Frank Gilroy / Former St. John's Basketball Player

[redken]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

 

[juniorRed]

Reverse two hand slam vs. Duke.

For those who think he couldn't play on this team, he replaced Curtis Redding in the starting lineup and the team played much better after the switch.

Redding was a guy who thought he was better than all his teammates and that any of his shots had to be a better shot than any shots his teammates took. I nicknamed him Hollywood, and it stuck. Once benched he loudly rooted for our opponent from the SJU bench. I think he was shooting about 30% from the field when Carnsecca made the change.

I loved Frank Gilroy. Can still see him -- with face mask and bad knees -- giving it his all. He was a key member of that '79 NCAA tourney team that just missed going to the Final Four. (I'm still convinced that if Looie had started Gordon Thomas, who was playing great at the time, over Bernard Rencher, we have beaten Penn ... only to be thoroughly crushed by Michigan State.) As noted above, thought Frank had nice outside shot and great court sense, but he just wasn't fast/quick enough to play on this team. (They sure could use his smarts, but they're still young enough to develop their own by the time they're upperclassmen.) As for Rencher, those of us who are old enough to remember him can probably all agree on one thing: he was a cancer to the team, probably the worst one we ever had.

I'm fairly certain Rencher works for St. John's.

http://www.redstormsports.com/genrel/rencher_bernard00.html

 

[beast of the east]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

 

[RM86]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

 

[juniorRed]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

I was 8 or 9 at the time... devastating loss!... there also had to be about 8,000 people in the building...SRO.. ah, the good ol' days!!

 

[beast of the east]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

 

[redken]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

 

[beast of the east]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

Marty Headd was pretty good.. so was Orr of course.. As much as it was hope against hope, my gut said that Carter got there late and did all he could do - initiate a lot of contact and hope for the best. It seemed like Orr's sneaker was in Carter's chest and they both went down in a heap.

Reggie Carter. Classy guy who left too soon. As did Kevin Cluess. Greg Cluess. Sonny Dove. RIP

 

[redken]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

Marty Headd was pretty good.. so was Orr of course.. As much as it was hope against hope, my gut said that Carter got there late and did all he could do - initiate a lot of contact and hope for the best. It seemed like Orr's sneaker was in Carter's chest and they both went down in a heap.

Reggie Carter. Classy guy who left too soon. As did Kevin Cluess. Greg Cluess. Sonny Dove. RIP

By now Reggie's jersey should be hanging next to Mullin's, Sonny's, and the other legacy players.

 

[beast of the east]

By now Reggie's jersey should be hanging next to Mullin's, Sonny's, and the other legacy players.

Im not sure of that, because there have been so many great players in our history and not sure where Carter fits at this moment. I do know he was a very good player whose transfer here elevated the program. In some regards having Carter and McKoy (teammates at LI Lutheran) was like having two super blue chippers, even if neither went on to great things after SJU and it is questionable whether McKoy was simply fair to good here.

This doesn't diminish what Reggie was on the court or off. It's sad like other (I left out Malik Sealy earlier) that he died at such a young age.

 

[redken]

By now Reggie's jersey should be hanging next to Mullin's, Sonny's, and the other legacy players.

Im not sure of that, because there have been so many great players in our history and not sure where Carter fits at this moment. I do know he was a very good player whose transfer here elevated the program. In some regards having Carter and McKoy (teammates at LI Lutheran) was like having two super blue chippers, even if neither went on to great things after SJU and it is questionable whether McKoy was simply fair to good here.

This doesn't diminish what Reggie was on the court or off. It's sad like other (I left out Malik Sealy earlier) that he died at such a young age.

At the risk of going off-topic, something like seven years have passed since the initial legacy players/coaches were honored. If we had added, say, 12 more players over this time span (and why shouldn't we have?), Reggie might have made it by now. (To my way of thinking, he does. Then again, he was a favorite of mine, so I admit I'm a bit prejudiced.)

 

[shecky82]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

Louie pulled our guys off the foul line and Syracuse rebounded the missed foul shot uncontested and streaked up the court unguarded....if Redmen.com existed then there would have been a 200 post debate on whether that was the right thing to do.....toughest loss I ever experienced at Alumni Hall.

 

[beast of the east]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

Louie pulled our guys off the foul line and Syracuse rebounded the missed foul shot uncontested and streaked up the court unguarded....if Redmen.com existed then there would have been a 200 post debate on whether that was the right thing to do.....toughest loss I ever experienced at Alumni Hall.

Top 3 losses of pst 30 years:

1) Final four vs Georgetown - the day our first champsionship dream died. Not only was it that depressing to have made the trip, but with Mullin having played his last game, we weren't reloading with anyone of that caliber. Dead. Finshed. End of an era.

2) St John's vs. Syracuse - We had it won, we had it won, we lost.

3) The sweater game - Our version of Ali-Frazier at MSG, only we got knocked out in the first round. Devastating.

 

[monte]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

Louie pulled our guys off the foul line and Syracuse rebounded the missed foul shot uncontested and streaked up the court unguarded....if Redmen.com existed then there would have been a 200 post debate on whether that was the right thing to do.....toughest loss I ever experienced at Alumni Hall.

Top 3 losses of pst 30 years:

1) Final four vs Georgetown - the day our first champsionship dream died. Not only was it that depressing to have made the trip, but with Mullin having played his last game, we weren't reloading with anyone of that caliber. Dead. Finshed. End of an era.

2) St John's vs. Syracuse - We had it won, we had it won, we lost.

3) The sweater game - Our version of Ali-Frazier at MSG, only we got knocked out in the first round. Devastating.

Beast the following year's team, lead by the great Marco Baldi, went 31-5!

 

[L J S A]

http://www.redstormsports.com/genrel/rencher_bernard00.html

And he lives in my childhood town! He needs to ask for a raise to get out of that craphole.

 

[MarkRedman]

Gordon Thomas shot the lights out from the field in the '79 NCAA's. However, I do not recall Rencher being a problem on the team. Saw him a few times around campus and he was always friendly. He played point guard with Reggie Carter at shooting guard. Thomas came off the bench and played small forward and some shooting guard.

Rencher wasn't a problem player (I corrected my earlier mistake; see above) -- he was instrumental to our success -- but I remember both Al McGuire and Billy Packer commenting on how "cool" and lackadaisical he played at the start of the game, as if he didn't consider Ivy League Penn a worthy opponent, a legitimate threat. As a result, we dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't get out of -- although we almost made it. Many, myself included, thought Thomas had earned the start and that he would have brought a different -- and better -- mindset to the game than Rencher did. So it goes.

Rencher was never a problem for St. John's, and along with Reggie Carter, formed on of our all time best backcourts. Rencher was amazing on the fast break, and actually did something that I don't think I've seen before or after: taking the ball strong to the hoop, FAKE a behind the back pass to a teammate running the break, then bring the ball back after freezing his man and laying it home.

You guys ma y remember that it was Rencher, a 85-90% foul shooter, who missed the front end of a one and one vs. Syracuse with five seconds left in a packed alumni hall that would have cinched the game.

We were ranked 5, and I believe Syracuse was ranked 2nd. All four teams above us had lost that week.

Syracuse called timeout to ice Rencher. On national TV, our fans broke into a thundeorus (and premature) "We're number one".

Syracuse rebounded, Marty Head hit a streaking Louis Orr, who layed the ball in over a submarining Reggie Carter. The whistle blew and in what seemed like an eternity as we hoped for a charge, the ref signaled block and the basket was good. The crowd went silent as we lost perhaps our most painful game ever on our home court.

I was there, remember it like it was yesterday. Marty effin Head!!!

It still hurts to think about it. Those games at Alumni Hall against top competition were amazing. The building shook, people stood up, not just in their seats, but on top of the bleachers. You couldn't hear yourself shout and speaking to someone next to you was impossible. The sheer volume would go right through you like electricity, and your ears would ring for an hour after the game.

We've had some great Garden moments, no doubt, but there is nothing compared to the home court advantage of being in a smaller on campus arena, where all but a small visiting contingent is screaming for your team.

One of the worst losses ever. Clearly looked like Reggie Carter was going to get the obvious charging call ... obvious to everyone but the ref, that is. (And this on our home court!)

Boeheim often played Marty Headd and Hal Cohen together in the backcourt ... a backcourt that Al McGuire dubbed "the Cohen Headds."

Louie pulled our guys off the foul line and Syracuse rebounded the missed foul shot uncontested and streaked up the court unguarded....if Redmen.com existed then there would have been a 200 post debate on whether that was the right thing to do.....toughest loss I ever experienced at Alumni Hall.

Top 3 losses of pst 30 years:

1) Final four vs Georgetown - the day our first champsionship dream died. Not only was it that depressing to have made the trip, but with Mullin having played his last game, we weren't reloading with anyone of that caliber. Dead. Finshed. End of an era.

2) St John's vs. Syracuse - We had it won, we had it won, we lost.

3) The sweater game - Our version of Ali-Frazier at MSG, only we got knocked out in the first round. Devastating.

I lost a dinner to my cousin on that block call on Reggie Carter
Another tough loss was the NCAA game to Penn which propelled them into the Final Four

 

[jerseyshorejohnny]

Remember the Syracuse game like it was yesterday. I took my teenage sister to the game. She's now 50 with 4 boys! Where does the time go ???

 

[beast of the east]

Remember the Syracuse game like it was yesterday. I took my teenage sister to the game. She's now 50 with 4 boys! Where does the time go ???

Aren't we all still kids,JSJ? I can tell you exactly where I was and can remember the moment, the timeout. I was right behind Carnesecca on the bench 7 rows up, row GG. Guys would yell things to Carnesecca during the game, and he'd respond on occasion, turning his head and telling them they didn't know wha tthey were talking about, or something like that in fairly good spirit.

During the TV timeout, before a national audience,big time announcers in our building, there was sheer elation. Rencher makes both, money in the bank, game over. We were going to move up in the rankings, at least to number 2, and maybe #1 with a little luck. We were about to reach the summit of Mount Everest, beat the hated Orange in our own house, and for the moment at least, look down on Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, all the giants.

It was not to be. I can't tell you anything about the game now, except those moments beginnig with Rencher getting fouled. I think the game ws a weekend game, maybe Sunday afternoon. But never before or since had the mood soured so fast as Syracuse rebounded and raced the ball up court. Maybe the whole turn of event took 5 seconds end to end.

Kind of defines our overall experience as Redman fans.

Come to think of it, there was a similar Mullin miss at the Spectrum against Villanova when this time it was John Pinone tossing in a 25 footer with perfect arc, rotation, and all net as the buzzer sounded. I happened to have the misfortune of being there also, and could also tell you exactly where I was sitting.

Funny though. At the game watch at Jamesons a few years ago, I was chatting to Frankie Alagia about the famous Indiana-St Johns epic battle in the Holiday Festival in 76. Almost immediately, he was transported back to that moment, and recalled the game in absolute clarity. He just kept lamenitng that we had no answer for Abernathy I believe, that everywhere else we matched up perfectly, Alagia for Buckner, George Johnson, Kent Benson, etc. You could tell he was still trying to figure out a math formula that could not be solved, how to win that game.

It's at once what makes basketball joyous and painful, even years later.

 

[oldfan61]

I was at that game when Bernard performed what I recall was the most unbelievable assist, not the most unbelievable fake I have ever seen on a basketball court even through today. I brought it up to him a dozen or so years ago and brought a smile to his face. He led a fast break, and "faked a pass off his hip as he went up to the basket but he kept the ball on his hip till his backcourt mate picked it off Bernard's hip and slammed it home. Never saw anything like that before or since.
Rencher came to us after a year with NotreDame and was part of one of our greatest backcourts ever. He is a super human and a decent guy. The last time I spent time with him, he was working on finding summer jobs for student athletes at StJ. Really a smart and good guy..
I will admit that I am a homer when it comes to StJ but I am a realist when I say that that call against us in the last 4 seconds at Alumni Hall with Syracuse against us was one of the most unfair calls I have seen in 50+ years. It wasn't close but even if it was (and it wasn't) in that situation with that time on the clock you 'let them play'. The call stunk the place up.
Speaking of stinking the place up.another time in the early 70's at Manley field house in Syracuse in a tight game, Frankie Alagia led a fast break past the SU bench and their coach (?) at the time threw a towel in frustration on the court in front of the charging Alagia. Frank jumped over the towel and the ref called "walking" and turned over the ball to SU after picking the towel up off the court and tossing it over to the SU coach. Su went back ahead and took the lead for the win.That's the way home courts are supposed to work.

 

[beast of the east]

I was at that game when Bernard performed what I recall was the most unbelievable assist, not the most unbelievable fake I have ever seen on a basketball court even through today. I brought it up to him a dozen or so years ago and brought a smile to his face. He led a fast break, and "faked a pass off his hip as he went up to the basket but he kept the ball on his hip till his backcourt mate picked it off Bernard's hip and slammed it home. Never saw anything like that before or since.
Rencher came to us after a year with NotreDame and was part of one of our greatest backcourts ever. He is a super human and a decent guy. The last time I spent time with him, he was working on finding summer jobs for student athletes at StJ. Really a smart and good guy..
I will admit that I am a homer when it comes to StJ but I am a realist when I say that that call against us in the last 4 seconds at Alumni Hall with Syracuse against us was one of the most unfair calls I have seen in 50+ years. It wasn't close but even if it was (and it wasn't) in that situation with that time on the clock you 'let them play'. The call stunk the place up.
Speaking of stinking the place up.another time in the early 70's at Manley field house in Syracuse in a tight game, Frankie Alagia led a fast break past the SU bench and their coach (?) at the time threw a towel in frustration on the court in front of the charging Alagia. Frank jumped over the towel and the ref called "walking" and turned over the ball to SU after picking the towel up off the court and tossing it over to the SU coach. Su went back ahead and took the lead for the win.That's the way home courts are supposed to work.

When NYC guys like Rencher and Carter came "home" to SJU, it was like they belonged here in the first place. They played in the same CYO gyms, the same schoolyards, went to our high schools, and were us to an extent. To this day, it's what deifnes the connection between Chris Mullin and SJU fans, and Mullin to NYC to a large extent.