He acknowledged that last week, roughly 40 years later. Without Mark Bryant committing to Seton Hall, this area’s best NCAA basketball run in modern history wouldn’t exist.

“He made our program, to be honest with you. If we don’t get Mark, we would’ve been out of there, for sure,” Carlesimo told The Post. “His signing and his playing for us was the most significant thing that happened in the program.”

Considering Bryant only played in one NCAA Tournament, it feels a reach to attach so much significance.

Bryant, a basketball lifer who has been playing or coaching in the NBA for 36 straight years, is returning to the home of the Big East to join Tom Thibodeau’s staff.{ai:summary}<p>P.J. Carlesimo was almost out of the game before his star player Mark Bryant made his move to Seton Hall, shaping the program’s legacy. Carlesimo now admits Bryant’s commitment was the turning point that changed their fortunes, despite a brief tournament run.  </p><p>#sports</p>

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