NEW YORK — The conclusion of the game was marked by St. John’s opting not to cut the nets, but rather, celebrating in a unified manner by holding their trophy. This came after their victory when the No. 7 Red Storm secured their first outright Big East regular-season championship since 1985. Posing on the court for photos amid falling confetti at Madison Square Garden, the players shared their triumph in front of a crowd that filled every seat.
The Red Storm’s coach, Rick Pitino, addressed the enthusiastic supporters at the end of the team’s 71-61 victory over Seton Hall on Saturday, proclaiming that the team’s journey was just beginning. The modest celebration underscored a focus on future successes, including aiming for their first Big East Tournament title since 2000 and possibly an impressive NCAA Tournament run.
St. John’s President the Rev. Brian Shanley expressed his gratified response to the team’s success, equating it to answering a prayer. Shanley remarked that hiring Rick Pitino had achieved the desired outcome of returning the team to a competitive status, with ambitions of contending for national recognition—signifying just the beginning of their resurgence.
The frequent supporter of the Red Storm is reminded of their 1985 achievements when they last claimed an outright regular-season title, led by Chris Mullin to the Final Four, under the guidance of coach Lou Carnesecca. This season’s triumph marks a historic achievement in the league, as the longest gap in Big East history ended without a title since the landmark of coach Carnesecca’s era.
In a poignant note, the title comes in the same year that Carnesecca passed away, close to his 100th birthday, as Pitino acknowledged the victory in memory of the legendary coach. The Red Storm, initially predicted to place fifth in the preseason Big East poll, defied expectations with significant contributions from new additions and returning talent—Kadary Richmond joining forces with RJ Luis Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor, who have emerged as key players.
Luis, after transferring from UMass and recovering from injury, significantly improved his performance to become one of the top contenders for Big East player of the year with an average of 17.7 points. Meanwhile, Ejiofor stepped into a prominent role, becoming a formidable force with an average of 14 points and 8 rebounds, contributing significantly during St. John’s 11-game winning streak which included victories over strong teams like Marquette and UConn.
Reflecting on his transfer, Luis expressed his ambition to elevate his game and attain success under Pitino’s well-regarded coaching expertise. Pitino’s influence has clearly paid off, with St. John’s witnessing remarkable results and a perfect 18-0 record in home games.
Following the previous season’s competitive showing in the Big East Tournament semifinals, Pitino highlighted his dedication to restoring the team’s prominent status. During his first season with the team, he voiced his concerns over the team’s athletic capabilities, and since then, the Red Storm showcased a 32-5 record, with minimal point differences contributing to those losses.
Pitino’s distinguished coaching career reflects similar patterns of team transformations during his previous tenures in positions, propelling everywhere he coached to greater heights in subsequent seasons. The trajectory of St. John’s under his leadership mirrors these successes, indicating a bright future ahead for the Red Storm.
