Pitino happy with ‘battle’ in first-place St

Jan 23, 2025, 06:37 AM ET NEW YORK– In his second season on the job, Rick Pitino is at it again.This time, the Hall of Popularity coach has St. John’s evoking the glory days in Queens years ago.Riding the program’s best start in 39 years, the 20th-ranked Red Storm (17-3, 8-1 Big East)restored sole belongings of top place in the conference by rallying previous Xavier 79-71 in overtime Wednesday night.St. John’s hasn’t won even a share of the regular-season conference crown given that 1992. That was the final season on the sideline for renowned coach Lou Carnesecca, who died Nov. 30 simply a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday.”We’re bringing St. John’s back to where it needs to be, “Pitino stated.” It’s an embarassment Lou is not alive. He ‘d be extremely proud of this team, the method they combat.”The drought is the longest in Big East history, though numerous schools

exited without any conference titles at all before spending anywhere near 33 years in the league.Butler and DePaul are the only present members without a regular-season champion, however both signed up with

the conference this century. Every other charter member of the Big East, which began play in 1979-80, has actually won at least one regular-season title given that the most current of 5 recorded by the Johnnies under Carnesecca.Led by RJ Luis Jr., Zuby Ejiofor and Kadary Richmond, St. John’s is off to the school’s best start since opening 20-2 in 1985-86, when a group that completed 31-5 earned the program’s 3rd No. 1 seed in the NCAA competition in a four-year period.” We’re bringing St. John’s back to where it needs to be. It’s a pity Lou [Carnesecca] is not alive. He ‘d be really pleased with this team, the way they

fight. ” Red Storm coach Rick Pitino The Red Storm are 8-1 in the Big East for the very first time considering that 1999, a team that reached the Elite 8 under coach Mike Jarvis. The program fell on tough times soon after, nevertheless, and

the Johnnies have not won an NCAA tournament game because 2000. They are looking for their first March Madness quote in six years. “The most crucial thing for us is to keep improving and keep winning, “Pitino stated.” We can not take losses. It’s a non-negotiable thing for us, which’s the attitude we have which’s where we return. I believe these guys have a great fear of losing, an excellent fear, and that’s an advantage.”There’s a long way to go.St. John’s hasn’t played No. 10 Marquette or No. 19 UConn, with 2 conferences still arranged versus each. The Red Storm don’t have any wins against groups presently ranked in the AP Top 25. So the

roadway ahead gets much tougher. “Everyone’s going to offer you their best shot, “Ejiofor said.But the Johnnies are back in the survey today, with their greatest ranking in a decade, for the first time because

investing two weeks in November at No. 22.

And they have actually shown a penchant for huge comebacks, balancing out some dreadful 3-point shooting with lockdown man-to-man defense and ruthless rebounding, especially on the offensive glass.The Red Storm’s three losses were by a combined five points– one on a 3-pointer at the buzzer and all versus power conference groups. Senior point player Deivon Smith, a Utah transfer, has missed two of the previous 3 games with an ideal shoulder injury, yet St.

John’s has won six straight and 12 of 13 while enhancing to 13-0 in your home.”Their pressure broke us tonight,” Xavier coach Sean Miller said after his group squandered a 16-point lead in the 2nd half.”They can truly endure you with their style.”No lead is safe versus them, “he added.”They have an excellent protective team.”It’s a familiar pattern for the 72-year-old Pitino, who won championship games at Kentucky (1996 )and Louisville(2013)and directed Providence to the 1987 Final 4; the Louisville title was later on vacated.At his first stop as a head coach, Boston University improved from 17-9 in Pitino’s very first year to 21-9 the next. Providence went from 17-14 to 25-9, Kentucky jumped from 14-14 to 22-6, Louisville from 19-13 to 25-7, and Iona from 12-6 throughout a pandemic-abbreviated season to 25-8. St. John’s went 20-13 in his debut last season but was snubbed by the NCAA competition selection committee regardless of a strong surface. Now in his 2nd year, he is trying to become the very first coach to take six schools to the NCAAs.”We have actually got it rolling right now, and winning does that, “Pitino stated.”Look, this is New york city. It’s everything about winning.”