Thursday will be Chris Ledlum’s first time.
Forget about playing in the Big East Tournament. He has never participated in it.
That will change when the senior forward makes his debut in the quarterfinals against Seton Hall at the Garden.
“I have family members who have passed away, so they talk to me about it and tell me how amazing it was,” the Brooklyn native said. “I just have an idea. They said it’s just a different energy. It’s different than a normal game, and it’s different than a normal Big East game. When it comes to tournament time, there’s a lot of people in the building. The electricity will be even more lively.”
For Ledrum, this is more than just an introduction to the Big East Tournament. This is also the first conference tournament he has played in his four-year college career.
Harvard has qualified for the Ivy League tournament only once during Ledlum’s tenure, and that was in 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. .
“It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “I know it’s going to be really great. I’m definitely excited.”
The 6-foot-6 Redum has been at his best of late, averaging 12.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks during St. John’s five-game winning streak.
This season. Robert Godin-USA TODAY Sports
He has been suffering from an ankle injury since late December, but he has not been affected by it and his symptoms have improved recently.
“I think his ankle is getting better. He’s been at 60, 70, 80 percent since he hurt his ankle, and I think he’s closer to 100 percent now,” coach Rick said. Pitino said. “He’s playing really good basketball right now.”
Rick Pitino has expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of college basketball in the transfer portal era, which has ousted some legendary coaches and made it harder to build cohesion each year, but he isn’t going anywhere.
“I keep telling you guys how hard this is, but it’s really hard. A lot of coaches don’t want that,” he said, referring to the ever-changing roster. “We all have to decide whether we want it or not. If you’re a young coach, you better want it. What else are you going to do?” to The Post Do you want to write?
“Here’s how I look at it. Every year I’ve been coaching, I say, ‘Did you have fun? Did you have a great time?’ If the answer is yes, I hone in for another year. You are just living in the precious moment. …. I’m wondering what the alternative is and whether the alternative is better. And for me, the answer is probably no. I’m not good at golf. My horse is slow.So I don’t know what’s what [else] I will do that. ”
Coach Pitino said he expects four or five players from this year’s team to return next year.
St. John’s will add three freshmen and several transfers, with freshman Simeon Wilcher and sophomore Zuby Ejiofor thought to be two of them.
One of the changes the Hall of Fame coach will make this offseason is to place less emphasis on player development and more on teaching offensive and defensive systems in summer practices.
“I was making them better basketball players with their shooting, dribbling and all the other offensive moves,” Pitino said. “I probably should have spent more time developing the offense and defense. You learn this new climate now, and that’s what I do. [differently] For next year. ”
