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
St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell faces off against Kansas in his sixth career matchup as the Jayhawks aim for a second-round berth SAN DIEGO — Dillon Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 forward for St. John’s, is preparing for his sixth game against Kansas, a matchup that carries significant weight for both teams. Mitchell, who previously played at Texas and Cincinnati, has a deep understanding of Kansas’ style of play, having faced the Jayhawks multiple times. His experience could be crucial as St. John’s seeks its first deep postseason run in 27 years. Mitchell, now a senior, has become a key player for the Red Storm, though his averages of 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds are modest compared to his past performances. However, teammates like Bryce Hopkins highlight his impact, noting his intelligence, unselfishness, and ability to create opportunities for the team. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without Dillon Mitchell,” Hopkins said, emphasizing his role in the team’s success. The matchup against Kansas is particularly challenging for St. John’s, as the Jayhawks’ physicality and pace have evolved since Mitchell’s last encounters. Kansas’ star guard Darryn Peterson, who scored 28 points in a recent win over Cal Baptist, poses a unique threat. Mitchell acknowledged Peterson’s NBA-level skills, describing his ability to score from all areas and draw fouls. “It’s NBA moves, pro moves that he does,” Mitchell said, underscoring the difficulty of containing him. St. John’s will need to counter Kansas’ big men, Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller, who are likely to match up against Mitchell and Ejiofor. Despite the challenges, Mitchell remains confident, citing his familiarity with Kansas’ strategies and the excitement of facing a familiar opponent.#darryn_peterson #kansas #st_john_s #dillon_mitchell #bryce_hopkins
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
The Kim English Era Is Officially Over The Providence College men’s basketball team suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of St. John’s in the second round of the Big East Tournament, marking the end of Kim English’s tenure as head coach. The loss, a 85-72 decision, ended a three-year coaching stint that began with promise but concluded in turmoil. The Friars trailed by 20 points for much of the game, a stark contrast to the optimism that accompanied English’s arrival. English’s era at Providence was defined by both highs and lows. Early in his career, the team appeared poised for success, with a mix of talented freshmen and solid sophomores. Players like Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones, along with Ryan Mela and Oswin Erhunmwunse, were expected to form a strong foundation. However, the past year saw a decline in performance, leading to the current situation. With the loss to St. John’s, the program now faces an uncertain future. The departure of English leaves the Friars without a coach, and all four key players—Vaaks, Jones, Mela, and Erhunmwunse—are now free agents. These athletes are expected to pursue lucrative opportunities, with earnings surpassing $1 million annually. Jones and Vaaks, in particular, could command contracts exceeding $2 million. For fans, this transition signals a period of instability, as the program navigates the absence of a clear leader. English’s three-year record of 46-49 reflects a struggle to consistently compete in the Big East. His team won less than 40% of conference games, a statistic that has fueled criticism. The search for a replacement remains unpredictable, with multiple names circulating but no clear consensus. The circumstances of English’s exit are as much about personal dynamics as they are about performance.#kim_english #providence_college #st_john_s #stefan_vaaks #jamier_jones
