The World's Most Inhospitable Arena

This hasn't been a good season for basketball coaches in New York City.

At the pro level, Isiah Thomas' issues are well-documented, and have spurred New York fans to take aggressive steps -- like collecting signatures on an eight-foot pink slip outside Madison Square Garden.

The winter of New York hoops fans' discontent now seems to be spilling over to the college level, as St. John's coach Norm Roberts was "given the Isiah treatment" during the Red Storm's 81-57 loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Roberts' charges are now 1-5 in the Big East and have lost six of seven games heading into a tough matchup with a hot Louisville team on Saturday.

The Louisville game is serving as the centerpiece of a celebration of the 100th season of St. John's basketball, but the Johnnies' fans haven't had much to celebrate since the team led by Ron Artest and Erick Barkley made a run to the Elite Eight in 1999. The team was left in horrific shape by Mike Jarvis, who was fired mid-way through a 2003-04 season marked by recruiting violations and a sex scandal. Roberts took over starting with the 2004-05 season and has recruited reasonably well, but has yet to show significant progress. This year's freshman-heavy squad is 7-10 overall and very much in danger of failing to qualify for the Big East Tournament.

Making matters worse for St. John's fans, new Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez, who was a reportedly a candidate for the job that eventually went to Roberts, has amassed an impressive 12-6 record in his first season, including a 92-82 win over Louisville.