For the primary time in 40 years, St. John’s stands alone because the Huge East champion.
Rick Pitino’s red-hot Crimson Storm clinched the convention’s outright regular-season title with Saturday afternoon’s 71-61 win over Seton Corridor at Madison Sq. Backyard, additional immortalizing one of many biggest seasons at school historical past.
It took solely two years for Pitino to drag off the last word turnaround.
When Pitino accepted the top coach job slightly below two years in the past, St. John’s was 4 seasons faraway from an NCAA Match berth.
St. John’s had not gained an outright Huge East title since 1984-85, a season that culminated in a visit to the Last 4 beneath Corridor of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca.
It had not earned even a share of a convention championship since 1991-92, Carnesecca’s remaining season.
However Pitino arrived with a promise.
“St. John’s is going to be back,” Pitino vowed at his introductory press convention in March of 2023. “I guarantee that.”
It was a daring proclamation, even for a Corridor of Fame coach with two nationwide championships to his identify.
However with Saturday’s victory, No. 7 St. John’s improved to 26-4, together with 17-2 in Huge East play. It completed its dwelling schedule with an 18-0 file, together with 9-0 on the Backyard.
Certainly, St. John’s is again.
Saturday’s win didn’t come simply, regardless of Seton Corridor (7-22; 2-16 in convention play) proudly owning the Huge East’s lowest-scoring offense and St. John’s boasting the convention’s stoutest protection.
St. John’s appeared over-amped initially, lacking its first 9 pictures and committing three turnovers earlier than RJ Luis Jr. lastly broke by means of with a driving dunk almost 4 minutes into the sport.
The slog continued all through a primary half by which St. John’s shot 37.5% from the sphere and dedicated seven turnovers. Luis went into halftime with 14 factors on 6-of-9 capturing; the remainder of the group shot 6-of-23.
St. John’s led 34-30 on the break, however Seton Corridor hung round within the second half, tying the rating with simply over 10 minutes left.
A dunk by Zuby Ejiofor put St. John’s again up, 51-49, with 9:54 remaining, and a 3-pointer from Ruben Prey lower than a minute later padded the lead. Deivon Smith’s driving lay-up put St. John’s up, 57-52, with 7:50 to go, lastly giving an keen crowd an opportunity to erupt.
The gang grew even louder as Luis punctuated the win with a one-handed dunk in transition a few minute later.
Luis led St. John’s with 21 factors on 7-of-13 capturing, whereas Ejiofor added 17 factors and 10 rebounds.
It occurred in entrance of a sellout crowd of 19,812, a lot of whom wore white in recognition of the Crimson Storm’s annual white-out recreation. Identical to he did on the identical day final season, Pitino stalked the sideline in a stark white go well with.
This season continues to function a becoming tribute to the New York-born Carnesecca, who died in November at age 99.
The St. John’s job has confirmed to be a equally good match for Pitino, a New York native who beforehand referred to as the Backyard dwelling as an assistant and head coach of the Knicks throughout separate stints within the Nineteen Eighties.
Regardless of ending 20-13 in its first yr beneath Pitino, St. John’s missed the NCAA Match, the results of a gradual begin that proved too dire to beat. Six of the Crimson Storm’s high seven scorers from 2023-24 graduated or transferred, prompting Pitino to pound the switch portal.
His offseason additions every introduced one thing completely different. Kadary Richmond, who transferred from Seton Corridor, supplied a scoring punch and wing protection. Smith opened the offense together with his athleticism and pace. Aaron Scott delivered toughness and size.
They complemented the returning Luis and Ejiofor, who emerged because the Crimson Storm’s main scorers in elevated roles this season.
That group fueled a 10-game win streak in convention play; a regular-season sweep of two-time defending NCAA champion UConn; and ranked victories over Marquette and Creighton. Even the Crimson Storm’s losses had been shut, with the 4 defeats being by a mixed seven factors.
There may be way more St. John’s hopes to perform, which is why Pitino and his gamers declined to chop down the nets after Saturday’s win. The Crimson Storm would be the high seed within the Huge East Match, which takes place on the Backyard from March 12-15.
They haven’t gained the Huge East Match since 2000, which can also be the final yr St. John’s gained an NCAA Match recreation. Most bracketologists challenge St. John’s to be a No. 3 seed.
St. John’s is scheduled to complete the common season subsequent Saturday at No. 21 Marquette.
