It’s inconceivable to dispute the impression Rick Pitino has had in his 54-game tenure with St. John’s. The Johnnies have been enjoying in addition to anybody final 12 months when the NCAA Match determined to deal with the Huge East like a mid-major. The three video games they’ve misplaced this 12 months have been by 5 skinny factors.
They’ve introduced basketball life again to Utopia Parkway, introduced power again to Carnesecca Area and Madison Sq. Backyard. As Pitino himself says usually, “This can be a crew Lou Carnesecca can be very pleased with,” and the actual fact is you possibly can add Joe Lapchick and Frank McGuire to that listing of former St. John’s coaches having fun with this season from celestial courtside seats.
However what we noticed Tuesday night time at Washington’s Capital One Area was one thing else. Throughout the primary 20 minutes, the Johnnies performed practically flawless ball on the best way to leads of 23-3 and 41-11 earlier than settling for a last verdict of 66-41. Extra to the purpose was one thing else:
For the primary prolonged time frame, this seemed like a classic Pitino crew. They performed frantic, ferocious protection. They ran the ball once they had the numbers, zipped it round once they didn’t. They even made six 3s! (Although in addition they missed 15. However they saved taking pictures ’em, which is among the golden Pitino guidelines).