Not too long ago, the Red Storm fan base was sulking after a disappointing NIT loss to the Memphis Tigers. Another year was gone, full of missed opportunities, poor coaching and most of all a sense of despair. The fans were angry; tired of the losses, tired of the way the losses were coming and tired of not seeing the effort for progression. During a time where everything seemed bleak and there was nothing to hope for, in a blink of an eye, everything changed.

The storyline of the off-season, and presumably the entire 2010-2011 season will be about new head coach Steve Lavin and his coaches. But how can you talk or write about anything else when in a span of seven months Lavin and Co. have given St. John’s a face-lift that would make Joan Rivers jealous.

It’s funny with the additions to the class of 2011 happening what seems like weekly, some people have come out and used the word “greedy” to describe the St. John’s fan base. What people who are not fans of the Red Storm don’t understand is these fans have been suffering for many years now. Now is the time to get greedy, now is the time to load up and stick it back in the faces of all the big programs. Now is the time for St. John’s and its fans to stick out their tongues and say confidently, “it’s our turn!” How long can one program suffer, it’s not about greed, it’s about change, a new image and a new mentality.

You get what you pay for. A saying people generally use to describe a used car or furniture but it’s a phrase that should be associated with what has transpired since coach Lavin was hired. A big name, with a big smile and a big mouth, add that to a large contract and what do you get, a revitalized program.

“The majority of the credit will go to Lavin,” said college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. “He has done an amazing job recruiting, the staff has been tremendous and his infectious personality just makes him that much better.”

There is legitimate buzz about St. John’s basketball, yet everyone needs to take a step back and take a deep breath. Look back to March when the names of Seth Greenberg, Paul Hewitt and Steve Donahue were being floated around as the next head coach of the red and white. For weeks there were arguments as to who would be the best fit, and then along came Lavin and the love fest began.

I remember being at the introductory press conference for Steve Lavin as the 19th head coach in school history and in front of over 300 media members; Lavin was as cool as ever. When I asked him a question he would look me dead in the eyes as I scribbled down quotes, and he literally made me feel like we were having a conversation, one-on-one. Some have dubbed his charm and charisma as the “Lavin effect” and thus being a major factor in the ability to currently have the #5 recruiting class for 2011 season. He works the room like a comedian with the poise and class of the president of the United States, I guess this “Lavin Effect” is something neat to have, its better to be able to experience it first hand.

But has it all happened too fast? The recruiting battles that have taken place over the summer have lifted spirits and begun to insure confidence, but like a bad movie, there seems to be a hole in the plot.

There still is basketball to be played before the major benefits of Lavin come rolling along in 2011. It seems like many have forgotten or set aside the upcoming season for the one that is being hailed as a resurrection of the fallen.

Here’s what I’m getting at, it’s remarkable how the apprehension that was associated with St. John’s basketball has been turned into optimism and enthusiasm. From the doldrums to the doorstep of success and all it took was a different name on the head coach’s office door.

But what it’s all about is the epic change of attitude when one utters “St. John’s basketball” from last winter to present day. It has been a seismic shift of perception that has people feeling like the best is yet to come. The St. John’s talk is everywhere, headlines, radio, message boards, the Red Storm, are red hot.

“Lavin will get the credit, him getting the commitments is the big reason people are talking,” says Rothstein. “But the fans need to remember, you can’t evaluate a class until they have played for a couple of years.”

While the fans are giddy over the commitments from Moe Harkless, JaKarr Sampson, Dom Pointer, Nurideen Lindsey and D’Angelo Harrison, they need to be realistic with their expectations. It’s all well and good right now, but this team in 2011 will be very young, and very inexperienced.

“There will definitely be a transitioning period,” Rothstein said sternly. “Expecting big impact from freshmen is crazy. You have to wait until they get punched in the chin and prove themselves.” And that is something the fan base needs to remember, the names looks amazing but everything right now is being based on paper.

With all that being said the different outlook with the St. John’s community has started to brew up lofty expectations.

“Magazine articles, expectations and hype is good but you have to win in January, February, and March,” said Rothstein. “That’s when you prove yourself.”

Regardless of the talk and hoopla, a change has come to Red Storm basketball. It’s all pomp and circumstance until that basketball goes up in the air for the first time in late November of 2010. Until that time the fans, media and prognosticators will do what they do best, talk and build the hype. The rest is up to the “Lavin Effect” and how it will translate to the 15 players that have bought into it.