St. John's University Triumphs in Big East Tournament

NEW YORK (AP) – The return of the glory days! St. John's University, under the esteemed leadership of coach Rick Pitino, has once again claimed the spotlight in college basketball. On Saturday night at the iconic Madison Square Garden, the No. 6 St. John’s Red Storm triumphed over the Creighton Bluejays with an impressive score of 82-66, clinching their first Big East Tournament title in a staggering quarter-century.

RJ Luis Jr. was nothing short of spectacular, lighting up the scoreboard with 29 points—two-thirds of which came after halftime—as St. John's executed a flawless shooting streak, converting 14 consecutive shots during the pivotal second half. "Wow, this is incredible just to come from last year to this year and to see the transformation," Luis exclaimed. His outstanding performance not only earned him the title of Most Outstanding Player of the tournament but also showcased his evolution as a star in the making.

Joining him in the limelight were Zuby Ejiofor with 20 points and Kadary Richmond, who delivered a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Together, the trio solidified St. John's status as a formidable force, marking their third milestone of 30 wins in school history with a final record of 30-4 for the season.

With this victory, St. John's also secured an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament, marking their return to the Big Dance for the first time since 2019. Remarkably, at 72 years of age, Pitino made history as the first head coach to lead six different programs to the NCAA Tournament, having previously achieved similar feats with Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, and Iona.

"This is a great win for the city and our university,” said Pitino, basking in the applause from the sold-out crowd of 19,812 fans. “It’s truly New York’s team!" His second season at St. John's has already proven pivotal, as he becomes the only coach to win Big East Tournament championships with two different teams—having led Louisville to titles in 2009, 2012, and 2013.

The Red Storm’s journey to the top featured a remarkable turnaround from previous seasons, especially as they finished the regular season atop the league for the first time in 40 years. Pitino's philosophy of cultivating character over relying solely on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals has paid off, creating a team that not only competes but thrives in high-pressure situations.

Their transformation was especially evident during the game: after trailing by eight points early on, St. John's rallied, taking their first lead with 11:55 remaining following a basket from backup center Vince Iwuchukwu. The team's offensive onslaught continued as they connected on 72% of their field goals in the second half—a stark contrast to their season average of 45%.

As confetti fell from the rafters, players celebrated a moment long awaited by fans and former players alike, paying homage to the late Lou Carnesecca—a Hall of Fame coach whose legacy looms large in the St. John's basketball community. A video tribute expressing gratitude to him flashed on the big screen post-game, reinforcing the unity and pride felt throughout the program.

The Bluejays, who faced a challenging game despite Ryan Kalkbrenner’s efforts with 15 points, were left to ponder their 0-5 record in Big East championship games since joining the conference in the 2013-14 season. Head coach Greg McDermott expressed the difficulties of reaching such a game and the importance of finishing strong, remarking on the tough nature of tournament play.

As the stage is set for the NCAA Tournament, the Red Storm looks to shake off a long-standing drought—they haven’t won a tournament game in 25 years—and they appear poised for redemption under the motivating guidance of Rick Pitino. "We still have a lot to prove. We’re not done yet," Ejiofor emphasized, setting the tone for their upcoming tournament journey.

The Road Ahead for the Red Storm

Get ready, basketball fans! The Red Storm is back, and the fireworks are just beginning!