The 2010-2011 season was the most memorable season for this St. John’s program in nearly a decade. Here is a recap of the Top 5 moments:

#5: St. John’s Wins Great Alaska Shootout

After St. John’s lost their opener on the road to St. Mary’s and beat Columbia at home, the Johnnies were looking to make a statement when they traveled to Anchorage for the 2010 Great Alaska Shootout. And that is just what they did. After squeaking by Ball State in the first round, winning 79-73 in overtime, the Red Storm set a tournament record for fewest points allowed in the next round, beating Drake 82-39.

The Johnnies faced a formidable Pac-10 opponent in Arizona State in the championship game and, despite 22 points by the Sun Devils’ Ty Abbott, the Johnnies prevailed, 67-58. Senior forward Justin Brownlee showed the results of his off-season workouts, showcasing polished post moves and a solid all-around game. He averaged 17.7 points per game in the three games up north and took home the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.

#4: Justin Brownlee’s Putback Sinks G’Town at the Garden

To open the Big East schedule at home under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, the Johnnies took on long-time rival Georgetown. And, little did Red Storm fans know, this was just the beginning of the drama in Manhattan.

With the ball at the top of the key as the seconds wound down in the 2nd half, Dwight Hardy pulled a wicked in-and-out dribble that broke the ankles of Georgetown forward Jason Clark. He missed the layup, but Justin Brownlee was there to put it back up with 10 seconds to go, giving the Johnnies the 61-58 victory. Brownlee finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Georgetown became the first giant to fall to St. John’s at the Garden and the win thrust the Red Storm back into the national college basketball conversation, as they began the Big East season 3-0.

#3: UConn Becomes Third Top 10 Team to Lose at the Garden

Oh, how sweet it was. After beating Georgetown and Duke, it seemed the Johnnies were due to be woken up from their dream. But, that would not be so; at least not on this night. Dwight Hardy, fresh off his career-high 32 points against UCLA, dropped 33 points on the eventual national champions and the Johnnies celebrated their third victory over a Top 10 team.

Kemba Walker was held to just 15 points on 4/16 shooting and the Huskies struggled to get anything going offensively, losing 89-72.

#2: Johnnies Take Down Defending Champion Duke

Every year, St. John’s circles the date on the calender when Duke comes to town. Unfortunately for the Red Storm, the series had been dominated by the Blue Devils in the past decade. But, when the defending national champions took the court at Madison Square Garden on January 30th, 2011, something was different. The Johnnies came out of the gate with great energy, dictating the pace and getting ahead early. At the half, St. John’s led 46-25, and thoughts of the last huge Johnny win over the Dukies began to creep into fans minds:

The Red Storm came out of the half with the same intensity, holding off a few pushes by the Blue Devils and getting the victory, 93-78. Duke turned the ball over 17 times in the game, which allowed St. John’s to run the floor and work in transition, where they thrived. Five Johnnies scored in double figures, led by Dwight Hardy’s 26 and Justin Brownlee’s 20.

#1 Dwight Hardy’s Baseline Pirouette Stuns Pitt

There is little discussion as to what is the biggest moment of this past season. Among all of the great moments, there is one that sticks out boldly and brightly.

Dwight Hardy’s improbable dance along the baseline and twisting, turning layup sent #4 Pittsburgh home with a 60-59 loss and all but guaranteed the Johnnies a berth in the NCAA Tournament. It was not Hardy’s most impressive outing statistically, as he finished with 19 points on 4/10 shooting, but his composure in the clutch made an indelible mark on the history of St. John’s basketball and carved out a moment that will never be forgotten.

Check out multiple angles of the shot here.

For a kid that has played basketball all his life, few things are more life-changing for a player than the first year of college basketball.

This upcoming season, seven freshmen will enter the college ranks, not knowing what to expect. Nurideen Lindsey and God’s Gift Achiuwa have both played at the junior college level, but, even for them, this will be a big change.

“The mental aspect of the game is important. The Big East is a battle night in and night out. From the first place team to the last place team,” Horne said.

With teams like Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Notre Dame and UConn always bringing in top-tier talent, the new members of this St. John’s basketball team will have to step into the gym and hit the weights, adding muscle, to compete against the size and physicality that the conference brings every night.

“The Big East is a lot stronger and faster, so getting conditioned and having a strong work ethic is important,” said rising sophomore Dwayne Polee II , who said this past year that he struggled, at times, with his lack of bulkiness against larger opponents. As the season progressed, Polee added weight to be able to fight down low with big players like Gary McGhee, Rick Jackson and Carleton Scott.

Polee will have a big role in helping to shape the younger talent coming in, alongside Malik Stith, who will be entering his junior season with the Red Storm.

As the only player on the roster with two years of Division I experience, Stith understand the importance of off-season workouts and how crucial they will be for these first-year players.

“Coming into this summer off-season, it’s going to be tough. This past off-season was probably one of the hardest,” Stith, the Hempstead native, said.

With Polee most likely helping to groom athletic front court players like Maurice Harkless, Norvel Pelle, Sir’Dom Pointer, Amir Garrett, and Jakarr Sampson, Stith will be in the back court showing D’Angelo Harrison and Phil Greene the playbook.

Polee and Horne both said that asking questions during practice was vital to gaining knowledge of the system. The coaching staff is filled with sharp minds like Mike Dunlap, Rico Hines and Tony Chiles, who all know a thing or two when it comes to the college game. Picking their brain will be key for the new Red Storm players.

“Having met each one of our incoming men’s basketball student-athletes, I believe that our fans are really going to embrace this class,” said Fratto. “Each are obviously superior athletes and talented basketball players, but beyond that, all of the new Johnnies are intelligent individuals with outstanding, dynamic personalities. I’ve been impressed with how well-spoken they all are, and I think St. John’s and NYC will love them as much as they will love NYC and St. John’s.”

“The 2011-12 recruiting class will comprise the foundation of the St. John’s program moving forward,” said Lavin. “The arrival of this group, along with a returning starter in Dwayne Polee II and junior guard Malik Stith, will carry the Johnnies into the future.”

The talent is there and the support is clearly behind them, now all that is left to be seen is if this new St. John’s Red Storm basketball team can collectively become the Kings of Queens.