The miracle man Rick Pitino is working his magic again–this time with St. John’s Red Storm. The ‘New York’s team’ got the chance to cut down the nets at Madison Square Garden after clinching their first Big East tournament title since 2000. But the Big East continues to be plagued by referee blunders, and one person not happy about it is Dan Hurley. The back-to-back defending champion didn’t hold back, saying, “I do think that this team is built to potentially play better in an NCAA tournament just because the games are much different than these brutal BIG EAST games.” But Rick Pitino has a different take on the situation.

The Big East’s rugged style fuels Hurley’s frustration, as he believes it misaligns with the freer-flowing March Madness officiating.

In the postgame conference after winning the Big East tournament, Pitino was asked about Coach Hurley’s criticism of the Big East refereeing, specifically pointing out that more physicality is allowed in the Big East than in the NCAA tournament. Pitino didn’t hesitate and shared his own thoughts on the issue.

He said, “Well, that’s been going on since I coached at Providence, when John Thompson was roaming the sidelines. Everyone said the Big East was a much more physical league.” Pitino went on to praise the referees, saying they did a great job in the final. “Tonight those officials did a great job. It is physical, but you have to adjust come tournament time. You have to adjust by moving your feet more.”

Dan Hurley’s UConn likely serves as the blueprint for any Big East team aiming to adjust their game in the tournament. Having won the championship the last two years, they’re looking to complete a three-peat this season. Pitino knows more than anyone about the physicality of the conference, having coached Providence from 1985-87. During that time, he led the program to a Final Four berth before moving on to the New York Knicks.

That said, St. John’s has had a tournament to remember, winning their first Big East tournament since 2000. Let’s take a look at their impressive run as Rick Pitino looks to create more history with the Red Storm.

Rick Pitino and co-script history

The Johnnies clinched their fourth Big East tournament title, marking a historic return to the championship game for the first time since their 2000 triumph under Mike Jarvis. A new era of excitement is clearly unfolding at St. John’s!

They secured the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, marking their first trip since 2019. This achievement made 72-year-old Hall of Famer Rick Pitino the first coach to lead six schools to the Big Dance. Pitino also made history as the first coach to win the Big East tournament with two different schools.

Richmond, Ejiofor, and Luis all delivered unforgettable performances in the Big East Tournament. Richmond posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in the final, making his presence felt in the paint. Ejiofor erupted with 33 points and 7 rebounds in the semifinal, a performance that matched the most points in a Big East semifinal since Kemba Walker’s 2011 run. He also added 20 points in the championship game against Creighton.

But it was RJ Luis who truly stole the spotlight in the final. The Big East MVP scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half, leading St. John’s to their first Big East championship in 25 years. With the stakes now higher than ever, Rick Pitino will be aiming for his 8th Final Four and striving to bring the program its first-ever championship.

As NCAA officials brace for March Madness, St. John’s readiness and UConn’s pedigree suggest fewer officiating controversies ahead—perhaps a relief after the Big East spotlight. With St. John’s automatic bid secured and UConn likely earning a high at-large seed, NCAA refs can hope the focus shifts to basketball rather than whistles—though Pitino and Hurley’s rivalry ensures the drama won’t fade.