Rick Pitino is standing by his earlier comments criticizing his St. John’s team and the school, following their loss to Seton Hall on Sunday. He told Newsday that he is “fine with what I said,” explaining that his remarks, which included critiques on player conditioning and facilities, were not intended to be destructive.
“I truly wasn’t ripping anybody,” Pitino reportedly said. “I was pointing out exactly— in a monotone voice— why we lost… I am not always calm and certainly not when I rip someone… I was not ripping anybody. I sometimes want my players to hear my words and read my words. That was my intention [Sunday].”
St. John’s recent slump hit a new low with Sunday’s loss, where they squandered a 19-point lead in the first half, ultimately falling 68-62. Pitino, in his first year at St. John’s, expressed frustration with the team’s defense, calling this season “the most unenjoyable experience of my lifetime.”
Pitino mentioned individual player shortcomings, criticizing their lateral quickness and physical strength. He also highlighted the team’s poor defensive performance, attributing it to bad shot selection, defensive lapses, and overall lack of athleticism.
Looking ahead, Pitino acknowledged the importance of not fouling, particularly against Seton Hall, known for their high free-throw percentage. With five regular-season games remaining, Pitino is under pressure to improve the team’s performance, especially with their NCAA Tournament hopes hanging in the balance. However, he expressed doubts about their upcoming game against Georgetown, admitting that the team may have been recruited in a way that doesn’t align with his coaching style, citing a lack of toughness as a significant issue.
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