To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, information and chips aren’t the principle issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural cloth.
For the following 30 days—Monday by means of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full listing right here. We’ve additionally acquired an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Again in ‘99, St. John wasn’t only a college; they represented the true essence of New York Metropolis. Their males’s basketball workforce was no exception: with a hustler’s spirit, a chip on their shoulder, and newly sponsored hearth engine crimson Jordan Model uniforms, they lifted this system into a brand new period. The Crimson Storm could have entered the season unranked, however by March, the whole faculty ecosystem was echoing the vibrations of Queens.
Head coach Mike Jarvis understood what he was coping with in his squad: gamers like Queensbridge native Metta Sandiford-Artest – recognized again then as Ron Artest – grew up dwelling on New York Metropolis black tops. Toughness and angle weren’t ever a query. As an alternative, he capitalized on that depth and fueled their native delight so that each time his gamers took the courtroom, they performed to characterize themselves and town. With a 28-9 common season document, they captivated audiences all over the place they went. Artest’s will to win was off the charts, like when he made certain to nail that three towards Duke to push the sport into OT as a result of he knew he’d sink it. Then there was freshman sensation Erick Barkley, who dazzled crowds with no-look passes and highlight-reel dunks. Bootsy Thornton didn’t simply dominate on the defensive finish; he might rating underneath any circumstances. The 2-time All-Huge East choice was good for almost 15 factors a sport, however the DMV native really shined underneath the highlight. The No. 2 ranked Duke Blue Devils have been on the receiving finish of 1 such efficiency, the place Thorton exploded for a 40-piece. Bolstered by Tyrone Grant’s publish presence and Lavor Postell’s sharp capturing from deep, the Storm’s 5 double-digit scorers might gentle it up in transition and half-court.
The Crimson Storm weren’t afraid to bully their means by means of the Huge East whereas rocking these saggy but smooth bright-red uniforms. Any time they stepped on the ground, they weren’t content material with simply successful; they needed to entertain, to go away spectators in awe of their expertise and dominance. St. John’s destroyed the Maryland Terrapins 76-62 as a result of they weren’t happy with simply successful; they needed to present their dominance over their opponents. Barkley’s 24-piece was proof sufficient. Every sport was a spectacle, a showcase of the workforce’s expertise.
The Huge East championship sport went right down to the wire towards UConn, and regardless of the 82-63 loss, that was only the start of their postseason run. St. John’s dominated the NCAA event by means of the Elite Eight, successful every sport by a median of 25 factors.
And even now, a long time later, the legacy of the ‘99 St. John’s males’s basketball workforce lives on. They continue to be a logo of hope and inspiration, a reminder that something is feasible with onerous work, dedication, and a never-say-die angle. They weren’t only a workforce; they have been a phenomenon, a shining instance of what might be achieved when expertise, dedication, and coronary heart come collectively in excellent concord. Their affect prolonged far past the confines of the basketball courtroom. With the Huge East working by means of Mecca in 98-99, the Crimson Storm returned to the Backyard 25 years later to a standing ovation from the New York trustworthy. Their legacy is cemented and enshrined within the metropolis’s historic reference to the sport.
Pictures by way of Getty Pictures.
