A Family Affair on the Court: Pitino vs. Pitino, Round Two
The Renewed Rivalry: Father vs. Son in Big East Battle
Basketball fans are gearing up for another captivating showdown as Rick Pitino's 22nd-ranked St. John's Red Storm prepares to host his son Richard Pitino's Xavier Musketeers. This highly anticipated rematch follows their previous encounter on January 24th, where the elder Pitino's St. John's secured his 900th on-court victory against Xavier.
St. John's Momentum: Chasing Milestones and Tournament Dreams
Just sixteen days after his last triumph over his son, Rick Pitino is focused on achieving another significant milestone. More importantly, he aims to further demonstrate St. John's resurgence not only as a formidable contender in the competitive Big East Conference but also as a serious candidate for a deep run in the NCAA tournament this March.
Red Storm's Dominance: Riding a Nine-Game Winning Streak
The St. John's Red Storm enters this contest with impressive momentum, having won nine consecutive games. Their most recent and notable victory came on Friday night when they decisively ended No. 3 UConn's 18-game winning streak with an 81-72 triumph on their home court.
Xavier's Recent Form: Seeking a Turnaround
Conversely, Xavier has had a longer break since their last game, a challenging 92-60 defeat to UConn last Tuesday. The Musketeers will be looking to regroup and deliver a strong performance against the surging Red Storm.
Rick Pitino's Enduring Legacy: A Coaching Icon's Journey
Rick Pitino's career continues to be a testament to his coaching prowess. His recent win against UConn marked his 903rd on-court victory, placing him in an elite tie for third all-time in Division I alongside legendary coach Roy Williams. While the NCAA officially recognizes him with 780 wins due to past vacated victories at Louisville, his on-court achievements are undeniable, placing him behind only Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim in total wins.
An Electrifying Victory: St. John's Triumphs Over UConn
Among Pitino's many regular-season victories, Friday's win against UConn stood out for its intensity and energy. St. John's (18-5 overall, 11-1 Big East) maintained a lead of up to 11 points in the second half, consistently fending off UConn's rallies. Each time the Huskies narrowed the gap to one or two points, the Red Storm responded with a score on their subsequent possession, showcasing their resilience and composure.
Clutch Plays and Roaring Crowds: The Decisive Moments
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric, with a frenzied sellout crowd of 19,812 witnessing a pivotal moment when Dylan Darling's three-pointer with 3:13 left extended St. John's lead to 72-67, initiating a decisive 12-5 run to close out the game.
Pitino's Philosophy: Embracing a Fearless Approach
Reflecting on the critical moments of the UConn game, Rick Pitino shared his coaching philosophy: "I use the expression ‘no fear of failure.' I said it every single time out. I said, whether we go up 12, they cut it to two -- we have no fear." He further lauded his team's focus, stating, "Every single player was honed in. They did a fabulous job of doing things down the stretch to help you win."
A Significant Milestone: St. John's Defeats a Top-Five Opponent
This victory against UConn marked St. John's first win over a top-five ranked opponent since February 3, 2021, when they defeated No. 3 Villanova 70-59. The Red Storm's impressive run has brought them within half a game of UConn (22-2, 12-1) in the Big East standings, with a crucial rematch scheduled for February 25th in Hartford.
Carrying the Legacy: The Drive for Postseason Success
St. John's previously dethroned UConn as the Big East regular season and tournament champion last year. However, their quest for a Sweet 16 appearance, a first this century, ended with a second-round loss to Arkansas. Forward Zuby Ejiofor, who led the Red Storm with an outstanding performance of 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks against UConn, emphasized the team's understanding of the stakes, stating, "It was a meaningful game. We knew exactly what we were playing for."
Xavier's Rebuilding Phase: Richard Pitino's Vision
Richard Pitino, in his inaugural year at Xavier (12-11 overall, 4-8), is focused on a long-term rebuilding strategy. The Musketeers are currently tied for seventh place with Butler and DePaul in the Big East. Last season, under Sean Miller, Xavier made their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years, but a significant roster turnover occurred after Miller's departure for Texas.
Challenges and Aspirations: Xavier's Path Forward
Xavier's season has presented challenges, including four Big East losses by 20 points or more. They have also struggled in close games, with a 2-4 record in contests decided by six points or fewer, including an 88-83 loss to St. John's where the Red Storm overcame a 16-point second-half deficit. Despite having three senior leading scorers in Tre Carroll, Roddie Anderson III, and Malik Messina-Moore, the team also features promising sophomores Jovan Milicevic and All Wright among their starters.
Confidence in the Future: Building a Competitive Program
Richard Pitino expressed his long-term vision and confidence in the team's trajectory, especially after the loss to UConn: "In year one, when you're starting from scratch, you want to win every game, but you don't get consumed with that part of it -- especially when you're playing a UConn. This is years and years in the making for UConn to build this type of program. I'm very, very confident we can get there."