Head coach Rick Pitino may need second ideas about taking the St John’s job after a disastrous loss to Seton Corridor on Sunday.
The Purple Storm blew a 19-point lead and dedicated 15 turnovers in a 68-62 house loss to the Pirates, falling to 14-12 general and 6-9 within the Massive East. Following the embarrassing collapse, Pitino blew a gasket.
“That is probably the most unenjoyable expertise of my lifetime,” the 71-year-old mentioned of his first season at St. John’s, through Yahoo Sports activities.
St. John’s obtained off to a promising 12-4 begin. Since then, nonetheless, it has been downhill sledding for the Purple Storm. They’ve misplaced eight of their final 10 video games and are ninth within the Massive East.
St. John’s should win its convention event to make the NCAA Event for the primary time in 5 years. In his newest bracket, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi listed the Purple Strom in his subsequent 4 out, together with Colorado, Villanova and Pittsburgh.
Pitino has struggled to seek out the proper lineup. He just lately benched 2022-23 All-Massive East energy ahead Joel Soriano. He is continued to level the finger at his gamers, claiming they do not go well with his system.
“We type of misplaced this season with the best way we recruited,” he mentioned. “We recruited the antithesis of the best way I coach. It is a good group, they struggle exhausting, however they’re simply not very powerful.”
Pitino is likely one of the best coaches in school basketball historical past. In 34 seasons, he is led three applications (Windfall, Kentucky and Louisville) to Ultimate 4 journeys and gained two nationwide championships. Nonetheless, he ought to take extra accountability.
Berating the staff won’t appeal to high recruits, and if he cannot land higher gamers, it might end in an unceremonious finish to a storied profession. In March 2023, St. John’s signed Pitino to a six-year deal, hoping he would reignite a program that hasn’t made the Ultimate 4 since 1985.
