At 73, Rick Pitino is pulling off another masterpiece in a career full of them St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino has once again etched his name into college basketball history, leading his team to an unprecedented double title in the Big East. The Johnnies became the first program to win consecutive regular-season championships and Big East Tournament titles, a feat that has drawn comparisons to the league’s storied past. This achievement marks a remarkable turnaround for a team that had previously struggled, cementing Pitino’s reputation as a masterful coach capable of transforming programs. The Red Storm’s success this season was underscored by a dramatic upset over UConn, a team that had previously dominated them by a 32-point margin just two weeks earlier. The 75-52 victory was a testament to Pitino’s ability to rebuild and elevate his teams, a trait that has defined his career. From revitalizing Providence to guiding Kentucky to a national championship after NCAA sanctions to leading Louisville to a Big East double-double, Pitino has consistently delivered results. His work at St. John’s, however, stands out as one of his most significant accomplishments. Pitino’s approach is as rigorous as it is demanding. He is known for his exacting standards, often using a wireless microphone during practices to ensure his critiques are heard. His coaching philosophy emphasizes character and discipline, traits that have been central to St. John’s resurgence. Steve Masiello, Pitino’s associate head coach, described the program as a “masterpiece” under Pitino’s guidance. Masiello, who has worked with Pitino for over a decade, noted the coach’s relentless drive to push his players and staff to their limits. The 2025-26 season marked a pivotal rebuild for St. John’s, with eight new players joining the roster.#big_east #rick_pitino #st_john_s #zuby_ejiofor #steve_masiello
College basketball is in a new era. This year’s Sweet 16 highlights the enduring influence of veteran coaches who are adapting to modern challenges while maintaining their distinct styles The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s Sweet 16 has become a microcosm of college basketball’s evolving landscape, showcasing how seasoned coaches are navigating the sport’s rapid changes. Despite the rise of new trends like NIL (name, image, likeness) deals and the transfer portal, veteran coaches like Brad Underwood, Rick Pitino, and Tom Izzo are proving their relevance. Their success in the tournament underscores a shift in the game’s dynamics, where experience and adaptability coexist. Underwood, 62, has undergone a subtle but significant transformation in his coaching philosophy. Once known for his rigid, no-nonsense approach, he now emphasizes communication and empathy. “I’m still disciplined, but I’ve become more communicative,” he said, explaining how he now provides reasoning for his strategies rather than simply issuing orders. This shift reflects a broader trend among older coaches who are reevaluating their methods to stay effective in an era defined by player autonomy and technological advancements. The Sweet 16 itself is a testament to the resilience of veteran coaches. Teams led by Rick Pitino (73), Tom Izzo (71), Rick Barnes (71), Kelvin Sampson (70), and Brad Underwood (62) have advanced to the regional semifinals, demonstrating that age need not equate to obsolescence. Pitino’s St. John’s, for instance, reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, while Sampson’s Houston has made seven consecutive appearances, including two Final Fours. Izzo’s Michigan State has advanced to the Sweet 16 in three of the past four years, a streak that excludes the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.#tom_izzo #ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #rick_pitino #sweet_16 #brad_underwood
All NCAA men’s tournament brackets have been eliminated after a wave of upsets shattered the hopes of Yahoo Sports users who had predicted perfect outcomes. The tournament’s second round saw a dramatic collapse of the remaining brackets, with only five users surviving just two games into the NCAA men’s tournament. However, Texas’ stunning 74-68 victory over No. 3 seed Gonzaga sealed the fate of all remaining brackets, leaving no undefeated entries. The collapse began with Michigan State’s 77-69 win over Louisville, a game that eliminated one of the six brackets that had started the day. The Spartans, playing without star Mikel Brown Jr. due to a back injury, advanced to the Sweet 16, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2015 under Rick Pitino. Michigan, the Midwest Region’s top seed, also advanced with a 95-72 win over Saint Louis, continuing their dominance in the tournament. The remaining brackets were all aligned on key matchups, including Duke’s easy win over TCU and Houston’s victory over Texas A&M. However, the turning point came when Texas, seeded 11th, upset Gonzaga. The Longhorns’ 3-pointer with less than 15 seconds left sent them to the Sweet 16, wiping out all five remaining brackets. This marked the first time in the tournament’s history that no Yahoo Sports user had a perfect bracket. The men’s tournament saw a rapid decline in perfect brackets from the start. Less than 700 users entered the second day of play undefeated after upsets on Thursday, including TCU’s win over Ohio State and VCU’s comeback against North Carolina. By Friday, the number dropped to single digits, with Kentucky’s overtime win over Santa Clara cutting the count nearly in half. By Saturday, only six users remained.#yahoo_sports #rick_pitino #mikel_brown_jr #ncaa_men_tournament #texas_gonzaga
St. John’s Extends Lead Before Halftime in March Madness Clash with Kansas St. John’s took control of its NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 4 Kansas in the second round of March Madness, building a 34-26 halftime lead despite early struggles. The Red Storm, ranked No. 5, faced challenges in the first half, shooting just 29% from the field and enduring stretches where they missed multiple shots. However, Rick Pitino’s defensive strategies limited Kansas to 10-of-29 shooting and forced nine turnovers, which St. John’s converted into 12 points. The Jayhawks’ star freshman, Darryn Peterson, was held in check, scoring only three points after hitting two early 3-pointers. The game’s biggest disparity came from the 3-point line. Kansas attempted only six 3s, making two, while St. John’s hit 7-of-23. Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East Player of the Year, led the Red Storm with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the first round against Northern Iowa, but struggled in this matchup, scoring just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. Pitino acknowledged the challenge, telling reporters, “They don’t believe we can shoot, and we’re proving them right. We’re gonna keep shooting them until they go in.” Kansas faced its own struggles, particularly in the paint. Flory Bidunga, the team’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, was sidelined early in the first half after picking up two quick fouls. Without his presence, the Jayhawks struggled to find consistency, going more than four minutes without a point at one point. Despite a brief surge by Peterson, who hit back-to-back 3s after St. John’s opened the game with a 3-of-4 shooting run, the Red Storm maintained their lead. The matchup also highlighted the coaching rivalry between Pitino and Bill Self, two of the most successful coaches in college basketball history.#darryn_peterson #kansas #rick_pitino #st_john_s #flory_bidunga
Darryn Peterson scores 28 as No. 4 Kansas survives late collapse vs. No. 13 Cal Baptist No. 4 Kansas secured a hard-fought 68-60 victory over No. 13 Cal Baptist in the first round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming a dramatic late rally by the Lancers. Darryn Peterson led the Jayhawks with 28 points, outperforming Cal Baptist’s Dominique Daniels Jr., who scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half. The win advances Kansas to face Rick Pitino and No. 5 St. John’s on Sunday, with the winner potentially facing Duke in the Sweet 16 if the Blue Devils defeat TCU on Saturday. Peterson’s performance was pivotal in Kansas’ success. After a slow start, he took control of the game, finishing the first half with 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting. His contested step-back 3-pointer to beat the buzzer capped a seven-point scoring run for Kansas. He continued his dominance in the second half, extending his streak of 10 consecutive points with a 3-pointer. Despite Cal Baptist’s 10-0 run that cut Kansas’ lead to 64-42, Peterson answered with a floater in traffic to stabilize the Jayhawks’ advantage. The Lancers mounted an 18-4 run in the final two minutes, trimming the deficit to 66-60. However, Kansas’ lead proved sufficient to secure the win. The Jayhawks scored only one bucket in the game’s final 5:43, with a Tre White dunk with 13 seconds remaining. Peterson, who didn’t touch the ball on several critical possessions, contributed 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 2 steals but didn’t score in the final minutes. The game highlighted Kansas’ resilience and Peterson’s ability to rise to the occasion. Despite a slow start, Peterson’s clutch play ensured the Jayhawks avoided a potential upset. His performance also underscored the challenges he faced during the season. Initially projected as the No.#darryn_peterson #rick_pitino #dominique_daniels_jr #no_4_kansas #cal_baptist
The Long-Awaited Showdown Between Rick Pitino and Bill Self Has Finally Arrived SAN DIEGO — Rick Pitino and Bill Self, two of college basketball’s most storied coaches, are set to face off in a high-stakes NCAA tournament matchup. Pitino, with 1,231 career games under his belt, and Self, who has coached 1,126 games, have never met in a meaningful contest until now. Their only previous encounter occurred in November 2021, when Pitino was at mid-major Iona and Self was leading Kansas toward a national championship. The Jayhawks won that game by 13 points, marking the first of many challenges for Pitino in his quest to reclaim his former glory. This time, the stakes are higher. Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm (29–6), seeded No. 5 in the East region, and Self’s Kansas Jayhawks (24–10), seeded No. 4, are both vying for a Sweet 16 berth. A victory for either would position them to challenge top seed Duke in the next round. The matchup is significant not only for its competitive implications but also for its historical context, as both coaches are in the latter stages of their careers and seeking one last March Madness run. Pitino, 73, has maintained a consistent coaching style since his early days, blending defensive intensity with strategic adaptability. His teams are known for their relentless pressure, whether through zone schemes, man-to-man tactics, or exploiting the three-point line. Self, 63, has faced health challenges in recent years, including heart-related issues that forced him to miss games in 2023, 2025, and January. Despite these setbacks, he remains a dominant force at Kansas, where he has built a legacy of consistency and resilience. Both coaches have navigated the fallout from the FBI’s 2017 college basketball corruption investigation.#rick_pitino #kansas_jayhawks #bill_self #zuby_ejiofor #st_johns_red_storm
Go ahead, St. John’s: Dream the impossible March Madness dream SAN DIEGO — The St. John’s team erupted with laughter and excitement in the hallway before their March Madness practice, bouncing off walls as they prepared to take the Viejas Arena court. A red “SJ” logo dominated the overhead scoreboard, with a blue “March Madness” banner beneath it. The 27-member St. John’s band performed, followed by the six cheerleaders and six dance team members entering the space. Johnny, the team’s mascot, joined in with energetic dance moves. The team’s journey to the tournament had been a long and challenging path, marked by the “Survive and Advance” format that requires teams to win each round to keep their hopes alive. Rick Pitino, the head coach, had gathered the team for their first practice after the tournament began, igniting their spirits with a vision of the national championship. The coach’s words resonated deeply with the players, as he emphasized the importance of dreaming big despite the odds. Outside the locker room, before joining his team, Pitino was seen in a white sweatsuit. When asked why he mentioned the national championship to his players, the Hall of Fame coach shared his perspective. “I said, ‘I’m not gonna be coaching forever, so I’m gonna dream. If you want to join my dream, get after it,’” he told The Post. His message underscored the blend of ambition and determination that defines March Madness, where every game is a step closer to the ultimate goal. The team’s journey reflects the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the tournament, where underdog stories and unexpected victories often take center stage. For St. John’s, the path to the championship is fraught with challenges, but the coach’s vision has galvanized the players to push beyond their limits.#rick_pitino #st_john_s #march_madness #viejas_arena #northern_iowa
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: Has UConn Locked Up the Final No. 1 Seed? As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the race for the final No. 1 seed has taken a decisive turn. UConn’s dominant 72-40 victory over St. John’s on Wednesday night has shifted the narrative, with the Huskies now positioned as strong contenders for the fourth and final top seed. The win, which ended St. John’s 13-game winning streak and marked the most lopsided loss in Rick Pitino’s tenure at the program, has bolstered UConn’s case for a No. 1 seed. Previously, Duke, Michigan, and Arizona were seen as the clear-cut top seeds, leaving UConn as the final team in contention. However, the Huskies’ performance has added momentum to their bid, raising questions about whether the race is already decided. With Selection Sunday less than a month away, the final rankings could still shift, but UConn’s recent form has made them a formidable candidate. FOX Sports’ bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy has outlined his latest projections, highlighting the evolving landscape of the tournament. According to his analysis, Indiana, TCU, Santa Clara, and VCU are currently on the bubble, while Auburn, San Diego State, Virginia Tech, and USC are projected to be excluded. The SEC leads all conferences with 10 teams, followed by the Big Ten and ACC, each with nine representatives. The Big 12 has eight teams, while the Big East and West Coast Conference each have three. The A-10 contributes two teams. The Midwest region remains a focal point, with DeCourcy’s projections emphasizing the competition for at-large bids. The Big Ten, in particular, has seen a surge in teams vying for inclusion, creating a tight race for the final spots. Meanwhile, the top seeds are largely set, with Duke, Michigan, and Arizona securing their positions. UConn’s inclusion as the fourth No.#uconn #ncaa_tournament #st_johns #rick_pitino #mike_decourcy
