Red Storm falls to Detroit

Dick Vitale created a buzz, and his old team took advantage of it. Ray McCallum Jr. had 21 points and Chase Simon 20 to help Detroit beat visiting St. John's, 69-63, last night in front of a season-high 5,377.

The Titans (4-6) played off the energy created by the unveiling of Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall before the game. The ESPN analyst coached Detroit from 1973-77 and was the athletic director the next season.

Moe Harkless scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds for St. John's (4-5). Reserve D'Angelo Harrison had 15 points and Sir'Dominic Pointer, playing in his hometown, added 10.

"There are a lot of positives to build on," said Red Storm assistant coach Mike Dunlap, who filled in for Steve Lavin, recovering from prostate cancer surgery. "I did like our fight, particularly in the second half. We don't like the taste of losing, but give full credit to Detroit on what was a special night for them."

Dunlap said he doesn't know when Lavin, who has missed the last three games, will be back on the bench. "He's doing a lot better, his energy level is better," Dunlap said. "I talk to him frequently and he said he was sorry he couldn't be here. He's particularly close with coach Vitale; that's why he took this game to come in here."

Vitale was honored on the 32nd anniversary of his becoming an ESPN analyst. "I've had many honors come my way, the ultimate was going into the Basketball Hall of Fame, but having a court named after you is an incredible honor and I'm emotionally spent about it," he said. "When they called to tell me about it, I didn't feel comfortable with it. But they made it clear that this wasn't based on solely what I did as a coach, but also for the visibility and exposure I've given the school with my career at ESPN."-- AP