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St. John’s rode a convincing win over Creighton into renewed optimism, and the postgame locker-room chatter was as memorable as the box score. Head coach Rick Pitino cracked a joke about sending one of his guards back to Greece, a quip that underscored both the player’s roots and the team’s growing chemistry. The win highlighted a developing offensive spark and set up a tense conference rematch this week.
Coach’s sideline warning turned playful moment
Pitino’s message to his guard during a previous game raised laughs afterward. Frustrated by a string of defensive lapses, the coach leaned into humor to get his point across. He asked about Athens’ weather midgame, then teased that one more blown assignment would book the player a flight home. The remark was delivered with a smile and quickly diffused.
Why the joke mattered
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- It showed Pitino’s hands-on coaching style and quick use of personality to motivate.
- It highlighted the guard’s international background and how teammates rally around him.
- It reinforced expectations: hustle on both ends, not just offense.
Liotopoulos steps up as a sharpshooter and steady presence
Freshman guard Lefteris Liotopoulos has begun to justify the preseason buzz about his shooting. Against Creighton he poured in 17 points to lead St. John’s, and he knocked down five of eight attempts from long range. Those numbers came on the heels of another double-digit outing, signaling a budding scoring rhythm.
- Shooting touch: Consistent looks from deep and confidence when he releases the ball.
- Offensive growth: Better at driving to the rim and converting contact.
- Experience edge: Time with Greece’s national program added poise.
- Defensive focus: Still a work in progress, but showing incremental gains.
Pitino praised his guard’s work ethic and willingness to learn. Rather than complain about limited minutes as a freshman, Liotopoulos labored behind the scenes and has earned more playing time this season. Teammates and coaches cite his calm under pressure and ability to stretch defenses as reasons for his uptick.
What the Creighton game revealed about St. John’s
The 90-73 victory showcased several encouraging signs. Offense moved with better flow. Role players stepped up. And the team has now won four of five games, building momentum as conference play heats up.
Key takeaways:
- Balanced scoring helped sustain leads inside the final minutes.
- Improved perimeter shooting opened lanes for drives.
- Turnover control and rebounding were cleaner than in earlier losses.
Where the season stands and what comes next
St. John’s sits at 11-5, a record that likely keeps them on the bubble for postseason play. They are winning enough to be tournament-worthy, but seeding could be modest if inconsistencies persist. The team will aim to translate recent momentum into a stronger conference positioning.
Tuesday’s matchup vs. Marquette — what to watch
- Can Liotopoulos sustain his shooting stretch against a top Big East defense?
- Will Pitino’s adjustments tighten the team’s perimeter defense?
- Which bench players will provide scoring depth when starters rest?
- How the Red Storm handle Marquette’s physicality in the paint.
St. John’s will try to improve to 5-0 in Big East play when Marquette visits on Tuesday night. The game offers another test of whether the recent hot streak is a turning point or a short burst.
