As the St. John’s geared up for the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed, Red Storm coach Rick Pitino couldn’t resist making a humorous dig at one of the program’s biggest conference opponents, the back-to-back defending champion UConn Huskies.
Rick Pitino’s Latest UConn Dig Explained
Pitino made a lighthearted remark about UConn, saying, “When you pass Storrs, just wave to them.” This quip adds to Pitino’s growing portfolio of humorous jabs at UConn, especially as both teams prepare for the next tournament.
Pitino encouraged players and fans to “wave” as they headed north to Providence, where St. John’s will face No. 15 seed Omaha to open the tournament.
“When you pass Storrs on the way by, just wave to them”
Rick Pitino previews the NCAA Tournament and takes down UCONN along the way 🤣 pic.twitter.com/VyvLSctiiJ
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) March 17, 2025
Storrs is, of course, the location of UConn’s main campus. Under coach Dan Hurley, the Huskies have won the last two national titles and dominated the Big East conference.
This isn’t the first time Pitino has made lighthearted remarks about UConn. In a previous Big East Tournament, when asked about strategies for defeating UConn, Pitino responded, “We gotta have about six of their players get COVID.”
These comments reflect Pitino’s candid and funny approach to addressing formidable opponents.
Since taking over as head coach, Pitino has rejuvenated the Red Storm. The team has a 24-win season, which is an impressive turnaround for a program that has struggled in recent years.
Their excellent performance earned them a berth in the NCAA Tournament, demonstrating Pitino’s effective coaching techniques.
UConn comes into the tournament with a solid reputation, looking to defend their crown. The Huskies have performed consistently throughout the season, making them a team to watch in the tournament.
Also Read: Rick Pitino’s Coaching Career: From NCAA Championships to NBA Stints
The NCAA Tournament bracket sets the foundation for prospective high-stakes encounters. Both St. John’s and UConn are in the West Region, which opens the door to an exciting showdown between Pitino’s inspired team and the reigning champions.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, Pitino’s recent statements lend a sense of humor and excitement. Fans are excited about the likelihood of a St. John’s vs. UConn game, which would likely be the tournament’s highlight.
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