Name, image, and likeness — or NIL — deals, have taken college basketball to a whole new level of drama. And who better to stir the pot than Rick Pitino? The St. John’s head coach, known for his unfiltered honesty, dropped a bombshell on Seton Hall’s financial woes and put a personal matter to rest regarding his star guard, Kadary Richmond.

Let’s start with the game that had fans buzzing. Kadary Richmond, a former standout for Seton Hall, returned to his old stomping grounds with St. John’s, and the atmosphere couldn’t have been more intense. Richmond faced boos and taunts every time he touched the ball. But as the Seton Hall faithful tried to rattle him, his coach had his back, both on and off the court.

During the game, some comments from Fox broadcasters about Richmond’s personal life apparently missed the mark. So after the game, Rick Pitino jumped on X to set the record straight: “Message to Fox announcers, Kadary has not been blessed with a child, but his Mom and girlfriend were both waiting to greet him after the game.“

The tweet wasn’t just about clearing up misinformation; it also showed how much he supports his players, even when the spotlight gets a little too personal.

After St. John’s dominant 51-79 victory over Seton Hall, Pitino wasn’t done making headlines. During his post-game comments, he didn’t hold back about why Richmond left Seton Hall. It all came down to one thing: money.

“If the money was the same, he would be playing for Shaheen [Holloway, Seton Hall’s coach],” Pitino said. He then went further, calling Seton Hall “completely broke” in their ability to compete financially for players. His remarks were blunt, but they reverberated through the sport and highlighted a widening financial divide between programs.

Richmond’s transfer to St. John’s came with a reported NIL deal worth close to seven figures. That kind of money was something Seton Hall simply couldn’t match. And this isn’t just a one-off situation. NIL deals are rapidly becoming the deciding factor in recruiting and retaining top talent. The schools with the resources to provide lucrative NIL opportunities are pulling away, and the schools that don’t have that are struggling to stay competitive.

To players like Richmond, NIL is not a nice perk, it’s a life-changing opportunity. For programs like St. John’s, it’s been a game changer, taking them to a new level. The showdown between St. John’s and Seton Hall wasn’t just about Richmond—it was about making a statement. Richmond returning to his old stomping grounds added some extra drama but St. John’s as a whole stole the show.

A night full of drama and dominance for Rick Pitino

Back to that game in Newark. While the crowd’s anger may have been aimed at Richmond, he stayed calm under pressure, scoring 12 points, grabbing 5  rebounds, handing out 6 assists, and grabbing 2 steals. Meanwhile, St. John’s as a team was unstoppable.

Led by RJ Luis Jr., who poured in 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting. St. John’s surged to an early lead and never looked back. By halftime, they were up 16-39, and the final score of 51-79 was their biggest win over Seton Hall since 1980. This win not only is keeping Pitino’s team at the top of the Big East standings but it also highlights the triumph of his coaching, as well as the strength of their NIL strategy.

This was a tough reminder of how Seton Hall could easily fall out of reach in the Big East. For St. John’s, it was a celebration of what’s possible when a program embraces the new NIL-driven era.

Rick Pitino’s honesty, whether you love it or hate it, has a way of cutting through the noise. His willingness to talk about very difficult topics like financial inequality and the personal lives of his players keeps him at the center of the conversation. And in a new reality for college basketball, Pitino and St. John’s continue to make it known—that they are ready to take the lead.

So, what does this mean for the future? Can programs like Seton Hall find a way to compete, or will the gap keep growing?