Common-season champs. A event title. Pleasure in this system totally restored.
The pied piper of faculty basketball rebuilds, Rick Pitino has St. John’s again atop the Massive East.
And this time, the nets have been coming down.
RJ Luis Jr. scored all however two of his 29 factors after halftime and No. 6 St. John’s made 14 straight photographs from the sphere within the second half to beat Creighton 82-66 on Saturday night time for its first Massive East Event title in 25 years.
“Wow, this is incredible just to come from last year to this year and to see the transformation,” Luis mentioned. “Coach P is the mastermind behind all of this. I mean, it’s truly special.”
Zuby Ejiofor added 20 factors and Kadary Richmond had 12 factors and 12 rebounds for the top-seeded Purple Storm (30-4), who reached 30 wins for the third time in program historical past earlier than a roaring hometown crowd at sold-out Madison Sq. Backyard.
They earned the convention’s automated bid to the NCAA Event for his or her first journey since 2019, making the 72-year-old Pitino the primary coach to take six colleges to the Massive Dance.
The others have been Boston College, Windfall, Kentucky, Louisville and Iona.
“Great win for the city. Great win for our university. You hear it all along that it’s New York’s team, and it truly is,” the Corridor of Fame coach mentioned. “As a New Yorker myself, I’m very, very proud that St. John’s has gotten to this level.”
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St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino admires the tournment trophy after an NCAA faculty basketball recreation towards Creighton within the championship of the Massive East Convention event Saturday, March 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Picture/Frank Franklin II)
Pitino, in his second season with the Johnnies, additionally grew to become the primary coach to win the Massive East Event at two colleges. He’s gained thrice in his final 4 seasons within the league, after guiding Louisville to championships in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
“I saved the best for last,” Pitino introduced to loud cheers from the group of 19,812, pausing to take away falling confetti from his lips throughout a postgame interview on the courtroom.
Luis, the Massive East Participant of the 12 months, additionally grabbed 10 rebounds and was chosen the event’s Most Excellent Participant. He was draped in a Dominican Republic flag as followers chanted “MVP! MVP!” after the sport.
“Just still trying to soak it in, and it’s just crazy how much you can speak things into existence and just watch it all come together,” Luis mentioned. “This has by far been the most emotional, happiest week of my 22 years of existence.”
Ejiofor and Richmond made the All-Event group.
“The three of them have been unstoppable,” Pitino mentioned.
Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 15 factors for second-seeded Creighton (24-10), which fell to 0-5 in Massive East championship video games since becoming a member of the convention for the 2013-14 season.
“It’s hard to get to this game, let’s be honest,” coach Greg McDermott mentioned. “We’ve been fortunate to be here quite a few times. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to finish the job.”
When the resurgent Johnnies clinched their first outright regular-season convention championship in 40 years with a victory over Seton Corridor at The Backyard on March 1, that they had already determined to not lower down the nets to have fun.
Extra work to do.
However on this night time, gamers and workers climbed the ladder and snipped their souvenirs.
It was the fourth Massive East Event title for the Johnnies, who made the championship recreation for the primary time since successful the 2000 trophy underneath Mike Jarvis. The earlier two got here within the Nineteen Eighties underneath Corridor of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca, who died Nov. 30 about 5 weeks shy of his a hundredth birthday.
“To finally get over the hump, it’s really an unbelievable feeling,” Ejiofor mentioned. “I’m so happy to be a part of history.”
And after the Purple Storm lower down the nets, a message appeared on the enormous video display above middle courtroom: “For Looie.”
“I’m thinking he would be so proud of this team,” mentioned Pitino, who has shortly revived St. John’s right into a nationwide energy once more late in his illustrious however checkered profession.
“Humility is a big part of my life right now. It wasn’t always that way,” he added. “I don’t believe in redemption. I believe in humility.”
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St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor holds celebrates with teammates whereas holding the event trophy after an NCAA faculty basketball recreation towards Creighton within the championship of the Massive East Convention event Saturday, March 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Picture/Frank Franklin II)
The drought between Massive East Event titles for the Johnnies was the longest for any group in league historical past.
“St. John’s didn’t get constructed by the NIL. St. John’s obtained constructed with character of the gamers,” Pitino mentioned.
Luis was whistled for his second foul with 7:19 left earlier than halftime and sat out the remainder of the half.
After falling behind by eight early, St. John’s lastly took its first lead at 43-41 with 11:55 remaining when backup huge man Vince Iwuchukwu scored left-handed within the put up over the 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner, the four-time Massive East Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
That got here 33 seconds after Ejiofor transformed a tying three-point play that started a streak of 14 consecutive made discipline objectives in 7:12 for the Purple Storm, giving them a 70-55 lead. They related on 17 of their ultimate 19 discipline purpose makes an attempt to complete at 72% within the second interval (23 for 32).
Fairly an offensive show for a group that entered the sport capturing 45% from flooring.
“We definitely fed off the crowd, the energy, the atmosphere,” Luis said. “It was ridiculous. It was very loud.”
By the numbers
St. John’s has gained 9 straight video games, and 19 of 20 because the new 12 months. The group completed 21-0 on its house courts, together with 12-0 at MSG — this system’s most wins at The Backyard since compiling 13 in 1958-59. The final time the Johnnies completed unbeaten at house was the 1931-32 season.
Creighton damage
Bluejays reserve Fedor Zugic injured his proper ankle with 11:23 left within the first half and needed to be helped off the courtroom to the locker room. He didn’t return.
Key stat
Creighton, which entered capturing 74% on free throws, missed six of its first eight from the road and completed 8 for 16.
Up subsequent
Creighton: Headed to its fifth straight NCAA Event when the brackets are revealed Sunday.
St. John’s: Hasn’t gained an NCAA Event recreation in 25 years. Pitino and the streaking Purple Storm appear more likely to obtain a No. 2 seed Sunday.
“We still have a lot to prove. We’re not done,” Ejiofor mentioned.
