Tyrone Grant stood at Madison Square Garden Court in awe.
After more than 20 years of waiting, the proud alumni have a team that believes they can make the March noise that the team did 26 years ago.
“At this point, we can almost say that they're better than us,” he said. “I said [Deivon] Smith is just to win the championship, to think you're better than us. ”
The 1998-99 St. John's team was the last in the program to reach Sweet 16.
Those Johnny went all the way to the Elite 8 before losing to Ohio State.
They were the third species. This group could be number two.
“This is a difficult team to play against and play against. “The intensity is always there for 40 minutes. I only have high expectations. I'm with them for the tournament,” said Grant, the starting center under manager Mike Jarvis from 1998-99.
“What was very emotional was knowing how winning in New York feels,” he added. “It's a completely different ball game.”
Grant said he is working on bringing other members of the 1998-99 team, including Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Ron Artest), onto the road.
He is excited to see how far this group can go.
“I think they can win that,” Grant said. “I'm being honest. I haven't said that in 25 years. I think they can win it.”
Davon Smith took another shot on his sick right shoulder and missed the final 5:46.
But he told coach Rick Pitino he told him he could return if needed.
“Everyone was attacking my shoulder. The 6-foot point guard said. “But like I said, I haven't missed any more games. I'm going to fight through it. I was ready to go back there, but the guys were in charge of the victory. We're just going to rest and prepare for the next one.”
Smith initially injured his shoulder on January 11th and has been in and out of the lineup ever since.
He played in all three Big East tournament games.
The senior had four points and four assists in 20 minutes on Saturday.
