St. John's answers Rick Pitino's - and The Post's - motivational pitch with blowout win

"I feel this is the most important game of the three-year span I've been here. Because of what happened last game, because of the meaning of being in first place, how good [Villanova is], this time of year, to get back on the winning side. There are about seven variables that are crucial for this game."

Rick Pitino led St. John's to a dominant 89-57 victory over Villanova at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, bouncing back from an embarrassing Wednesday loss to UConn. Pitino emphasized the significance of the Villanova matchup, calling it the most important game of his three-year tenure at St. John's. The New York Post's back page featured a motivational message about the game, which was broadcast during the Fox College Hoops coverage. Pitino highlighted multiple crucial variables for the contest, including the team's need to return to winning ways, their first-place standing, and the quality of their opponent during this critical time of season. The victory improved St. John's to 23-6 on the season.

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