Can The Power of Rick Pitino Carry the Johnnies to the Title?
Legendary head coach Rick Pitino is working his magic again and is back in the Big Dance with a hungry St. John’s squad. The Big East Champion Red Storm are looking to make big waves in this year’s March Madness tournament and are helmed by a hall of fame coach in Pitino who has plenty of experience. During his unrivaled coaching career, Pitino has amassed a record of 884-310 (.740), led 5 different teams to a conference championship and became the first coach to win a national championship with two different teams. Not to mention that he’s the first coach to take three different schools to the Final Four.
With a career like that under his belt, it’s no wonder that he was brimming with confidence during his 2022 introductory press conference. From day one, Rick Pitino stated that St. John’s would get back to the tournament and become a winning program again. He reiterated that statement in a very ‘I told you so’ way during a media interview following the Big East Championship. “I said it at the press conference, we would be back… I didn’t lie to you, did I?”
St. John’s under Rick Pitino have enjoyed a renaissance. They packed Madison Square Garden’s 19,500 seats on a weekly basis and have brought a very special and warming atmosphere to the Red Storm’s fanbase. They’ve packed the house with a traditional approach to team building as well as Pitino stated after the championship. “St. John’s didn’t get built by the NIL, it was built with the character of the players.”
His mantra of being humble in both victory and defeat have added to the mental toughness of St. John’s.
“Humility is the true key to success. Successful people lose their way at times. They often embrace and overindulge from the fruits of success. Humility halts this arrogance and self-indulging trap. Humble people share the credit and wealth, remaining focused and hungry to continue the journey of success.”
Rick Pitino On New York Pride, Road Ahead
“I am as a New Yorker about as proud as any person could be because when I hear St. John’s is New York’s team, we’re New York strong, and we represent New York, that makes me feel awesome inside… There’s an extra special feeling being a New Yorker, who grew up on 26th street… I share this with every fan that takes great pride in what it accomplished this year.”
Much like the play of the Red Storm, Rick Pitino exudes a New York strong attitude and toughness all the time. One instance that truly stands out as an illustration of his mentality and toughness was from a fiery halftime speech when his team was struggling. His players were showing their dismay in their body language after missed shots and displayed a defeated attitude.
“You guys keep blowing opportunity, upon opportunity, upon opportunity. You’re like children with bad things happening. Instead of digging in and being tougher, you wilt. Where is your f*****g toughness? Where have you guys been raised that you’re so weak mentally that you just f*****g give up when something doesn’t go right for you? Don’t you know what adversity is all about? Thats the f*****g game of life, not the game of basketball.”
Keeping in mind where the Johnnies are at this season, it’s easy to see why Rick Pitino has been known for decades as a true leader, mentor, and coach. His words broke the players down to their very cores and made them reevaluate what they’re truly made of. As a result, St. John’s has been on the warpath all year with no signs of slowing down. They face an Omaha team on Thursday in the first round that better be prepared for this New York strong squad.
By The Numbers
St. John’s Omaha
45% Field Goals 48.8%
30.2% 3-Pointers 36.7%
68.6% Free Throws 72.2%
40.9 Rebounds 35.6
15.8 Assists 13.6
9.2 Steals 6.1
5.4 Blocks 2.5
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