St. John's head coach Rick Pitino saw his team get blown out by Michigan in his first Madison Square Garden game as coach. Former Mets and St. John’s star John Franco, Fat Joe and a host of St. John’s alums and boosters assembled pre-game, many with adult beverages in hand. Several top recruits, including five-star Long Island Lutheran guard V.J. Edgecombe, also sat courtside. Pitino and the starting five were introduced along with pyrotechnics as the fans cheered.
In the end, Michigan and interim coach Phil Martelli spoiled Pitino’s home opener by routing the Red Storm, 89-73, before a non-sellout crowd of 14,188. By the second half, all the pre-game energy had been drained from the building, and Fat Joe got up from his seat and left with the Red Storm down 21 in the second half