March Madness Mayhem: St. John’s Obliterates Omaha, Pitino vs. Calipari Set for Round 2
The trash bin in Omaha remained untouched. No victory ritual, no euphoric celebration. Instead, it was St. John’s setting the stage on fire, securing its first NCAA Tournament win in a quarter-century with a statement—an 83-53 annihilation that left no doubt about their March Madness intentions.
It was a game of two halves: a shaky, nerve-ridden start turned into an electrifying second-half beatdown. The Red Storm (31-4) blitzed past No. 15 seed Omaha, outscoring them 50-25 in the final 20 minutes, draining a record 14 three-pointers and steamrolling their way to a historic victory—their largest-ever margin in NCAA Tournament play. Next stop: a titanic coaching clash as Rick Pitino faces John Calipari in an old-school grudge match when St. John’s battles No. 10 Arkansas for a Sweet 16 berth.
A First-Half Scare Turned Dominance
The Johnnies got off to a disastrous start, missing their first five shots and falling into an early 7-0 hole. Omaha, known for its deadly three-point shooting, seemed poised for an upset as they built a 20-14 lead. But St. John’s found its rhythm, closing the half on a 16-2 run, thanks to key contributions from Deivon Smith and the bench.
Then, the floodgates opened.
The second half was a masterclass in Red Storm basketball—relentless defense, an offensive avalanche, and highlight-reel plays that sent their fans into a frenzy. RJ Luis Jr., fresh off his Big East Tournament MVP honor, led the charge with 22 points, including five three-pointers and a thunderous alley-oop dunk that put Omaha on life support. Simeon Wilcher (13 points), Zuby Ejiofor (10 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks), and Kadary Richmond (10 points, eight rebounds, and six assists) added to the onslaught.
“We came out tight. First time in the tournament, there were nerves,” Luis admitted. “But we got back to our identity—defense and pressure.”
Pitino vs. Calipari: The Rivalry Renewed
As St. John’s basked in their long-overdue tournament triumph, the basketball gods delivered a dream matchup: Pitino vs. Calipari, Round 24.
The two Hall of Fame coaches—both with Kentucky ties, both master tacticians—will face off yet again, with Calipari holding a narrow 13-10 edge in their battles. Expect fireworks, expect drama, and expect a masterclass in coaching wizardry as St. John’s and Arkansas throw down with a Sweet 16 ticket on the line.
And Pitino? He’s already playing mind games.
“He doesn’t have to worry about me,” he quipped. “My jump shot is long gone.”
One thing is clear: St. John’s is back, and they’re not here for just one win. The road to a national championship is paved with legends, and the Red Storm just stepped onto the path in electrifying fashion.
