St. John’s Red Storm Head Coach Rick Pitino made history in last night’s 76-70 victory over Butler. It secured the Red Storm at least a share of the Big East regular season title. It is the first time the program has earned that honor since the 1991-92 season. With either a win over their two games or any Creighton loss over their final three games, the Red Storm will win the Big East crown outright.
Pitino also made history by winning a conference title during the regular season with five different programs. He is also on his way to taking a whopping six schools to the NCAA Tournament next month. Will he and the team be able to make history in March?
St. John’s Season Summary
Rick Pitino is now the first head coach in Division I history to win a regular-season conference title with five different programs, per @ESPNStatsInfo. Boston University, Kentucky, Louisville, Iona and St. John's. https://t.co/VJLqOdrhuM
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 27, 2025
It has been a tremendous regular season for Pitino and the team. They are 25-4 and were ranked No. 7 in the most recent AP Top 25. St. John’s has been so successful this season with an offense that is not very good. They are 67th in points scored, 177th in field goal percentage, and 343rd in three-point percentage.
The Red Storm have been paced by their defense this year. They are 28th in points allowed, 16th in opposing field goal percentage, and 135th in opposing three-point percentage. A hallmark of Pitino’s teams is a strong defense and the 2024-2025 Red Storm fit that bill.
Final Thoughts
St. John’s has only two games left before the Big East Tournament begins. They host Seton Hall on Saturday before visiting No. 21 Marquette on March 8 to cap off the regular season. Pitino’s Hall of Fame résumé, coupled with the team’s tenacious defense, will mean no team will want to face St. John’s in postseason play.
