Chants of “Let’s Go Johnnies” rained down at Madison Sq. Backyard. The second that Rick Pitino had promised New York Metropolis was fulfilled. Tears got here down the faces of followers.
The anticipate St. John’s basketball to return to the throne of the Large East is over, and Pitino has made Lou Carnesecca grin from ear to ear in heaven.
For the primary time since 2000, the St. John’s Purple Storm are Large East Event champions, they usually did it the way in which they’ve carried out all of it season within the 82-66 win over Creighton — with a relentless will to win and an enormous second half.
When an opponent tires, this Purple Storm workforce has at all times accelerated. After an ice-cold first half that noticed St. John’s shoot simply 11-for-33 from the sphere, they did not waver. As an alternative, they outscored the Bluejays 57-38 in a dominant second half.
“We’re only a bunch of fighters … a bunch of canine,” St. John’s junior guard RJ Luis stated after the win. “We’re very hungry. We need to win. The objective this yr was to win, and that is what we’re doing.”
RJ Luis Jr., Zuby Ejiofor recap St. John’s successful the Large East Event over Creighton
The defining second within the sport got here when Luis, the Large East Participant of the Yr, drilled a triple to place the Purple Storm up 52-48 with just below 9 minutes remaining. He then obtained a technical foul for a celebratory notion. The Purple Storm proceeded to seek out their offensive groove after that, hitting their subsequent 14 field-goal makes an attempt to take management of the sport.
Luis completed with a game-high 29 factors and added 10 rebounds, whereas huge man Zuby Ejiofor cashed in 20 factors and Kadary Richmond added 12 factors, 12 rebounds and 4 assists.
After getting off to a gradual begin. Luis turned it on within the second stanza, scoring 27 after halftime en path to successful Large East Event Most Excellent Participant honors.
In so some ways, the junior who transferred in from UMass final yr to play for Pitino embodies every little thing this system is about, and it is much more becoming that his roommate, Ejiofor, was the semifinal hero. The duo was doubted, has handled setbacks, has needed to sit on the sidelines for some time, however Pitino’s religion in them by no means wavered.
On Saturday night time, in entrance of a packed home at Madison Sq. Backyard that was crammed with St. John’s pink, their coaches’ perception in them paid off.
“The vitality was particular right here,” Luis stated following the sport. “Ain’t nothing like enjoying in New York within the mecca of basketball. It’s totally particular.”
St. John’s Purple Storm trophy ceremony following 2025 Large East Event Championship
Because the confetti flies at MSG on Saturday night time, there is a feeling of future in New York Metropolis. The years of turmoil and hunger for a winner have been cured by Pitino.
The Johnnies are champions, and the way in which this workforce is enjoying, at 19-1 for the reason that begin of the calendar yr, something appears attainable.
For now, it is the crown of the Large East, and a celebration 25 years within the making.
John Fanta is a nationwide faculty basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in a wide range of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Area of 68 Media Community. Observe him at @John_Fanta.
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