Dec. 10, 2009
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Former Georgetown men's basketball head coach John Thompson and the 1985 Hoyas were selected for providing an "All-Time Top 10 College Basketball Moment at Madison Square Garden" when a panel of local basketball reporters, broadcasters, coaches and game officials announced the list on Tuesday afternoon in honor of the 75th Anniversary of College Basketball at Madison Square Garden.
Thompson and the Hoyas earned the ninth most memorable moment for, "The Sweater Game" on February 27, 1985.
As the No. 2 Hoyas traveled to Madison Square Garden to take on the top-ranked St. John's Redmen, Thompson had a surprise for the New York crowd. Before the game Thompson opened his jacket revealing a t-shirt in the same design as the lucky sweater St. John's head coach Lou Carnesecca was wearing during his team's 19-game winning streak. The move drew laughs and was said to calm down an excited MSG crowd that was their to see the eighth regular season matchup between future Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin.
The Hoyas went on to win the game 85-69, to even the regular season series with SJU. The teams would meet two more times in 1985, the Big East title game and the Final Four, both Georgetown victories.
The Garden began its countdown on Nov. 16 at the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament and continued revealing each moment in-arena and on ESPN. Below is a list of the "All-Time Top 10 College Basketball Moments at Madison Square Garden".
In addition to the top 10 moments and to further highlight the season-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary, Madison Square Garden has commissioned a commemorative basketball, which will be autographed by every coach whose team will play at The Garden this upcoming season. Fans will also notice 75th Anniversary logos placed on the basketball court throughout the season and special vignettes will be played on Gardenvision during each game. Additionally, a special commemorative 75th anniversary book that highlights the top 10 college basketball moments at Madison Square Garden has been created.
