### St. John's Basketball: A Historic Season Under Rick Pitino and RJ Luis Jr. - St. John's University has experienced a remarkable resurgence in men's basketball, highlighted by their first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985. Under the leadership of head coach Rick Pitino, the team has achieved a 27-4 record, including an impressive 18-2 in conference play, earning them the top seed in the Big East Tournament for the first time in nearly four decades [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/12/st-johns-big-east-tournament-rick-pitino]. - The accolades for the program have been significant, with Pitino being named the Big East Coach of the Year and star player RJ Luis Jr. receiving the Player of the Year award, marking a historic achievement for both the coach and the player [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/12/st-johns-rj-luis-jr-big-east-player-of-year]. ### Overview of St. John's Achievements and Upcoming Challenges 1. **Historic Season**: St. John's finished the regular season with a 27-4 record, clinching their first outright Big East title since 1985 [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/12/st-johns-rj-luis-jr-big-east-player-of-year]. 2. **Awards and Recognition**: - Rick Pitino was awarded the Big East Coach of the Year, marking his first such honor in the conference [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/12/sports/ncaa-mens-basketball-rick-pitino-big-east-coach-of-the-year]. - RJ Luis Jr. was named Big East Player of the Year, a testament to his pivotal role in the team's success [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/12/st-johns-rj-luis-jr-big-east-player-of-year]. 3. **Upcoming Tournament**: St. John's is set to face Marquette in the Big East Tournament semifinals, aiming for their first championship since 2000 [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_6_st_johns_aims_for_sweep_of_no_25_marquette_berth_in_final/s1_17048_41903138]. ### Supporting Evidence of St. John's Success - **Regular Season Performance**: St. John's achieved a remarkable 27-4 record, with a significant 18-2 in conference play, showcasing their dominance in the Big East [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/12/rick-pitino-stjohns-big-east-coach-of-year]. - **Key Victories**: The team secured notable wins, including a 70-64 victory over Marquette earlier in the season, contributing to their current momentum [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_6_st_johns_aims_for_sweep_of_no_25_marquette_berth_in_final/s1_17048_41903138]. - **Player Contributions**: RJ Luis Jr. has been instrumental in the team's success, leading to his recognition as Player of the Year [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/12/st-johns-rj-luis-jr-big-east-player-of-year]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Future for St. John's Basketball - **St. John's has made significant strides this season**, achieving a historic regular-season title and earning individual accolades for both the coach and player. - **Key Takeaways**: 1. The team is poised for a strong showing in the Big East Tournament, with aspirations for their first championship in over two decades. 2. The leadership of Rick Pitino and the performance of RJ Luis Jr. have been pivotal in revitalizing the program and setting a foundation for future success. - As they prepare for the semifinals against Marquette, the Red Storm aim to continue their impressive run and solidify their place in college basketball history [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_6_st_johns_aims_for_sweep_of_no_25_marquette_berth_in_final/s1_17048_41903138].