Rick Pitino reveals plans to celebrate St. John’s Big East Tournament win

St. John’s Red Storm emerged victorious over Creighton on Saturday night to claim their first Big East Tournament title in 25 years under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. The team’s stellar performance was highlighted by RJ Luis Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor, who led the charge in the 82-66 victory.

Speaking to FOX Sports after the game, Pitino expressed his elation at the hard-fought win. “We approached every game in the Big East Tournament with the same intensity as the NCAA Tournament rounds,” Pitino stated. “The pressure was on us, but we delivered when it mattered most.”

Despite trailing at halftime, St. John’s mounted a remarkable comeback in the second half, hitting 14 consecutive shots from the field. Luis Jr. exploded for 29 points after the break, while Ejiofor contributed 20 points to secure the Big East title.

Looking ahead to Selection Sunday, Pitino shared his celebratory plans for the historic win. “I’m going to enjoy a quart of Jameson’s,” he chuckled. Pitino, who holds the distinction of being the only coach to lead six different teams to the NCAA Tournament, sealed St. John’s automatic bid to the Big Dance for the first time since 2019.

Pitino emphasized the significance of the victory for the city and university. “It’s a great win for the city and our school. St. John’s truly represents New York, and as a native New Yorker, I couldn’t be prouder of our accomplishment,” he remarked.

As St. John’s awaits their seeding on Selection Sunday, the team is poised to secure a No. 2 seed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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