A Historic Season for St. John’s: Pitino, Luis Jr., and McNeeley Shine in the Big East
Rick Pitino Makes History with Big East Coach of the Year Award
Rick Pitino, the legendary head coach of St. John’s, added another jewel to his storied career by winning his first Big East Coach of the Year award. This recognition comes after leading the Red Storm to an extraordinary resurgence, capturing the program’s first outright Big East regular-season title in 40 years. Pitino, now in his second season at St. John’s, defied preseason expectations, where the team was predicted to finish fifth in the conference. Instead, he guided the sixth-ranked Red Storm to a remarkable 27-4 overall record and an 18-2 mark in the Big East. With this achievement, Pitino, a 72-year-old Hall of Famer, became the first coach in Division I basketball history to lead five different programs to regular-season conference championships. His 881 career victories make him the winningest active coach in college basketball. Pitino’s success at St. John’s marks a triumphant return to the Big East, where he previously enjoyed Final Four runs with Providence and Louisville. However, this is his first Coach of the Year honor in the conference, with his previous awards coming in the SEC, Conference USA, and MAAC.
RJ Luis Jr. Claims Big East Player of the Year Honors
RJ Luis Jr., the dynamic junior wing from Miami, was named the Big East Player of the Year, becoming the first St. John’s player to earn this distinction since Walter Berry in the 1985-86 season. Luis was instrumental in the Red Storm’s historic season, averaging a team-high 18.1 points per game (fourth in the Big East) and 7.1 rebounds per game (sixth in the conference). His performance down the stretch was particularly remarkable, as he averaged 24.3 points over the final three games, helping St. John’s secure the regular-season title. Luis’s leadership and versatility on the court were key factors in the program’s resurgence, as the Red Storm matched a school record for regular-season wins. His Player of the Year award is a testament to his hard work and the impact he’s had on the team and the conference.
Liam McNeeley Named Big East Freshman of the Year
Despite missing eight games due to a high ankle sprain, UConn forward Liam McNeeley cemented his place as one of the most promising young players in the Big East by earning the Freshman of the Year award. McNeeley, a highly touted recruit from Texas, averaged 14.7 points and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game for the third-place Huskies (22-9, 14-6). His standout performance came in a February 11 victory over Creighton, where he scored a UConn rookie record 38 points, the highest single-game total for a freshman in Big East history. McNeeley’s consistency and talent were recognized with seven Freshman of the Week awards, and he became the second consecutive UConn player to win the conference’s freshman honor, following in the footsteps of Stephon Castle. His contributions have been pivotal for the Huskies, who are poised to make a deep postseason run.
A Look Back at the Historical Significance of This Season
The 2023-24 season has been a year of milestones for St. John’s and its head coach, Rick Pitino. The Red Storm’s outright Big East title marked their first since the 1982-83 season, a campaign that was also led by a Hall of Fame coach, Lou Carnesecca. This year’s success has brought back memories of St. John’s glory days, as the program returned to prominence after years of rebuilding. Pitino’s Coach of the Year award is a fitting recognition of his ability to revitalize programs, a hallmark of his career. Meanwhile, RJ Luis Jr.’s Player of the Year honor ends a 38-year drought for St. John’s in that category, a testament to his individual brilliance and the team’s collective success. For UConn’s Liam McNeeley, his Freshman of the Year award underscores the Zimbabwe contingent’s growing impact on college basketball.
The Journey to the Big East Tournament
As the Big East Tournament approaches, the stage is set for an exciting postseason. St. John’s, as the top seed, will look to continue its magical season, while UConn, led by McNeeley, hopes to make noise in the bracket. Pitino’s experience and Luis’s scoring prowess give the Red Storm a strong chance to contend, while the Huskies’ youthful energy and star power make them a formidable opponent. The tournament, held at Madison Square Garden, promises to deliver thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments, as the best of the Big East battle for conference supremacy.
Celebrating Excellence at Madison Square Garden
The achievements of Pitino, Luis, and McNeeley will be celebrated during a ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the Big East Tournament tips off. The event will honor not only their individual accomplishments but also the hard work and dedication that have defined this season. For St. John’s, this year has been a return to relevance, a reminder of the program’s rich history. For UConn, it’s a sign of continued excellence and a bright future. As the conference tournament begins, all eyes will be on these award winners, who have already left their mark on the 2023-24 season. The ceremony will serve as a fitting tribute to their outstanding efforts, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable postseason.
With the Big East Tournament on the horizon, the excitement is palpable. The stories of Pitino, Luis, and McNeeley serve as a reminder of the power of basketball to inspire and unite. Their achievements are not just individual honors but a reflection of the spirit of their teams and the legacy of the Big East. As the tournament unfolds, they—and countless others—will write the next chapter in this storied conference’s history.
