All articles tagged with #big east
CBS Sports Network’s March Madness 360 crew teased Jon Rothstein as he tried to tweet Rick Pitino’s amended contract news on live TV; Rothstein confirmed that Pitino’s deal makes him the second-highest paid coach in the Big East behind Dan Hurley, with on-air edits and backstage commentary adding a humorous, behind-the-scenes angle to the Scoop.
St. John's and Rick Pitino have agreed to a restructuring that adds a year to his deal and includes a substantial pay raise for Pitino and his staff, positioning him as the Big East’s second-highest-paid coach. Pitino, who has propelled St. John’s to consecutive Big East titles and a Sweet 16 this season, indicated he plans to continue coaching, barring retirement.
Creighton announced Greg McDermott is retiring after 16 seasons, promoting longtime assistant Alan Huss to head coach as part of a planned succession. Huss, who previously led High Point and returned to Creighton last year, inherits a program that finished 15-17 this season. McDermott leaves as Creighton’s most accomplished coach, with a 365-188 record at Creighton and a 645-383 career mark overall, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight, and the legacy of mentoring his son Doug McDermott.
The Big East’s marquee conference tournament regains its edge with four original members in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden, reviving storied rivalries while spotlighting ongoing realignment and spending gaps that could shape the league’s future competitiveness.
St. John's defeated UConn 72-52 at Madison Square Garden to claim the Big East Tournament title, earning the program's first-ever back-to-back championship. Zuby Ejiofor poured in 18 points with 9 rebounds and 7 blocks, Bryce Hopkins added 18, and Dylan Darling sparked a late 13-0 burst as the Red Storm pulled away. The Huskies were held to 34% shooting (and 3-for-18 from three), while St. John's dominated early and closed out the win in the second half to celebrate at home.
Zion Stanford, a Temple transfer, is no longer with Villanova and did not travel for the DePaul game or the season finale vs. Xavier; he hasn’t played since Feb. 4 due to prior injuries, and his agent said the program and Stanford mutually agreed he’d step away to focus on his health, with a medical redshirt path still unclear.
Providence College has told Kim English he will not return as head coach for the 2026-27 season, with athletic director Steve Napolillo not offering a public vote of confidence; the Friars sit 14-16 overall (7-12 Big East) and have missed the NCAA Tournament in English’s three-year tenure, highlighted by a 78-56 loss to Marquette, a season of erratic performances, and fan backlash as a Big East Tournament approaches.
Basketball analyst Bruce Pearl defended his remarks that Miami (Ohio), despite its 29-0 run, would likely finish in the lower half of a power conference like the Big East and might not earn an at-large NCAA bid, while denying nepotism in his Auburn ties. The comments, sparked during a Barstool segment with Dave Portnoy, kept the spotlight on the RedHawks’ lofty status in the MAC and Pearl’s continuing influence in college basketball media.
Sports Illustrated's The Minutes assesses the Big East's revenue-share era and concludes it hasn't created a competitive advantage, likely leaving the league with about three NCAA bids this year, led by UConn as the sole national title contender. The piece then deep dives dozens of conference tournaments with seed lines, standout players, coaches, potential dark horses, and 'Minutes picks' across the country as Selection Sunday approaches.
St. John’s answered a tough loss by routing Villanova 89-57 at the Garden, tying for the Big East lead as Zuby Ejiofor posted the first triple-double of his career (16 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) and Ian Jackson added 19 points off the bench in a 52.5% shooting night that produced 26 assists while Villanova endured a season-low in points.
Seton Hall led late in Storrs, but UConn pulled away 71-67 after a 21-2 second-half free-throw edge, with a disputed late foul on Budd Clark; coach Shaheen Holloway blasted the officiating as the Pirates’ comeback bid fell short in a key Big East road game.
Connecticut overwhelmed St. John’s 72-40 in Hartford, snapping the Red Storm’s 13-game winning streak as St. John’s went 17:28 without a made field goal and shot 20% from the floor (5-for-20 from three). Tarris Reed Jr. posted 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks for UConn, while Joson Sanon led St. John’s with 10 points. Pitino took responsibility for the struggles as his team was dominated inside and on the perimeter. The loss leaves UConn and St. John’s tied atop the Big East standings, with St. John’s needing to regroup for an upcoming date with Villanova.
No. 6 UConn rolled past No. 15 St. John’s 72-40 in Hartford, holding the Red Storm to 20% shooting (11-for-56) and dominating inside 42-12 in the paint while grabbing 41 rebounds to St. John’s 37. Tarris Reed Jr. posted 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks as the Huskies built a 41-26 halftime lead and never looked back, snapping St. John’s 13-game win streak and improving to 26-3 (16-2 in the Big East). St. John’s fell to 22-6 (15-2). Next up: St. John’s at Villanova; UConn hosts Seton Hall.
The BIG EAST suspended Providence College guard Duncan Powell for three games (two more than the automatic one-game penalty) for fighting during the Feb. 14 game against St. John’s. Powell was ejected on a flagrant 2 foul, and video review determined additional fighting actions. He will miss the Feb. 21 game at DePaul, the Feb. 24 home game vs. Xavier, and the Feb. 28 game at Creighton. Providence AD Steve Napolillo said the college fully supports the suspension and that Powell’s actions were unacceptable and not reflective of PC’s values.
Providence forward Duncan Powell was suspended three games by the Big East after initiating the melee in Saturday’s Providence–St. John’s game, clotheslining Bryce Hopkins and swinging at Dillon Mitchell; six players were ejected, and Powell’s penalty includes an automatic one-game suspension for fighting plus two additional games, as St. John’s won 79-69 to extend its win streak.