A last chance for hope for the Storm, blown away

From the North Press Box of Madison Square Garden where I sat readying to broadcast St. Johns vs Marquette game yesterday, a ray of hope was in me that St. Johns could pull out this victory and move on to face Villanova today at 2pm but Lazar Hayward and the rest of the Marquette team had different ideas.

Marquette came out firing in the first 5 minutes of the game, knocking down threes with ease. St. Johns coach Norm Roberts would go on to call a timeout after Hayward knocked down back to back three's and The Johnnies started to get back on defense and play a little better and cut the Golden Eagles lead to 10 going into the half, 27-17.

As the second half began, St. Johns looked fresh and sharp and had put the first half behind them. They came out aggressive and attacking the paint, causing turnovers which resulted in to fast break points.

After two dunks by Justin Brownlee, St. Johns had a 46-42 lead and the hopes in the Garden were at an all-time high but not for long. Marquette came back and answered with what they do best and that was three pointers and took the lead with one minute remaining in the game, 55-53. They would extend it to a four point lead but after a D.J. Kennedy it was down to two points. Marquette's Maurice Acker missed a 1-1 free throw situation giving St. Johns the ball down two but Malik Boothe's heave at the end just missed sending St. Johns home.

The games maybe over but there is still one big thing to get done and thats the coaching decision. Will Norm Roberts go or will he stay. Ask Marquette's Coach, Buzz Williams he would probably say Roberts should stay. Williams said during the press conference, " Norm isn't given the credit he deserves."

But whether Norm stays thats left to be scene but St. Johns has to go back to Queens and ready themselves for next year. Two things they should take with them is UConns Coach Jim Calhouns statement which was, " St. Johns is a top 5, 6 team next year in the Big East." and Also Marquette's Coach Buzz Williams statement saying "If you were to ask my team who the hardest playing team in the Big East is, they'd say St. Johns." As a broadcaster and fan I couldn't agree with those statements anymore.