Rick Pitino Leads St. John’s to First Big East Title in 25 Years

The Red Storm secure both the regular season and tournament championships under Pitino, reigniting the program's prominence in college basketball.

St. John’s defeated Creighton 82-66 to claim their first Big East Tournament championship since 2000, completing a historic season with both regular season and tournament titles.
Head coach Rick Pitino, in his second year at St. John’s, has revitalized the program, making them a formidable contender in the NCAA Tournament with a likely No. 2 or No. 3 seed.
RJ Luis, the Big East Player of the Year, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after a dominant 29-point performance in the final game.
The team’s success has been bolstered by key transfers, including Kadary Richmond, Zuby Ejiofor, and Luis, highlighting Pitino’s ability to develop talent and build cohesive rosters.
St. John’s resurgence has ignited fan enthusiasm and financial backing, with billionaire donor Mike Repole playing a significant role in supporting the program’s NIL efforts.