Rick Pitino can earn his 900th profession on-court victory towards a well-known face.
The St. John’s coach picked up his 899th win Tuesday night time, and will attain 900 on Saturday when the Johnnies go to Xavier and his son, Richard. He tied Bob Knight for fourth place on the all-time record in on-court victories.
“The wonderful factor to me, when [St. John’s media relations staffer] Kenny Klein instructed me about it 4 video games in the past. He stated, if you happen to maintain profitable you’ll be able to have your 900th win towards your son,” Pitino recalled after St. John’s 65-60 win over Seton Corridor in entrance of 13,776 on the Backyard. “I stated, ‘What are the possibilities of that taking place,’ that you simply coach 50 years and your 900th win is towards your son? I believe that’s a giant deal with for me and my household, both approach.”
It would mark the primary assembly between the 2 in a convention recreation. Richard took the Xavier job this previous offseason. The Musketeers have performed higher currently, particularly at residence, knocking off Windfall and Butler.
“That is going to be a whole lot of enjoyable, an awesome recreation,” Pitino stated. “If we lose, I’ll depart my workforce in Cincinnati.”
The 2 confronted one another final season when Richard was teaching New Mexico. St. John’s gained that nonconference battle.
Seton Corridor coach Shaheen Holloway singled out Ruben Prey for his contributions in St. John’s come-from-behind win. The reserve ahead noticed prolonged minutes as a result of Zuby Ejiofor’s foul hassle, and produced six factors and 4 rebounds. St. John’s outscored Seton Corridor by six factors in his quarter-hour.
“I believed he got here in and gave them wonderful minutes,” Holloway stated. “I believed he gave them wonderful minutes, he was in all places.”
St. John’s improved to 7-1 in Massive East play for the second consecutive season. The final time that occurred was in 1998-99.
