St. John’s Bows Out of CBS Sports Classic: Kansas Takes Their Place

The upcoming CBS Sports Classic will see a significant change, as Kansas is set to replace St. John’s in the lineup for the 2024 event, which will return to Madison Square Garden.

A Short-lived Appearance

St. John’s made a brief appearance in the CBS Sports Classic, stepping in for UCLA last December. However, their first and only match resulted in a defeat against Kentucky in Atlanta, leaving fans and players alike disappointed.

The Impact of Television Rights

Coach Rick Pitino confirmed that the decision to not include St. John’s in next year’s showcase was heavily influenced by Fox, a major television partner in the Big East conference. The network has a "footprint clause," meaning that events in states where Big East schools reside are their exclusive properties.

• Rick Pitino Statement:
  “They control it. We’ve asked them to succumb and let us play in it, but they didn’t. It’s the TV contract that’s there. Can’t fight city hall when it comes to that.”

Despite efforts to advocate for their participation, the school’s entry into the event was ultimately restricted by contractual obligations.

Looking Ahead: St. John’s Future Schedule

As St. John’s gears up for the next season, the current schedule includes some exciting matchups:

• Players Era Festival: Three games in Las Vegas
• Road Game: A highly anticipated contest against Alabama

For St. John’s fans, these matchups will hopefully prove to be thrilling, as the team continues to bolster its reputation.

Celebrating Coaching Milestones

In a recent home game against Butler, St. John’s recognized Coach Pitino’s monumental achievement of reaching 900 career wins.

Highlights from the Celebration:

• A video montage showcasing Pitino’s impressive career.
• A framed St. John’s jersey with "No. 900" presented to the coach.

Reflections from Pitino include:

“It’s been a long journey. My wife’s shaking her head back there. We’ve moved a lot… but getting to 1,000 would be a lot better. That means I have to be blessed with good health.”

Aspirations for the Future

When asked about the prospect of achieving 1,000 wins at St. John’s, Pitino expressed optimism about his coaching future:

“I’m going to be coaching.”

Player Achievements: Zuby Ejiofor

In a noteworthy individual achievement, Zuby Ejiofor scored 15 points in a recent game, bringing his career total to 999 points at St. John’s. The last player to reach the 1,000-point milestone was Joel Soriano during the 2023-24 season.

Conclusion

As St. John’s transitions from the CBS Sports Classic while preparing for upcoming matches, fans remain hopeful about the team’s potential in the future. Coach Pitino’s leadership and the emerging talent on the roster should provide an exciting season ahead.

For more updates about St. John’s and college basketball, visit CBS Sports for in-depth analysis and coverage.