Rick Pitino doesn’t just coach basketball—he builds legacies. With two national championships, multiple Final Four appearances, and now the distinction of leading six different programs to the NCAA Tournament, the Hall of Famer has nothing left to prove. And yet, here he is. In his first year at St. John’s, Pitino has done what many thought was impossible—restoring the Red Storm to national prominence.
No rebuilding years, no slow progression. Just straight dominance. With a 30-4 record, a sweep of the Big East regular season and tournament titles, and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, St. John’s didn’t just defy expectations—they crushed them. Pitino has turned doubters into believers, and in true Pitino fashion, he wasn’t going to let the moment pass without a little… spice.
As St. John’s gathered for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, the energy was electric. The team had earned this moment, and Pitino, as always, was in high spirits.
When asked about their draw, he didn’t just stick to the usual “we’re focused on the next game” coach-speak. Instead, he fired off a playful—but pointed—jab. “We were hoping for Providence. We were hoping for a two-seat. And we were hoping we’d win the regular season, we were hoping to win the conference championship. So, get your Providence tickets, head up north.” he shared. “When you pass Storrs on the way by, just wait until then.”
The room erupted in laughter. Of course, this wasn’t just about geography—this was about a power shift in the Big East. For years, UConn had been the conference’s gold standard, winning back-to-back national titles and imposing their will on opponents with their physical style. But now? St. John’s was the team basking in the spotlight.
“When you pass Storrs on the way by, just wave to them”
Rick Pitino previews the NCAA Tournament and takes down UCONN along the way pic.twitter.com/VyvLSctiiJ
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) March 17, 2025
And Pitino’s words? They weren’t just random trash talk. They had context. Just days earlier, UConn head coach Dan Hurley had aired his frustrations about Big East officiating after his Huskies were bounced from the tournament by Creighton. “We’re built for the NCAA Tournament,” Hurley said. “Much different than these brutal Big East games.”
Translation? Hurley was frustrated with the physicality of the conference, believing it put his team at a disadvantage. Pitino, though? He wasn’t buying it. “Well, that’s been going on since I coached at Providence when John Thompson was roaming the sidelines,” Pitino responded, referencing the legendary Georgetown coach known for his teams’ rugged play. “Tonight, those officials did a great job. It is physical, but you have to adjust come tournament time. You have to adjust by moving your feet more.”
In other words? Quit complaining and figure it out. And then Pitino did something even better—he let his team’s performance make the real statement. Just hours after UConn’s tournament exit, Pitino led St. John’s to a statement victory.
The Red Storm took down Creighton, the same team that had eliminated UConn, with a dominant second-half performance. They didn’t just win the Big East Tournament—they owned it, securing their first title since 2000. While Hurley was venting, Pitino was cutting down nets. And that playful “wave goodbye” Pitino gave during his postgame celebration? It wasn’t just about Hurley’s complaints.
It was about waving goodbye to the idea that St. John’s wasn’t ready to sit at the Big East’s head table. But for Pitino? Winning the Big East wasn’t enough.
From powerhouse to underdog: is St. John’s stealing UConn’s spotlight?
The real proving ground was still ahead—March Madness. However, cutting down the Big East Tournament nets was no less of a historic achievement. For the first time in 25 years, St. John’s players stood at center court, cutting down the Big East Tournament nets. It was a scene of pure euphoria—Rick Pitino, the legendary coach who thrives on proving people wrong, had done it again.
The Red Storm’s triumph secured them a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, their highest since—ironically—the last time they won the Big East Tournament in 2000. With a 30-4 record, a defense that swarms like a pack of wolves, and a Hall of Fame coach who fuels his team with an “us against the world” mentality, St. John’s isn’t just another feel-good story.
They’re a legitimate Final Four contender. RJ Luis and Zuby Ejiofor have been the heart of this resurgence, stepping up when it matters most. Ejiofor’s jaw-dropping 33-point explosion in the semifinals had people whispering comparisons to Big East legends like Kemba Walker. This is no Cinderella run—this is a powerhouse built by Pitino in record time, and they’re coming for everything.
Something that runs opposite to the program standing at the top of the collegiate basketball world a year ago. Not Just that, UConn was steamrolling its way to a sixth national championship. They were the team no one wanted to face. But if last season was a coronation, this one has been a battle for survival.
The Huskies stumbled through an up-and-down campaign, finishing 23-10. There were flashes of greatness, but inconsistency plagued them—culminating in a frustrating Big East Tournament semifinal loss to Creighton. That defeat sealed their fate: a No. 8 seed in the West Region.
And the road ahead? Brutal. They’ll have to get past Oklahoma in the first round just to earn a likely matchup against top-seeded Florida. While UConn faces an uphill battle, St. John’s has positioned itself with a much clearer path. As a No. 2 seed, they open against Omaha, a game they’re expected to win comfortably.
But here’s the real twist—they’re in the same region. If both teams go on deep runs, we could see them clash again. One team out to prove it belongs among the elite, the other determined to remind everyone it still is. Realistically, though? The chances of that happening are slim to none.
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