St. John’s secures first Big East title since ’85

NEW YORK– The final horn sounded and St. John’s skipped cutting down the nets.The players instead held the trophy after the No. 7 Red Storm clinched the program’s very first outright Big East title because 1985 and presented for photos on the court while confetti fell from the ceiling at Madison Square Garden in front of a sellout crowd.Toward completion of the event after a 71-61 triumph over Seton Hall on Saturday, coach Rick Pitino declared to the excited fans: “We’re just getting going. “The celebration was modest because the Red Storm are considering other goals, such as their first Big East competition title given that 2000 and a deep run in the NCAA tournament.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”This is the response to a prayer,”St. John’s president, the Rev. Brian Shanley, stated.”This is what I hoped when we hired Rick that we would get back where we are right now–

contending for a national championship. This is just the start in my book. “The Red Storm are the straight-out regular-season champs for the first time considering that Chris Mullin led them to the Final Four, when the group was nicknamed the Redmen and coached by Lou Carnesecca. St. John’s had not even won a share of the title considering that 1992 in the last season of Carnesecca’s storied profession on the sideline.The drought was the longest in Big East history, though a number of schools exited with no conference titles before investing anywhere near 33 years in the league.This year, St. John’s achieved the title in the same season throughout which Carnesecca died simply a couple of weeks except his 100th birthday on Nov. 30.”We’re really pleased with the fact that in the year that he passed because he led a terrific life, we can honor him with this championship,” Pitino said.The Red Storm won the regular-season title after being picked 5th in the Big East preseason survey. They added Kadary Richmond to go along with returnees RJ Luis Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor, who emerged as stars.”I came here to challenge myself and try to take my game to the next level and

undoubtedly attempt to win at the highest level, which Coach Pitino knows how to do really well and trying to gain from him, “Luis stated.” I think it’s simply a surreal feeling. “After transferring from UMass, Luis balanced 10.9 points in 23 games last season while dealing with shin splints. Following offseason surgical treatment, he’s a prominent prospect for Big East Gamer of the Year, balancing 17.7 points.” We’re just beginning,” Rick Pitino told fans at Madison Square Garden after St. John’s won its very first outright Big East title given that 1985. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Ejiofor backed up Joel Soriano last season and emerged

as a force down low by averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds as St. John’s ascended to the top of the Big East. The Red Storm won 11 directly from Jan. 4 to Feb 7, a stretch that included successive wins over Marquette and UConn. They are 18-0 in the house.” It was a truly proud minute, “Ejiofor stated.” It was a testament of the work that we put in the whole season from preseason until now we all believe that we might get to this moment.”Last season, the Red Storm reached the semifinals of the Big East tournament for the very first time considering that

2000 and saw Pitino’s very first season end with a 95-90 loss to UConn, which dominated opponents en path to its 2nd straight nationwide title.After guaranteeing St. John’s would go back to natural prominence

at his initial news conference in March 2023, Pitino’s very first season featured a viral rant throughout which he regreted the group’s athleticism after a loss to Seton Hall in February 2024. Considering that airing his frustration, St. John’s is 32-5, with the losses coming over a combined 12 points.” In my lifetime, I never ever took a look at that until it was composed and I said,’ I much better get this thing going,'”Pitino stated.”It is a little bit different than the other locations I have actually been the 2nd year due to the fact that you have eight and 9 players back and everybody comprehends everything you teach and the culture and the system are there. “The turn-around continued a

pattern in Pitino’s long training career that also consisted of two seasons with the New York Knicks in the early portion of Patrick Ewing’s career.At his very first stop as a head coach, Boston University was 21-9 in his second season. 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 enhanced from 12-6 during

a pandemic-abbreviated season to 25-8.