St. John’s University has made history by winning the Big East Tournament for the first time in 25 years. The Red Storm, under the leadership of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, secured this remarkable achievement by defeating Creighton 82-66 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
The victory was a significant moment for St. John’s, marking their first tournament title since 1998. It also ensures the team an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament, a goal they have been striving for since 2019. Coach Pitino expressed his pride in the win, saying, "Great win for the city. Great win for our university."
The game saw standout performances from RJ Luis Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor. Luis scored 29 points, with most of his scoring coming in the second half, while Ejiofor contributed 20 points. The team overcame a challenging first half, rallying with an impressive streak of 14 consecutive field goals in the second half.
Pitino emphasized the importance of treating each tournament game as if it were a round in the NCAA Tournament, a strategy that clearly paid off. After the game, he shared his plans to celebrate, jokingly stating, "I’m gonna drink a quart of Jameson’s."
This win adds to Pitino’s remarkable coaching legacy, as he becomes the first coach to lead six different teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm is expected to receive a No. 2 seed when the tournament brackets are announced.
As the team looks ahead to Selection Sunday, Pitino’s focus remains on the success of St. John’s and its significance to New York. He remarked, "As a New Yorker myself, I’m very, very proud that St. John’s has gotten to this level." The excitement is palpable as the Red Storm prepares for their next challenge in the NCAA Tournament.