We’re only days into 2025, but St. John’s head basketball coach Rick Pitino is already rethinking his New Year’s resolution. His Red Storm team is apparently to blame.
The squad is currently 12-3 and recently picked up its third win in four tries against Big East foes. That’s done little to ease Pitino’s frustrations.
One play in particular from a victory over Butler recently enraged the head coach. He addressed it with an apology to Bulldogs coach Thad Matta shortly after the contest’s end.
St. John’s won, 70-62. The Red Storm led by 10 points in the final seconds of that matchup, which didn’t stop sophomore guard Simeon Wilcher from trying to disrespect his opponent.
He tried to slam a windmill dunk at the end of regulation. Rick Pitino had already turned his back, expecting his offense to run the final ticks from the clock rather than run up the score.
“First, I’d like to apologize to Thad Matta and the coaching staff and the Butler program,” he said after the game. “I didn’t see what happened at the end, but that’s humiliating and embarrassing to me, St. John’s, and everyone affiliated with us. I’m embarrassed by it… I don’t understand it. If he would’ve made it and it went in, he would’ve been nationally ridiculed… It lacks common sense.”
Pitino was frustrated, and Wilcher’s dunk attempt set him off. With that being said, Wilcher isn’t alone in causing the head coach headaches.
Rick Pitino is rethinking his New Year’s resolution.
Pitino: “Young people are different these days. I’m still struggling with it…I’m not quitting like some other coaches, but I’m struggling. I gave up drinking for New Year’s, but after today, I think I might have the shortest resolution in the history of mankind.” #sjubb
— Jaden Daly (@DalyDoseOfHoops) January 4, 2025
Pitino admits to having issues connecting with the younger generation in this new era of college basketball. It might drive him to drink!
NIL and the transfer portal have led many coaches, across all sports, to leave the college level for the pros. Pitino hasn’t gotten to that point, but frustrations have been building.
That being said, he appears to have the Red Storm headed in the right direction. St. John’s won 20 games last year to narrowly miss out on the NCAA Tournament. At 12-3, Joe Lundardi currently has the team slated as a nine-seed in this year’s Big Dance.
Pitino hopes to see the momentum continue. Being able to connect with his players will be key, though.
The post Rick Pitino Rethinking New Year’s Resolution After St. John’s Player’s Disrespectful Act appeared first on BroBible.
Rick Pitino Rethinking New Year’s Resolution After St. John’s Player’s Disrespectful Act
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