his way to 16 while spreading the wealth with five assists, six boards and a pair of steals.

“Their size was able to dominate at the rim and in the lane at both ends of the floor,” said Lavin who also played without icon Lou Carnesecca who couldn’t make the trip due to feeling ill.

“We haven’t been outrebounded like that all year.”

When your best rebounder is valuable small forward DJ Kennedy who sat helplessly on the bench inspiring his teammates, you’re in trouble. Unfortunately for what’s been a storybook season that saw our school become relevant again with 21 wins, they picked the wrong game to have an off night.

Full credit must be given to Gonzaga, who executed a great strategy using their size to draw doubles and reverse the ball to either Gray or leading scorer Marquise Carter, who paced the Zags with 24 including three treys while notching six rebounds and six helpers in a brilliant performance. Three-point shooting wasn’t supposed to be the Zags’ strength but as often is the case when you control a size edge, it forces the opposition to pay more intention to the interior. Gonzaga couldn’t miss, using a 10-0 run to surge ahead by eight.

With them also doing a stellar job neutralizing Dwight Hardy, it forced other St. John’s players to step up. In the first half, Paris Horne did all he could to keep them afloat netting 10 of 11, including two from downtown. Hardy, who still paced everyone with 26, didn’t score until the eight minute mark thanks to a swarming defense that gave him special attention.

Brownlee had a decent showing, finishing with 14 but it wasn’t enough against a hot team that entered on a nine-game win streak. It remains a mystery how they were seeded so low. Even if it was a down year for the West Coast, Gonzaga has proven they’re capable around this time and have a proven track record. Even if Kennedy had played, it likely wouldn’t have mattered. That’s how impressive the Zags were.

For St. John’s, they forced the issue on offense with Hardy blanketed. Kennedy replacement Sean Evans struggled with just four and six rebounds. Horne cooled off after a hot start and Brownlee was hot and cold even though he drained a long two to cut the deficit to 11 at the half.

Lavin tried Malik Boothe at the point to get Hardy free, which worked in the second half. However, he earned all 26 with most coming on nice finishes off drives. The former JFK star went 10 of 23 from the field and hit three of seven three’s along with three free throws. Most of the year, when Lavin’s team played well, they spread the ball. Thursday, that wasn’t the case with them totaling only nine assists while the Zags doubled up with 20. St. John’s also had some sloppy turnovers that led to easy transition baskets, putting them down by as many as 17.

Everytime they got close, someone from their tough opponent responded. Usually, a three from either Gray or Carter that took the wind out of their sails.

Sometimes, that’s how it is in this tournament. One minute, you’re as high as a kite dreaming of dancing all the way to the Final Four in Houston. The next, your season’s over. For 10 seniors who sacrificed so much to bring back respectability to this program, it was the end of an Era. One they can all hold their heads high and be proud of.

“When they get out a month, two, three months, you know, a year, five years from now, they’re going to look back and realize that they brought St. John’s basketball back,” Lavin pointed out. “While it doesn’t take the sting away from this loss, they set the bar high for anyone that follows.

“They gave our coaching staff a ride of a lifetime.”

That more than anything has been what 2010-11 is all about. Sure. It might’ve ended quicker than expected but did anyone have our school beating the likes of Duke and Pittsburgh when each was No.1? Or blowing the doors off cocky Uconn coach Jim Calhoun and Player Of The Year candidate Kemba Walker? Quality wins against Notre Dame, Georgetown, West Virginia and Marquette will be remembered along with the 8-2 record at MSG. Only Syracuse got the better of them with the rematch much closer.

So, the dream ends for this special group. Hardy. Kennedy. Boothe. Evans. Horne. Brownlee. Sixth Man Justin Burrell. Malik Stith.  Fan favorite Dele Coker. Rob Thomas. That’s who it’s all about. Ten players every St. John’s alum should remember for their dedication and hard work.

It’s definitely a bittersweet day. I hate Gonzaga for good reason. Two losses in a row to that team from the middle of nowhere. But they are good and an example of a program that I hope our university aspires to be. This is just the beginning for Lavin, who delivered one of the top recruiting classes in the land. He also saw some positives from athletic freshman Dwayne Polee, Jr. who didn’t look phased by the situation. More than you can say for an overrated reality dud.

There’s much to like about the direction St. John’s is headed. It finally feels like the sun will shine brightly on the Big East school in Queens. Let’s Go Redmen! Let’s Go Johnnies! Go Red Storm! Do It For DJ!

March Madness is already underway with some brackets hurt by Rick Pitino’s decision to let Morehead State take a three, which beat his Louisville Cardinals- giving the 13th seeded underdogs the first major of upset of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

Sometimes, that’s how it goes for a Big East school that overachieved during the season, reaching the Big East Final before falling to Uconn and the Bronx’s own Kemba Walker in a memorable conference tournament best known for the Huskies winning five games in five days to become the ultimate champion. No matter what happens the rest of the way for Jim Calhoun’s group, they’ve accomplished something special. It’s amazing to think that they played five straight times and won all five. Now, they are a No.3 seed out West people like to make the Final Four. The question becomes will they show signs of fatigue when they take on pesky Bucknell in a few minutes.

Playing that many games can work against you, which makes you wonder if Louisville was ripe for the picking. Of course, losing top scorer Preston Knowles to an ankle injury had a lot to do with the outcome. But Pitino’s failure to play more aggressive allowed Demonte Harper enough space to drain a deep trey for the upset. Did Louisville get fouled at the end? Even Charles Barkley agreed but also made the point that it would’ve been a terrible call to make after how Morehead State outplayed Louisville. Officials rarely want to be the deciding factor. So, Pitino’s bunch goes home, taking the Big East tourney record of 11 down to 10.

“The coach said, ‘Hey, I dreamed about this last night, this exact situation,”’ Harper said. “He said, ‘I know exactly who I’m going to. I’m going to put it right in your hands, Demonte.’ He said, ‘At 6 seconds, I want you to attack and pull up and hit the shot.’ I hit the shot. It feels unreal right now.”

Talk about your ultimate dream scenario coming true. For Princeton, they had similar visions this afternoon against Kentucky, taking them to the buzzer. The Tiger fought back from four down thanks to two tough shots in the final 60 seconds. However, John Calipari put the ball in the hands of freshman Brandon Knight, who prior to the final possession was 0-for-7 from the field. None of that mattered as he made a slithering move to the right and got off a tough runner that coolly banked home with 2.0 left. Princeton used its final timeout and didn’t have a Pete Carrill ’96 miracle in it the way a backdoor bucket shocked defending champ UCLA 43-41.

“I think we prepared this whole week to beat these guys, and you know, our team believed that we could do it,” senior center Kareem Maddox explained after his off balance bucket cut it to two. “I mean, I don’t know if there was one moment where the switch kind of flipped, but you know, I just think we knew what kind of team we had and what kind of heart we had, and we knew we could compete.”

That’s what makes this tournament so great. These kids believe in each other that mission impossible is possible. It’s how the spunky 12th seeded Richmond Spiders edged No.5 Vanderbilt in the dreaded 5/12 game. One which Vandy had two chances to force overtime but were brutal in turning it over twice with forgettable possessions. In another match up, West Virginia didn’t fall victim to the trap game, holding off Clemson.

This is what you get on Day One of the Big Dance. Forget the four play-in games with the NCAA actually referring to it as Round One. It’s when the field is set at 64 that people start caring unless you’re from one of those schools who snuck in. Of course, Virginia Tech and Colorado will wonder how they didn’t make it along with VCU because someone’s bubble always bursts, usually unfairly. But that’s what you’re dealing with.

For St. John’s, it’s their first appearance since 2002 when a team led by Erick Barkley was a No.2 seed out West only to get picked off by Mark Few and Gonzaga in the Second Round. Many had the Red Storm getting to the Final Four only to see them be life and death to beat No.15 Northern Arizona and never look comfortable against the Zags in a hostile environment. That was a long time ago.

It’s taken nine years for a once proud basketball school to get back into college’s elite. For Norm Roberts who all year, watched Steve Lavin get the most out of his 10 seniors, it has to be bittersweet. It took a while for the former UCLA coach to get it turned around. Following blowout losses to Louisville and Georgetown, it looked like their dream was done. But the Johnnies rose up to shock Duke before a packed house at Madison Square Garden, defeating the No.1 team in the country. That Jan.30 day was the one the most talented senior Dwight Hardy put the team on his back, scoring 26 in a 93-78 win.

From that point, St. John’s was a different team winning 10 of its last 13 for a 21-11 record, including an impressive 12-6 in the deepest conference. Hardy lit up those Huskies for a career high 33, including five triples in an 89-72 rout that was never a contest. They also got 20 and 11 from the tough kid from Pittsburgh, D.J. Kennedy. A four-year player who had a brilliant career as part of a special group who wanted to get it turned around.

As we know, the versatile Kennedy who can get into the lane, distribute and rebound with the best of them, suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the first half of a close quarterfinal loss to Syracuse. Here’s a kid who sacrificed offense for the good of the team under Lavin, becoming a better player. In the beginning, I wondered why some of his games were so low. When you don’t have the benefit of TV due to scheduling, it’s hard to judge. But when they were finally into their tough part against the Big East, I began to understand why. Kennedy was always a very athletic player who could get to the free throw line and be counted on but he also could step out and hit from downtown. He played stellar D and was usually around the rock.

For DJ, it will be tough to watch the rest of thise senior-laden bunch go to another tough environment and take on the Zags in Denver. But his attitude has been tremendous, never questioning why him. Instead, he will be there on the bench next to his teammates, urging them on. An extra voice to inspire roommate Sean Evans, who’s been the best story of this turnaround, going from barely playing to a main part under Lavin. Not bad for a kid who walked on and stuck for all four years. Against the Orange, there was Evans going among the trees for a double/double (11 Pts, 12 Rebs) in a competitive loss to a team that previously embarrassed them.

Hardy got his points (22) and key cogs Justin Brownlee and Paris Horne both stepped up in Kennedy’s absence with the kind of performances Lavin will need if his team wants to stay in past tonight. Gonzaga has a size edge. So, they’ll also need Evans and Justin Burrell to battle for every rebound and loose ball. The real key as super sub Malik Boothe out of Christ The King put it will be staying aggressive. This team has gotten here by pushing the pace, wearing out opponents. They’ll look to press the Zags and attack the basket. Malik Stith will see some increased minutes without Kennedy. Lavin still has plenty of options tonight.

They’ve been a team all year. This isn’t about avenging some loss a different bunch had wearing their fancy jerseys. This is about continuing the transformation into being relevant again. These are still underdogs. Especially minus DJ. It’s a pick ‘em game in a hostile environment. Tonight, we find out if St. John’s is ready for primetime.

Do It For DJ!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a St. John’s basketball fan. Raised by my Dad- a fellow alum, I was spoiled during the 80′s when St. John’s boasted one of the best programs in all of college hoops. I can still recite the names of Mullin, Berry, Jackson, Glass and Wennington. All part of our last Final Four before John Thompson and Patrick Ewing ruined it. 

Who knew I’d end up like many Knick fans, rooting for Ewing to bring the franchise back to the promised land while Chris Mullin starred for Golden State on the opposite end of the country. Crazy how things turn out. And when Mark Jackson was reunited with Ewing, I was in paradise. Alley oops tossed by my favorite college point guard to the former enemy at Madison Square Garden, making for insane posters on many kids walls.

Yeah. Growing up in the Big Apple was great. Especially because of my upbringing. I played basketball at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island and wanted to be just like the guys I cheered for on TV. Even better, me and Dad went to Alumni Hall for some games. Memories I’ll cherish forever. There are some things you never forget. Those were as The Boss called them, Glory Days.

It amazes me now when I reflect back on how special Mullin was, or how high Walter Berry could fly. Or how steady Willie Glass was from the perimeter. How tough Bill Wennington is. A player who got the most of his ability, turning in a solid NBA career while winning championships with Michael Jordan and the Bulls. I guess in a twisted sense, Wennington got the last laugh on Ewing.

There were others during that fun Era where anything felt possible. Matt Brust. Shelton Jones. Ron Rowan. Malik Sealy. Robert Werdann. Greg “Boo” Harvey. Chucky Sproling. David Cain. Lamont Middleton. There are too many more to list during the days of The Sweater, Lou Carnesecca. The fun loving coach who made you smile and laugh just by his mannerisms. He still hasn’t lost that sixth sense yet, rooting on the first 20-win team in over a decade under Steve Lavin.

No matter what happens from this point out, the run these 10 seniors have been on since turning around their season in a stunning upset of Duke will never be forgotten. For years, we’ve waited for this kind of gritty roster who won you over with their heart and fire on both ends. Who knew Dwight Hardy would emerge into a Big East Player Of The Year candidate after blowout losses to Louisville and Georgetown? At that point, they looked done.

But Lavin kept them together. As it turned out, there was a little Louie Magic left with our Red Storm finally rising. I’ll never get used to that name. To me, they’ll always be the St. John’s Redmen. So, as leading scorer Hardy, D.J. Kennedy, Justin Brownlee, n Paris Horne, Justin Burrell, Sean Evans and emotional leader Malik Boothe take the floor for their Big East quarterfinal with Rutgers right now, let’s savor how special this group have been. Coming together at the right time to make their first Big Dance since Omar Cook played.

A run that saw our school beat some of the league best in potential No.1 seed Pitt, Uconn, Cincinnati, fading Villanova,to get to 20 wins while finishing fifth (12-6) in the toughest conference in the land, should always be remembered. Never take for granted what these young men have accomplished. Becoming a T-E-A-M. The opposite of what’s taking place in South Beach. In order to have success, that’s how it’s gotta be. A good line from The Fray’s “Over My Head (In A Cable Car).”

The chant will be “Let’s Go Johnnies” against dangerous Jonathan Mitchell and the Scarlet Knights from Piscataway with a semifinal berth against Syracuse on the line. It won’t come easy. Just ask ‘Nova after blowing a 16-point halftime lead and falling on a last second shot to South Florida- further endangering their NCAA hopes? Anything can happen in these tournaments.

It’s true St. John’s has owned MSG with a 7-1 record. The only loss a blowout at the hands of the Orange before they became a team. You know they want another shot at them. Never look ahead. But only at what’s in front of you. That will be Lavin’s theme all day.

One which they must keep when their name finally gets called on Selection Sunday. Something that’s felt like forever will finally end with more excitement and anticipation than there’s been in quite some time. No matter what, savor it.

WE ARE ST. JOHN’S!!!!!

Jose Reyes has finally returned to lead the Mets.

-Can the Mets keep it up? Their 5-1 homestand taking two of three from the Yanks and sweeping the Phils without allowing a run was a statement. Incredibly inspiring baseball from Jerry Manuel’s club led finally by the resurgent Jose Reyes, who is back to being himself in the leadoff spot. He tormented the Mets’ biggest rival by going 8-for-13 with three extra base hits including his first home run, five RBI’s, two stolen bases and five runs scored. That’s the Reyes that’s the team’s MVP. Jason Bay continued to produce following the two-homer game off C.C. Sabathia with three more RBI’s. Angel Pagan is the club’s most improved player, getting five hits and swiping three bases in the series.

As for the staff, what a job by every Met pitcher blanking arguably the best offense for all 27 innings. Miraculous stuff from Hisanori Takahashi, vet knuckler R.A. Dickey and potential All-Star Mike Pelfrey, who bested Cole Hamels yesterday by going seven strong for win No.7. The pen continues to get the job done. At 25-23 following a dreadful road trip, the Amazin’s are in third a half game behind Atlanta and two out. The NL East should be tight all year. Especially with the improved Nats hanging around along with the Marlins. If Carlos Beltran returns healthy, they could give the Mets a leg up on the wild card competition. The Phils couldn’t play any worse but are still the team to beat.

-Meanwhile, across town the Yanks get Curtis Granderson back in center batting second against the Indians in the Bronx tonight. An early two-run Nick Swisher homer has given Phil Hughes a lead. He’s already struckout five in looking to rebound from back-to-back disappointing efforts. The guys in Pinstripes haven’t played well lately. Even if they took two of three from favorite whipping boy Minnesota, Javier Vazquez again got lit up in a blowout loss yesterday. Joe Girardi’s guys really haven’t been the same since a hot start, leaving too many runners on and not getting consistent relief. Even Sabathia has struggled. With Boston finally red hot having swept a two-game set in Tampa, the defending champs need to get revved up. A Memorial Weekend series against lowly Cleveland could be just what the doctor ordered.

-Randy Winn has been so bad that he might want to consider changing his name to Randy Loss. At least it would better explain how Brian Cashman signed him. Not much better on Nick “DL” Johnson. Kevin Russo stays.

-Best move of the offseason is Rod Barajas, whose 10 homers pace the Amazin’s with his 27 RBI’s second to David Wright. Vet backup Henry Blanco has also been instrumental helping improve the pitching staff. Though we’re not sure anyone can aid Olli Perez and John Maine.

-Like most, I thought Big Papi was done. Good news if you own his rookie cards.

-Considering the continued trips to the DL for Jorge Posada, what if the Bronx Bombers didn’t have Francisco Cervelli as insurance? From the time I covered him out here on the ’06 Penn-League champion Staten Island Baby Bombers, Cervelli’s been a winner. The guy always worked hard and did it with a smile. Nice to see him getting rewarded.

-All things considered, the Yanks actually miss Phil Coke. Wasn’t Ian Kennedy in that trade too? He’s not faring too badly out in The Desert.

-I voted for him because I thought he’d make a good President. Not because I wanted to know what Mr. Obama thought about LeBron going to Chicago. How about focusing on your job which just got a lot harder due to this BP oil spill in Louisiana.

-Didn’t catch it but kudos to Ron Artest on saving Kobe Bryant’s Lakers on what sounded like a very unpredictable conclusion breaking Sun hearts. The kid I saw when he starred for LaSalle Academy could always ball. It’s just a matter of staying focused on the court.

-Love to see the Suns force a seventh in Hollywood and somehow get it done just for my close buddy P. He deserves it.

-I don’t feel sorry for Coach Calhoun or UConn. Unfortunately, they probably won’t get severely punished or miss any postseason play. Nice job NCAA!

-When I wrote that column begging for change at St. John’s, they must’ve heard me. But you know, the way those guys played down the stretch for Norm Roberts, you could tell how much they enjoyed playing for him. Such a heartbreaking ending for a nice guy who at least brought back respect to the program. Now, we’ll see if Steve Lavin can take that next giant step forward with a senior core featuring D.J. Kennedy, Malik Boothe, Sean Evans, Paris Horne, Justin Burrell and Dwight Hardy.

-As an avid hockey fan who did a preview on our Battle Of New York blog, has the Stanley Cup begun yet? More proof that Gary Bettman’s still working for David Stern.

-Should be interesting to see what the Celtics come up with in what amounts to a must win versus the Magic. If they lose, just imagine how Boston will feel after witnessing the wrong kind of history made by their Bruins in that same building. They should’ve put it away already.

-And finally, a salute to The Richburg family who buried their son Thursday. Lyndzay was a wonderful human being who touched everyone he was around making us smile and laugh. We’ll forever miss him but his spirit shines down brightly in our hearts.