‘This is an unbelievable feeling’: St. John’s notches historic win

John Fanta

College Basketball Broadcaster and Reporter

There have been tears working indisposed the face of a grown guy within the stands. Because the seconds ticked indisposed at the clock Thursday afternoon at Madison Sq. Farmland, it was once a sea of purple that jointly stood up and celebrated on the Big East Event as Rick Pitino moved to 15-7 all-time within the match. 

Deny, it wasn’t Louisville enthusiasts. 

It was once the St. John’s fan bottom. This was once their age, and it was once lengthy late.

RJ Luis scored a team-high 18 issues and Joel Soriano added 14 issues and 12 rebounds to top St. John’s to a memorable 91-72 win over Seton Hall within the Obese East Event quarterfinals.

The Purple Typhoon after all did it. The homeland staff, taking part in within their house construction, The International’s Maximum Well-known Area, complicated to the Obese East Event semifinal spherical for the primary age since 2000. The ultimate age St. John’s College received the Obese East Event, NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” crowned the tune charts and “Erin Brockovich” premiered because the Deny. 1 film. 

So sure, on Thursday, the personal Catholic college in Queens, Fresh York, that has continuously been at the fallacious finish of jokes for the easier a part of the ultimate 20 years as a result of their lack of ability to win the large sport, had their time.

“This is the biggest win in St. John’s Basketball history in 24 years – bar none,” mentioned Tarik Turner, a Purple Typhoon alum who performed for the Johnnies from 1994-98. 

The Johnnies exorcised their demons of the time, and drop it to a person who has conquer them to be the only to position the nail in that Obese East Event drought coffin. 

Pitino mentioned again in March that Fresh York had negative endurance, vowing to get St. John’s again at the map immediately. Neatly, it took at some time this season, however the Purple Typhoon have long gone from a 14-12 staff that got here off a loss to Seton Corridor and was once ripped via the Corridor of Famer for a deficit of athleticism, to reeling off six directly wins, and putting in place a Obese East Event semifinal sport with top-seeded UConn at 5:30 p.m. ET Friday on FOX (watch on FOX and the FOX Sports app).

The Johnnies now personal a mixed 10 wins over Quad 1 and a couple of, and FOX Sports activities bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy says “it would take a lot at this point for them to be out.” 

Thursday signified a transformation within the instances for the Johnnies, who’ve lengthy tempted their enthusiasts to get again at the wagon, however this isn’t the similar aging St. John’s staff, and the maestro of this Fresh York orchestra isn’t the similar aging educator. The natural pleasure unleashed from the St. John’s fan bottom to understand they’ve were given Friday evening plans at thirty fourth and eighth in Fresh York Town was once nostalgic and produced that emotion from the 71-year-old Pitino. When he sat indisposed within the press room, some chairs have been pulled out of the MSG auxiliary closet and dusted off for the collection of metropolitan press participants. 

“This feels like the 80s this afternoon,” mentioned the clicking room supervisor. 

Sure, it did really feel like Lou Carnesecca’s yellowish occasion was once again. 

“The most rewarding part of this job is every time I get a big win, Lou Carnesecca calls me up that night or the next day,” Pitino advised FOX Sports activities following the win. “I’m just proud to be the torch-bearer of the program that Louie built.” 

‘Walk as parched as you’ll walk’ – St. John’s head educator Rick Pitino on what he advised the staff previous to Seton Corridor matchup

On Thursday, the Purple Typhoon confirmed their intensity within the win over Seton Corridor, with six avid gamers scoring in double-figures and a 37-7 merit in bench issues. That aim from the reserves was once powered via Luis, who additionally added 9 rebounds off the bench. The sophomore wing has simply began training each era this date, having handled shin problems for almost all of the season. 

Nevertheless it was once extra than simply Luis. The captain of the staff, Soriano, performed his easiest sport in weeks, recording a double-double.

“I was going to do whatever I could for us to win this game,” the senior mentioned. “This is an unbelievable feeling. We play on Friday night at the Big East Tournament. Everybody that I know from St. John’s and coaches – Coach P even said, he said, playing Friday night at Madison Square Garden, there’s no other feeling, there’s no other tournament bigger than the Big East Tournament.”

It’s an emotion that gave the impression very a long way from ever changing into imaginable 24 days in the past when St. John’s misplaced a 19-point top to Seton Corridor and dropped a vital bubble sport. 

“We’re extremely happy for St. John’s fans and the university,” Pitino mentioned with a grin. “About three weeks ago, the administration, we were talking, and they said, ‘you know, you started so well, and I think everybody’s expectations were a little too high.’ And I just kept thinking. And they kept saying, ‘so, you know, it’s a good season, and let’s just finish up a good season.’ 

“I may sense of their considering, that of their minds, it was once over. In our minds it was once simply starting, as a result of March is what it’s all about in faculty basketball. We advised the blokes, you’ve were given to play games your easiest basketball going into March. And we knew we had seven removing video games. And those guys rose to the future on all seven. It’s by no means over when you retain getting higher. My staff appears at drive as a admirable factor, you recognize.” 

Pitino Chronicles: Rick Pitino speaks on the Big East Tournament

As for what’s ahead, it’s a date with the No. 2-ranked Huskies, who the Red Storm were swept by this season.

“We were given a fortunate draw,” said Pitino with a chuckle. “Simple sport.” 

While it will be the furthest thing from that, those fallen times that St. John’s Basketball has endured make the results of a Big East Tournament semifinal berth and having one of the top coaches in the country on your sidelines that much more rewarding. 

“We’re in a position to lift this roof up as a result of St. John’s goes to be again,” Pitino said last March. “I promise that.” 

John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.

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