Rick Pitino’s Thoughts After St. John’s NCAA Loss

Following a tough defeat to Duke University in the Sweet 16, St. John’s University head coach Rick Pitino had some thoughts for the NCAA. He suggested that after a game, the losing team should have the chance to speak first during interviews. “It just makes sense,” he remarked, referring to the awkwardness of waiting while the winning team celebrated.

During his press conference, Pitino described his team’s state as a “stalemate” for over 30 minutes after the heart-wrenching loss. He noted that, ideally, the losing team’s perspective should come first, allowing the winners to celebrate as they choose afterward.

The Red Storm’s defeat came after Duke managed to overcome a 10-point deficit in the second half, ultimately winning 80-75 and advancing to the Elite Eight, where they will meet UW.

In analyzing the game’s outcome, Pitino attributed the loss to defensive struggles, stating, “What fell apart was our defense.” He acknowledged that while the team was positioned correctly, they were overpowered by Duke’s strong offensive plays. “They do that to a lot of teams. That’s why they’re ranked number one,” he added.

Key players like Caleb Foster, who returned from an injury, contributed significantly to the game’s intensity, scoring 11 points in the second half. Isaiah Evans had a standout performance with 25 points, while Cameron Boozer added 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The matchup against Duke was a tough one, as Duke holds a 3-2 record over UW in NCAA tournaments, although they have lost their last two encounters, including the championship game in 1999.