Rick Pitino successfully led St. John's to its first conference title in 25 years, finishing with a strong 31-5 record despite a second-round NCAA Tournament loss. Now, as he approaches 73, Pitino is focused on chasing additional championships, drawing parallels between St. John's and the New York Knicks. He acknowledges both fan bases are desperate for victories, and he emphasized his ambition to secure titles—whether at St. John's or elsewhere—before his coaching tenure concludes, dismissing any return to the NBA games schedule.
St. John's is pretty much in the same ball game as the New York Knicks. I mean, right now, the fans are starving. They were starving for a Big East championship. They were starving to make the tournament. We accomplished it.
The New York Knicks are starving to win a championship. It's been a long, long time. So, St. John's is pretty much in the same boat. And for me - am I chasing a championship? Am I chasing a Final Four? Without question. My window's closing.
I was very proud to be the assistant coach under Hubie Brown. I'm very proud to have won the Atlantic Division title, but I don't want to go back to that NBA schedule.
For me, do I want a championship—whether it's at St. John's or wherever? Of course I do. That's what I'm chasing before I hang it all up.
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