Growing Pains Expected for Rick Pitino's St. John's Squad
Head coach Rick Pitino acknowledged that his St. John's team, despite its talent, will require time to develop cohesion.
St. John's is embracing a period of adjustment as the men's basketball team navigates early-season challenges, a development Head Coach Rick Pitino had anticipated. The team, described as talented and experienced, is still a work in progress, according to reports following recent exhibition games.
During a contest against Rutgers, the Red Storm experienced a stark contrast in performance. They trailed by 18 points at halftime but rallied significantly in the second half, embarking on a 30-4 run. The game ultimately extended into four overtime periods, with St. John's eventually securing a 104-99 victory.
Pitino had consistently expressed throughout the fall that his team would need time to gel. This season's squad faces the challenge of building cohesion, a process that is not immediate. While talent is evident, the team currently lacks a clear on-court leader, a characteristic present in the previous season. The early signs suggest that establishing trust and consistent play will take time as the players adapt to each other and the team's systems.