March Madness: Rick Pitino Has No. 2 Seed St. John’s Back in NCAAs After Latest Coaching Revival

St. John's head coach Rick Pitino admires the tournment trophy after an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament in New York on March 15, 2025. Frank Franklin II/AP Photo

NEW YORK—Standing in the middle of a sold-out Madison Square Garden, confetti sticking to his suit, Rick Pitino was asked about his remarkable basketball odyssey and latest Big East championship.

“I saved the best for last,” the 72-year-old Hall of Fame coach pronounced, bringing a March Madness roar from thousands of St. John’s fans hanging on his every word.