St. John’s Creighton defeated on Saturday evening to earn the first Big East Tournament title of the school in 25 years thanks to Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, and he plans to celebrate in a great way.
After overthrowing the Blue Jays 82-66 behind Stellar performances of RJ Luis Jr. And Zuby Ejiofor, Pitino sat down with Fox Sports to discuss what the victory meant for him.
St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino after winning the Big East Championship against the Creighton Bluejays in Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2025. (Robert Deutsch imagn images)
“We just wanted to play every game in the Big East Tournament As if it were the first round, second round and third round (from the NCAA tournament), “said Pinito.
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“We did that. The pressure was deposited on us, but we came through in a great way.”
Despite following the end of the first half, St. John’s gathered in the second half and made 14 straight shots out of the field. Luis scored two of his 29 points after the break and Ejiofor added 20 points to earn the Big East title on Saturday.
“At the beginning of the year we had our goals, but we just hoped to make the tournament – to come in,” Pinito added.
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino -gestures after beating the Creighton Bluejays to win the Big East tournament in Madison Square Garden on 15 March 2025. (Brad Penner-Imagnen Images)
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But before St. John’s learns about fate up Selection Sunday, The legendary coach revealed his plans to FOX Sports to celebrate the historical victory.
“I’m going to drink a liter from Jameson,” he said laughing.
Pitino is the first coach in the history to get the NCAA tournament with six different teams. The victory sealed the automatic offer of St. John for the first time since 2019 for the first time since 2019.
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“Great victory for the city. Great victory for our university. You always hear it that it is the New York team, and it really is,” said Pitino. “As a New Yorker, I am very, very proud that St. John’s came to this level.”
St. John’s Red Storm Forward Zuby Ejiofor is greeted by head coach Rick Pitino while the game ends against the Creighton Bluejays in Madison Square Garden on 15 March 2025. (Robert Deutsch imagn images)
St. John’s is expected to earn the number 2 seed on Sunday.
The Associated Press has contributed to this report.
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