The last time St. John’s won the Big East Tournament, Y2K was a legitimate concern, and people still used dial-up internet. They went through enough March Madness disappointments to make even the most optimistic fan consider switching channels. Then, like a basketball messiah descending from the heavens (or, more accurately, Iona), Rick Pitino arrived in Queens. And now, the drought is over. St. John’s is once again the king of the Big East, winning their first conference tournament title since 2000.

Pitino’s arrival in 2023 was college basketball’s aha! moment, like finally learning how to fold a fitted bedsheet- pure genius. At 72, he wasn’t just another high-profile hire. He had won national championships with Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013 (though the NCAA later vacated the title), and he took Providence to a Final Four in 1987. His resume was impeccable, but the challenge at St. John’s was unique. The program had talent but lacked identity and discipline. Enter Pitino, whose pressing defense, ball movement, and an unrelenting work ethic immediately took hold.

The regular season provided glimpses of what was to come. St. John’s went 18-2 in Big East play, its best conference performance since the early 1980s, and finished as outright regular-season champions for the first time in four decades. Yet, there were moments when fans began to brace themselves for heartbreak. They waltzed past Butler but found themselves 15 points down against Marquette. But Zuby Ejiofor took matters into his own hands and dropped 33 points and 12 rebounds, refusing to fold under pressure.

Come Creighton and RJ Luis Jr. turned the championship game into his personal highlight reel. After a quiet first half, he scored 27 points in the second half, shredding Creighton’s defense. His all-around brilliance sealed an 82-66 win and earned him tournament MVP honors. Meanwhile, Kadary Richmond’s steady playmaking and Chris Ledlum’s defensive grit ensured Pitino’s system ran like a well-oiled machine. Also, this triumph not only resurrected a once-proud program but also reestablished Madison Square Garden as their true home.

The conference crown was the golden ticket they needed to return to the NCAA Tournament stage, a place they hadn’t graced since 2019. And for Pitino, the coach who loves making history, it marked a remarkable milestone: he became the first coach to lead six different schools to the Big Dance. As confetti swirled around him, Pitino’s voice boomed out a love letter to the St.John’s faithful. “For all the St. John’s fans, this is for you,” he said, “St. John’s is New York’s team!“. True Homecoming, as we said.

With the Big East title secured, attention now turns to the NCAA Tournament. St. John’s hasn’t advanced past the first weekend of March Madness since 1999, but this team has the pieces to change that narrative. The odds are in their favor, and fans know it. Naturally, X is buzzing in awe of the head coach who saved the best for last.

Rick Pitino: Winning hearts, making his case for coach of the year

A fan threw out a wild claim: “Rick Pitino lowkey might be the best college basketball coach of all time.” Now, that’s a statement. But, you know what? It’s not one that comes up often in GOAT coach debates. Why? Well, the numbers tell a different story. 759 career victories, a .712 winning percentage, and two NCAA titles.

Compare that to Mike Krzyzewski’s 1,202 wins, John Wooden’s 10 national championships, Bob Knight’s 902 wins, or Adolph Rupp’s 82.2% win rate at Kentucky. Even Roy Williams had a 77.4% clip at UNC and Kansas. But here’s the thing. Pitino wasn’t a college lifer who sat at one school for decades. The guy bounced around, dabbled in the NBA, and kept proving one thing: he can take any program, anywhere, and turn it into a winner. That’s an undeniable coaching masterclass.

Then there’s this, “Rick Pitino is a coaching god and St. John’s is a wagon!” A wagon. As in, they’re rolling, and everyone better get out of the way. And honestly? They kind of are. Pitino’s impact has always been larger than life, but the way he’s flipped St. John’s into a powerhouse is unreal.

When he took over in 2023, he immediately pointed out the defensive issues—rightfully so, since St. John’s gave up over a point per possession in 20 of 33 games. Fast forward to now, only eight teams have cracked that mark against them this season. Oh, and did we mention they’re currently sitting at No. 1 on KenPom (defensively)?

Another fan chimed in, “Rick Pitino is coach of the year. This is just unreal.” And listen, the man already has five Coach of the Year awards—two in the SEC, one in Conference USA, and back-to-back honors in the MAAC. But this is Big East dominance. He’s been here before, taking Providence and Louisville to Final Fours. So is another COY trophy on the way?

And then, the ultimate claim, “Rick Pitino is the best coach in the country.” At 72, the man’s outlasted his contemporaries. Jim Boeheim’s talking on TV. Coach K is podcasting. Roy Williams is just chilling in the UNC stands. Leonard Hamilton called it a career. Meanwhile, Pitino is on school No. 6, still breaking records and proving he’s got plenty left in the tank.

Finally, a fan summed it up perfectly: “St John’s x Rick Pitino >>>” because, really, it does feel like a match made in hoop heaven. This has been a year of firsts for the Johnnies—first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985, first 25-win season and Big East Tournament championship game trip since 2000, first Big East Player of the Year winner since 1986.

You get the feeling that this isn’t just a one-off. This is the beginning of something terrifying for opponents. So, the energy is here, the belief is back, and St. John’s is on the brink of something special. Now, Rick Pitino is aiming for something bigger than this- the NCAA title. Let’s see if/ how he gets the job done!