The St. John’s basketball team has its flaws – as every team does – but Rick Pitino is becoming concerned with one major aspect of the Red Storm, listening.
St. John’s rallied from an early seven-point deficit in the second half against Butler to win 70-62 in a game it could not afford to lose for its NCAA Tournament resume, yet the Hall of Famer voiced his frustration following the victory with his team’s attention to detail.
“Young people today are different, I’m struggling with it,” he started. “I’m not quitting like some coaches, but I really am struggling right now with a lot of things.”
“Listening, the work ethic is great, the listening is really bothering me…coaching this team will age me about 20 years with the listening part.”
Pitino, 72, was referencing the abrupt retirement of Miami head coach Jim Larranaga, 75, on December 26 after the Hurricanes’ 4-8 start to the season, which saw games lost to Charleston Southern and Mount St. Mary’s.
The St. John’s coach has highlighted his team’s unwillingness to adhere to scouting reports throughout the season, something that remained an issue in its victory over the Bulldogs.
“Nothing intentional, [the players] are very respectful, they hear what you’re saying but they don’t listen to scouting reports and these coaches are working hours upon hours upon hours breaking down film.”
The Red Storm trailed by four, 29-25, at halftime before outscoring Butler by 12 in the second half during its victory.
Its lack of awareness to scouting reports was most noticeable during its 1-point loss on the road against Creighton on December 31 when the Johnnies kept driving at star Bluejay center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who disrupted several shots during the game and finished with five blocks.
“I don’t know. I really couldn’t tell you,” St. John’s center Zuby Ejiofor said prior to its game against Butler when asked why the team doesn’t follow scouting reports very closely.
“It’s just something that we have to work on…that’s been our focal point, that’s what [Rick Pitino] has basically told us every single game is how important the scouting report is and the countless amount of hours that the coaching staff puts into the film sessions.”
St. John’s (12-3, 3-1 Big East) will look to win another league road game on Tuesday night (6:30 p.m. ET, ES1) when traveling to Xavier (9-6, 1-3 Big East).