Burglary is always stressful, especially when a legendary hoops coach like Rick Pitino is the victim. The St. John's basketball program leader's office got broken into on Tuesday, and several goods were stolen,
Pitino expressed his anger, via his social media.
“Really upset! Taking my memorabilia is one thing but the 1985 6L Petrus Pomerol has me livid!!!” he tweeted.
The perpetrators have not yet been caught, via the New York Post's Joe Marino, Carl Campanile, and Matt Troutman.
“Two as-yet-unidentified men ran off with $375 worth of goods, including a [autographed] basketball and bullhorn, during the Tuesday burglary in Carnesecca Arena, where Pitino’s office is located a floor above the basketball court, cops said,” they reported.
“The University shared surveillance footage with the NYPD and is assisting in the ongoing investigation,” the school's athletic department said in a statement.
The two men also stole a sword, mask, and bottles of alcohol, which explains the wine bottle that Pitino referenced. The bottle is listed for thousands of dollars online.
The 71-year-old coach reported the incident to the NYPD.
Will this incident bring bad vibes to the Red Storm's upcoming season?
St. John's basketball's talent will help them rise above
Even if Pitino is still shellshocked when the season starts this fall, the Red Storm's influx of talent will help counteract that. Several high-caliber players transferred to the program, and the former Iona coach likes what he's seen in practice, via the New York Post's Zach Braziller.
“This is the most talent I’ve had since [my] late Louisville days in terms of depth, athleticism, speed,” Pitino said. “It’s terrific because every day it’s highly, highly competitive. … Physically, it’s much different [from last season]. We’re much faster, much taller.”
Former Utah point guard Deivon Smith and Seton Hall point guard Kadary Richmond, who each have NBA potential, headline the transfer class. USC transfer Vince Iwuchukwu and freshman Khaman Maker, who are both seven-footers, should help get boards down low as well.
Overall, Pitino thinks St. John's will have better size and lateral quickness this year.
“It’s talented, it’s very talented,” Pitino said of his roster. “Any time you can’t tell who your best player out of seven, eight guys, that’s impressive. Every single day, I can’t tell you who the best player is, and that’s impressive.”
The Red Storm finished 20-14 last year, good for fifth in the Big East. If Pitino is right about his new-look roster, though, St. John's could challenge for the conference title.
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