In New York City, the St. John’s basketball team faced a tough season last year. They have struggled throughout the last five seasons. Last appearing in the NCAA tournament in 2019. Fans were disappointed, and the once-legendary program seemed lost. Then, everything changed when Rick Pitino was brought in as the new head coach.
You can feel the difference when Rick Pitino walked in the locker room, he brought his reputation from Louisville, Kentucky, Providence, and Iona. His energy and his ways were implemented immediately. He gathered the players and shared his vision, emphasizing hard work, discipline, and a winning mentality.
Coach Pitino put a emphasis on the defensive end, to sit down and defend smothering the 0ther team making everything just difficult. Mental toughness is a factor that Coach Pitino made sure his players had as the season started.
Next you know the St. Johns Red Storm in ranked in the top 10 going 22-4 and all four losses are by a total of a combined seven points. As of right now they are ranked 10th in the country setting themselves up for a good spot with the NCAA march madness tournament approaching.
The Red Storm’s 13 out of the 22 games have been close games win or loss showing their resilience and entering the tournament, having the ability to win those close games in an electric environment with everything on the line, to stay calm and close out.
Coach Pitino has the confidence of his players and his players play hard for him, listen to him, and learn from him. The respect he has among the league spreads energy to his players and could bring fear to the opposing team.
The turnaround of the St. Johns Red Storm under Rick Pitino is incredible, he never fails to rebuild a team as he has done in his past. He doesn’t only win games he teaches young adults how to deal with life and to have the ability to face adversity in all matters of life.
