HARTFORD, Conn. — If the score seemed eerily familiar to those of you who have followed St. John’s for a minute, it should.

Back in January 1982, there was a much-anticipated game between the Johnnies and Georgetown at Madison Square Garden. Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin were freshmen, and before they were done they would play each other 12 times, all the way to the national semifinals of the 1985 NCAA Tournament.

Access the St. John’s beat like never before

Get Zach Braziller’s text messages with all the latest St. John’s info and get your questions answered — exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.

St. John’s won its share (4). Georgetown won more (8).

But never did the Hoyas ever look in those years like they belonged in a higher league than they did on Jan. 6, 1982. They were ranked 13th, and by March they’d come within a forever Michael Jordan jump shot of winning the national championship. The Johnnies were ranked 20th, and would come within a point of making the Sweet 16. Two good teams.