The Rick Pitino effect is real. Just last year, the St. John’s Red Storm lost to Division II Pace in Pitino’s second game with the team. Despite his reputation as a great coach, analysts and fans still questioned him. Now, one year later, the Red Storm are national championship contenders.
In a hard-fought battle between two top-25 teams, No. 6 St. John’s and No. 20 Marquette, it seemed like the game was heading into a second overtime. Then, Zuby Ejiofor broke the hearts of Marquette fans and players with a game-winning play, securing an 86-84 victory for St. John’s.
Here’s What Rick Pitino Had to Say About St. John’s Win Over Marquette
In the postgame press conference, Pitino was clearly still in shock. The first thing he said was, “There’s not a whole lot to say but, wow!”
MORE: Relive St. John’s OT Thriller vs. Marquette
He expressed his pride in his team’s effort and resilience, saying, “The resilience to play like that in a sold-out road game and to just never give regulation, to just keep digging in.” Pitino acknowledged that St. John’s struggled to switch onto Cam Jones and defend his left hand, showing respect for their opponent.
Despite the challenges, Pitino called this his favorite win of the season, describing the final play as “indicative” of how the game should be played. He added, “We played a terrific, gritty game as we always do,” before stating, “This is my favorite win of the season.”
Pitino made it clear to his team to treat this game like it was March Madness, telling them, “You’re one and done. You lose this game, and your season’s over.”
He later explained, “You don’t just show up in March and say, ‘OK, this is what we’re going to do.’ You prepare for it now, you prepare for it in the Big East Tournament.” Pitino emphasized that his team’s performance against Marquette reflected that mindset.
He also highlighted that he doesn’t focus on regular-season success or predictions, saying, “I just focus on the next Big East game and the next practice.” So far, this approach seems to be working well for his squad.
When asked how a win like this sets the tone for the team and impacts their NCAA Tournament seeding, Pitino said, “If we win out, we can get a 2-seed, which would be great. We’d like to be in Providence for our fans.”
However, he emphasized that while playing close to home would be ideal, the team is ready to compete anywhere. With tough Big East matchups ahead, St. John’s is focused on finishing strong to secure the best possible position for the NCAA Tournament.
MORE: Rick Pitino Making St. John’s a Title Contender
With March Madness approaching, Pitino’s Red Storm is proving they can compete with the nation’s best. Their gritty win over Marquette showcased their resilience, and if they continue this level of play, they could be a serious threat in the postseason. Will St. John’s make a deep tournament run? Time will tell.
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