Saint-Jean Beat Creighton on Saturday evening to win the first Big East tournament title in the school in 25 years thanks to the coach of the renowned temple Rick Pitino, and he plans to celebrate significantly.
After overthrowing the Blue Jays 82-66 behind stellar performances by RJ Luis Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor, Pitino sat with Fox Sports to discuss what victory meant for him.
St. John’s Red Storm Rick Pitino’s head coach after winning the Big East Championship against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2025. (Images Robert Deutsch-Imagn)
“We just wanted to play every game in the Big East tournament As if it was the first round, second round and third round [of the NCAA Tournament]”Said Pinito.
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“We did it. The pressure rose to us, but we went importantly.”
Despite the train at the end of the first half, St. John’s rallied in the second half, making 14 consecutive shots on the field. Luis scored every 29 points except two after half-time and Ejiofor added 20 points to win the title Big East on Saturday.
“At the beginning of the year, we had our goals, but we just hoped to do the tournament – to enter,” added Pinito.
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino made gestures after defeating Creighton Bluejays to win the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2025. (Images of Brad Penner-Imagn)
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But before St. John’s learned of his fate on Sunday selection, The legendary coach revealed his plans in Fox Sports to celebrate the historic victory.
“I’m going to drink a liter of Jameson,” he said, laughing.
Pitino is the first coach in history to go to the NCAA tournament with six different teams. The victory has sealed St. John’s’s automatic offer to the big dance for the first time since 2019.
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“Big victory for the city. Great victory for our university. You hear throughout the New York team, and it’s really the east,” said Pitino. “As New Yorkers myself, I am very, very proud that St. John’s has reached this level.”
St. John’s Red Storm striker Zuby Ejiofor is greeted by head coach Rick Pitino while the match ends against Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2025. (Images Robert Deutsch-Imagn)
St. John’s is expected to win the seeded n ° 2 Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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