Rick Pitino guaranteed success for the St. John’s basketball program nearly two years ago during his introductory press conference but the quick rise to the top of the sport even took the school’s leadership by surprise.
The Johnnies won its first Big East Tournament since 2000 on Saturday night against Creighton which came on the heels of its first outright Big East regular season championship since 1985.
Its success resulted in a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Ed Kull, the Red Storm athletic director hired in September, didn’t even envision the heights St. John’s would reach.
“I tried to pay attention, I tried to do my homework,” he said on the court at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. “I spent the last five months with Coach Pitino, he’s better than advertised. He’s better than his record even indicates.”
Pitino has now brought a record six different schools to the NCAA Tournament and became the first coach to ever win its conference tournament with five different programs.
“To do this in the new climate of the NCAA…only Rick Pitino could pull that off.”
The man that hired Pitino in Queens, Rev. Brian Shanley, is even in awe of what the Hall of Famer delivered.
“I knew Rick would get us back, but I didn’t think it would be in this spectacular fashion,” he said.
“It was just spectacular. It’s cathartic.”
Rev. Shanley said he was “praying” for Providence, both literally and figurately and his prayer was answered on Sunday as the Johnnies will play its opening weekend of the tournament at the former home of both Pitino and Shanley.
“For Rick to be able to go back to Providence where he really got the bump that got him up, that would be a sweet story.”
St. John’s most famous booster, Mike Repole, was amazed of Pitino’s most recent feat.
“With Rick, how could he be doubted? He’s done it his whole career, he’s done it his whole life. To me, I think – let’s see what kind of run we have – this puts him as the greatest basketball coach of all time.”
Repole explained that he’s dreamt of the exact moment on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden when he was on the stage celebrating with the trophy and his friends but didn’t know if he would be able to live it in real life.
“I really dreamt about this since I was 15 years old,” he said. “I think this feels a little bit like déjà vu, like I’ve been here before, and I know I haven’t.”
“I’ve played it in my head for the last 40 years, I can’t tell you I’m shocked or surprised. It’s patience and going through adversity. It’s about life.”
St. John’s (30-4) will look to accomplish another feat on Thursday night (9:45 p.m. ET, CBS) against Omaha (22-12), winning its first NCAA Tournament game since 2000.