WASHINGTON — Rick Pitino humorously described senior guard Kadary Richmond as akin to a fine wine, stating, “He keeps getting better with age, and he’s 35.” However, even if Richmond were 35, he would still have been born long after St. John’s last finished January undefeated, a remarkable feat that took place 40 years ago in 1985, coinciding with the program’s last appearance in the Final Four.
The 15th-ranked Red Storm has achieved a notable 7-0 record since the onset of the New Year, marking their first 9-1 start in Big East play since the glory days of the ’80s, when the legendary Lou Carnesecca was at the helm. Despite its historical significance, Pitino downplayed references to the past. In the aftermath of Tuesday night’s 66-41 triumph over Georgetown, he stated, “I really don’t talk about the ’80s. I toast Lou after each game and say, ‘Lou would be proud of this team,’ but I don’t dwell on it. We focus on improvement, and this team is undeniably getting better.”
St. John’s performance has remained strong even in the absence of point guard Deivon Smith, who is recovering from a bruised right shoulder. Smith’s potential return when Providence comes to Madison Square Garden adds another layer of threat to the Red Storm’s capabilities. Georgetown coach Ed Cooley acknowledged, “They’re playing really well without him. I haven’t faced them with him, but having an additional athletic player on the floor boosts their defense.”
The Red Storm’s success is evident, as they sit tied for first place with No. 9 Marquette in the Big East standings, and they have outscored their opponents by a notable margin of 519-423 during their current streak. This includes an impressive comeback in which they overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat Xavier in overtime last week. Swingman Aaron Scott reflected on their seven-game winning streak, emphasizing the importance of staying focused: “We’re just taking it one game at a time, not looking too far ahead. Our next challenge is preparing for Providence.”
According to Pitino, the outing against Georgetown showcased his team’s finest blend of defensive and offensive play this season, as they held a lead that expanded to as much as 30 points, effectively sealing the game by halftime. He shared with his players that during his coaching career, he had only once led a team capable of “going out in the second half, playing it 0-0, and dominating”—referring to Kentucky in 1996, which went on to secure a national title. While acknowledging the team has significant growth ahead, he expressed pride in their humility and hard work. “We don’t consider ourselves great yet,” he remarked. “We aspire for greatness, yet we remain aware that any team could challenge us.”
As St. John’s continues to build momentum, the prospect of March Madness looms ahead, and they are determined not to let their recent success overshadow their commitment to improvement.
