we were 6-6 in the Big East and had just lost to St. John's in what i remember now as the sloppiest game in the history of organized basketball. we had lost three of four, everybody was yelling that Yancy Gates was useless, we were solidly on the bubble, had people kvetching about a weak non conference schedule, had upcoming games vs. Providence and Louisville, and everybody was questioning Cronin's coaching ability. everybody chill, we got this. 17 down, 5 to go, 8 remaining.