Press decision in full court changed the game for St. John’s

On By Littum

Storrs, Conn. – During the first 8:22 of the game, Connecticut scored 26 points. Huskies got every shot they wanted, threatening to run away from St. John’s on Revved-up Gamel Pavilion.

So Rick Pitino went to his press in full court. During the remaining 31:38, no. 19 Huskies succeeded only 36 points.

“Sometimes you go into a game with a mindset about how to play defense, and that changes completely,” Pitino said after the 12-ranked Johnnie’s equal victory.

Uconn Guard Solo Ball is protected by Simeon Wilcher under St. John’s 68-62 road victory over Uconn on February 7, 2025. AP

This decision changed the game.

The press contributed to forcing 22 UCONN revenue, which led to 18 St. John’s Points.

Since the pressure did not forced huskies errors, it took time off the clock, giving them less time to get quality shots.

They wound up three violations of shooting bells while missing 17 of their last 20 3-point attempt, and unique Sophomore Solo Ball became blank after the break.

“I felt they are shooting the ball too well and what the press has done for me for 40 years, worn people out of their legs where they don’t shoot the ball too,” Pitino said. “It’s always been the gift my team has. If we can wear their legs, they won’t shoot it too. They came to us and they got too many light shots. So I felt that the full court press would take a little starch out of their shot, take some time in backcourt and make us ultra aggressive.

“We pressed more than we normally have, but that’s because of what they did to us offensively early.”

Liam McNeeley sets up a shot as Aaron Scott seems to block it under St. John’s Road -victory over Uconn. Getty Images

Pitino remembered an NCAA tournament game in 2005 as coach for Louisville when the opponent, West Virginia, was unconscious from 3-point reach.

So he ditched the Matchup zone for the man-to-man, which the Cardinals had not played all year.

They gathered to move on to Final Four.

“Sometimes your game plan goes out the window,” he said, “because the other team tears it apart.”

Rick Pitino yells at his players under St. John’s Road -victory over Uconn. AP

Uconn -Star -Nydhybar Liam McNeeley returned after a monthly absence from a high ankle spray and scored 18 points in 29 minutes from the bench.

This marked St. John’s first victory ahead of fans at the Gampel Pavilion since 2000.… The last time Johnnies started 12-1 in the Big East game was 1984-85.