St John’s builds momentum ahead of the Big East Tournament
It seemed as if the St John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team’s hopes for making the NCAA postseason field of 68 were lost when they went 2-8 from January 13 through February 18, dropping to 14-12 overall and 6-9 in the Big East.
Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino publicly ripped his team after the last defeat of that stretch when they blew a 19-point lead and fell 68-62 to Seton Hall.
“We are so non-athletic that we can’t guard anybody without fouling and really is not about losing because even in winning, when we watch the film, I see unathletic plays,” Pitino said after that game. “I see people that don’t handle the ball that’s just interested in taking quick shots. So it’s been a disappointing year.”
Pitino, who has coached since 1978, went as far as to say that it has been the most unenjoyable experience he’s ever had coaching.
But the joy of coaching has returned.
The Red Storm responded, winning four in a row, besting Georgetown, No. 15 Creighton, Butler, and most recently DePaul on Tuesday night. Pitino’s old-school criticism of his team after the loss to Seton Hall caused backlash as many fans of the program and media felt he was too harsh. Days later Pitino issued an apology. But the play of the team since suggests his tactic, if calculated, worked to get St John’s improbably back in the mix for an at-large NCAA Tournament. They still have work to do between now and Selection Sunday 10 days away when the field of 68 is chosen.
The Red Storm will close out the regular season Saturday at Madison Square Garden against Georgetown. The Big East Conference Tournament begins next Wednesday with the final taking place next Saturday.
It was once thought that the Red Storm would need to win the Big East Tournament to make the field of 68. But a win against Georgetown and another next week in the conference tournament may solidify a bid. It would be a remarkable turnaround for a team that was plummeting less than a month ago.
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