It would be very easy for the St. John’s basketball team not to show up in Milwaukee for its regular season finale against Marquette with all the hype surrounding the program.
The No. 6 Johnnies have already won the outright Big East regular season championship and clinched the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament while being the media darlings of New York City during its bye week.
Most recently the Red Storm took part in the open of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that aired on Thursday night, however, Rick Pitino isn’t concerned that the time off and the fame will distract his team.
“I don’t have to motivate them,” Pitino said on Friday over Zoom. “They know how important this game is.”
The outcome against the Golden Eagles wouldn’t tank or improve St. John’s NCAA Tournament seeding either way, but a win could go a long way in eventually earning a No. 2 seed on Selection Sunday.
“When you’re away from the lines, you better have fun. When you’re between the lines, you better go to work,” he explained.
Pitino highlighted how well the Johnnies played two weeks ago against UConn but, despite victories, didn’t play its best against Butler or Seton Hall. It will also be without starting guard Deivon Smith who continues to nurse a nagging shoulder injury.
“Maybe the toughest game of the year for us.”
His players also know the challenge that lies ahead against a Golden Eagle team that has not defeated a team inside the current Top-5 of the Big East standings since January 3 and it trying to feel good about its chances heading into the postseason.
“We know that we are going in there and they are going to try to rip our heads off,” Kadary Richmond stated.
“We’re not going in there to allow that, so we are going to keep preparing and keep being humble and keep doing what we do…We have a job to do.”
St. John’s defeated Marquette during its first meeting of the season 70-64 behind an outstanding defensive effort over the final five minutes of the game. The Golden Eagles will be the No. 4 or 5 seed in the Big East Tournament, potentially setting up a third meeting with the Red Storm in the semifinals in six days.
Tipoff is slated for 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX) inside Fiserv Forum.