Lavin Gets Game Ball; Walker Gives Vermont 42

NEW YORK – As days go, Wednesday was pretty special for new St. John’s coach Steve Lavin.

It began with Lavin finalizing his blockbuster eight-man recruiting class with the addition of 6-foot-7 wing Amir Garrett, and it ended with his first college basketball victory in seven years, a 79-66 win over Columbia at Carnesecca Arena before 4,657.

“You’re clearly pleased,” Lavin said. “I think I’m ready to have a Maker’s Mark tonight back at the hotel with coach [Gene] Keady.”

Click here to read the full story at SNY.

**Elsewhere in the Big East, UConn junior guard Kemba Walker gave Vermont 42 points in an 89-73 win in Hartford. Read about it here.

And see the video highlights below:

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.