All Time Starting 5
- Thread starter Eddyman11
- Start date
Boo had a legendary senior season that doesn't get as much recognition as it should. His junior season was okay, not bad, but not phenomenal.
Barkley, on the other hand, was a leader the moment he got to campus - the best freshman I've ever seen at STJ. The fact that all his accomplishments came solely as an underclassman is even more impressive (and anticipating the age argument, countering with how old Boo was when he was a senior?).
Question for those who saw him. Was Alagia really good. I saw a couple of games on tv back in the 70's but I was not yet a big college ball fan. Reggie Carter was really the first of our point guard that I admired. Around the time that he transferred in, I became a big SJU fan. Unfortunately back then you didn't get that many games on tv and I didn't attend any games until I became a student there (very few even then).
Frank was a crafty, undersized PG with a very competitive nature. He was also well schooled by Coach Frank Morris at St. Agnes of Rockville Centre.
"The best of the little men ever to play at St. John's, Frank Alagia played from 1972-76, and was Frank Mulzoff and Lou Carnesecca's floor leader. He finished his illustrious St. John's career with 478 assists, which was the most in school history until Mark Jackson (738) and Jason Buchanan (665) surpassed that mark. In addition, Alagia was one of only two players to win the Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award as the National Player of the Year for players 6-0 and under. Alagia led four St. John's teams to a combined 83-30 record and successful postseason accomplishments. In 1974-75, the team lost the consolation game of the NIT Final Four to Oregon in overtime, 80-76. In 1975-76, the team made it to the ECAC Championship before losing a thriller to Rutgers, 70-67, and was then ousted by Indiana in the NCAA Tournament."
All true about Boo. Barkley was good, but he was also the beneficiary of playing with a terrific team.
But Boo has a way better wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boo_Harvey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erick_Barkley
beast of the east
Active member
Boo had a backcourt mate who never went to class, Porter, who could also play and really get off the floor for a little guy.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
I would construct my team by choosing players based on their best season. Mullin, Mark Jackson, Billy Schaeffer and Boo Harvey had phenomenal senior seasons. I'm happy with either Boo or Mark at the point. Mullin is the SG, and Schaeffer at small forward. I would play Sonny Dove over Mel Davis at PF, with Sonny's passing ability giving him the edge. Billy Paultz at center works for me. Perhaps the 2 greatest shooters we ever had starting the game, and one of the two best rebounders off the bench. All smart players, and all clutch players. Shooting and smarts. How refreshing.
Boo Harvey had a streak of long game winning shots and was a fabulous ball handler. His backcourt mate Michael Porter was about 5ft 9 and made dunking look easy.
westchesterjoe
Active member
A likely omission on my part. but, my recollection of Kevin was that he transferred in from BC and, maybe played 2 years in the early 60's? Does that sound right?
I also have the thought that Kevin was a better pro than Collegian and, then did some NBA coaching.
He did play with Tony Jackson and LeRoy Ellis, with Coach Lapchick.
westchesterjoe
Active member
Just my opinion on Billy Paultz, the Whopper.. He only played , I think, 2 years? And, he was only ok at a COLLEGE player but, really developed as a Pro..
westchesterjoe
Active member
Ray, glad you concur about Sonny Dove.. Many posters here, likely never saw Sonny play and that's too bad. Freshman could not play Varsity in those days, so Sonny was a sopf in 1965, NIT Champions and Coach Lapchick's last season.
I think Sonny was a ALL AMERICAN, his senior year and like the 4th player chosen in the NBA draft that senior year. Detroit Pistons maybe? He didn't have the long term success in the pros but, was hampered by drug problems and unfortunately lost his life in a Auto Accident on the Gowanus Bridge, driving a taxi.
He was tall, 6'8" but, maybe 195 lbs. He had a nice , well rounded game. Played at St Francis Prep..
RedStorm212
Member
Born in '91. So unfortunately, I never got to see any real good SJU teams. Went to my first SJU game with my dad in Hatten's senior year. Then became a huge fan.
PG: Dwight Hardy
SG: Marcus Hatten
SF: D.J. Kennedy
PF: Justin Brownlee
C: Lamont Hamilton
PG: Dwight Hardy
SG: Marcus Hatten
SF: D.J. Kennedy
PF: Justin Brownlee
C: Lamont Hamilton
beast of the east
Active member
He also was the SJU radio announcer at the time of his death. Went to the ABA for a few seasons, and averaged 14 pts for the Nets. He died at just 37 years of age.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
Interesting choice moving Mullin to SF to make room for Johnny Warren. He deserves some props. Sold college player and played some for the Knicks. Earl Monroe was torching the Knicks on a Sunday afternoon national game. Red Holzman said what the heck, and reached to the end of the bench for Warren. He really dug in on the Pearl, and still got scored on. Three Knicks guarded him in the first half, and he toyed with them all.