First Game Pressure

“Lavin’s arrival immediately altered the school’s profile, and I think, in a lot of ways, signified to many that St. John’s is finally prepared to enter the game of high-stakes business,” said Tierney.

Steve Lavin has a major, difficult job ahead of him – trying to get the Red Storm to a a level of sustained success in the Big East and nationally. And the first test comes on national television, during ESPN’s 24-hour ESPN College Basketball tip-off Marathon on November 16th. At 2 AM. On the road in a small, well-attended venue in Moraga, California.  Against a St. Mary’s team that made the Sweet Sixteen last year (28-6 overall) with excellent returning guards. And a team from an inferior conference, but with experienced and possibly even talent.

Yeah, there is pressure to win the first game.  It is a chance to show the nation that St. John;’s is relevant again… or show them that the Red Storm continue to be irrelevant.

For comparison, here are the openers for the St. John’s men’s basketball squad for the past ten years:

2000 – Kentucky (home at Garden)
2001 – Stony Brook (home)
2002 – Stony Brook (home)
2003 – Marquette (home at Garden)
2004 – Wagner (home)
2005 – Maryland – Eastern Shore (home)
2006 – North Florida (home)
2007 – St. Francis (home)
2008 – Long Island U (home)
2009 – Long Island U (home)

Besides the loss to Marquette and the win over Kentucky, that is quite a list of cupcake opponents – the kind of teams brought in for a secure win, not to challenge a team. This will no doubt be the toughest test for the Red Storm to kick off a season in 10 years, but coach Lavin thinks this is a good thing.

“Opening our season at St. Mary’s in a nationally-televised matchup on ESPN is an outstanding early-season test to gauge where we are as a team,” said Lavin in a statement. “A contest like this will pay great dividends in preparing our team for the rigors of the BIG EAST.”

This is more than just a “measuring stick” for the Red Storm. This is the closest they will get to playing a battle-tested NCAA talent for over two months.

We can use the clichés like “it’s only one game on a long schedule.” But a win is what matters in college basketball. A victory over the Gaels instantly puts the team on the right track for a turn around. The media will go crazy over this caliber of win, and it will give Lavin a steady leg to stand on. It is his jumping off point, his base for success, and his message to everyone that the Red Storm are back and they are for real.

On the other side of the spectrum, a loss raises concerns from all angles and the questions will begin to fly. Is this St. John’s team ready to play and compete with the likes of St. Mary’s and other NCAA tourney tested teams? Has anything changed from last year with the Lavin hiring? These questions will be fired at Lavin in the post game press conference, but that comes with the territory.

But under the radar is the opponent and the venue. The McKeon Pavilion is beyond a home field advantage for the Gaels, it’s almost unfair. Over the last three years the Gaels have lost an astounding FOUR games at home, while racking up 47 wins in that time frame. Lets not forget how small the Pavilion is, capacity is 3500, almost twice as small as Carnesecca Arena. That means its going to be rocking with loud, boisterous Gael faithful to the point where it will feel like they are sitting on the Jonnies shoulders at the free throw line. And it’s one of the few times the school will be on national television.

If St. John’s goes on the road and wins that first game against a team with one of the best back-courts in the country featuring Matthew Dellavedova and Mickey McConnell it could, like Lavin said pay great dividends.

“Of course it would be nice to deposit an early season win and ride the wave of positive coverage into the season,” said 1050 ESPN Radio host and Red Storm Report’s Brandon Tierney. “But to react to a single game is missing the ultimate point, in my opinion” While Tierney is not putting major stock into the first game against the Gaels he does think the Red Storm are finally ready to turn that corner and compete with the major players of college basketball such as the St. Mary’s Gaels.

“The school tried to walk an impossible line of playing and competing in a monster conference, in a highly sophisticated city with astute, and passionate fans, but they weren’t able or willing to cut the checks to back it up, and it killed the program,” said Tierney.  “The University has finally turned the page, and entered the ‘new’ world of college athletics. And I guarantee, it will serve them very well moving forward.”

Steve Lavin is used to the spotlight. He is ready for the challenge and it begins with the Gaels.